Chapter One

* Nick *

The cheerfully loud voices of the Royal pack wolves and other significant members of the warriors singing as I stood in front of the giant cake made for me and my brother. I wonder where my mother found the chef who made an effort to create such big layers of icing and chocolates. It's not like my brother and I would love to have a taste, but it's been a part of our tradition.

"Happy twentieth birthday to our dear Prince Nick and Brad! Long live you two! As the great heirs to the throne!”

My eyes held the old wizard's hand as he raise a glass of champagne for a toast! Alpha King Vincent and my mother smiled and raise their glasses to the rest of the wolves.

"To my sons!"

Alpha King Vincent, my father searches for my brother who sat in the corner with his arms above his chest. Brad, is in a foul mood this morning. He never wanted this celebration in the first place, but he is forced to do so in order not to upset my mother.

"Come over here Brad, please sweetheart I need to have a good photo of you and your brother's twentieth birthday."

My mother's voice called out to him, as he is being silent at the corner. Another warrior who stands beside him whom I recognized as his close friend taps his shoulder and mentioned his name. "Brad."

"Alright! But I hope this would be the last time we do this children's party mother! The next time, I won't be joining you in this silly charade.”

I let out a harsh breath, I easily get annoyed with my own brother and today is one of those common days. He stomped his feet left and right until he reaches the spot near me. My eyes give him warning but he just ignores it like he always do. They said Brad is a few minutes older than me so it makes me the younger sibling. However, it does not give him the right to act rudely.

"I hope you can keep it to yourself just until our parents retire to their chambers."

I uttered in controlled anger as he stands beside me and look at the cameraman with a glare. I notice how the man's hands tremble while getting a good angle of us. He didn't reply to me but his eyes look at me up and down, my brother has a temper and almost everyone in the palace is afraid to get on his nerves however I don't belong to everyone.

"Happy Birthday twin brother, at least one of us is excited about this celebration."

The smirk on his face is visible when he made a reply, I took a closer look at his dark leather jacket paired with tight black jeans and a shirt. His beard tells me that he does not shave for a couple of days I wonder what he's been up to. He didn't even bother to groom properly for the occasion just like I did.

"I just like to get proper clothing for the occasion. It's not like we are doing this every day."

He sneered and look away when my father stand up and greet us both. His aura changes from being the high and mighty Alpha King into just a family man for this moment. I'm glad we get to see this side of him which he rarely shows to everyone.

"Oh! You boys are growing up fast, it reminds me of the the first time we celebrated your birthday! Please do not forget to open the gifts from the wolves of our pack and of course from us too!"

My sweet and caring mother, walking like a queen in her satin long gown with a neckline that shows her to die for body regardless of being older than most of the she-wolves guests. No one could exactly guess how old she is at the moment except for us who get to celebrate her birthdays every year as she keeps it private most of the time.

"Gift? Really mother?"

Brad let out a bored sigh after getting away from my mother's hug. When she turned towards me, I shifted my frown into a smile and hug her tightly. She is our mother and she only does what's best for us, I love her the same as how I respect and love the Alpha King my father.

"Don't let the hearts of she-wolves get broken again, Brad. I know what you did with their gifts last year, you threw all of them without even opening! My goodness never do that again this year! I expect that you two are old enough to keep it. We have plenty of room in the palace to accommodate all the good things like their gifts."

"I am keeping mine somewhere in the big storage mother, so rest assured that whatever I receive tonight will join there."

I replied while Brad chuckles and my mother exhaled in defeat. Then she turned towards my father who's eyes are with Maleficus in one of the tables surrounding the hall.

"Let me take your attention everyone! I have a very important announcement to make."

My eyes move towards the back of my father who stood in the front almost shading us from the sight of the warriors, and before he continues talking he figured out to move aside and let the audience have a good look at the three of us. As my mother stands with the crowd and happily signals the photographer to take a good photo of us, I held my breath and listened carefully to my own father's important announcement.

"I have two sons, both of them is strong enough to be this pack's next Alpha King. However, as the one who has the power to choose my crowned prince, I will announce tonight what is needed in order for one of them to be chosen."

I shake my head and look at Brad beside me, I whisper something which is only meant for him.

"You can take the role Brad, I don't think that father has to require anything from us. We both inherit his skills and bloodline but you are the elder son so I am stepping back and giving it to you."

"Will you shut up and listen, I don't want to get the role without a challenge either!”

His eyes lit as he look at me. I let out a harsh breath and cross my arms in front of my chest as my father continues.

"I require them to find a mate before their twenty first birthday arrive. The full wolf moon is coming and I am hopeful that one of them will choose a mate!”

My eyes widened in surprise, as the warriors shouts and howled I turned towards my brother and meet his frown.

"What the hell is he thinking? Isn't this too early for us getting our mates? And even if I will find her, I don't intend to marry early. Life is just getting started as the leader of the royal pack warriors. We both are not ready for settling down and devoting ourselves to only one she wolf!"

The arrogance in my brother's voice made our father look behind him and shut us a condescending look.

"That is exactly my point why I am making this required rule for choosing the crown prince. You Brad are always sleeping around with bitches since you were thirteen! What are you trying to accomplish by that? And you Nick, I am well aware of your whereabouts. Your are not going to be left behind as you are also counting she wolves with your fingers and toes and to hell with social status, you even sleep around with the palace maids!"

"What!? That is not true father! I am not sleeping with anyone who works here!"

I look away and notice the music started playing in the air while Beta Derek and my mother is standing beside the musicians to give them instructions on what to play in order for our voices to not be notice by the crowd. Maleficus, the wizard took a glass of champagne and wink at me. I feel guilty for lying about the palace help. It happened when I was drunk and I never intended to date her afterwards which is easy to deal with after paying her off as she doesn't care much if i throw her out.

"Don't lie to me Nick! Everything you two does, cannot escape my knowledge but after your twenty first birthday I have made a deal with Maleficus to stop looking into each of your private affairs! But I need only one crown prince to be chosen soon! so now, I hope you both understand what I need!"

Brad curse out after my father leave us both and took my mother to the middle of the hall for a dance, just like nothing happened.