I have to stepdown

Kayden's POV

"All of you are stupid. What kind of an excuse are you giving me?" I shouted at the warriors, as they lined up in front of me.

I was shocked at their level of incompetence.

"I'm sorry Alpha. But, she insisted on coming down from the car" one of them dared to speak and he earned a blow right to his cheeks, sending him to the floor.

"So, if she insists on jumping into a fire. You would let her jump into the fire?" I lifted an eyebrow at him.

"Your duty is to protect the Luna, irrespective of whether she wants to be protected or not. You went with her, and this still happened to her. Maybe, she should have gone alone, since you all have proven to be useless" I sighed, slamming my palm against my forehead.

What kind of warriors do I have? If they cannot protect one woman, how then would they be able to defend the entire werewolf kingdom in the time of war?.

"Alpha, she is awake"Alysia came to inform me.

"You all get lost. I will think of your punishment later" I dismissed everyone, following her to Rhea's room.

Alysia left us to be alone, as she walked out.

"Kayden" Rhea whispered, opening her eyes slowly.

"Why did you do this Rhea?" I asked her, as she massaged the side of her head, trying to get on her feet, but I stopped her, forcing her to lay down back.

"I thought I would be able to explain to them," she responded.

"I'm sorry, I know you are angry at me. Please don't scold me like you did the last time" she begged me, and I smiled.

I went to sit beside her on the bed.

"Rhea, that was very foolish of you and it definitely deserves scolding. But, I won't shout at you like I did the last time." I told her.

"You won't?" She lifted an eyebrow.

"I won't," I responded.

"Why?" She asked, and I pulled her closer to me.

"Because, I promised myself that I wouldn't lose my temper on you like that ever again" I replied.

She pressed her lips against each other in lack of words.

"I'm going to step down tomorrow Rhea" I told her, and she gasped, forcing herself to get up.

"What?" Her eyes widened.

"I cannot bear to see people around me suffer because of me. Today they attacked you, tomorrow they might attack my mum or worse,  my sister" I felt bad.

There was no need pushing things any further. I never wanted to be King in the first place, so there is no need to fight for a position I didn't want.

"You can't do that Kayden " she shook her head.

Why was she becoming so defensive?

"Because, you still want to be Luna?" I asked her.

"No, because this is exactly what they want. I am sure they purposely attacked me, because that would make you give in to their demands" she said.

"It's unfair Kayden. I feel so bad that they keep using me to get to you. Moreover, this would only make you appear guilty in the eyes of the people. What will people think?" She asked me.

"I don't know, and I don't care. However, I do know that I will not be able to forgive myself if anything happens to you or anyone else I care about, because of me. I have to end this madness Rhea" I insisted.

"So, you're willing to let them have their way just like that?" She questioned and I fell silent.

"Kayden, I went there because my dad sent a letter, saying he is sick. On getting there, he wasn't sick. Instead, he tried to convince me to tell you to step down. When I refused, the elders of the wolves themselves appeared before me and said the same thing to me. Can't you see Kayden? This is just beyond you being the king, it's about your image" she tried to convince me.

"What use would it be to me, to keep such a good image when all I cause is disaster. The people have spoken their mind. They don't want me as their king. I cannot impose my authority on them" I refused.

"Kayden , just try to fight. For the sake of your sister, try to prove them wrong. Remember, she might see that video one day and think of you as a r*pist" Rhea refused to give up.

"If I don't step down now, and they continue with their protests and attacks. Then my sister may not be able to live long enough till that day. It's too risky " I said.

"But…" she gasped.

"Enough Rhea, please don't bring up this issue again. I only told you my decision because I felt you should know, not because I wanted your permission" I sighed.

"So, what is going to happen to our marriage?" She asked me, scared of the answer.

"Say something Kayden,. You know very well our marriage depends on whether or not you remain the king. I honestly don't want to go back to my father. I have nowhere else to go" she replied.

I didn't know what to tell her. How could I tell her that I didn't have an answer to her question?.

If I step down as the King, a lot of things will change. I will have to take my mum and my sister out of this packhouse. We will start our life afresh, in a different world.

" I will figure it out. But, for now ensuring our safety is what matters to me" I responded.

"Hmmn" she replied, turning her head to the other direction.

She refused to even spare me a glance.

"Rhea, please say something " I urged her to speak, but she kept mute.

"What more do you want me to say? You have already made your decision and there is clearly nothing I can do about it. Just let me be Kayden" she insisted.

"Just look at me," I begged her.

"I want to sleep, my head hurts, " she replied.

I stood up from the bed staring at her, before I left the room.

I felt guilty, I felt helpless and incapable of making her happy. I just make everyone around me sad, and I couldn't help it.

I walked out of the room, leaving her all by herself.