46. Confrontations

Thankfully he didn’t have to tell her twice. Still exhausted from the previous nights events, Danika settled back into bed. Bringing the blanket up to cover her body, he watched her burrow into the folds. Nor could he miss the way she shifted to the opposite side of the bed.

He wondered if she understood the real reason why she sought it out. It wasn’t’ due to the need to be more comfortable, but rather his scent. It’d been his side of the bed she’d moved to. Human or not, the mate bond was compelling her to behave in such a way humans weren’t prone for. His scent was an addiction she’d never be cured of, needing it wrapped around her. To envelope her.

Shayde made a mental note to give her a couple of his shirts to sleep in. It would help with the cravings of his scents and hopefully calm her down. He didn’t know what to be expected from her in this stage, but didn’t want no negative effects. Shayde would simply have to go off what he knew from other werewolves. The nesting period was never easy for any werewolf, but it was worse for unmarked ones. He only hoped her humanity would save her from these adverse side effects. Only time would tell.

Snatching up a pair of shorts from the dresser he pulled them on real quick. So Danika wouldn’t wonder why he was walking around the castle naked. He’d already taken a considerable risk when he’d allowed Caspar to chase her in the storm. The beast had come a little too close to the surface for comfort, his essence leaking out.

Absolutely the last thing he needed right now is Danika to be faced with too many questions on the state of his species. Human or not, she wasn’t the brainless fools werewolves liked to think of them as. The girl had definitely been born to a very intelligent and overactive mind. At this rate it wouldn’t take her long to figure out what was going on, maybe another day to come to terms with the truth.

Already Justin had suggested them executing her because she might’ve possibly seen something during her presence outside. He had no doubt of what they’d want if she figured out they were werewolves. No telling what the outcome would be if the Black Guard caught wind of her presence in his kingdom. If those buffoons realized she knew the truth it wouldn’t matter if she was pregnant with his child. Her life would be forfiet in fear of the dangers she'd pose to his people.

Shayde refused to allow any of them, no matter the threat she posed, to endanger her life. He had no doubt what would be the outcome if any of them tried. Caspar would push his way to the surface and eliminate all threats to his mate’s safety. Just as he knew when the time finally came Shane wouldn’t lift a finger to stop him.

Closing the door behind his departure of the room, he securely locked the door. Ensuring that no one outside of him would be able to gain access to his chambers. He wasn’t taking anymore chances with her safety, determined no one would harm her.

Tucking the key safely into his pocket Shayde stalked down the hall, opening up his mind. Using all of his heightened senses to track down where Justin could be hiding out at. It was high time that the two of them had a little chat, concerning his betrayal.

When he finally did manage to pinpoint the man’s location, he moved in his direction. Caspar reared his head, fully prepared to avenge his mate. The animal was enraged that anyone thought to put their hands on her, especially his own people. He didn’t know if he’d let Caspar deal with Justin, but he was so fucking tempted right now. He was the fucking Alpha King. He could command the alphas and all their packs—they trembled in their boots at the mere sight of him. Hell, even the Lycan’s and witches knew better than to fuck with him, cowering beneath his boot heels.

His bloodline was the most feared and revered because he’d never lost a fight. His reputation had become legendary over the last decade and a half. He’d raided and killed, sometimes simply to cure his own fucking boredom. He was the monster of Black Hills, the Shayde of Vaija. The terror that always filled the room when he entered was for a very good reason.

And Justin thought he could get away with lying to him? That he’d never grow wiser of his crimes against him?

Caspar was right. The whole fucking pack believed he’d gone soft simply because he’d taken a step back. He felt challenged by the people he’d vowed to protect and his beast was frothing at the mouth. Caspar wanting to remind these people of exactly who he was, so they’d forever remember his name.

Rage, intense and strong, coursed through his blood as he marched down the stairs. This wasn’t just about Justin and Clarissa. Nor his pack members who looked upon him as if he was less than a man for fucking a human. It was the faceless witch who wanted to make damn sure he never knew a moments of peace. It was the pack elders and people who’d claimed to be his friend, who wanted to prove to the pack he wasn’t fit to rule. It was the memory of the bastard who’d fathered him and the dark legacy he’d been left with. The terror in the eyes of his people when they looked on, afraid he’d follow the same path as the king before him. The Black Guard who thought they had the right to interfere in his life as if it was their right.

He was the fucking king. The king of all kings. The wolf that bowed to no one. Could be controlled by no one. He was the strongest supernatural being to ever grace the world. Not even his father before him could’ve claimed the title he now carried, he alone baring the powers that simmered in his blood. He was the ultimate being, that all supernaturals bowed down to, the king of them all.

How fucking dare they?

Then it's high time you show them who their fucking with, Caspar growled from the back of his mind, the same thoughts he’d had from day one, Show them all the reasons why they should be afraid of you, why they should tremble in the wake of our presence. You should have let me kill them, then none would dare challenge us again.

Shayde struggled to get a handle on his emotions, before he made a choice that would destroy everything. ‘If you kill any of them, it will be my child who will pay the price for your crimes. He will be the one that suffers their wrath when I'm gone and no one will protect him.’

It was an unfortunate truth. Shayde tried to be understanding for the sake of his child, to give them time to come to terms with everything. But so far he seemed to be the only one making compromises. The only one willing to give them the benefit of doubt. He raked fingers through his hair, an obvious show of frustration. This wasn’t how he was supposed to spend his last days before the curse claimed him. He was supposed to be enjoying his “retirement”, to have a measure of peace. And hopefully, if the goddess blessed him right, get to hold his child in his arms for a few weeks. To feel the pleasure of being a father, a child to carry on his bloodline, before the witches curse finally took him to hell.

‘I fucking told you not to trust anyone,’ Caspar continued ranting inside of his head, determined to make him face the truth, We’re the only ones who can protect our mate. The only ones that can be trusted. She’s all that matters now.’

Maybe the beast was telling the truth in this situation, though the option was illogical. It’d be his packs responsibility to raise their future king when he was gone. It’d be these very same people to raise him up into the man he’d become. He had to learn to trust someone. Originally he’d thought that person was Justin, but he couldn’t do that now.

Not when at every turn he was trying to kill the woman destined to bring him to fruition. How could he trust him with the responsibility of his son and know he wouldn’t fail him? Would Justin show his son the same love and loyalty that he’d once known from him? Or would his son be a burden he’d gladly toss to the side, treated lowly due to his human mother?

Justin’s scent took him to a training field hidden behind the woods at the pack house. Though originally their training had been at the castle, things had changed since Danika’s arrival. Justin stood off to the sidelines of the area, watching a cluster of young wolves train with their weapons. The boys weren’t very old, probably less than a year since their first shift. These were probably the same ones he’d entrusted the territory to last night.

The knowledge these young cubs were placed in such a seat of power embroiled him even further. They were fucking children for god sakes, barely wet behind the ears. How could he trust Justin to make good choices for his own child if he thought using children as soldiers was a good idea? These were the same barbaric practices his own father had committed, using defenseless children for battles they weren’t prepared for. It was the reason why he’d pulled them from the front line when he'd taken power, waiting to give them time to be properly trained.

He must have registered the arrival of the alpha, for Justin turned around on his approach. He saw a flash of panic in the man’s face before the fear overtook him. He’s sensed the anger building up inside of his alpha, wise enough to know it was directed at him. He knew what he’d done. Before Danika’s arrival Justin had never been afraid of him, even when he’d seen him at his worst. It angered him more that it was different now, that Justin had done this to them, turned them into this.

“Shane,” he began. His real name, eh?

He heard the silent plea in Justin’s voice, but he simply kept moving towards him. His usage of his name assured him of his fear, as Justin had always referred to him as Shayde. As all of those in the pack had from the moment he was dubbed the nickname.

The younger wolve’s immediately stopped their training upon noticing him too. All of their eyes were centered on the beta and alpha, prepared to watch the drama unfold.

“Leave now,” he growled loud enough for them to hear.

Shayde stopped only when he was less than ten feet away from him, his eyes boring into Justin. His beta had the good sense to keep his head lowered, submissive. Any hint of a challenge from him right now would’ve been very dangerous indeed. Even his trainees sensed that as they rushed off the field, in the hopes of escaping his wrath.

“Tell me the truth,” he growled. He only dared speaking when he was certain no one was within earshot of them.