The Dragon King's Heart

"Your Majesty, a witch by the name of Cordelia had asked to speak with you," a messenger informed the man who stood before him, facing the glass window. 

The rain was pouring down outside as thunder and lightning lit the sky. The man had a strong build, large frame, wearing a long fur cape. He turned his head slightly to see the messenger cowering in fear. 

"A witch?" he asked, "And you let her in?" 

His voice was filled with threat and anger. 

"She… she was persuasive… my King," the messenger explained. 

The King threw his wine glass at the messenger, narrowly missing him on the head. The wine glass shattered into shards as the sound reverberated throughout the entire room. 

"Can none of you do your job properly?!" He roared. 

His voice instilled fear and obedience in all of his subjects. Even the guards at the door trembled the sound of his voice. The door to the room opened on its own as purple smoke drifted into the room. The man gritted his teeth as he looked over to see Cordelia make her entrance. 

She bowed to him upon entering the room, "My apologies, Alpha King Kragen, I can be very persuasive when it comes to people."

"Who are you and what do you want?" King Kragen barked at her before sending away the messenger who closed the door behind him as he left. 

Cordelia smiled as she explained, "I am but a humble witch, here to offer an irresistible deal to the great Alpha King of Wolfenheim."

Kragen walked over to the witch, inviting her to have a seat on the sofa. Though he was uncertain as to who she was and why she was here, he was intrigued to find out more. If she had the powers to persuade others to do her bidding, she is no ordinary witch. 

"Tell me more," he said as he reached for the bottle of whiskey on the table and poured them a glass each. 

"I heard that you have recently found your mate, but you\'re not satisfied with-" before Cordelia could even finish her sentence, Kragen slammed the glass down on the table and grabbed Cordelia by the neck. 

He pinned her against the wall as he barred his sharpened fangs at her. His claws dug into the skin of her neck as blood seeped from the wounds. Cordelia struggled to breathe, gasping for air and begging for mercy. 

"How did you find out about this?" he interrogated, "You better answer truthfully if you want to live."

But Cordelia was no weak lamb either, she clicked her fingers, disappearing into a puff of purple smoke before materializing behind Kragen. She checked the wounds around her neck as she let out a sigh. 

Kragen was stunned by her use of magic but he was not threatened either. He attempted to slash at her but Cordelia predicted his moves. She dodged it swiftly. 

"If you truly want to know, your Majesty, then I suggest you simmer down. Your hot-headedness will be the death of you," she teased with a smirk. 

"My patience wanes with each passing second, witch. Speak now or I\'ll have your tongue," he threatened impatiently. 

Cordelia cleared her throat as she began to explain further, "There\'s a strong princess whom you might find suitable as your mate. She is to ascend the throne and become queen in a few years."

She knew from the look on his face that she had caught hold of his attention. 

"A werewolf\'s mate is chosen for us by the Moon Goddess Selene," he snapped back, "What are you proposing?" 

Cordelia waves her hands together, revealing a floating crystal ball before her. Through it, images began to appear in the crystal ball. A vial filled with a dark-colored liquid. 

"I have a spell that can bind two souls together as lovers. It would be similar to that of the mating bond between werewolves. But in order for that to work…" Cordelia paused as she looked up at the Werewolf King. 

He was hanging on her every word. 

"You must reject your current mate," she finally finished what she wanted to say. 

Kragen was not even the slightest bit surprised by the proposal. He had long searched for a way to get rid of his pathetic human mate. You might have assumed his wolf spirit within him would object to this. 

Instead, it was egging him on. If he wanted to build a stronger Wolfenheim, marriage alliances would be his greatest weapon. Kragen could see the image of his human mate in Cordelia\'s crystal ball. 

Her thin frame huddled in the corner of the dark and damp dungeon cell he had thrown her in. She was cowering, pathetic, and weak. Everything he had despised. He regretted the day he met her. 

"Who is this princess you speak of?" he asked her as he folded his arms. 

Surely he must have at least heard of her existence. Cordelia grinned as she waved her hand around the crystal ball, revealing an image of Laina within it. Her dark red hair, fierce eyes, and chiseled features brought a wide smile to the Kragen. 

He already lusted to have her all to himself. Cordelia knew her target well, she placed the bait and he went straight for it. 

"Crown Princess Laina of Kinshearth. Her lands are rich with resources, especially in mining and agriculture. Did I also mention she\'s the descendent of the Sun Phoenix?" 

Kragen looked up at Cordelia, "Descendant of the Sun Phoenix? Are you sure?" 

"Oh, I am certain. I bet it on my life. Why do you think she has sun-kissed hair?"

The Werewolf King was grinning from ear to ear. If Laina became his mate, their children would become some of the strongest warriors to ever walk the face of the Earth. They would have the resources to expand Wolfenheim. 

The glory and power he sought were within reach. 

"What do you want in return, witch?" he asked. 

There must be something she wanted in exchange for this intel. If she did not give it up for a fair price, he will make her. Cordelia was happy to see that King Kragen was onboard with the idea. 

"Nothing."

"Nothing?" Kragen asked to confirm. 

"Nothing," Cordelia echoed her answer.