Chapter 16: "It's been a long time"

LOREN'S POV 

It's been days since Mother proposed the killing of her husband, the king, in exchange for a mind-controlling power to counter Zara, and I still couldn't believe I succumbed to such a deal.

I sat in my chamber, surrounded by the trappings of my position as Commander. But my mind was elsewhere, consumed by the weight of my mother's words.

"There's no room for Mercy, Loren. Become the king you were born to be and terminate your rival permanently"

I couldn't shake the feeling of unease that had settled in my stomach. How could she ask me to do such a thing? My father!, but it seems I'm left with no choice.

Just as I was starting to think I couldn't go through with it, the door to my chamber opened and my mother walked in. Her eyes gleamed with a sinister light as she approached me.

"Loren, my son, it's time," she said, her voice low and urgent. "The King is growing suspicious, considering the rumors of overthrow in the kingdom. We must act now."

She reached into her cloak and pulled out a small vial filled with a clear, glowing liquid “For you to overpower that one enemy you've always dreaded, you will impel her power into one of your folks” she continued coming closer to me “and for you to do that you will make a sacrifice, a life sacrifice”

"Mother, do I have to kill Father for the sacrifice?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.

My mother's smile was cold and calculating. "When you become the king, you get the control of an alpha, and you now have a mind controller that would make you unstoppable, Loren,” her face turned cold. “Sometimes you don't have to wait for it to happen, son…you take it by force!!”

She said. "The witch has provided us with the means to... incapacitate your father."

I felt a wave of disgust wash over me as I took the vial from her. This was it. This was the moment I had been dreading. The moment I decided to backstab a man I've always looked up to, but just like mother always says, “every greatness comes with a price,” this is one of them.

My mother's eyes seemed to bore into my soul, reminding me of the promise I had made to her. I was trapped, caught in a web of my quest.

"What about the council of elders?" I asked, stalling for time. "They'll never accept me as their king."

My mother's smile grew wider. "Leave that to me," she said. "They exiled Kael, the son of the Alpha and the next king.  And they gave you his position, they have no option right now other than to give you the throne,” she said cruelly 

“sprinkle it in his delicacy and on his throne. Then watch what happens. Be wise and make sure you are not seen; the ball is in your court, my boy; I will be waiting to hear how it goes!!” she says, leaving me to my clouded thoughts.

I needed some time to rethink my next action: disobey my mother or expose my mother. I have all the evidence I need to expose her, but what are the odds? Kael can come up anytime and prove his innocence of the accusations, and then, I would go back to being nothing because whatever I decide is going to change everything in the whole region of this Coast.

***

I stood at the edge of the training grounds, watching as our warriors clashed in a flurry of steel and snarls. My mind was elsewhere, still reeling from the conversation with my mother.

"Commander Loren," a low voice said, breaking into my thoughts.

I turned to see Carlos, my assistant commander, approaching me with a measured stride. His eyes were narrowed and his expression serious.

"What is it, Carlos?" I asked, trying to keep my tone neutral.

Carlos hesitated, glancing around the training grounds before focusing on me. "The rumors, sir," he said quietly. "They're growing more intense. Whispers of... dethroning the king."

My heart sank, but I kept my expression impassive. "What are you suggesting?"

Carlos leaned in his voice barely above a whisper. "I think we need to take action, sir. Remove some of the men guiding the borders. Intensify the search for the person behind these rumors."

I felt a surge of unease. Was Carlos suspicious of me? Or was he genuinely trying to protect the king?

"I'll consider it," I said finally, trying to sound noncommittal.

Carlos nodded, but his eyes lingered on mine as if searching for something. I forced myself to meet his gaze, trying not to reveal the turmoil brewing inside me. But I couldn't help the thought that someone was spreading rumors of dethroning the king. 

The only person aware of this is me and my mother, could it be that someone has overheard our conversation? Or could it be my mother playing pranks on me?  I need to find this person.

I called out to Carlos, my voice stopping him in his tracks. "Carlos, come back here."

He turned, his eyes narrowing slightly as he walked back to me.

"I've changed my mind," I said, my voice low and even. "I want you to pull as many men as you can off the borders; we need to fish out who's behind these rumors."

Carlos's expression turned skeptical. "Sir, I thought we agreed that the borders were the priority. Since Kael could make his way anytime soon."

I smiled, trying to appear nonchalant. "I've received new information on that,” I lied. “I want those men searching for any sign of the person spreading these rumors!!."

Carlos's eyes locked on mine, his gaze piercing. "And what makes you think this person is even on our territory, sir? I mean could be from the outside"

I felt a flicker of unease, but I kept my expression neutral. "Just a hunch, Carlos. Trust me on this one."

Carlos's gaze lingered on mine, his expression unreadable. For a moment, I thought I saw a glimmer of suspicion in his eyes. But then he nodded, his face smoothing out into its usual impassive mask.

"Yes, sir," he said, his voice neutral. "I'll see to it immediately."

As he turned to leave, I couldn't shake the feeling that Carlos was watching me, waiting for me to slip up, but I knew he was not a threat, not yet.

***

**DARKWOOD FOREST**

ZARA'S POV 

After Kael's war declaration yesterday, Everyone has been urged to intense practice and training.

Earlier this morning, Kael had told me something that jolted my spirit. “Zara,” he called out as he approached my tent, his expression unreadable. 

“Yes, Kael, what owes this early sudden visit,” I said, sounding a little brave pm and curious.

“Get ready, brace yourself up,” he said strictly, “you will be coming with me to the Eastern Coast”

“What!!” I shouted, controlling my joy which almost erupted in his presence. I finally feel drawn close to my achievement. Meeting the alpha, my father.

“Get prepared, we will leave soon, get the horses ready and your armours ready, be prepared for the worst”, he said almost leaving then turned “Be ready to make good use of your powers”

My heart raced with joy and questions.

***

The day has gotten brighter; while I get the horses ready, I could overhear Kael discussing our journey with Emily and Miera.

"I've made a decision," Kael said, his voice firm. "Zara and I will be heading to the Eastern Coast to meet with my father."

Emily's eyes widened. "What? Why?"

Kael took a deep breath. "We're going to try and negotiate a peace treaty. If he agrees, we can put an end to the agitations and discuss peace "

Miera's expression turned skeptical. "And if he refuses?"

Kael's jaw clenched. "Then we'll come back, and we'll give him war. We'll show him the true meaning of power."

Emily stood up, her eyes flashing with determination. "We'll be ready. When do you leave?"

Kael nodded. "We'll depart at dawn. Zara is already preparing the horses."

Miera nodded, her face set in a firm expression. "We'll be ready to defend our land, Kael. Bring us back a treaty, or bring us back a victory."

Kael smiled, a fierce glint in his eye. "I'll bring you back one or the other. I promise.”

***

***EASTERN COAST***

Loren strolled through the castle gardens, his feet carrying him along the winding path as his mind wandered. He had been pondering the same question for weeks: how to poison his father without arousing suspicion.

Just as Loren was about to continue his walk, a fierce voice cut through the air, shattering his reverie.

"Loren."

He spun around, his heart racing, as he came face to face with his brother and sworn enemy. Kael. His eyes blazed with a fierce intensity, his jaw clenched in anger.

"Loren," Kael repeated, his voice dripping with venom. "It's been a long time.”