GRUDGE

He least expected to meet his brother again, especially not under this current situation.

If Damian was here then there’s bound to be trouble since his older brother held a grudge against him, one far too deep for any kind of reconciliation in sight.

By the laws of the royal selection, the position of king is not dependent on age hierarchy but on the most suitable for the job.

Damian had been the best brother anyone could ask for, always teaching him new techniques and showing him battle tactics at all times whenever he learns anything new. They were inseparable, not until it became news that the sons of the king would have to fight each other in a Duel to see who emerges the winner.

It was pretty much clear who would succeed because his older brother was a far much experienced fighter than he could ever be.

He agreed to go easy on Casper but something happened during the fight. Damian went against his promise and began brutalizing his younger brother much to the horror of the council. He was acting erratic like some possessed animal.

Casper in a desperate bid to defend himself let his deranged wolf take over and it would turn out to become a bloody affair. They were separated before his wolf could kill Damian and the council proceeded to make him king, a pronouncement that his brother never forgave him for.

“What are you doing here Damian” he calmly asked the fellow.

“Oh cmon can’t i see my baby brother or has the throne put a demarcation between us heheheh”

Damian leaned on the wall and regarded his brother, the wolf in sheep’s clothing who had betrayed him and taken away his rights.

“We both know that’s not your reason for being here so I’ll ask again, why have you come to the palace?” It was apparent that his temper was beginning to rise slowly.

After many years of trying to plead his case to his brother only to be met with cold hatred and malice, he’s decided to stop trying. If Damian makes himself an enemy, then he would be treated as such.

The guy leaning on the wall cackled maniacally like Casper had said something funny.

“A little bird did tell me that you are gathering Vibraniums from across all the packs, does it have anything to do with the fear of the impending revolt?” He asked with an eyebrow raised.

“Or...is it something else...like trying to gain more power? I knew you had it in you, you lucky bastard heheheh. I used to tell you power is intoxicating and bound to corrupt and here you are proving me right”

Casper who was already aggravated, rushed the man and slammed him to the wall making sure his fist pressed down on his neck.

“All decisions i take are none of your business. A stark raving wildling like you will never understand the responsibilities of a king. I know you are here to play your dirty tricks but i warn you Damian, don’t-try-me...”

And with that he shoved his brother aside causing the other man to crouch down trying to steady his breathing.

He left him there and turned to leave when Damian said something that instantly froze him in place.

“You know brother...that little bird also made mention of a foreign treasure, a dainty thing that no one else is allowed to see...something fragile and easily broken...something that could serve as repayment for all your sins, the perfect little gift. I wonder how true is such information, don’t you?”

Casper is torn between severing the man’s head and keeping his cool, he dared to mention his mate in all of these.

That alone set his blood on fire to tear off the mouth that made such claims but at last the voice of reason won.

It would be wise to play it cool and act nonchalant seeing as his brother may just be fishing for information. Wouldn’t be ideal to reveal too much because of such wild assumptions.

“You have exactly 20 minutes or less to leave the palace...or else you’ll become feed for my sharks.”

And with that he left the seething man whose face now contorted in rage and anger.

“Oh we’ll see about that” he snarled lowly as his bloody eyes trailed after the retreating figure.

.........

Hannah could only rely on the stair bannister as she made her way downstairs to the lounge.

She couldn’t use her cane because that would make her disability prominent which may subject her to bullying.

Wolves were wild primal creatures hence the need to dominate any other being they see as weak or below them. And she was sure the wolves in the palace would be more intense.

She was almost at the last stair when something came out of nowhere causing her to trip and fall face flat.

Multiple footsteps surrounded her and by their mocking laughters, they were women who certainly do not like her.

“Omg Trish, you were right, she’s truly blind” a soprano voice retorted.

“I told y’all but you never believe anything i say. I heard she was a blind mutt that was rescued from a pack up north, apparently she was their Alpha’s little basement slut” the one called Trisha said, followed by another bout of laughter.

Hannah could do nothing but sit there and cry while they all poked at her vulnerable past. It’s worst when she couldn’t even see the face of her assailants.

“Aww, she’s crying. Bella do you have any candy for her to suck on?” One of them asked.

“Naww.. but i have a better suggestion of what her lips would appreciate right now...a hard raging dick!”

They kept on with the taunting and mockery till they had enough.

“I can’t wait to tell Emma about her, you know how protective she is about the king...”

“Yea me too, cmon let’s get going. We are running late as it is. Better to let the unfortunate mutt leak her wounds”

And with that, they left her alone way worse than she already felt. As if she hadn’t suffered enough, she wondered if they’ll ever come a time when she would have peace.

Hannah was told the king had left in the morning for an important business and won’t be back for the next couple of days, so it was like she had been thrown into the den of hungry lions as food.

As she made to get up, a slim hand enclosed on her arms and helped her stand.

“I worry that these girls have been left unchecked for too long, i mean...how can they be allowed to do this?”

By the sound of the voice, it was surely a female wolf but not ordinary. There was a tinge of authority to her, like she held some position over here.

“Hi I’m Eva, a warrior and a mate to Beta Lukas” she introduced and Hannah didn’t know when a smile spread across her face.

Finally a voice that spoke to her with calm and kindness, an absolute first.

“Pleasure to meet you Eva, my name is Hannah” she retorted meekly but the girl simply chuckled.

“Wow you’re cute and quite the charmer, His Highness has struck gold Hannah, pure gold. Now cmon let me introduce you to the people that matter around here”

She grabbed onto her hand and began leading her out of the room. Hannah could only wish that the girl turns out to be genuine and not some sick play on her emotions.

Her first ever friend...she kept mumbling as she held on tightly to the hand, with no intention of letting go.