125

125
Kai 

I only realize that my father has stopped to let me enter the summit room before him when I have already stepped into the hall. From the corner of my eye, I can spot that I am the first, and I shield Emma instinctively as much as I can while not letting go of her hand. I would like to pull her behind me, but it would result in an offense towards the Alpha King because I would allude to him wanting to harm us. 

And they have been working so hard to sell us the fantasy about them obviously not wanting to. 

We must have passed some sort of cast shield because I hear my demon grunt before losing connection to him. 

I guess this summit hall is hella special.

I lose the last chance of a mind link with my mate or my brother outside, and I give it my all to not let it make me panic. Emma squeezes my hand, pulling me out of my thoughts, and I take a deep breath, concentrating on my surroundings. 

There are twelve guards distributed in the hall, only four of them visible. That would be nothing worth mentioning on any normal day of my life, but without my wolf or my demon, they could be a problem. 

I also know that my father is weakened because of all the silver they pumped into him. 

And I am still not sure about which side Ace would take. 

The resounding footsteps tell me that Ace and my father are following me closely, and I check the large windows and the high rounded ceiling just long enough to spot cameras and engines ready to ignite harmful spells. 

Modern technology and magic. Nice shit. 

“I need to tell Aintín about this,” I murmur to myself, triggering my mate’s questioning gaze. 

The Alpha King is standing in the middle of the room with his arms spread, causing the fabric of the long sleeves of his toga-like cape to flow towards the floor. “Future Alpha Blackwood, what an honor.” His clothing rustles when he joins his hands after welcoming us. “I see that you have been reunited with your future Luna. What a beautiful sight for my sore eyes.” 

“My Luna,” I comment, ignoring my father’s growl. “You can cross out the future, King Orestes.” 

Taking three steps down to reach his majesty on the lowered platform, I try to ignore the shivers the benches surrounding us trigger in me. They are empty, and still I feel like we are being watched by a large audience. 

He just smiles at me, not reacting to me correcting him, and I roll back my shoulders. “Thank you for receiving us, Alpha King. We appreciate you taking precious time out of your day.” 

It’s rather grotesque how he laughs while fireworks are exploding in the sky, glimmering through the windows behind him. “I thought that it would be better to talk face to face instead of letting you wait until the High Court is assembled again. It might take years, and you surely have better things to do. Also, I apologize for being the party pooper, but as long as everyone is distracted, we can talk in peace.” 

Sure, because we were partying and not rotting in a cell. 

“Please.” He gestures to the seats at a round table in front of him, and I put my hand on the small of Emma’s back, getting her to sit next to me with a gentle push. 

Cayden and Ace climb the pedestal surrounding us, getting onto the first platform to sit at one of the desks which are bolted into the floor. 

Now, at least, I feel comfortably assured in my paranoia of being watched, so my anxiety decreases, easing up the clamp crushing my heart a little bit. 

After checking on Emma, I direct my attention to the Alpha King, flashing him the best smile my tired facial muscles can muster. 

That is exactly why I didn’t want to become an Alpha. 

It’s not that I have the sensation of not being worthy enough. It’s the fact that I don’t want to be good enough. 

I always thought my life was set in stone. 

My family had, in fact, planned everything around me, forcing me to take my place in a defined and boring spot. 

And honestly, I liked my life how it was supposed to be. 

The worst was that I knew I had to share Emma. But more than that, I just wanted to live my life next to her. 

Be more of a family to her than I already was. 

And suddenly, Ace fucked up, pulling us all down south with him. Now I have to smile and nod in a world made of people playing stuck-ups instead of just speaking my mind. Navigate through crowds of people who play kind but hate each other's guts. I have to learn about traditions of a royal court I’m not even part of, studying history and phrases instead of training with my brothers. 

I have to redo everything my brother had already done and work even harder to show that I am not a simple replacement because there was nothing better available at that moment, but I have to prove that I am perfect for a job I never wanted. 

What would be the consequences, though? 

If I were to take her and storm out of this idiotic palace? 

Would they stop me? Would I even do something wrong? 

Why can’t I just disappear, but others are being welcomed back home with open arms as if nothing happened? 

Where does that put me? 

I clench my jaw, realizing I have been glaring at Emma when my sight focuses on her confused face. Her questioning expression shifts, worry playing in it. 

Are you alright? Her eyes scream at me. 

No. 

I am not. 

I push the corners of my lips higher, careful not to show too much of my teeth. 

“Thank you so much, King Orestes, for meeting us before the jury is assembled. We appreciate this honorable offer,” I say loudly, turning towards him. 

Straightening my spine, I watch his grin widen, and he claps his thighs. “Let’s get it started then.”