Chapter 2: What goes up, must go down

Xander 

I narrowed my eyes at the red blinking light on my phone. I quickly checked the cameras and rage burst through my body. Axel and his new wife, Nicole, were on there way up. I absolutely hated them both. I knew why they were here and there was nothing I could do. I knew they would have the Edlers support, but these books!

I angrily turned around and looked at my library. Books still lined the walls, but on the red cedar table in the middle of the room, dozens of books were scattered all over the table, the carpet, the chairs... I was looking for a loophole, something that would allow me to keep my regin. I won't allow for my spineless little brother to take my place and ruin this kingdom. I've worked hard to keep this place steady and the numbers in our kingdomhave gone up by 68% since I've taken over after our father passed. 

My advisor hurried in, Rosa. With her long blonde hair, deep green eyes, and a beautiful fair complexion would turn anyone's head, but those long longs and plump breasts took everyone's attention. Her smile was the deal breaker though, although her teeth were white and straight, she didn't bother putting her sharpened teeth away, scarying everyone she came in contact with. It's one of the reasons why I loved having her around. If someone saw her, they would run in the other direction. However, I knew this wasn't going to work with Axel and Nicole. 

Rosa handed me an old bound leather book with Eldrick writing on the front, "I think I found something. It's been hiden in Eldrick though and I can't fully understand it." I flipped to the page she had booknamed and quickly scanned the contents. She continued, "While I know this is your last choice of action, it's the only thing we have at the moment. Please consider it, sir." 

A loud roar ripped from my loud, causing the walls to shake and books to fall around us. The floors starting to shake and Rosa quickly grabbed onto a pillow to hope to sustaine balance. A loud crack echoed off the walls, letting me know that the foundation below us had cracked as well. My roars tend to do this. It's hard to control my rage when someone brings this up. I glared at Rosa. She knew this isn't something that I could do, not with how my temper was. 

Before I could do anything else, the double doors opened and in walked Axel and Nicole with smugged looks on their faces. It took everything out of me not to set them on fire. Smoke escaped through my lips and I turned my backs on them, holding the bound book tightenly. 

"I see you've been hard at work, brother." Axel said, chunckling, "I also see that you haven't found anything either to stop this. The Edlers will be here soon. You should get dressed and clean up." I heard them both chuckle and I closed my eyes tightly, wishing my father was here to point me in the right direction. Stop! Dad's dead and he isn't coming back. 

I stayed turned, not wanting to face them, "I know when they will be here." I let out a small sigh, regaining my compsure, "Please, see yourselves to the den. I'll be there shortly."

Axel sighed this time, "Please, brother. Don't be like this. I want to be civil with you." 

"Civil?" I yelled, spinning around, "this isn't being civil, far from it, brother!" 

Axel's green eyes held a sparkle there that told me what I already knew, "I wouldn't be pushing this if I think this isn't what is best for you. This title is ruining you!"

Raged burned inside of me and I had to leave. Tucking the book underneath my arm, I hurried from the library to my bed charmber. I needed to change, however, I knew the Elder's were already here. I knew they had walked into that room with my brother, hiding in his shadow. 

I quickly showered, and put on the Elder robes that were asked to be worn in their presence at all times. It helped them sense the one they were talking with. The Elders were older than anyone, including my father before he passed. Their sense were dulled, however, their sixth sense was spot on. 

Walking to the den, I heard voices and I stopped myself before walking, toning my hearing to their voices.

"This has gone too far. We can't allow him to contiune forward." Nicole hissed, her voice dripping with posion. 

"Calm down, my love. The Edlers are in my favor. We will be King and Queen, I promise." Axel whispered intently. 

I stomped down on my anger, feeling it rise, and quickly walked into the room. Everyone stopped what they were doing and turned their attentiont to me, like they are suppose to, but Axel curled his lip at me and I knew he hated showing me respect. 

Four figures in dark hooded cloaks stood around the fire place, facing all of us. No one really knows what they look like and no one knows their names either. They merely are addressed as the Elders and no one questioned it. I nodded my head to them in respect while everyone else bows to them. The Elders nodded back to me to show their respect and then we got down to business. 

One of the Elders spoke, "We are gathered here to discuss the removal of King Xander due to lack of an adequate mate and Queen. Axel, the middle brother, has volunteered to take the place of King with his fated mate, Nicole, as Queen." They turned their attention to me, "What say you, King Xander?"

Everything inside me broke as I knew there was nothing I could do. I glanced down at the book in my hand and every part of me shook with fear. I never once could handle women, even Rosa got on my nerves from time to time, but I've looked at her as a potential mate. Her appetite for men went in the other direction. 

I swallowed all of my pride, all of my ego, and all of my anger, and knelt to the Elders, "My lords, while I understand where you are coming from and I'm pleased to know my younger brother would take my place, however..." I sighed, "I asked that you give me until my 21st birthday to make a suitable mate to be Queen." 

Nicole gasped and stepped forward, "We've waited long enough for you to find someone. It's not our fault that you aren't suitable to have a mate!"

It was like daggers hit my chest and I felt the urge to just explode, but kept it together, "6 months!" I said loudly, putting her in her place, "6 months is all I am asking." 

The Elders turned towards each other, silence filling each and every corner of the wall. I knew they were talking with themselves telepathically, but the silence was just as bad as them speaking. Soon, it was over and they turned back towards me again. A heaviness sat in the air that if I inhaled, I would probably choke on it. 

"King Xander, we grant your request for an aditionally 6 months and with no Queen or mate to show for at the end of the 6 months, your regin will be transferred to Axel. Do you accept?" One of them asked. I could never narrow down which one said what.

I grounded my teeth together, "Yes, I accept." 

It was a temporary fix at the least, but I must do something in the mean time. Even if I have to force someone to sit by my side as Queen and chosen mate, I'll do it and Rosa will help me. She's the one who found this loophole and she's the one who's going to help me find someone. 

Axel and Nicole both scuffed, "I can guarantee that there is no one on this planet, dimsion, or plane that is your fated mate or would accept to be your chosen mate." Axel said, his eyes turning black as he looked down on me.  "You're only doing this to get more time to find another loophole and you won't! Stop wasting everyone's time and just accept that you'll never be king, not like our father!" 

Rage burst through my whole body and I stood in front of him, my mind was made up, "I'll find someone alright. Either she's my fated or chosen mate, shouldn't matter to you because once she is mine, she's Queen and you will never get the thrown that was promised to you by our sad pathic uncle." I pointed my finger at Nicole, "You listened to Marshall and chose a mate that wasn't your fated when you knew all along who your fated mate was because you think it's going to grant you bonus points when you step into the king role!" Fire covered my body as I looked down at him this time, "You are not fit to be King and I will do everything in my power to make sure that never happens!"