Luke stopped the car in front of the palace and looked at Winter.

"Take this, you'll want to keep that as a surprise." he said while pointing to her mark.

He handed her a big beautiful silver fur collar.

"Fox" he answered.

"It will hide Arsen's smell."

As Winter stepped out of the car a chill ran over her spine. A small delegation with the king stood in front of the massive palace waiting for her.

Luke looked concerned at her.

"It's not too late to change your mind." he said while searching her eyes.

"It is." she answered.

"Keep just my part of the link open."

Winter nodded her head.

'I'll try to resist Arsen's command as long as possible. But that can only happen if I am at ease. Keeping close contact with you is the only way that will happen.'

Winter smiled and hugged him.

'Go join the others.' she said.

The other cars stood hidden just out of sight for the king, scent and sound masked. But if needed they would be able to arrive in minutes. Winters hand trembled as she turned around and walked over towards the king.

"Alpha Winter."

The king bowed a little.

"Finally." he smirked.

Winter didn't move she just looked him straight in the eye.

"Let's get this over with." she answered.

"Gladly." The king replied with a dirty smirk.

The king walked up the big stairs towards the palace, Winter followed him. Immediately the wolves from his escort surrounded her forcing her to keep her pace behind the king.

The king pushed the double doors to the palace open and Winter took notice of every small detail, the number of guards, their strength, possible entry and exit routes. All details were passed to Luke. She needed to be clever about this, or she wouldn't make it out alive.

They walked through a long hallway until he finally pushed open the doors of what seemed to be his office. Winter took in the room, it looked like a beautiful old library with a gigantic, majestic desk in the middle. A big fire place warmed the room, surrounded with big leather chesterfield chairs, making the room radiate even more power.

The king wore a dark grey suit, in another life time he could have been described as beautiful, but Winter could clearly see that his character destroyed all that.

"We'll have a drink here before diner." He spoke.

Winter nodded her head and looked at the books.

"My collection, it's one I started a long time ago with my father."

The king spoke as he noticed her interest. And for the first time Winter caught a glimpse of the man he once was, before the mating thing had turned him mad. Maybe he was still there?

"It's impressive." she smiled softly.

Her finger danced over the rug of the books as she read a couple of titles. Lost in thought she walked through the room until she bumped against the king.

"I am sorry." she stammered, a bit confused by his presences.

"This can all be yours." he softly said as he steadied her.

Winter looked up at the king, she could feel that he was powerful. For a moment her wolf felt flattered under the attention of such an important wolf, but Winter clearly remembered what he had done.

"What do you want to ask?"

The king saw the million questions in her eyes.

"Is it true that you haven't met your mate?" she asked.

For a moment he almost looked vulnerable at her.

"I haven't been able to find her."

The pain Winter saw in the king's eyes, pulled at her heart strings.

"Why?"

She started to ask until the office door opened and the king quickly took a step away from her. A younger version of the king walked in.

"Alpha Winter, meet my beta, my younger brother Prince Roderick."

Winter shook the hand of Roderick; his eyes were filled with sympathy as he looked at Winter.

"Winter Whitefortis"

That voice.

An icy chill ran over Winter's back as she stood eye to eye with the man that had abused her all those years ago.

It took everything to keep her wolf at bay. She was this close to killing the man on the spot.

"My advisor Hex Spite." The king introduced.

Hex held out his hand but Winter didn't move.

"Look at you." Hex cocky smile filled his face.

"You are breath-taking." his voice sizzled over her body, and not in good way.

"And you are still as repulsive as all those years ago." She replied.

"You two know each other?" Roderick asked.

"I thought you wanted to talk in private just the two of us?"

Winter asked the king, ignoring the question.

"Yes, but what I have to say concerns all of us." He answered.

"I'll explain everything at diner." The king answered.

"I need to use the bathroom." Winter smiled politely.

"Off course, Roderick escort her and don't let her out of your sight." The king commanded.

As Winter stepped out of the room, she released her breath.

"Are you okay?" the prince asked.

"No, but I will be." Winter replied.

"I am sorry for what's happening too you."

Roderick whispered as he guided her to the toilet.

"What do you mean?" Winter asked as she looked at the prince.

"The mating thing." He answered.

"I am not mating him." She replied stern.

The prince just looked with sympathy at her.

"Why do you think you are here?" He asked.

"To end this charade once and for all." she replied.

She entered the toilet and freshened up.

'Luke, how are things on your end?' Winter asked over mind link.

'Everything is quiet.' he replied.

'No word from Arsen yet?' she asked.

'Lots but we are doing our best to resist it all.' he answered.

'You must keep him away from here at all costs. Understand Luke?' Winter asked.

'I'll do my best, but we both know that when it concerns you, he doesn't listen very well. How are things on your side?' Luke asked.

'Messed up. I need to go, I'll try to update again.'

Winter walked out over towards Roderick.

"How many like me have you see pass?" she asked.

"A lot." he replied.

"But they weren't like you, in fact you are probably the most powerful wolf that ever-set foot in the palace."

"What happened to the others?" Winter asked. Roderick was silent.

"You did nothing to stop him? To save them?" she asked.

"I can only guide him and do damage control when I am his beta. There are matters that are too delicate to interfere with. I rather have some influence than non" he replied. "

You are just a coward." Winter replied stern as she walked back in.