Chapter 164 The heirs first public appearance
Coban's POV
By the time the banquet door is opened, every pack had already arrived.
They'd filtered throughout yesterday and well into the night. Alphas, they're entourages, and the Warriors, who chose to run the course.
The banquet hall was alive in ways only nights like this could manage. Gold veined marble floors reflected the glow of the chandeliers overhead. Long tables draped in maroon and black. Banners of the Crown hanging between carve stone and pillars.
The air smelled of roasted meats, spiced wine, and citrus. Every alpha in the kingdom was here. And every one of them was watching our table.
We sat elevated at the head of the hall. The long obsidian table carved generations ago for nights exactly like this.
Caden was at Trixie's right. He was relaxed, but alert. He had one arm draped behind Trixie's chair, the other resting casually at his blade.
Trixie sat in between us. She was calm on the surface, but sharp eyed beneath it. Caden held Cassian on his lap and I had Atlas on mine.
Across from us was our loyal friends. Benjamin leaned back in his chair, composed as ever. Trinity close at his side. Kael was sitting comfortably on Benjamin's lap, his small hands gripping a piece of fruit. He was entirely unconcerned with the hundreds of predators in the room.
Next to them, Elliot sat with Brandi and their son, Elias. Elliott already scanning exits out of habit.
Kevan and Sabrina we're laughing quietly over something Selene had done. Her tiny fingers clenched around Kevan's. She was absolutely determined to win whatever imaginary battle she was fighting.
Mark and Tina sat beside them, Alessia asleep against Tina's chest. Her dark lashes unfairly long. Mark looked like he'd already decided anyone who breathed too close to his daughter tonight would lose that privilege permanently.
Darien and Lucian were on either side of Roxie. Orion sprawled in Lucian's lap while Theron was quite and sat upright in Darien's lap. His little eyes tracking movement the way a warrior did.
This was our family.
And beyond us was rows up upon rows of Alpha's, betas, and warriors. All of them, pretending they weren't accessing every breath we took.
The banquet began with a low hum of conversations, plates filling, and wine being poured.
I lifted my glass. The room quieted immediately.
"Alpha's and guests. Welcome to this year's tournament. As you already know, we have made quite a few changes. The course will start tomorrow. The orders you will run is posted in the arena and on the screen around the palace. You have been given a number. Your name will be associated with that number. Each warrior has two chances at competition. Everyone will run it once. Then we will go in the same order for the second round. This will take all week to complete as there is at least a 15 minute reset in between each run. The fastest time of completion takes first place, and the winner earns their place in the royal army. A home in the kingdom. And a very large cash prize. Please enjoy the feast." I finished and sat with Atlas back on my lap.
That got their attention.
The noise returned, louder this time as everyone was discussing what I mentioned.
Food was served. We were all in conversation and then it happened.
Atlas had been quietly pushing a goblet across the table with one finger. He was fascinated by how it moved without touching it.
Cassian, not to be out done, narrowed his eyes and made the candle flames nearest him flicker once.
The temperature in the room shifted. I felt it before I saw it. The sudden spike of awareness. Heads turning. Scents changing. Alpha's noticed. They always did.
A chair scraped softly somewhere to our left. And alpha froze mid bite.
Someone else's fork clattered against their plate. Trixie sighed under her breath. "They said they would behave." she said as she placed her hand on her face.
"They are behaving." Caden smirked. Atlas giggled. An innocent sound that absolutely didn't match the way the air around him hummed.
Cassian leaned back, his eyes glowing faintly before he blinked it away. Too Late.
Across the table, Benjamin's brow lifted slightly. His interest flickered across his face.
Elliot exhaled through his nose. "Well that answers a few questions." he muttered.
Kevan chuckled quietly. "You see that alpha three tables down? He just forgot how to breathe."
Mark didn't smile. He was watching the room the way a general watched a battlefield. "They'll talk about this for years."
Good. Let them.
One older Alpha finally spoke from his table. His voice cautious, but respectful. "Your heirs?" I met his gaze. "Their my sons."
Then Atlas laughed again, and the goblet slid back towards him, stopping perfectly in front of Cassian. He beamed and clapped once. The sound sharp enough to ripple the lights overhead.
Well if they didn't recognize it before, they did now. Power recognized power.
The banquet continued, but nothing was the same after that. Conversation shifted. Glances lingered. Fear mixed with awe in the air like smoke. Even at our table, the awareness sharpened.
Trixie looked between the boys, then at us. "We're going to need better soundproofing."
Caden kissed her temples. "We're going to need thicker walls."
I leaned back in my chair, watching the room, watch us.
Clarence will definitely hear about this. Everyone would.