CHAPTER 44: _NAKED BEFORE THE KING

Elian’s POV

*****

[Host’s consciousness is drifting away through the mate bond with mate #3.]

[Time for host’s arrival in the dark lands: 4... 3... 2... 1. Good luck, fruitcake.]

Elian’s eyes opened wide as he gasped, scanning his gaze around. He realised soon that he was squatting with his knees on the ashen red sand.

As he slowly got on his feet, trying to adjust to the change in air purity, his eye trailed to the red sky which twirled with ashen clouds, coiling like portals to another planet.

"The Dark Lands..." He whispered to himself, a broad smile curling up his lips. "I actually made it."

His eyes went ahead, landing on a large mountain that seemed like it touched the sky. And embedded into the black stones of the mountain was an ancient-looking palace with huge pillars and several windows, which shone with lights.

"I wonder what the time difference between Lunaria and the Dark Lands is." He whispered to himself hoarsely, taking a single step forward.

But the moment he did, he felt a chill crawl up his spine, causing him to freeze instantly. The wind picked up, blowing his blonde white hair across his face as well as...

Wait... His Clothes...

Elian’s eyes widened as he trailed his hands down his body, only to touch the skin of his bare chest. His hands roamed around and to make things worse... He was naked.

As in: butt naked.

His heart dropped to his stomach as he placed his right hand on his ass cheeks, trying and failing woefully to cover them. He placed his other hand on his genitals as his breathing became ragged.

This was only his consciousness and the last time he was here, no one had been able to see him. No one except HIM.

"What the fuck is happening?" He swallowed hard, taking slow steps forward.

It was getting surprisingly chilly outside, forcing him to wrap his arms around his body. It was then that he heard thunder rumbling within the curling ashen clouds like beasts awakening in the sky.

He needed shelter and the palace hundreds of meters ahead seemed like the closest destination.

"I’ll think of a plan on interacting with the Rogue king once I get in..." He muttered, nodding his head. "And maybe get some clothes while I’m at it. Fuck, I thought I was supposed to be like a ghost in this form..."

.

.

Since the palace was etched so high in the mountain, there was no need for gates below. Instead, he was met with an invisible force field which kissed his skin with a warmth that sent tingling through his naked body.

He felt like it wasn’t the kind of force field that protected from physical attacks. It was a forcefield which scanned for danger from visitors.

Apart from the force field, there were also guards donned in sleek black armour lining the mountain walls. They stood like sentinels, unmoving and with their faces covered.

Elian searched around for a way to get to the palace looming above like a god of judgment... Until something in his head led him to spot a flight of stairs coiling up the mountain.

Those steps should number in the thousands or even tens of thousands if he were being realistic. It’ll take ages for him to get to the palace and he didn’t know when he would wake up.

"If I had the system, I would be able to scan the place for alternatives," Elian whispered to himself, shaking his head with a snigger. "I didn’t realise I’ve gotten so reliant on it. Within barely a day too..."

As he muttered that last part, he noticed something etched on the mountain’s black stone surface. A black door.

He squinted his eyes, tilting his head as he stood in front of the door. When he saw the buttons beside the door, he realised what it was instantly.

An Ascension platform!

Suddenly, the doors slid open. Elian glanced back and watched a man donned in black armour like the others walking toward the door, his expression stoic.

"Commander Farrell." The guards lining the mountain bowed in front of this man who only grunted in response.

Elian’s eyes were locked on the interior of the Ascension platform and without a second thought, he jumped into it alongside the commander, drawing in a deep breath as the doors closed.

The inside of the platform was dark, save for red runes on the floor that pulsed as it began to rise through the lift shaft.

"He can’t see me or hear me. He can’t see me or hear me..." He whispered to himself until the platform finally stopped with a ding sound.

The doors slid open again, allowing Commander Farrell to step out. Elian quickly followed.

Around him was a large hallway with a ceiling tens of meters high and enough space for tens of people to walk side by side.

Farrell walked down this hallway, his boots echoing on the black marble floor. Elian watched him leave and tightened his jaw before running after him.

The hallway was lit with crystal chandeliers on the ceiling and the walls were painted a bright red.

Guards and maids walked past the hallway, the maids dressed in revealing black and red uniforms. There were even male servants with abs that seemed chiselled from stone and revealing black shorts.

They were all definitely rogue wolves.

"Is this a palace or a sex trafficking ring?" He asked himself with confusion until he noticed Farrell stopping in front of a large door at the end of the Hallway.

Elian was no expert but he could guess that was the throne room. The doors swung open as Farrell walked in, brushing back his ashen hair.

As always, Elian followed, opening his mouth in awe when he was met with the breathtaking view of the interior.

Indeed, it was a throne room, with large black pillars that reached the high ceiling. There was a glass dome at the centre of the ceiling, giving a view of the red sky outside.

Elian was about to continue getting carried away by the view when suddenly, a constricting force coiled around him, freezing his limbs in place and forcing him to gasp.

He trembled, raising his head and bringing his gaze forward. That’s when he saw the throne at the end of the room. And on the throne... HIM.

The rogue king sat with face resting on his right hand, etched with boredom while Farrell gave a report from the bottom of the dais.

"The borders haven’t had any new cases since you sent the Arcadian emissaries back, my lord," Farrell said firmly. "Do you think the High Matron is—"

Suddenly, the sharpest most domineering voice Elian has ever heard, cut through Farrell’s words like a black blade.

"I doubt the High Matron or her high coven took my... Threat seriously. Those witches are stubborn."

The rogue king.

Elian’s eyes locked on the rogue king, trailing from his long white hair, which fell over his shoulders like snakes, and his red eyes, which glinted like dying stars.

He was perhaps the most gorgeous man he’s ever seen. Probably as gorgeous as Prince Douchebag...

"I’ll seek your presence when I need it, Farrell. I wish to be... Left alone." The rogue king finally stated, waving his hand dismissively.

Elian watched as he rose from his throne while the commander bowed and spun on his heel, walking away.

As Elian turned, following the commander’s footsteps toward the massive doors, he felt it — a chill, like a predator’s breath on the back of his neck.

The invisible force binding his limbs slackened... But didn’t release him.

The air shifted into something heavy. Expectant.

Slowly he raised his eyes toward the throne.

And then...

"I expected our first meeting to involve a bit more clothing from your end, Elian Ashford." The rogue king’s voice suddenly boomed through the throne room, causing Elian to stiffen.

He... He really could see him in this form.

And not only that but he... knew his name?

’What have I gotten myself into?’