Chapter 4

- Alden

I could hear the sound of laughter coming from the throne room. Blake rolled his eyes as he walked ahead of me and entered into the throne room, where my mother, Luna Queen Vienna and Father, Alpha Rowland, were having what seemed like a private romantic moment together.

Mother discussed her meeting with the wives of the Pack’s elders as she gently massaged Father’s shoulders to his liking, and only paused when she saw Blake and me walk into the throne room.

“Greetings, father, Luna,” Blake said, with a light bow.

“Greetings, Father, mother,” I said, bowing fully.

“Greetings, princes of the Silver Crest Pack,” Father stated, motioning for us to have our seats.

“Blake, I must say it is a surprise to see that you showed up on time today. That’s really impressive. At least, there’s hope for you, unlike that Liam. We’ll be lucky if he even honours your father’s call,” mother remarked.

“Keep my name out of your mouth, will you? Oh, never mind! I forgot for a second that you always have to make me look bad in a bid to make your unfit son seem worthy enough to be crowned the next Alpha of our Pack,” Liam retorted, as he strolled into the throne room leisurely.

“That’s no way to speak to your stepmother, Liam!” Father barked furiously.

A smirk played around Liam’s lips as he eyed mother all over. “I don’t think it counts as disrespect if I don’t recognise her as my stepmother or even the Luna of this great kingdom. To me, she has always been and will always be my mother’s maidservant,” Liam said.

I clenched my fists tightly, trying my best to suppress my anger. “That’s enough, Liam,” I said in a more gentle tone than I had intended.

“Or what?” Liam snapped, glaring at me. “We both know there’s nothing you can do about it. You have a maidservant’s blood running through your veins. You shouldn’t even get to speak to me, loser,” he said, and with that, he offered a simple bow to Father and took his seat.

It was true that Blake, Liam and I were brothers and had been born on the same day, but we had different mothers and the story behind it all created a perceived enmity and division between us.

At this point, mother had had enough and decided to gracefully exit the throne room, but not without having the last word. Stopping right in front of Liam, she scoffed, looking him directly in the eye.

“You called my son a loser when you’re the biggest loser. You’re condescending, arrogant and overbearing. It is true that I was once a maidservant, but doesn’t it irk you to know that if the people had a chance to vote, they’ll choose a maidservant’s son over you to lead them? Little wonder your mother died the moment you were born. She couldn’t stand seeing the disappointment you’d turn out to be,” mother said, then walked out of the throne room, satisfaction written all over her face.

Liam stood up as though to go after her, but Father stopped him right in his tracks. “If you still have any interest in becoming the next Alpha of the Pack, you would sit down right this minute and quit disrespecting my wife!” Father thundered.

“You heard what she said!” Liam fired back at Father.

“Well, you started it first, so sit down and stop making the rest of us remain here longer than we want to,” Blake told him.

“How do you expect me to not voice out my frustration when the mere presence of her provokes me?” Liam retorted.

“Just learn to ignore her like I have,” Blake responded.

“Easy for you to say. Your mother isn’t dead. She was just chased out for being an adulteress,” Liam said.

Blake snapped, grabbing Liam by his collar. “Repeat what you just said,” he dared Liam.

Father shook his head, his face covered in disappointment. “Why do you three always have to constantly prove to me that you’re not ready for the throne?” He sighed.

Blake slowly let go of Liam and returned to his seat, while Liam adjusted his collar with a scoff.

Father cleared his throat. “The reason I called you here today is because of the mission that would determine who becomes the next Alpha of the Silver Crest Pack,” he said.

Liam leaned back confidently, a smirk playing around his lips. “Then there’s nothing to discuss. I’m the first son of the legitimate Luna. The throne is mine by right.”

“The throne is not won by entitlement, Liam,” Father brushed him off then continued. “Many years ago, before his death, the late priest made a prophecy concerning the three of you. He said that on the celestial day of your twentieth year, your mate would appear before you at Knight’s Tale forest.”

My heart skipped slightly at his words as Ciara’s face instantly appeared in my mind.

“Does that mean…” I started.

“Yes. The maiden you encountered yesterday wasn’t a coincidence,” Father cut in. “I’m sure you all must have felt a connection to her. That’s because she is your mate,” he explained.

“What? That doesn’t make any sense at all. How can we be mated to the same person?” Blake asked.

Liam rolled his eyes. “The question you should be asking is what that wench being our mate has got to do with any of us becoming Alpha,” he stated, spitting distaste.

“Oh, she’s got everything to do with you becoming Alpha… because whoever is able to win her heart is the one that’ll take my place once I’m gone,” Father dropped the bombshell.

“But father—“ Blake interjected.

“I am finished. You may take your leave now,” Father stated.

“But this makes absolutely no sense!” Liam fired.

“Guards!” Father called.

Almost immediately, two guards rushed into the throne room and bowed.

“Escort the princes out. I’ve said all I needed to say,” Father ordered firmly.

“Don’t you dare put your filthy hands on me,” Liam warned, then coldly regarded Father with a mock salute and stormed out.

“I’ll do as My Lord pleases,” Blake said with a light bow then walked out after Liam.

I bowed gently and proceeded to leave when Father suddenly called out to me.

“Don’t you have anything to say?” He asked, his expression softened.

I thought about it for a moment and then shook my head. “No, Father. I trust your decision, and I hope the best man wins Ciara’s heart,” I said, then bowed once more and left the throne room.

I could have said this game was rigged against me.

I could have also said I didn’t know the first thing about wooing a woman.

But then again, I had never wanted anything in life the way I wanted Ciara.