The Werewolf Order (Erotica)

Coral is late getting to breakfast, the others having started without her. Sitting down, her water cup is filled for her and she picks through the options on the table, choosing the most bland to add to her plate. Her stomach rolls over on itself and she feels as if she will pass out. Drawing slow, deep breaths, she picks at the bread, catching the tail half of the conversation.

Rainer continues, looking at Quell, “That makes three maidens, in the past month. Your uncle has been trying to catch the perpetrators for a while now, though he has finally decided to ask for help. That is why I want you and Vadim to travel to Centurion. If I were to go, no doubt he would see me as a threat to his throne but by sending the pair of you, you will have both my trust and his.”

He looks to Coral, “You will also accompany them.”

Unsure, exactly what the conversation was about, she is about to ask before Quell interjects, “Absolutely not, father. I do not want my mate put at risk,” there is a frown on his lips.

“I am inclined to agree with Quell on his as well,” Vadim adds, his gaze locked on Coral, “if our uncle cannot apprehend them, I have doubts as to the safety of my sister.”

She turns to look at Kiera, discovering that Lynette also looks concerned. Glancing back to Rainer, she asks, “I am sorry, King Rainer, but I seemed to have missed the beginning of this conversation. Where is it I am to go?”NôvelDrama.Org is the owner.

Kiera is the one who responds, “To Centurion. King Yulnar, has requested some assistance in apprehending the centaurs who have been stealing maidens. This past month three maidens have gone missing, though only two have resurfaced. While it is not unheard of for a young woman to be stolen from her family and forced into a mated pair that is not what is happening with those who have gone missing over the past year. When they do resurface, if they do at all, they are bruised and beaten, their maidenhood stolen, too terrified to name their attackers if they do know who they are. Yulnar suspects a rouge group of centaurs are responsible, but he has had little luck in their discovery.”

“I want you to go, Coral,” Rainer draws her attention, “so that you can tend to the victims. Not only can you provide them with medical assistance, but you have a way about you that makes people very easy and calm in your company. I am hoping that with your bedside manner you can help reveal the identity of the attackers,” he raises his hand as both Quell’s and Vadim’s mouths open to protest, “I understand your concerns, my sons. Our best trained centaurs will be going with your party and Coral is not to be left without an escort at any point in time, for any reason while on Centurion land.”

Coral nods reluctantly; she wants to help those in need of it. She doesn’t think she will be much of a target, as she is already mated to the Prince of an allied realm it would be out right war if she were attacked, but she senses the worry in Quell and Vadim and it is hard for her to shrug it off. Her mind is drawn back to the young woman who came from Centurion and the chestnut foal she gave birth to. The horrible, despicable actions of these few centaurs stand to tarnish the entire race-she wants them apprehended just as much as Rainer does; she does not like the thought of women being forced into mating as it is the exact misconception that she has been trying to figure out how to overcome.

The rest of breakfast continues on in relative normal fashion; she simply listens to them make plans for travel, intending on leaving just before lunch. As the brothers finish and exit to inform the centaurs that will accompany them, Kiera asks Lynette to assist her with a project, leaving Rainer and Coral behind. When she starts to rise, his voice halts her.

“Be seated, for a moment longer, Coral.”

Sitting back in her chair, she looks at Rainer; there is a frown on his face, he is in deep contemplation.

“I have spoken with Quell and Vadim about what I am going to tell you, but not about the dangers; they have enough to worry about, but as it directly affects you, you should be aware. This trip is twofold; first, my sons will assist Yulnar in trying to apprehend the perpetrators. Second, we are using this opportunity to try to usher Centurion into a peaceful coexistence between centaurs and humans, as we have in our realm. I would like for you to take along the items you need to make the elixir-enough for two vials, perhaps, but do not make any more than that. Quell will take the lead on this; we hope to offer Yulnar a solution to their declining birth rate.”

Coral’s frown soon matches his, “I do not like this, King Rainer. If they know how to make the elixir, then what is to stop them from just using it on whomever they please? They could force women into a match, and…” she shudders thinking about it, “I cannot imagine what rape and forced pleasure would do to a mind. It-it would be no different than training a dog,” franticness starts to grow in her voice, “eventually women would simply be livestock, you cannot-”

He cuts her off, putting his hand on hers. Not upset by her outrage, he speaks gently, “I understand fully, Coral. Our intent is for a centaur to court a human female as he should, then if both of them agree to become mates, they will make the trip here and that is where they can get the elixir, directly from you, and only if you give your approval of the match. If this works, in the future perhaps you could venture there on a seasonal basis. This will be entirely under your control-no woman should ever be forced into a union. We are not savages; it is time that our entire race start behaving respectably. My hope is that once Centurion centaurs fall in line with our own, human females will find love without the fear of being raped and without the worry of pain, just as you did. If we can bridge the gap between the two races, then maybe we can find peace. And if this succeeds in Centurion, perhaps we can start spreading the word west, in the human lands.”

She feels relieved, but at the same time like a heavy burden has been placed on her shoulders. A lot is riding on the elixir and all eyes will be on her because of it. So far it has gained popularity and she knows that it is effective; she knows, from her own experience, that it will work on a maiden but she isn’t sure if it will prevent any apprehension and fear before mating-she was beyond ready when Quell took her for the first time and she wanted it just as badly as he did.

Rainer continues, “We will not give them the recipe-it is of utmost importance that you tell no one how to make it, not there and not here. Doctor Pelium has given me the pages that contained the recipe and I have locked them away, deep within our castle.” Looking at her, his voice is somewhat grave, “I can’t stress this enough-you must never be left alone with anyone from Centurion. I worry just as much as my sons about sending you but it is vital that they hear from a human female that this elixir works. And, if any human female could handle themselves in a potentially dangerous situation, it would be you. Do not gain their attention-around any of their centaurs, you must remain submissive to Quell and Vadim, never speak unless directed by one of them, do not give them any cause to think that you could be an asset and do not let them know that it is you who makes the elixir. I know this goes against every grain of your being, but they do not treat their women as we do, not even centaur women. They see them as their property, the only value of which they have is to provide them with heirs.”

Studying his face, Coral knows that Rainer is worried. She finds it concerning-he has always proven to be strong and steadfast but the quick haste of his words gives away the delicateness of the situation. “I understand, father,” she says softly, using the term endearingly to calm him down. “I will not disappoint you, my mate or Centuarna.”

…

She packs her clothes into a large satchel, making a brief stop in the surgery to resupply her medicine case. Tomir accompanies her, lugging the heavy items. After carefully wrapping up a few sprigs of mint in a damp cloth, she says a quick goodbye to Doctor Pelium before walking with Tomir down the hall. He has a somewhat sad look on his face.

“What is the matter, Tomir?” She asks gently. She has been meaning to inquire about Margaret but does not know how to broach the subject.

“I do not like this. Centurion is not a good realm-I do not think that they will ever change in their ways and perhaps we should just leave them to fade from existence,” his tenor voice is soft so that he won’t be overheard. “To treat a woman like they do is just-it is just wrong.”

She thinks on her words carefully before she speaks, “Yes, how they view women is not as it should be but to condemn the entire country to extinction is a bit harsh. I want to believe that they can change their ways, that they can come to see things as we in Centuarna do.”

“Why?” He huffs.

“Perhaps it is because I did not grow up here, Tomir. I grew up in a town that hated centaurs-people I was friends with, people I cared for; I want to believe that there is hope for them as well, that they can change too.”

He sighs, “I admire your tenacity, Lady Coral but I am saddened to say that I don’t think the centaurs are capable of changing, just as I know humans aren’t either.”

By the tinge of sorrow in his voice, Coral knows he speaks of Margaret. When they reach the entry hall, Tomir gives her a brief nod before leaving the castle. Seeing Vadim and Quell talking quietly, she approaches them. They both turn to her with unease.

“One of us will always be with you,” Quell says with a frown, “and that is not a point I will argue about.”

“I understand,” she says softly, surprised that he would believe she’d fight him on it.

He nods, “Good. Let us make haste-the sooner we get there, the sooner we can return home.”