Chapter 4

The air was thick with tension and the restrained annoyance of my father as he stalked around his study, a glass of whiskey at hand and his jaw clenched. The familiar dark hair of his that Keyleth had inherited from him, swept against his broad shoulders over the brown tunic he wore. The resemblance between them was clear, irrespective of their striking beauty. Keyleth had taken my dad's rich and wavy dark hair, the rich olive brown colour of his skin and the shape of his lips and his eyes, a bright forest green, while I'd only inherited the shape of his face.

Beside me on the long chair, Keyleth sat, her face betraying nothing. Pushing down the growing lump down my throat, I sat back in the chair with my knees spread in front of me.

I should've known someone would find out we weren't in the castle sooner. I'd gotten carried away at the grey building and Keyleth hadn't even bothered to come look for me until it was too late. It was unbecoming of a responsible alpha who loved and was out to protect his pack. My tongue had been miraculously held during my rendezvous with the mysterious alpha at the haunted building. I hadn't somehow blurted that I was to be an alpha soon, or let my gift rile me up, given how short my temper was.

Father took one last swig of whiskey and spoke, “I am disappointed.” He turned towards us now, sweeping his gaze over Keyleth and then moving to me, “Especially in you Oliver.”

Keyleth's mouth opened to speak but Father raised a hand, silencing her. “As the future alpha of Valeras, you should've known better. Anyone could have spotted you tonight.”

“But they didn't.” I muttered, crossing my armover the other and facing the other way.

“Son,” Father stepped towards me, “You should have no room for reckless and foolish outings.”

Pure, untethered rage shot through me.

I raised up from the chair and barked out a humorless laugh, “We just went to get a drink father. A fucking drink.”

“Do not curse at me young man.” The tone of his voice lowered to a darkened whisper, “And sit down.”

A slight tremor ran through my left hand at the intensity as I stiffly sat back down on the chair. From the corner of my eye, Keyleth shoved a piece of her hair to the back of her ear and started to speak. “Father,” she called out softly, “I am to blame. Oliver had nothing to do with this.”

“No! What?” My both brows shot up as I glanced at Keyleth and back to the alpha of Valeras. “I wan—”

“Ofcourse,” Father said dryly, tossing me a look and facing Keyleth. “I am not remotely surprised, just…disappointed.”

He stalked closer to Keyleth and crouched at where she sat, grazing her chin with his fingers. “Would locking you up in your room for a week suffice as a suitable punishment?” His head titled, “Or would you prefer I waste some of my time lecturing you for hours and have none of it get into that thick skull of yours?”

Keyleth said nothing as she kept her head bowed and played with her fingers. A low sigh left father's lips as he rose and stared down at the both of us.

“Leave my study.” He stated, turning his back on us and picking up the bottle of whiskey from his table.

Both Keyleth and I stood at the same time, shuffling our feets to get far away from here. “Not you Oliver.” Keyleth turned to give me a sympathetic look before closing shut behind her.

My shoulders sagged, lack of enthusiasm towards this conversation as I moved my body back to the front of his desk. “Please do not be hard on Keyleth Father,” I said slowly, my voice soft and low. My father said nothing as he continued staring at the surface of the wall, at a portrait of mother.

Sadness tugged at my heart as I avoided the portrait. I didn't want to glance at the person I'd stripped away from my father and sister. The Luna of this kingdom that I'd killed with my birth. Guilt eroded my heart, as I clasped my hands behind my back. Father always stared at her portraits, unable to let go. And I hated myself for that. I hated myself for the self isolation he would set himself to when he’d gazed at her picture far too long. I hated the way he spoke about our resemblance, like I was an angel born of mortal flesh.

I was nothing but a murderer.

Father cleared his throat as he turned around to give me his utmost attention–I hope. His gaze swept over me, eyes filled with sorrow, longing and admiration. He loved my mother so much. Some thought their relationship was one blessed by the gods because of how strong it was. The day she died, a part of him died too. And I never got to see that part cause I did this to him. Sentenced him to this life of constant anger, sorrow and pain.

The back of my throat burned as I struggled to keep my hand from holding my chest. My eyes connected with that of Father's. He leaned on the wooden desk at the center of his study and crossed his arms against his chest. The position somehow mimicking mine minutes ago. Well, if you'd exclude the leaning-against-the-desk part.

“Tell me something Oliver,” Father began, picking up the glass of whiskey he'd dropped on the table and taking a sip. “How did you take the news on your…betrothal?”

Fates. I'd forgotten all about that.

A shoulder lifted, resisting the urge to curl my finger around the shirt length of my hair. “Marrying Alpha Reuel’s daughter would help form a great allegiance between Valeras and Skylarron,” I forced out a steady breath. “I understand it's for the betterment of our pack.”

Father chuckled, dropping the glass of whiskey he held once more on the wooden table as he took short and slow strides towards me. He was in front of me in seconds, his right hand clasped the back of my head as he meet my forehead with his. “I’m glad you understand this Oliver.

His too close presence vanished just as quick as it had become close. He was at a corner now, his jaw hardened and his gaze at a plain wall.

“You both will grow into love, just as your mother and I did. Our both packs will merge, strengthening our armies, multiplying our resources, leaving us more than prepared against rogue attacks.” He stopped to take a breath and added, “There has been reports on something strange. Most said it's the rogues growing more powerful and had somehow placed their hands on some…magic.”

Memories of earlier this night flashed through my mind. The thing of nightmares that had claws twice the size of a regular wolven. I stiffened as I remaining silent, waiting for him to continue. To say something about my embers and how I shan't let anyone know that I possessed such power.

“That will be all.” He kicked off where he stood and went to the bottle of whiskey again.

I twirled from my position to walk out of Father's office, “Oh and Oliver.” He called out.

“Alpha Reuel's daughter will be here tomorrow.”