Four Kings and a Half-Breed

Sable's POV,

My heart was beating ridiculously fast. I hadn't even brushed my hair properly, and the thin nightdress beneath my robe did little to make me feel prepared for whatever awaited downstairs. I looked nothing like a woman about to meet four powerful Alphas.

If Celeste were in my position, she would probably have spent an hour getting ready, making sure every strand of hair was perfect but I wasn't Celeste and I wasn't going to spend another minute worrying about what people thought of my appearance.

Kael had told me to let them see what they would never have and I intended to remember that.

When I reached the bottom of the staircase, I spotted Kael standing in the courtyard with Jax, his Beta. Four other men stood opposite them, each carrying an intimidating presence that made the air feel unusually heavy.

They all turned towards me, and their eyes immediately settled on the mark on my neck.

My wolf stirred uneasily inside me, although she remained weak and unfamiliar. Being surrounded by four powerful Alphas was overwhelming enough, especially when I was still struggling to understand my own connection to Kael.

His eyes found mine. "Come here, Sable."

I walked towards him, and he immediately placed a hand around my waist, drawing me against his side. "Gentlemen, meet my Luna. Sable."

The first man stepped forward,he was tall, probably in his late thirties, with neatly styled dark hair and an expensive charcoal suit. His appearance was polished, almost intimidatingly professional. Unlike the others, he wore a pleasant smile, but something about his eyes made me uncomfortable.

"Rodgers," Kael introduced him. "My eldest stepbrother." Rodgers offered me a brief nod.

"Half-breed? Interesting choice, brother. Father will certainly be curious." He said and I forced a smile.

"Nice to meet you too." His smile widened slightly, although it never reached his eyes. The second man approached before Kael could respond.

He was handsome in an almost irritating way, with a small scar cutting through one eyebrow and an amused expression permanently resting on his face.

"Fabian," Kael said. His gaze travelled over me.

"Well, well. You smell like him already." He stepped closer, inhaling deliberately.

"Does he know you don't even have a wolf?" My stomach tightened and Kael released a low growl.

"Watch your mouth, Fabian." He said and Fabian chuckled, raising both hands. "Relax, brother. I'm only curious."

The third man barely acknowledged me,he was enormous, with broad shoulders and a thick neck. His expression was completely unreadable as he examined me from head to toe.

"Ryan," Kael introduced. I folded my fists but they were sweaty,a clear sign that I was nervous. 

"She won't survive the council," Ryan remarked and that was all he said.

The last man was considerably younger than his brothers. He couldn't have been much older than me, and unlike the others, he seemed uncomfortable with the entire situation.

"Delan," Kael said and his eyes briefly met mine.

"Don't trust any of us," he whispered and I blinked before I could ask what he meant, he stepped backwards.

Four different personalities, but one common objective. None of them wanted Kael to become king, and judging by their reactions, none of them wanted me standing beside him either.

Kael's fingers tightened around my waist. "Any questions about my Luna can be asked with your teeth on the ground." He said and nobody answered. However, Fabian's amused expression suggested he wasn't finished testing me.

"So, little Luna," he began, walking towards us again. "I hope you understand what becoming Luna entails." I kept my expression neutral, wishing everything would come to an end now. 

"Enlighten me." His eyebrows lifted.

"According to council tradition, the Luna must stand beside her Alpha during the full-moon run. She must demonstrate strength, endurance and the ability to command respect." He looked at my bare feet before returning his attention to my face.

"Can you run, little Luna, or will we have to carry you?" Rodgers chuckled and I felt heat creeping up my neck.

Fabian extended his hand towards me. "Come here." The command struck immediately and my knees nearly buckled, and my body instinctively wanted to obey. 

I had experienced that feeling too many times under Richard's roof. Alpha commands had always been something I endured, something I couldn't fight but before I could take a step, the mark on my neck burned.

Kael's scent surrounded me, overwhelming Fabian's command and my body steadied. I remained exactly where I was and slowly,Fabian's smile disappeared.

I slowly lifted my chin. "I don't take orders from boys who want my husband's chair." I could see the surprise on their faces, especially that of Fabian.

He didn't expect my outburst and I couldn't help but feel proud of myself. I planted my feet firmly on the floor and stared him dead in the eyes.

“Suddenly, you're mute?" I asked, surprising myself with the question. I didn't know where the audacity came from but it was there. 

For a moment,I wondered whether I had just made the biggest mistake of my life but just then Rodgers burst into laughter.

"Well, brother, she certainly has a mouth." Kael's lips curved into a small, satisfied smile.

"She's my Luna. I wouldn't expect anything less." Fabian's expression hardened, but he eventually withdrew his hand.

Rodgers cleared his throat, returning to the serious expression he had worn when he arrived. "There's something else you should know." He said and Kael's smile vanished.

"Speak." 

"Our father will arrive in two days. The council has moved the succession ceremony forward." He said and I turned to look at Kael.

"What?"

"Apparently, the elders have grown impatient. They want the new Alpha King presented before the next council gathering." Kael's jaw tightened and I could see a lot of things running through his mind from his facial expressions.

"You should have informed me earlier." Kael said,his voice louder than usual. 

"I only received confirmation this afternoon." Rodgers turned towards me.

"That leaves you with very little time, Luna. Two days to convince the council that you're capable of standing beside their future king." I swallowed.

"And if I fail?" Ryan answered before anyone else could.

"Kael loses the throne.”