Chapter 4

Kael Anger

Kael POV:

Kael hurled his cup at the wall. Red wine splattered like blood, streaking the wall. His hand still shook from throwing it so hard.

"They said I can't be the king?" He yelled at his soldier Garrett. His long hair flew as he turned. "They choose my sister instead?"

Garrett stood calmly by the door.

"Yes. Prince, the council chose princess Lyra."

Kael threw another cup into the fire. It broke with a hiss. "My weak omega sister thinks she can steal my throne."

He punched the table hard. The pain felt real, the only real thing right now. "Who supports her?"  Kael growled.

"Most council members," My lord.

Kael roared and grabbed Garrett's throat, lifting  him off the ground. I don't care about them.

"Who will fight for Me".

Garrett choked out: "Lord Blackfang and Shadowwood packs..."

Kael dropped him. "Roderick", he said, pacing. "My cousin understands power. Not like fools who think an omega can rule alphas."

He looked out the window at his royal guards. "Gather my men. We leave tonight".

"To where," my lord Garrett asked.

"Shadowwood."  "Roderick gives me his cattle and soldiers, let me sister play queen." "When she fails, the throne returns to its true heir." "And if she succeeds?" Kael pulled out his knife. "We will make sure, she doesn't."

As Kael walked through the castle, servant pressed against the wall to avoid him. Everyone will soon know, the golden prince has fallen.

His room was packed. Guards quickly put his things in boxes, careful not to anger him.

"Captain Morris," Keal called. An old soldier stepped forward. "Yes my lord." "How many are coming with us."

"Forty good fighters." My lord, "men are royal to you, not the council."

"Forty?" Kael's lips curled into a cruel smile. "And our allies?

"Lord Blackfang has 300 men. Storm Coast clans offer 200 men more."

"Five hundred." Kael's smile turned dangerous. "More than enough to beat my sister's forces."

Noise came from the hall. Kael drew his sword.

Captain Reynolds appeared with the castle guard.

"Prince Kael," he said firmly. "You must leave the castle by dawn."

Kael let out a sharp, mockery laugh. "You mean arrest me?"

"The council said you must leave."  Two groups of soldiers face each other. The air felt before a storm. Kael's men outnumbered Reynolds' men but not that much.

Kael spoke quietly to Reynolds. "Step back." "You've served my family for thirty years." "Don't throw that away for omega who won't live long."

Reynolds' face stayed firm. "I serve the crown," Prince. "The council has decided."

Kael spat. "The council is full of cowards who follow weak leaders."

"When I come.."

Reynolds cut him off. "When you come back, we'll meet in battle." "But today you leave freely or in chains."

The room grew tense. Kael's men dripped their weapons. One wrong word, and blood would spill.

But fighting now meant facing the whole castle. Too many guards. Better to leave now and return with an army.

"Fine." Captain, Kael said coldly. "We were already packing."

Reynolds nodded. "You have two hours."

Once the guard left, Kael's lieutenant spoke nervously. My lord maybe we should..

"Should what? " Kael's voice was deadly. "Beg for mercy?" "Run like a sacred dog?"

He opened a chest and pulled out his father's sword, the blade that once conquered the kingdom. The steel gleamed, sharp and untouched by time.

"My father built this kingdom with strength, not with a sweet mouth," Kael said. Running his thumb along the edge. Blood welled on his skins.

He  strapped the sword to his belt and faced "his men, forty royal warriors, young and old."

"Tonight we ride to Shadowwood," Kael announced. "In a year, we return to take back what is ours." "Those who stand with me will be rewarded."

A young knight spoke up. "But if the princess marries..."

Kael's dagger was at his throat in a flash. "My sister is weak." "She'll waste months searching for an alpha who is willing to bow to an omega." "And when she fails....." The blade pressed deeper. A drop of blood fell. "...accidents happen to traitors."

He sheathed the dagger. The knight stumbled but stayed standing.

"Any other questions?"

Silence.

"Good. We leave at midnight".

Under the full moon, Kael led his men through the cattle gate, forty armored riders,  wagons loaded with gold and supplies.

Reynolds watched from the gate.

"This isn't over." Kael warned.

"When you return". Reynolds said, "Princess Lyra will be Queen. Bow or die."

Kael laughed. "We'll see, old man." He kicked his horse forward, disappearing into night.

He didn't look back. His eyes were fixed ahead, on Shadowwood, where his cousin waited with an army.

"Let my sister play Queen." Let the council celebrate." In a year, I will return with fire and steel. And the world would remember. Alpha rule. Omegas obeys.

The  forest swallowed them as Kael rode towards his destiny, blood on his blade, fury in his heart.