Obria city sat at the base of a shallow valley. Opposed to Estil's logs, the capital was surrounded by stones and concrete. We needed to enter through one of seven gates. As expected, we were not easily allowed access.

"Don't." I tugged on Cerberus's fur as he tensed, ready to pounce on the defensive guards. He turned his head, then let out a short huff and settled back on his hind legs. I slid off him and drew the letter from my coat.

The guards watched me wearily. The alpha growled in warning. I paid him no heed, confidently striding forward until I was just out of range of their spears. Holding up the invitation, I allowed it to unfold. Their eyes darted across the page as they read the inked message, then glanced to each other. The man to the left was the first to speak.

"We'll let you in, but not the lycans." He said it quickly, as if wanting to get the words out before he could second guess them. A chorus of snarls sprung up behind me, blending together in an angry harmony.

I smirked. "Really? I think my companions object to that."

The man adjusted his cap before tightening his grip on his spear. I spotted drool starting to drip from Thorn's jaws. Graniteback's hackles raised. They were more than ready for a fight. But three males, even the strongest, would be no match if these guards summoned more. I should have brought a larger pack.

The gates swung open.

"You must be the Lady of the Lycan Mountains."

The guards glanced back, a deadly mistake if our attention hadn't been caught by the approaching man as well. Judging by the regal way he held himself, and the ridiculous amount of fabric on his navy blouse, he had to be an official of some sort. He shot me a dazzling smile, waving at the guards until they bowed and stepped away.

The fur of Cerberus's chest pressed against my back. "His scent is on the paper," he spoke softly in my ear. I nodded.

"Pardon my soldiers' rudeness, they're simply overcautious when lycans appear."

I shifted my weight while my hand reached back, fingers lightly combing through the fur along Cerberus's jaw. I plastered a sly smile across my features. "Of course, I apologize if my guard dogs are a little... intimidating."

The man didn't flinch. He didn't so much as blink. My eye twitched in irritation as I forced myself to keep from frowning.

"Oh well," I sighed and turned away. Looking back, my gaze caught his. "I really won't stray far from them. You understand, don't you?" As eager as I was for my plans to proceed, I wasn't entering that city without at least Cerberus by my side.

"Of course." The man bowed. He swung a hand out, gesturing for us to proceed. "Both you and your lycans are welcome. You were invited, after all."

The albino alpha and I exchanged a glance before following after him, Thorn and Graniteback on our heels.

The city that lay beyond the wall was a hybrid of modest new construction and the decaying remains of the old world. Even the main street we traveled on, which cut a wide swath straight to the inner wall, was marked by partially rebuilt brick buildings baring smudges of dull color I supposed were once street art, or graffiti.

My first trip to this city had been far too stressful for me to note the architecture, however, I remembered the people well. They crowded in the alleyways branching from the cobblestone street but kept our path plenty clear. I could see the fear in their eyes as they watched the lycans, then me, the one who commanded them. It was good they understood the threat the Lady of the Lycan Mountains posed. It was them, more than anyone else, who had created her.

Unlike my 'Evil Lair,' Obria Palace wasn't a real castle, at least not in the sense it was constructed as a defensive fortress. It was one of the few buildings still standing from the old world and was said to have once been a bank. At five stories high, it towered over the smaller, newer buildings of Askance's capital city. The entrance was glass, making the grand inside visible before we walked through the revolving door.

A second man strode towards us as we stepped onto the large tiles of the lobby. In comparison to the first, he wore relatively simple attire, though still dyed a vivid red and made of fine material. Despite his less impressive turnout, the man carried an air of superiority about him. I instantly guessed why. A warm, well-practiced smile spread across his face as he swept a hand through stylishly groomed hair.

"Ah, you made it, Lady of the Lycan Mountains," he said with a polite bow, though not quite as low as the first man's. Gray eyes sparkled as they caught mine. "I hope your journey has gone smoothly."

I opened my mouth to speak, but was cut off by Cerberus's low growl. "Your messengers were quite... entertaining."

My fingers curled as I tensed. He knew better than to speak for me.

"Were they now?" the man said, his eyes narrowing ever so slightly as he focused on the lycan. I didn't miss the disapproving glance to our guide before his attention returned to me. "Would you care to step into my office? It's just around the corner here."

"Of course." I gave my own bow. The man turned to lead the way. I held my hand up, stopping those behind me. "Only Thorn. The others wait here." I heard the softest of growls as the mentioned lycan stepped forward, passing Cerberus as he followed. I smirked. It was good the alpha remembered he was second to me.

"That will be all, Howens." The man waved our guide away in much the same manner I saw him dismiss the guards. Our guide nodded and stepped into another room, though not before making some gesture to the guards standing near the door. I just caught his words as he left.

“-them privacy. She won’t try anything here.”

So he was their vice-lord, Askance’s second in command and directly responsible for the military. This Howens underestimated me. The thought amused me as I was led into a large room with a window overlooking the inner city’s government buildings.

No guards followed us in the room, though two stood outside the door. Did the fool think he could call for aid before Thorn could kill him? As the beta male and one of my personal favorites, the lycan was more than strong enough to snap a human's neck with a single blow.

"I'm certain you already know who I am," our host said, clearing away some papers to leave the hardwood desk completely barren. "but I'll introduce myself anyway. I'm Lord Perimone, the current leader of this great nation of Askance. And you would be?"

At his offer, I took the seat opposite him while Thorn sat on his heels off to the side. Lycans were not particularly fond of chairs.

I reached up, tugging on the ribbons that held my mask in place, and allowed it to drop in my palm before placing it on the desk. Slowly, as to keep him in anticipation of my answer, I pulled each glove from my hand. They were folded together and set beside my mask. Only then did I allow my gaze to meet his. "The lycans call me Desire."

"Oh?" Lord Perimone arched an eyebrow. "And your human name would be?"

I flicked my hand in a dismissive gesture. "I try to forget it."

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

"How interesting..." He looked me over with calculating eyes. I took the opportunity to do the same, each of us openly examining the other. He didn't appear very old, perhaps mid-thirties, certainly younger than all the other politicians I had met thus far, though my experience was rather limited. I knew he was elected shortly after my banishment. As far as his facial structure, I would rate him on the higher end of average, though days of sitting idle were beginning to round his jawline where youth could no longer compensate for the inactivity of desk work. After a moment, his focus switched to Thorn, whose eyes remained fixed on the man. "And you control the lycans as well. How is that?"

I shrugged. "I have a gift for such things. Surely you know that the key to control is having what the other most... desires..."

Perimone nodded slowly. "Indeed. I must say, when I had a letter sent to the human leader of the lycans, a rumored ruthless tyrant, I didn't expect such a young woman to walk through my doors."

I chuckled. "Oh yes, I can imagine. But cruelty has followed me since I was born. It was only a few years ago I learned how to shift from the receiving end."

"That is truly unfortunate." His expression softened for a fraction of a second before returning to its original rigid seriousness. "You wouldn't consider yourself naïve then?"

"Certainly not."

"Then surely you know I won't be letting you leave unless you agree to peaceful terms."

I silenced Thorn's snarl with a snap of my fingers. "Yes, I did. But have you considered my arrival to be a trap as well?"

The politician leaned forward, placing his elbows on the table. "Really? How is that? Do you have an army of lycans on the way?"

"Nothing of the sort," I said, mimicking his position with more feminine elegance. "I can simply control humans as well."

His gray-blue eyes stared into mine, as if searching for the answer he sought in their dark depths. "What a mysterious girl..." he spoke so softly. "It’s regrettable you’ve chosen to use your talents in such a destructive manner."

I leaned back in my chair, though didn't break eye contact. "I'm certain you’ll end up seeing things my way."

"And why is that?"

My heart thundered in my chest as I stood, slowly making my way around the desk, taking care to put extra emphasis on the swing of my hips. I stopped when we were toe to toe and leaned in while supporting my weight on the cushioned armrests of his chair. My back dipped in a graceful arch. "Do you want to know why they call me... 'Desire'?"

His gaze traveled down to the front of my jacket. "You said this was a trap."

Straightening, I drew the dagger strapped to my thigh. "It's not that sort of trap." It clattered against the tile floor. I bent over him again, smirking. "Surely you don't think I'm hiding anything else in a suit this tight... though you're welcome to check."

His next excuse was even weaker than the first. "The lycan..."

"Oh, don't worry about him," I pouted. My lips brushed his ear. "He likes to watch..."

I could feel him relax into his chair. Adrenaline rushed through me, both nervousness and the excitement of being so close to triumph, until I felt I was nearly bursting with energy. "Now, isn't this the kind of trap you want to fall into?"

He flushed red and nodded.

I pounced. In an instant, my hands clutched at his face as my lips pressed to his. With so much direct contact, it lasted only a moment before he passed out. I let go, not wanting to kill him just yet, and allowed him to slump in his chair. When I turned around, Thorn was already on his feet. He tipped his head, studying me with a mild curiosity.

"You enjoyed that."

I snorted as I pulled open the drawers of the politician's desk, searching for a suitable piece of paper. "Hardly."

The black lycan huffed. "He is their alpha. Your interest would be justified."

I paused, hand hovering over a jar of pens. My gaze wandered to my mask and gloves. "None of my kisses have ever been for affection." I grabbed one of the utensils and scribbled down a note. With a huff, I snatched my things, securing my mask and slipping on my gloves as I made my way out of the office. "And I doubt they ever will be."

Don't cry. Don't cry. The Lady of the Lycan Mountains didn't cry. Not over kisses.

I have what you desire, and you have what I demand. Find me when you want to meet again -Lady of the Lycan Mountains

***

We made it from the palace to the inner wall before we met much resistance. The sky had darkened and the first rumbles of thunder echoed above. Wind blew droplets just beginning to fall in my eyes. A flash streaked across the sky, temporarily illuminating the faces of the soldiers stationed across the gate. They raised their spears.

Moments later, the downpour began.

"Take her," Cerberus barked to his elder companion. He spared me the briefest of glances over his shoulder before returning his attention to our adversaries. "Stay with Graniteback. We'll clear the way."

I slid from his back and moved to the gray lycan's side. The younger males stepped in front of us, each crouched and ready. The fall of the rain was the only movement in sight.

A flash. Another glance at the fear hidden in the eyes of stern-faced soldiers. The crash echoed over the city.

The Lady of the Lycan Mountains wouldn't pity them. Anyone standing in her path deserved their fate, whether they were ordered there or stood by their own choice.

Cerberus leapt into the knot of soldiers, throwing the nearest of them to the wall before grabbing another by the neck. Both were dead before the others had a chance to form a defensive stance. The albino’s heavy paw slapped a third to the ground. The remaining four's spears drove him back.

A feminine cry brought my attention to where Thorn circled around. In her haste to defend her fallen companions, a woman soldier unwittingly turned her back on the black male, a fact he was quick to take advantage of. He dragged her away from the safety of the others before tearing into her with vicious teeth.

I forced my hands to remain by my sides and not cover my ears. Another flash exposed the battle in startling clarity. I was grateful for the loud storm drowning out the woman's screams as she was torn apart.

But perhaps what disturbed me more was Thorn's wicked grin as he rejoined the battle, the cruel delight in those amber irises as his claws found another victim.

It wasn't me. I shouldn't pity them.

A roar. I spun around to see Graniteback knock an arrow from his thigh just as another hit his back. Soldiers rushed from the palace, spears at the ready.

The adrenaline flowing through my veins slowed time and steeled my nerves. I scooped the fallen arrow from the street pavers, running its head across my forearm. Leather and skin split around the sharp blade. Rain ran down my arm, washing deadly blood to my fingertips. I wouldn't let my lycans fight alone. I wouldn't let them die, not these three.

“Halt! Retreat!"

The approaching soldiers stopped at the blare of a horn. Those able stepped back, though remained in a ring surrounding us. The albino alpha bounded to hunch over me, a snarl on his maw. A little ways back, Graniteback struggled to his feet, having dislodged the second arrow. Red dyed patches of gray fur. Thorn stood still, though his upturned lip told me he'd rather have stayed fighting.

"Sir, we have them surrounded and outnumbered," called one of the men. The pins on his arm told me he was an officer. I followed his gaze to the gate tower. Despite the rain darkening the flowing cloth of his shirt, The approaching man was immediately recognizable as our guide. Howens, Perimone called him.

He waited for the echo of thunder to quiet. "A pack of lycans runs our border."

I breathed a sigh. Clever Red, so much more than just a messenger.

"We aren't supplied to withstand a siege," the man continued, frown set deep on his features. The clatter of rolling chains joined the symphony of the storm as the gate raised up. "Let them go, for now."

Cerberus had me on his back in an instant. I took the opportunity to scan him for injury, thankfully finding only superficial cuts. Graniteback struggled to match his pace as we bounded through the opening gate. Thorn, however, hung back. We paused to turn back, catching him lapping at a puddle.

"Thorn!" the alpha lycan called. The black male huffed, and with much reluctance, left the water to join us. My mount gave him a questioning glare as they took off down Obria's now barren streets.

He snorted. "I enjoy the taste of blood." A quick glance to me. "Especially that of our lady."

Cerberus gave a small snarl, drawing another snort from Thorn.

"Don't pretend you're not just the same."

The look the albino gave him, not of aggression, but quiet amusement, chilled me more than rain or snow ever could.