Rise of the rogue queen-Chapter 10 -

Writers POV

GRIM HOLLOW

A forsaken land shrouded in thick mist. The land itself is barren — twisted, skeletal trees claw at the sky, their bark as black as charred bone. The wind moved in an unusual way, like a restless spirit. It does not move with the natural rhythm of the world but with an unnatural will of its own.

At times, the wind dies completely, plunging Grim Hollow into a silence so profound it feels as though the world itself is holding its breath. And then, without warning, it stirs again, carrying with it the memories of a past that refused to be forgotten.

At the middle of this deserted place, stands a palace, remnant of a kingdom long fallen. Unlike the decayed ruins that surround it, the palace remains standing strong.

The palace hall is vast, with ghostly blue flames that float in the air.

At the end of the hall, seated upon a throne of blackened steel and bone, is a man — no, a Grim.

He is not the grotesque horror whispered about in old tales, but rather a being of otherworldly, unsettling beauty. His lips curved in a knowing, almost cruel smirk. His dark hair, cascades in loose waves down to his shoulders.

Curved black horns rise from his temples, his hands, rested lazily on the arms of his throne, his fingers end in claws, sharp enough to tear through flesh with ease.

This is Grim Hollow, and he is its last ruler.

A lady dressed in white, appeared before him, her knee on the floor, her head bowed in respect.

"Sylvia, what brings you here?"

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"Lord Caden, I heard of your return and have come to welcome you." Sylvia said. "How was your stay in the werewolf world? Did they trouble you, my Lord?"

Lord Caden grinned, a sinister smile forming on his lips. "I meant someone interesting."

Sylvia immediately tensed up, she raised her head to look at Lord Caden the aura in the hall shifting to something suffocating. "Tell me, my Lord, if those lowly being laid a hand on you, and I'll gather my troops and match forth to war." She had a stern look, ready for a kill.

"Control your emotions, Sylvia, your aura is disturbing the spirits here."

"I'm sorry, my lord."

She calmed, the hall shifting back to normal.

"Where is Xelvorn?"

"He has gone up to the mountains, my lord, should I send for him?"

Lord Caden waved it off with his hand. "You don't need to, I'll go see him myself." He rose from his seat, walking down.

A girl ran into him, squeaking happily. "Lord Caden, you are back. You stayed longer in the werewolf world this time. But it's good that you are back."

"Zyphora, where are your manners?" Sylvia said through seethed teeth. Zyphora stuck out her tongue and wagged her tail at her.

Zyphora furrowed her brows and looked up to Lord Caden, "My lord, are you going back to werewolf world again? But you just arrived."

"Let lord Caden be, Zyphora. He needs to rest." Sylvia said in a calm tone.

Zyphora pouted her lip looking sad, she is just a child who has a strong connection with Lord Caden, so her childishness is often overlooked.

Lord Caden ruffled her hair and smiled before leaving.

********

An old man with long white beards putting on a cloak and a long staff in his right hand stood on the mountain edge watching the world below.

"My lord, how was your journey?" The old man said. Without looking back, he already knew who was behind him.

Lord Caden walked towards him, standing next to him. "I see you still have the habit of watching the world."

"The world is vast with many wonders and opportunities. I am too old to attain them, so the least I can do is watch them."

Lord Caden smiled.

"Your journey this time took longer than expected, did the werewolves trouble you?" Xelvorn turned his gaze to him.

Lord Caden sighed, "I had troubles, but it was nothing that I couldn't solve."

"Will it be too much to hear your story? I want to know what the werewolf world is like. It's been decades since I last saw it."

Lord Caden nodded, "The werewolves still plot against themselves, causing havoc and making discrimination."

Xelvorn chuckled, "They never change, that's a curse they put on themselves after what happened a century ago."

"I met two brothers fighting for a throne. The youngest brother was to get the Alpha seat due to his capabilities. The elder brother was a simp, and could barely rule a pack, yet he wanted to rule. I saw him kill his younger brother, and what I did was meddled with his mind and make him think I was his younger brother. He forgot he killed his real brother and saw me as his brother. He plotted to have me killed, but it all backfired on him. He didn't believe that I could be so strong, so I started to control him. I helped them in many wars and made decisions concerning the pack but with the elder brother as the Alpha."

"Did no one recognize you not to be his younger brother, or you hypnotized them all?"

"I wore a mask around, no one saw my face except..." Lord Caden paused, smiling.

Xelvorn cleared his throat, "What else I'm I missing in the story?"

"I wanted to ask....." he looked at Xelvorn. "Is it possible for a Grim to have a mate?"

Xelvorn thought for a while, "There are stories of other Grim who once had a mate, but it comes with calamities and pain, so the bonds were always severed."

Lord Caden was silent for a while.

"My lord, did you -

"No I didn't, I heard the werewolves speaking of mates, and it piqued my curiosity because I've never heard of such terms in Grim hollow."

Xelvorn expression turned serious, "My lord, please don't get distracted, you can't have a mate. If you ever have one, the bond must sever."

"The bond must sever," Lord Caden inhaled and nodded. "I'll keep that in mind."