Chapter 6

What do we do? A number of werewolves are said to have gone berserk. We've kept it private to avoid alerting the clan and our enemies. But having to kill our own kind doesn't sit well with me," one of the men stated. Seven men gathered in the king's chambers, serving as the closest advisors to the king of Nightfall.

"Werewolves going berserk should be killed." A man yelled.

"If that's the case, then the prince should have been put to death a long time ago," another man, Gambit, stated furiously, opposing the decision to kill berserked wolves. He was one of the oldest of the wolf clan and a man the king considered a thorn in his flesh.

"Your suggestion is outrageous," someone else countered. "The prince isn't berserked!" a man yelled.

"Then what do you call a prince born with Lycan powers he has no ability to control most times?" Gambit countered.

"The second prince has his uses," the king bellowed, silencing the argument. "Would you rather he be sent to war on our behalf? We can utilize Kronos for that. You may not want to admit it, but with him, we became even stronger, taking over kingdoms and clans, which has benefitted each one of you in some way." The king narrowed his eyes at his advisers while they looked away.

"Let's keep it that way. We already let him live. I stated many years ago that the embodiment of Kronos's reincarnation should be killed immediately, but you all disagreed!" Gambit stated further.

"There is no doubt that history would repeat itself with the coming of the Red Moon. Kronos is here, the berserkers and Hellhounds are present. What's next? The Luna Enchantress?" The men in the room made disagreeing and alarming sounds.

"There has been no appearance lately. The issue of the berserked wolves—the council will take care of it. And as for the issue of my son! Kronos is not a threat presently. Let's focus on other things; the Eclipse and Red Moon are upon us," the king stated decisively.

"These are dangerous times for our kind and all seven kingdoms of the wolf clan. Kronos is essential for us at this time. Besides, the issue of Kronos will be resolved soon," the king added.

"If he finds a mate. And it's not news that it's almost impossible for him to find his mate." Gambit stated.

"We've searched. And with Kronos, it's no use, finding the mate of a Lycan is next to impossible." Another one Udolf added.

"That can't be helped. Well, I've found another bride for him." the king stated.

"She must be a princess." Udolf stated.

"She is." The King replied.

"And what maiden would sacrifice herself willingly to certain death?" Gambit asked sneeringly.

"We all know what happened to the last three brides, your Majesty sent," he uttered continuously.

"I found him a human bride," the king said. The hall went silent immediately.

"A bride from one of the small kingdoms. The princess, threatened with the life and responsibility of her people. I believe she wouldn't end that way. I offered them a truce in exchange," the king finished. The clan elders sighed, while Gambit still looked on disapprovingly.

"It's a disaster waiting to happen. You'll see," he muttered to himself. The other men made their way out while he remained standing there.

"And what makes you so sure she isn't a fake? We might just be wasting time when the bride happens to be some ordinary scrawling maid. Then all of this would be in vain," Uldof spoke. The halls hummed in approval.

"It wouldn't be the first time someone tried to fool us that way."

"I have thought of that. I don't believe that the king would have the guts to go against or to fool me in such a manner. Anyway, I would send for the three witches of Endor valley. They will be here by tomorrow to confirm the status of the girl," the king finished. Satisfied, the men turned to leave. But Gambit remained lingering there.

"Is there something else?" The king asked him.

"What kingdom is the new bride from? Can't believe we were desperate enough to get a human one," he said with a sigh.

"Ashford. The one we've thoroughly vanquished. I believe the bride won't end up like the others this time. In fact, I'm convinced. At least not with the conditions I enforced," the king said solemnly.

"And what if the prince refuses?" Gambit questioned further.

"It's clear he wishes never to get married," the man stated.

"I will handle the issue of the prince. You find a solution to the issue of the berserked wolves," the king bellowed in annoyance.

"We shall see," Gambit uttered lastly before leaving.

The king gave an exhausted sigh. He had to do something about his raving mad son. Although he acted confident, he still worried. The recent bride he got for his son might just end up like the other three. With Kronos being in possession and control most of the times, his son, the prince Damon, was dangerous not only to himself but his kingdom as well.

"Summon a messenger this instant," he instructed his guard. "Send for the second Prince. He must return home before the unification ball." The messenger scribbled a message down, which the king stamped.

He sat quietly in contemplation. There were some mysteries around the birth of his second son. He still had some reservations concerning the paternity of the prince and had never once seen him as the prince or his son but rather as someone he would keep by his side to ensure his place on the throne as the first king and leader of the seven kingdoms. With Kronos's powers, no other clan or kingdom could dare go against him. Damon had his uses, and he would watch and monitor him; the moment things changed, he would end him, he resolved with clenched fists.

Still, He felt threatened. Damon's powers continued to grow stronger along with Kronos's. Keeping him and sending him out on missions to take over kingdoms was a way of keeping them entertained. But what would happen when Damon got bored and decided he wanted to take over the kingdom?

The sooner Damon returned and met his new bride, the faster his plan would be set in motion. The girl had already arrived. He just had to make sure she wasn't a fake.

"Send for the witches from Endor," he instructed once more. "Have them travel down immediately." He was confident they wouldn't refuse. They owed him a debt, after all.