I woke up and I heard silence.
Is it finally over?
Then I heard an earth shattering roar, a mighty sound of impact and then there was silence.
I began to hyperventilate again as I smelled all kinds of nauseating smells when I saw that the bubble begun to float down.
I'm panting way too fast and I trembled uncontrollably. My tears kept falling down on my cheeks as I tried to make sense of whatever is happening.
I can see the 3 lycans on the floor unmoving, Sly being back to his regular form but unconscious, Ghost who is in his ghost form floating but I can't see his eyes and Orm still in his transformed self but slumped against the wall looking stunned.
In the middle of the room where there are several giant cracks on the floor are Lion and Alpha still on their monster form. Alpha was lying down on the floor with one of Lion's gigantic claw on his chest, blood spurting out from his mouth while he continued to snarl at Lion.
Then suddenly, Lion kicked him hard towards the wall in which I hurriedly averted my eyes. I heard the impact of Alpha's body hitting the wall and the sound of gigantic crash on the floor.
Then finally, Lion let out a deafening triumphant roar.
It was clear who won.
Yet, unlike the typical fantasy romance novel in which the female lead character will run towards the hero, I didn't run towards Lion.
I'm terrified of him.
I just sat there, waiting for the bubble to pop, trembling with tears falling down on my cheeks.
I didn't make any sound. I just stared blankly into space. The environment seems like it's spinning. I don't know if it's quiet or I'm hearing muffled sounds.
I think I'm about to faint again.
And I did.
....
I heard some whispers in the dark.
Who is it?
My eyes felt too heavy to open.
So I tried to concentrate on listening.
I heard Sly in an outraged voice, complaining about someone making me watch something so horrible.
Yes, it was horrible. I definitely would have nightmares after this.
Ghost is arguing with someone whose voice I can't recognize, telling them that they better erase my memory or else I will suffer.
Erase my memory?
Yeah it may seemed like it's a better solution but somehow, I realized after calming down, that I'm glad to see them in their true self.
Yes it was scary. Yes, it was horrible. But you know what? I accepted it. I accepted that there are things that are beyond my control, beyond my understanding and that, accepting someone at their worst is a step in truly loving them. Accepting them doesn't mean that everything will be beautiful. Instead, it means you saw them in their horrible self yet you didn't run away.
I heard Orm threatening someone while groaning in pain.
Where is Lion?
I can't hear Lion's voice.
Where is he?
Please don't erase my memory.
Lion where are you?
I began to breathe fast when I suddenly felt someone embracing me. It was Lion. He spoke words of comfort towards me, yelling at someone to erase my memory immediately.
I suddenly opened my eyes and immediately sat up.
They all suddenly became quiet.
My tears suddenly began to fall down again, making all of them yell at each other when I suddenly covered my ears and they fell silent again.
I looked at each one of them (including the strangers) and then at Lion who looked downcast.
Please don't erase my memory, I cried then unexpectedly began hiccupping.
Cuss word.
Lion hurriedly grabbed a vial of water and helped me drink it.
Instead of water, I tasted something bitter.
Now I want to puke.
Ghost yelled at Lion, telling him that he got the wrong vial and now everyone is in chaos.
Then I started laughing uncontrollably.
Everyone is definitely looking at me with a worried expression.
I tried to explain to them that I'm not crazy but somehow I got the fit of giggles.
When I noticed them glancing at each other with a look that seems to say, where is that person who is going to erase the memory, I finally regained my composure.
I smiled at them and told them not to erase my memory.
Lion asked me why. He told me that seeing me in a traumatized state in the throne room broke his heart.
Then I told him that seeing all of them in that form terrified me. But it made me realize how strong and real they all are. They are a part of what makes them, them. And I wouldn't change a thing. Yes it was a horrible experience, but if I could go back, I would be willing to experience it again just to see their true self.
Nobody moved. They all have stunned look on their faces. Especially Lion.
Then I suddenly coughed uncontrollably.
Ghost handed Lion the vial of water, who helped me drink it as my hands are trembling.
Then everyone began to smile tenderly at me. (Including the strangers who didn't leave the room)
Lion nuzzled my neck as he embraced me tightly.
So what now?
Do I get to keep my memory?
....
It turned out that I was asleep the entire day.
When Lion, who was still in his monster form, saw me traumatized and fainted in front of him, he nearly destroyed the entire palace out of rage.
He never thought that I would see the entire duration of the battle (I didn't. Only parts of it) and that I would see everyone in their ultimate forms.
He threatened everyone that if I were to lose my sanity, right there he would blast everyone to the netherworld.
Good thing I didn't but I almost did.
....
I was being bathe by several female creatures who worked at the palace. They made me wear a dress that seems a bit alluring. It has a plunging neckline, my mating mark with Lion very much visible to others. When I turned around, my back is exposed all the way to my tailbone. (Yes I didn't wear any underwear) My dress is long but when I moved, it exposed my legs since it's a double slit kind of cut that goes all the way up to my hip bone.
The attendants somehow placed something on my face that feels cool and light. They made me eat a berry in which they told me that it will enhance my beauty. I looked at it suspiciously before eating. It's not those mating berries but will make your lips turn red after consuming it.
When I opened my eyes, I barely recognized myself.
I looked beautiful.
I never looked this beautiful before.
Then someone placed a necklace around my neck. It has a single gemstone on it with the color of Lion's hair. Several jewelry including earrings, bracelets, rings and a lovely golden band around my forehead that has a red gemstone at the center.
Now I'm feeling excited to go to the banquet being held at the palace in honor of Lion and his pack's victory.
....
The attendants told me where to go and I walked alone. I'm feeling nervous as I approached the throne room but I stopped and took a deep breath while closing my eyes.
I don't like being the center of attention but somehow, I need to do this in honor of my mate and my friends.
Then the door opened.
I walked inside, glancing around when I noticed that everyone was staring at me. It became quiet and the sound of my footsteps seemed to echo.
Cuss word. I want to run out of here.
Still I kept walking until someone embraced me from behind, nuzzling my neck.
Did you wait for a long time? I asked Lion.
I felt Lion smiling at me and he told me that it was worth waiting for.
Then he gently pulled my chin up and passionately kissed me. In front of the crowd.
I didn't mind this time. He deserved it.
....
What I do mind is him making me sit on his lap in front of the Chieftain Monarch, Alpha, the 3 other Lycans (who turned out to be Alpha's younger brothers), Sly, Orm and Ghost. The seats we are all sitting on looked like the ancient Greek couch on earth but a bit bigger and wider where more people can fit in. Just like with Alpha's brothers who have several females surrounding them yet they kept staring at me. I just ignored them.
Alpha, Orm, Sly and Ghost are all sitting alone in their seats while the Chieftain Monarch is also sitting by himself though he is big enough to sit by himself.
I should probably describe the Chieftain Monarch. He doesn't have any mate. Nobody knows for sure whether he is a predator or a neutral.
He is just... fat.
He looked like fat that has eyes and something that resembled a mouth. But even though he looks like that, his eyes looked very wise. I should not underestimate him just because of his appearance. He managed to survive for long without being assassinated. I have a feeling that he has another form.
Lion kept on embracing and nuzzling me while they all discussed about the coming expedition.
Everyone has to leave in a couple of days in the next territory to retrieve a certain magic stone. Yes, everyone has to leave including me.
Wait, hold on. Why am I included?
I tensed up and the Chieftain Monarch patiently explained to me that the magic stone we are retrieving will suck anyone's magic and life force together.
Then why me? There are lots of non magic users in this territory, I protested, almost forgetting who I'm talking to.
It turns out they needed someone who was born not exposed to magic as non magic users are still exposed at birth, absorbing magical energy but unable to use them.
Of course, Lion can't decline, Alpha added with a knowing smile.
Oh.
That contract.