4

DEREK

Just like every other woman he slept with, they always died.

He could perceive her vanilla scent as he sat in the tub.

Guilt.

He sighed.

He stepped out of the bath, then dressed in a black royal attire.

Shawn stepped in.

Shawn is his beta.

He is wearing an armor with his always cold demeanor.

“You took care of the girl?” Derek asked.

“Yes, I asked Martins to take her out,” Shawn replied.

Derek sighed.

“We will meet Silvia tomorrow. She might have an answer,” Shawn said.

Silvia is a powerful witch and seer. Witches might be their enemies, but they still manage to communicate with them.

“What a waste of time. Silvia will only see darkness like the other seers.” Derek walked out of the chamber.

“But we have to keep trying till we find your mate.” Shawn followed behind.

“That mate should go to hell. The Moon Goddess probably cursed me,” Derek said.

“Don't tell me it's because of what happened years ago. It was an accident,” Shawn groaned.

An accident.

Memories flooded in.

Blood.

Screams.

Derek shook his head.

“Your Majesty,” Martins bowed.

“What is it, Martins?” Shawn asked.

“The girl, the one Prince Derek slept with, she is alive. She survived,” Martins said.

“This had better be a joke, or else I'll have your head,” Shawn threatened.

Impossible.

“I swear... I saw her,” Martins said.

Derek's jaw dropped, then a small smile formed.

“Where is she?”

The girl is alive.

The last thread of hope.

“She is in the dungeon.”

Dungeon?

A guard went down on one knee.

“The King summoned you.”

Derek knitted his brows.

The King never calls for him.

Shawn and Derek exchanged glances.

Derek arrived at the chamber.

He pushed the door open.

His father—Theron—sat on his golden chair with a glass of wine in his hand, his black hair streaked with a little gray, sharp jawline, and golden eyes.

His resemblance to Derek is 100%. Theron is actually the older version, but they are not the same.

His half-brothers were present, Ashley and Liam.

Derek is older than both of them.

Ashley glared at him while Liam just kept a neutral face.

“How can I help you, Father?” Derek bowed, and Theron glanced at him.

Theron hissed.

The hate was so obvious.

“Have you found a cure to your curse?” Theron snarled.

Only hate filled his eyes.

“No... We will be meeting Silvia tomorrow,” Derek replied.

Theron threw the glass at the wall, and it shattered.

“How can you bring so much shame and disregard to my family, you useless boy?” he shouted.

This is not the first time Theron did this. He has always done it, but never in front of his younger brothers.

“Is this the reason for your call? So you can embarrass me in front of your sons?” Derek shouted.

“Embarrassment isn't enough to punish you. You deserve a lifetime of torment. You are just as cursed as your mother,” Theron spat.

“My mother isn't cursed,” Derek shouted back.

“This should be interesting,” Ashley muttered.

Theron went silent for a second.

“You are now talking back. I knew this day would come.”

He stood up, walking straight to Derek.

His fist flew.

Then crashed on Derek's jaw.

Theron might be old, but he still has the strength and can still go to war.

Derek raised his fist, then crashed it into Theron.

Liam launched toward him, including Ashley.

Ashley's punch met his tummy while Liam's met his face.

Derek raised his fist, but he felt blades at his neck.

Theron threw two punches at his face.

“You and your late mother are cursed,” Theron stated to his face, and Derek's fist tightened.

“What were you trying to do?” Derek heard Liam's annoying voice.

Then it was followed by their laughter.

“Drop your blades,” Theron ordered, and their weapons were lowered.

“You probably don't quite remember your position here.” Theron smirked.

“And you don't want what you hold most dear lost, so keep your demon back in its cage, cursed child,” Theron whispered, and Derek's fist tightened.

Rage burned in his skull.

“Now sit. Let's have a discussion,” Theron said, then returned to his throne while the others sat in their respective positions.

“The attacks at the border are getting out of hand. And yet the creatures behind the attacks haven't been found. Each time, almost all the soldiers die,” Theron said.

“We will recruit new soldiers tomorrow,” Liam said.

“I agree, but from where? This year's recruitment has already been invited,” Ashley asked.

“From Crimson Pack. They will give us all their males from 12 years to 18 years. After all, they are still under my mercy, while we will hold a volunteering program at other packs,” Theron said.

“No. Taking children from a pack to protect this citadel? They won't survive even a week,” Derek disagreed.

The door burst open.

Serena burst in with tears.

Derek stood up immediately. Serena is his best friend and also Liam's betrothed.

Liam held her tight.

“What happened?”

Liam asked.

Derek sat down.

“A slave punched me and also accused me of being a whore. I was just passing by the dungeon. Even Maren was there. You know how much I hate being called a whore,” Serena cried.

“Is it true?” Theron asked.

“Yes, it is, Your Majesty. I'm Maren,” a red-haired woman said behind her.

She is Serena's maid.

Then guards dragged in a wretched lady.

The lady's head was down. Her black hair covered her face as she breathed heavily.

“What should we do to this one?” Ashley grinned excitedly.

He is a sadist.

Liam dragged out his sword, ready to behead the girl.

“Stop,” Theron ordered.

Stop?

Theron never stops the spilling of blood, especially from his favourite son.

“Raise your head,” Theron ordered.

Slowly, the girl lifted her head.

Her soft brown eyes, bruised lips.

“Daughter of Cassiel, your family really loves our blades, but that would make Cassiel go mad and break my rule. You're my leverage, so why not give you a suitable punishment?” Theron smirked.

He turned to Derek.

“Give her the perfect punishment, and don't disappoint me, or else you will face the punishment instead.”

Hey, Shawn mind-linked him.

What?

The girl... She is the slave who survived, Shawn said.