Chapter 8: A Higher Position

|||YASMIN|||

The air in the room had changed. Mocking smiles turning to uncomfortable ones as the general's words settled.

All eyes landed on me, again, as they waited for what I assumed would be my reply to his question.

What was I to say to that?

The silence that descended was thick, heavier than the gravy set in front of me and quite frankly, I wanted to bury myself deeper into the ground.

Why did he have to put me on the spot like that?

The Alpha King's laughter broke through the silence, the unfamiliar sound catching me and no doubt everyone, off guard.

I turned my attention to the Alpha King and found his eyes had turned to crescents, looking on at his son in a way I'd never seen him look at Cassien.

Which I considered strange because from what I had gathered, Zeirik was a chaotic wolf who was thrown out because he wasn't liked or needed.

The King's reaction proved different.

"Still as blunt as ever, I see," the King mused, "The court might be judgmental, but they're still our subjects...we can't throw them away," the King added with a laugh.

"Can't we now?" Zeirik responded with a similar sounding laugh, his eyes identical to his father's when he laughed. The man looked...different from what I was used to in the pack house.

I couldn't pinpoint what it was, but something about him made everything in the palace seem so pale.

His eyes then landed on me and a roguish grin stretched his lips.

He didn't say another word, he just stared and rather than avert my gaze, I returned his stare. My curiosity getting the better of me as I tried to read what he was thinking, feeling in that moment.

Nothing.

I couldn't see anything in those eyes, they were...empty?

"How nice it is to have the first prince here with us again," One of the Elders and the Alpha King's uncle, Viktur, said. His eyes gleaming with a strange glint as he looked in Zeirik's direction.

"We are all extremely proud of you for bringing us victory, I always knew you were destined for greatness as general," Viktur guffawed and others joined in. He was a shriveled up old man really, but a sly creature who always gave Cassien a tough time.

The man could kiss ass like it was a profession, but he was also powerful, both as an elder and royalty. Cassien was cautious of him.

"Oh really?" I heard Zeirik's sarcastic remark beside me, "You've changed grand-uncle," He crossed his arms over his chest and leaned back, "The last time we saw each other, I could've sworn you told me and my dirty blood to die in war."

The smiles died down again, the awkwardness returned and Viktur's eyes widened as a hint of red stained his sagging cheeks.

I turned abruptly to look at Zeirik who looked like he couldn't be bothered by the effect his words had on the rest of the table. Popping a grape in his mouth without a care in the world.

"I...that's--" Viktur spluttered, suddenly at a loss for words and from the embarrassed look in his eyes, Zeirik was speaking the truth.

"All of that is in the past now," Victoria cut in, her voice stern and filled with a hatred that surpassed even what she had for me.

"You have proven yourself, you should be grateful for the opportunity to sit at this table, Prince Zeirik."

Zeirik's smile only widened, "Of course, mother dearest, I'm so grateful," Sarcasm coated every word that left his lips, leaving Victoria outraged.

I've never seen anyone speak to her this way before, with such practiced ease...without fear or reverence.

"You really haven't changed," the Alpha King laughed, seemingly finding the situation all too amusing and perhaps, a part of me did too. I discreetly checked Cassien's expression and found that he was glaring in my direction, at his brother.

The hate in his eyes as intense as his mother's. Veins popped out from his forehead as his eyes alternated between me and his brother.

I looked away the second our eyes met, my anger brewing even as satisfaction spread.

"Now that you've uh...returned," Viktur began again, shamelessly, "We should get you a wing of your own and you know...a higher position befitting your station."

My eyes narrowed. I noticed the nods of acceptance from the few by the table.

He was already a general, the highest positions next to that were becoming an Elder or becoming crown prince.

Sure. I could see it. The people who opposed Cassien, the son of the concubine, in court would no doubt want to use this opportunity to get their own person to be next in line.

"You are after all...the first son," Viktur finished and the temperature dropped.

They want to make Zeirik Alpha King.

Then what about Cassien?

Almost immediately, I looked at my husband and sure enough, his expression was darker than what it was only a second ago.

The others might not have noticed but I could see just how subtly he was trembling from his anger, his blue eyes dark and calculating as they remained trained on his plate almost obsessively.

Oh no.

I could only imagine how agitated he was. My earlier anger forgotten.

I should be there with him, by his side. I know just how much being King means to him. No one has worked harder than Cassien!

And just because he isn't the first son doesn't mean his efforts should be invalidated.

But werewolves...they are fickle beings.

Even as everyone went on eating like those words hadn't been said, I could tell something had shifted in the air.

Something dangerous was brewing.

"He is the first son," Cassien suddenly said, speaking for the first time since I stepped into the hall.

"There is no position more befitting than that of being the General of Elysium's army, isn't that right, brother?"

The look in his eyes and the softness in his voice were two different entities. I couldn't tell if he wanted to rip his brother to shreds or shake hands with him.

"Of course," Zeirik shrugged, "I love my life as it is," He said with his mouth full, looking like he meant every word.

This man...really doesn't want the throne?

Cassien nodded, looking satisfied, and then strange.

"And I have something else to announce," He continued right after his brother's reply.

The air suddenly felt ominous for me, my husband wasn't trying to meet my eyes anymore, he was looking at Hana now...with a warmth I thought was meant for just me.

"As you all know, Hana here, the daughter of the most wealthy merchant in the continent, is carrying my child," He smiled, "My son."

He held her hand, their fingers intertwining like lovers who couldn't stand to be apart.

"We have decided to make it official...I have decided to make Hana my wife...my only wife." He announced.

If that were the case, it also meant I was to be his concubine.

He is tossing me aside to strengthen his position.

After everything....

"Hana and I will be married in a week."