Hours have passed, and night has fallen. Only now do I feel in control enough to return to the palace. Killing Odette wasn't smart. I should have killed the bitch instead. My relationship with Alcazer is already strained, and this will have just made it far worse.
I return to my room to see her curled up in the corner, her arms wrapped around herself. Her face holds dried tear stains, and she is fast asleep. Like the rest, she fears me, too.
Perhaps I should just kill her, too. Why am I even keeping her? She isn’t even ideal for warming my bed. She’s incompetent and useless.Turning away, I grab some clothes and shower, knowing my father wants me at the family meeting he has called. It is funny how he is too afraid to do anything to me.
Fool.I shower and dress quickly before taking a final glance at the woman on the floor.
Pathetic.I leave my room and head to my father's office. The few people I pass in the halls pale at the sight of me. It is obvious that the death of Odette has already become common knowledge. Reaching the Supreme Alpha's office, I push open the door, letting it hit the wall behind me and bounce off.
They are all here, all six of my brothers. Alcazer is sitting with Chasyn standing behind him, a hand on the shoulder of the clearly distraught man. They all turn to me, but I don’t care, looking at the man standing behind the desk.
"Zedkiel, take a seat," Dad says seriously.
"Hm," I reply as Alcazer glares at me. I don’t miss the way Chasyn's hold on him tightens.
Smart.I'm certain he doesn’t want to join his mate, because if he touches me I don’t mind ripping him to shreds, too.
"What happened today should never have happened," Dad says, his voice tense and grave as he looks at me seriously. I almost smirk, not missing the glimmer of fear in his eyes.
This is our Alpha of Alphas."No, it shouldn't have, and I demand justice, Father!" Alcazer shouts.
I cock a brow, "Your woman dared to disobey me when I told her to step aside," I snarl, my eyes blazing red.
"Enough," Father's strained voice comes, and he sighs heavily. "What happened, Zedkiel, for you to attack your own sister-in-law-"
"Attack, Father? He murdered her!" Ragnar thunders, interrupting him and slamming his fist into the wall.
The room is full of alphas, yet none of their auras bother me. Even combined, I'd kill them all.
“I have nothing to explain. I'm sure the bitch, who is sadly still alive, told you her version," I scoff, sitting and placing my feet on Dad's desk.
"She told us how your omega whore-" My eyes blaze, and in a flash, I am in front of Alcazer, but the twins block me.
"Calm down, Zedkiel," Drystan says quietly. "Alcazer, there's always more than one version of the story."
"That woman is not to enter this castle, or I will kill her next," I growl, sitting down again.
Father sighs heavily. "You killed your sister-in-law, Zedkiel, not only someone who was a part of this family but the daughter-"
"Part of the family for a few months. She can be replaced," I sneer.
His eyes flash, but he is still too afraid to argue with me. "This has caused tension between the Huntington family and us. He is a powerful alpha, Zedkiel, one whose support we need; especially with the growing unrest and attacks," Dad continues. "This kingdom needs an heir, and for that reason, I've decided to give our people what they want. I will hold a tournament where all seven of you will compete against one another for my throne."
"A little unfair, isn't it?" Draven smirks coldly. "I mean, we all know who is the strongest."
"I assure you it will not only be a test of brute strength. Wit, leadership, and compassion are also needed to rule, and the one who displays all these values will take the crown."
"So, are you serious about this, Father?" Chasyn asks, frowning thoughtfully.
Of course, he'd just love to be King,Well, he does seem the ideal one, but I also know the moment any of them come into power, the first thing they'd do is get rid of me, or try to.
"I am. The tournament is already being planned. There is… one vital rule for all of you to be eligible… to join this contest." Dad turns his back on us for a moment before he turns back, seeming tense. "Each participant must be married or no entry. A woman grounds a man and a king needs his queen by his side to rule."
"That's unfair! I just lost my wife!" Alcazer shouts.
"And you will be the only one I will give a little extra time to, to find a new wife. Grieve her death, son. There are many women who can step into her shoes, many who will be willing, yet choosing a queen to rule by your side is a crucial decision. A woman can make or break a man."
"I assume someone gave you that… idea. All those fucking alphas just want their daughters to marry into the royal family." I smirk coldly.
Dad's frown tells me I am correct.
"I doubt any would vouch for you or even give you their daughter." Ragnar sneers.
I frown deeply, realising what he means. If I am to compete, I'd have to take a wife. One who I know wouldn’t last the night in my presence. I pay no attention to the rest of the conversation, realising that Father has done this on purpose or he has been pushed into a corner to do so.
"Zedkiel can enter, too? After the omen of his Blood Ritual?" Ragnar asks arrogantly.
My eyes flash as Alcazer scoffs. "That in itself should stop him from entering at all, Father. That or the fact he killed his sister-in-law."
"All can enter," Dad says firmly.
"It doesn't matter," Draven remarks, running a hand through his hair. "After all, no woman will last as his wife. He'll be expelled from the tournament right at the start."
I stand up, not bothering to listen to the rest of this foolish conversation and walk out. My anger is rising, and the events of my Blood Ritual return to the forefront of my mind as I make my way back to my quarters.
There was nothing I had done to receive such an omen that night. Was it because I am not a pure-blood? Does the Moon Goddess hate me because I am not only a fucking Lycan?Either way, the throne is going to be mine. The tournament will be dangerous, and I know that many will use it to play dirty. The others will approach the other packs to pick an ideal wife and to win them over. Something tells me they will be the judges of this stupid tournament. Allies and enemies will be formed.
Something about it gives me an ominous feeling. A tournament means it will be held for the public. Is that wise with the current attacks?
I enter my quarters, shutting the door behind me. I am hungry. Even though I had gone for a run, I hadn't hunted to satiate the growing desire within me, and now that sweet, tantalising scent that fills my room reaches my nose. My eyes darkened when they land on the pretty little omega sleeping unknowingly on the floor.
I lick my lips slowly. The intense urge to go to her overtakes me, and I cannot stop myself from closing the gap between us.