Chapter L - The Reveal-2

"Your son's rightful place is in the sewer where you both belong," spits Queen Sophia, glaring at Katya. She looks furious but she doesn't seem surprised while my mate is frozen in shock. "Tsk tsk tsk, Sophia," Æmilius admonishes her playfully. "Always full of claws, in and out of bed." "Æmilius!" bellows King Alexandros. "Relax, father dear. I'm not even attempting to take over the palace. That would be foolish of me. You have this place secured tight like a fortress. How paranoid of you. "I'm not planning to kill anyone either, at least not tonight. I'm here just to enlighten the crowd that you have a son with your erasthai and issue my challenge to claim what is rightfully mine." "A bastard son born of a mistress has no right to claim the throne," says Queen Sophia. "I am his Erasthai," replies Katya. "My son may not be born of the mating bond but he is the first born." "Quiet!" barks King Alexandros. "Katya, stop this nonsense." "I'm just here to ask for a chance to fight for the throne. A fair fight to the death with your revered golden son. My little brother. Surely that's not too much to ask, isn't it, father?" says Æmilius. "We are not open to The Rule of Seven. We are not open to challenges," announces the king. The Rule of Seven, as I've learned from my Nana a long time ago, came about when the Moon Goddess released her seven sons, the first lycans, into the world. They battled over the power to lead until all but one perished and became the leader and the father of all lycans in the world today. Today, when a pack or the king declares the Rule of Seven, it's an open invitation for any werewolves or lycans to challenge and fight to the death for the power to become the new Alpha or King. "You have no clue, do you, father?" Æmilius spits out the word father like a curse word. "This is not an option. I have gained enough followers---" "Mostly criminals and rogues," interrupts Queen Sophia. "Criminals and rogues make the best followers. Dangerous and unscrupulous. At least they're honest of their true nature, unlike hypocrites in here tonight. Monsters hiding behind the mask of a cultured and civilized front. "Anyway, back to what I was saying before. I have gained enough followers who are at the ready to destroy all the packs North of the region. If you kill me or restrained me tonight, those packs will die. If you refused my challenge, those packs will die. What happened last night was just a child's play compared to what's to come. Besides, your subjects and followers will forever be wondering if they truly had the rightful leader on the throne or if their leader is strong enough to lead." "The answer is no!" barks Queen Sophia. "Yes!" growls Caspian. "I accept the challenge." What? No! I cling to his arm. No! He squeezes my waist as if he's trying to calm me but there is no calming the storm in my chest and my head. No! "Father, please clear the room," he says. King Alexandros orders the guards to lead the stunned guests out. "You, my dear Celeste, are a disappointment," says Æmilius to Lady Celeste before she stepped off the stage. He leans in to whisper something in her ear and she blanches. I wonder what he has on her. The room is immediately cleared. The only ones remained are King Alexandros, Queen Sophia, Katya, Æmilius, two royal advisors, one of King Alexandros's guard, Caspian, and I. "Surprise, surprise brother. I am finally able to introduce myself to you properly." The smile on Æmilius's face is very friendly. Sickly so. "So, you've finally claimed your mate. чудесно! Wonderful! I've been waiting for this moment for a long time. For a while, I thought it was going to be the lovely Lady Celeste, but you did better for yourself. You don't disappoint. She is gorgeous! Fit for a king. Too bad you won't be able to keep her for too long." "What do you really want, Æmilius?" asks Caspian. He sounds bored even though I know he's furious and on edge right now. His stony expression reminds me of Queen Sophia. "I want everything denied to me all these years." "You are crazy," snaps Queen Sophia. "I want everything that my little brother has," he continues as if he hasn't been interrupted. "I've watched him being pampered and revered for a very long time. Nothing is too good for him. Everybody bows to him. Everybody bends over backward to please the king's spoiled brat. Everything comes easy to him, and now he's found his erasthai, claimed her and he's ready for the crown and to live happily ever after." He turns to Caspian with that smile again and says, "I've been waiting for you to finally claim your mate so that I can take her away from you. Thank you for inviting me to breakfast yesterday morning. You gave me the chance to take a closer look at what is going to be mine. How much would it hurt when I take her for myself?" "I would rather die than let you touch me! I will kill you first before you ever laid your hands on me," I snarl fiercely before Caspian had the chance to open his mouth. I feel his arms tighten around me. My chest burns. "Fiesty! I like that. I expect no less. I always have a taste for the fiery ones." His smile is menacing. "You will not touch my mate," growls my mate. "Save the fight for tomorrow, brother dear."