Chapter 4

Alpha Vlad~

The old rags will come for my neck.

They would have ended my life early today if they held the power to. But my position gives me complete immunity, and no man born of the Goddess dares challenge me.

“Vlad, your father and his Beta are waiting in the courtroom,” my Beta, Kane, informs.

“Must I adhere to the meeting?”

“The consequences will be severe if you don’t.”

The exact haggard jargon I’ve heard for twenty-eight years of my life. It doesn’t stop and won’t as long as my Father is alive.

Closing the book in my hands, I drop it on the desk and strengthen to my full length. “Have you heard from Zoran?”

“They’ve arrived in Duskwarren.”

“And my message?”

“I’m certain Zoran will relay it. Your brother will not dare lay his hands on your mate.”

“Perfect.” I rip my long coat from its stand. Throwing it over my shoulders, I stride out of my room. Kane follows behind me.

Arriving, the fury of the old rags embraces the walls of my courtroom as they sit around the council table. If those walls are humans, their sweat will be like an ocean.

Crazy how my father and his Beta are not used to my decision-making style after many years. I still hold the powerful button triggering their old wrinkly dangling balls.

“What was the order, Alpha?” Father slams the table as I take my seat on my throne.

“Get rid of her.” I spread my arms across the armrests of my throne.

“And why did you sell her off?” he growls like the old wrecking dog he is.

“I followed the order— I sent her out of the pack.”

The old rag presses the bridge of his nose, his skin red like a flame. “Kill her,” he says through gritted teeth. “That was the order.”

“And I did by selling her off.”

“Don’t act smart with me Vla—”

“Alpha,” I correct. Leaning in, I whisper with a dark smile, “I am your Alpha.”

A deep vibration thrums through his chest as he clutches the hem of the council table. “This is not the time for formalities. Milena is a mature flower who will search for her father when she finds out the truth. You know what it means?”

“Our lives and position will be taken from us,” I say with a smile.

For years, I’ve hoped for it to happen. And if the Goddess chooses now as the time, so be it. After all, we’re thieves. This position was never rightfully ours in the first place. And I'm ready to return it to its rightful owner.

Beta Blackwood, my father’s Beta, clears his throat. “Alpha Vladimir, you may not have a true knowledge of the implications of selling the girl. You were a boy when the coup happened, but I suggest you listen to your father.”

“Did you call me stupid?”

He bows his head. “Have my head if I dare.”

The word ‘despise’ is little compared to what I feel toward these old men, especially Beta Blackwood. He has raised Milena ever since she was born. She sees him as Father—Tato. Knows him as one. And she calls him family. How can he look away and want her killed for the sake of politics?

Even Rogues don’t treat their pups this way.

“What pack was she sold off to?” Father asks.

“Not in my place to know a buyer.”

“Don’t play those tricks with me, Boy. Find her and kill her.” He rises. “If you can’t, my men will.”

“She is my mate.” I clench the armrests of my throne. “You don’t speak of her like she is nothing.”

“She was your forbidden mate. A virus we must eradicate before it spreads.”

“Milena is no virus.” I rise with narrow eyes. “How dare you call her names?”

The old rag chuckles dryly. “The more reason she has to go, Boy. It’s either her or your mother, sister, and grandmother,” he says with a smiley face.

“Those are your family.”

“Women don’t count as family… fix your decision, or I'll take the honour to.” He adjusts his dark-brown long-sleeved jacket and steps away from his seat. “Your wedding with Princess Lada is in a month. The rituals start tomorrow. Let’s not end it in a bloodbath,” he announces on their way out while I watch.

My pent-up anger erupts and I bellow, flipping my iron throne. I pick up my staff of authority and smash it on the wall, it breaks in half. Its pieces scatter on the floor. Running my fingers through my hair as I roam like a wild animal, I roar, punching the wall over and over until my knuckles plead for their lives.

“Vlad.” Kane pulls me away, like he always does.

“Don’t fucking stop me. I swear by the rood, I will kill my Father this time.” I make to punch the wall once again, but Kane stands in front, presenting his face.

“You have to calm down. This is not the right time to strike.”

“When is the fucking right time!? When!?” I pace back and forth, looking for something—anything I can destroy. I’ve waited too long for the right time. My patience is growing thin. And I can’t restrain myself anymore. I must end the lives of these old rags. They’ve bitten more than they can chew.

“We still don’t know where Milena’s brother is held captive. If your father dies, then we can’t rescue her brother.”

“How sure are we he’s alive? It’s been twenty years.”

“Zoran overheard the conversation of the old men, remember? Let’s hope. Besides, your Grandmother, mother, and sister need to see reasons why your father should be killed. Also, the pack members will ask questions.”

“To hell with the pack members.”

“Those are your people. They see you as cruel. Your record will be unreadable if they find out you ended your father.”

More reasons. More fucking reasons why the old rag is not yet dead. But I promise, before he gets to Milena or finds out where she is, I will kill him. I will make his poisonous blood run through the soil of Virethorn.

And hell!… Why did the Goddess make Milena my mate, putting Milena’s life in greater danger? Why!? Fucking Why!?

Taking in a deep-bone breath, I pull a chair and sit. “What should I do at this point, Kane?” I’ve never been more confused in my twenty-eight years of living.

“Protect her. You owe her this after your mistake that night.”

“My brother will protect her.”

“Drago is not the kind of man who goes easy on women. He’s like your father.” Kane leans on the table. “Drago does not have value for Milena’s life.”

“I gave up a lot for Drago to take care of her. He won’t dare touch a strand of her hair after what our father did to hers.”

“Then keep her close.”

“No.” I point at Kane. “No crazy way. The mate bond is powerful, and I fear I might lose control.”

“Fight it, Vlad. We have a strong situation at hand. You can fight your urge and protect her. If she dies, everything we’ve been working for becomes fruitless. Do this for your family and for the night twenty years ago.”

Resting my head on the headrest of the chair, I sigh. Frustrated. This isn’t the plan, or what I wanted. The Goddess is honestly testing me. And like my Father, she will fail.

The Goddess knows I can’t go close to Milena. I worry what might happen if I set my eyes on Milena again. Back at the auction ground, it took everything in my bones not to storm towards her and have a taste of those full lips. When I noticed the hardness of her nipples, I went crazy controlling my damn cock, the animal threatened to rip my breeches.

Going closer to Milena is risky. I’m not a good man, and I will break her. I don't deserve to be with a woman like her. I'm a predator she must run far away from.

But the mate bond doesn't give a shit about what I deserve, and it’s fucking ready to bring me to my knees before Milena.

Yet, protecting Milena from my father and her foster father is a must. If I don’t, they will succeed in ending her bloodline.

“Kane.” I straighten my posture, slipping my hands in my pockets. “Get the horses. We ride to Duskwarren. I need to speak with Drago,” I order, and storm out.

If it means using my brother for Milena’s sake, I will. I'm ready to burn down the world to keep her safe, and Drago will be the swing I will use to shield Milena.