Possibilities

ROCKAN’S POV

The nightmare clutched me in its familiar grip. That accursed beast attacked me again, its razor claws unsheathed as its massive paws delivered their lethal strike. Hot tears of agony filled my eyes as pain tore through my flesh, and terror clawed its way up my throat in a primal scream. But the voice that echoed in my ears was not that of the terrified teenager I once was—it belonged to the man I've become. Before I could process this revelation, the dream collapsed into a swirling vortex, sucking my soul downward until I crashed back into my sleeping form, sprawled across the luxurious expanse of my king-sized bed.

A persistent knocking invades my consciousness, each rap against the door sending splinters of pain through my already throbbing skull. I groaned and rolled away from the sound, pressing a silken pillow over my head in a futile attempt to silence the world. Perhaps if I ignored the intrusion long enough, whoever dared disturb my nap would simply evaporate into the ether.

The knocking returned with renewed vigour—deliberate, insistent, conveying an urgency that suggested the visitor might collapse from desperation if I delayed any longer.

With a resigned sigh, I swung my legs over the edge of the bed, stretching my powerful frame as muscles ripple beneath skin marked by battles both won and survived. How I longed to transport myself to some distant sanctuary where peace isn't merely a fleeting concept but the natural state of existence. I slipped my black silk night robe over my broad shoulders and secured my mask—the one nobody, save my closest kin, has seen me without since the incident that earned me the large scar on the right side of my once beautiful face. Striding toward the imposing double doors, I flung them open without bothering to acknowledge whoever stood beyond them.

"Rise and shine, dear brother!" The cheerful voice belongs to Tyris, my younger sibling who doubled as my Beta in our kingdom's hierarchy. He bounded into my chambers with the irritating energy of someone who hasn't spent the whole day battling demons in the darkness of their mind. Following him was a female Omega, her slender frame burdened with a tray bearing my specially crafted liquor. The liquor was meant to tame my always-feral beast, to keep its viciousness at a controllable level. The servant firmly fixed her gaze on the floor, as do most who serve me. Tyris, sharing my bloodline if not my temperament, rarely showed such deference. The Omega silently placed the tray on the stool near my feet before retreating with hurried steps. I felt my lips curl into a satisfied smirk as I observed her hasty departure. The fear my presence instilled in my subjects is a power unto itself—one I've cultivated with careful precision. If only Tyris could be infected with that same healthy dose of terror...

"You must derive immense satisfaction from being a perpetual thorn in my side," I growl as Tyris crosses to the windows, closing the heavy drapes, keeping the moonlight out. His shoes made a plonking sound that disturbed my peace.

"If I didn't assume the role of irritant, who would dare?" Tyris challenged with a grin, running his fingers through his perfectly styled hair that gleamed like polished obsidian in the dim lighting of my room. Then, his voice dropped to a more serious tone: "Today marks the grand selection ceremony for the future Queen of our realm."

"And?" I massaged the bridge of my nose, hoping to alleviate the pressure building behind my eyes.

"I'm merely ensuring you haven't forgotten. It is time to meet the ladies brother," Tyris snapped his fingers with theatrical flair, summoning another Omega who appeared bearing a meticulously tailored suit designed to accommodate my imposing six-foot-five frame. 

"Your concern is touching," I conceded, the corner of my mouth lifting in a rare half-smile. "Though I had arranged for a solitary excursion this evening."

"Postpone it for a few more hours," Tyris countered, laying out the elegant garments across my bed with practiced precision. "Or at least wait until your mate has been selected." He gestured toward the clothing with a flourish. "There you have it, brother. Your attire for tonight's festivities. The ladies will be utterly captivated."

"Their captivation means nothing to me," I responded, my voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "Just pray I can restrain the impulse to tear out their throats when they begin their simpering performances of devotion."

The darkness in my words doesn't faze Tyris—he's heard worse from me on better days. But the lingering shadow of my nightmare clung to me like a second skin, and the prospect of enduring hours of forced socialization with potential mates felt like another form of torture. Yet as Alpha, certain traditions cannot be ignored, no matter how desperately I wish to ignore them. 

"This archaic mate selection process is one such tradition I could happily live without," I muttered, pacing toward the liquor tray. "I've made peace with being mateless—accepted it as my fate." I tossed my head back, gulping the amber liquid in one swift motion, savouring the burn down my throat. "But you and the elders refuse to let the matter rest."

Tyris watched me with the patient expression of someone who's had this argument countless times before. "The kingdom needs stability, Rockan. An Alpha King with a mate at his side projects strength and continuity."

I eyed the elegant suit sprawled across my bed with undisguised contempt, wishing I could conjure some magical duplicate of myself to endure tonight's elaborate charade in my place. The ceremonial selection is barely an hour away, and already I could feel my patience wearing thin.

"You must keep your visceral bloodlust at bay tonight, brother," Tyris warned, his tone softening to one of genuine concern. "If those ladies catch even the slightest whiff of it, you'll remain mateless for the remainder of your very long life."

"That would be for the best," I reply with a sadistic smile, no longer believing that my destined mate still exists in this realm—if she ever did. The legend of fated pairs seemed like nothing more than a fairy tale designed to give hope to the hopeless. And I abandoned hope long ago.

"Well, arrangements have been made," Tyris continued, ignoring my pessimism. "The ladies have already begun arriving, each showcasing her own unique beauty. They await your glorious presence in the grand hall."

With a defeated sigh, I rose from the couch and turned toward the bathroom. "Let's see what the universe has in store for me tonight," I say, my voice carrying a dangerous edge. "Who knows? We might uncover some conspiracies before this evening’s charades come to an end." My teeth glinted in a malicious smirk, reflecting the dim light of my chambers.

My brother's eyes darkened with understanding as he threw me a knowing glance while departing. We both recognized the opportunity this gathering presented—not just for me to find a mate, but for my enemies to infiltrate my sanctuary, to spy, to plot, perhaps even to attempt an assassination. The doors of my mansion were rarely opened to the broader realm, making tonight a unique vulnerability.

Left to myself, I strode into the bathroom for a cold shower, carefully avoiding looking directly at the jagged scar that marred the right side of my face—the reason for the mask I never removed in public. The icy water cascaded over my muscled form, doing little to cool the simmering rage that perpetually burns beneath my skin.

After towelling dry, I prowled back into my bedroom to don the sparkly velvet tuxedo Tyris selected. The fabric hugged my frame with precision, highlighting the strength built through years of combat and dominance challenges. I styled my dark hair in the manner known to leave women breathless, the careful dishevelment that suggested both power and a hint of wildness.

With methodical movements, I adjusted my black mask to perfectly conceal my disfigurement and cracked my neck with a satisfying pop. The sound echoed through my empty chambers like a promise of violence barely contained. I emerged from my quarters with regal bearing, my steps measured and confident. As I approached the grand staircase that led to the hall where my potential mate awaited, I allowed the Alpha's power to rise within me, an intoxicating aura of dominance and danger that preceded me like a storm front. After deciding to find a woman to bed for the night, should the possibility of a mate become impossible, I descended the stairs with calculated coldness. 

Let the games begin.