Chapter 3: Hide and Seek

(Alexander)

“YOU are on the verge of losing your right to the throne because of what you did at the party! Are you even aware of that?!”

The King’s voice echoed inside the four corners of his office when he yelled at me as soon as the butler closed the door.

“If I really gave a damn about the throne, then I wouldn’t have left the city four years ago,” I shot back while I sat on the couch. “Your adopted son could have it. Except from the North, he could rule this kingdom and keep pretending to be the perfect alpha for all I care but I would have my revenge, your majesty.”

“What happened four years ago was an accident, Alexander!”

“That’s what all of you wanted to think! The proof was right in front of your eyes but you and your queen still refused to believe it!”

The King rose from his seat and pointed his finger at me. “So that is the reason why you are throwing away your throne just for one woman?!”

“Come again? Just for one woman?” I repeated. I stood up and stared at him. My anger intensified. “Why don’t you try putting yourself in my shoes for once in your life? You could say that so easily because you were not the one who lost your mate!”

I had always known that even in mom’s final hour, she did not get to receive the king’s affection who only married her for convenience. Until the end, her love for this man remained one-sided.

“After mom’s death, it was so easy for you to move on because you never loved her! But try imagining yourself losing your new queen. And I’m sure you would lose it, too. Who knows? You might even do worse things. After all, I inherited my temper from you.”

The King was stunned. He clenched his hands and for a long moment, he just looked at me with that same conflicted expression from before. He was clearly torn since the one involved was the only son of his dearest mate whom he only had the chance to meet a few years after mom’s death.

Then and now, he had no problem breaking his own son’s heart just to save the heart of his mate.

He sighed. “Why now, Alexander? If you were going to come back and fulfill your revenge, you could have done it sooner, not now when your brother is about to get married.”

“That’s the whole point, your majesty. I always knew Bradley would find his mate one day. That’s why I waited for this opportunity. And it was worth it. The only reason why I let you stop me from killing him back then was because I know he doesn’t deserve to die. He deserves more than that. He deserves eternal misery!”

He cleared his throat. “Xander, son, listen to me first-“

“No, you listen to me this time, dad.” My chest constricted when I remembered my mate. “Alison was my only happiness. You know that. I didn’t question you when mom died and I had to mourn alone because you said you were too busy to take some time off work. When your mate and Bradley came into the picture and you treated him more like your son than me, you heard nothing from me.” I heard my wolf howl in pain but I pressed on. “And when my mate died, I didn’t have the extra energy to question you when I had to mourn by myself again.”

“Son, that’s…” his voice trailed off and his expression softened a little. The King pressed his forehead. “I am so sorry. I have always wanted to come to you, to be there for you, and to apologize to you but you did not let me do those things.”

“Because I don’t need anyone’s apology, your majesty. What I need is justice. And since I can’t expect you to give it to me, I will claim it myself. Try to stop me this time and I swear to the moon goddess, you will lose a son.” After a while, I laughed bitterly. “Oh, sorry, I forgot. You can’t lose what you don’t have. Because your majesty, you’ve already lost me the day you chose his side.”

He looked dumbfounded. But after a while, he said, “I’m a king, Alexander. I can’t just pick sides-“

“You already did. But I guess, you don’t remember anymore.” I scoffed. “That’s so typical of you, your majesty. You forget things when it’s convenient for you. This is why I don’t want to inherit your throne. I don’t want to end up like you. And no, you are not just a king. Before any of this happened, you were my father, too. You just forgot.

“You always… forget matters involving me. But don’t look at me like that. It doesn’t sting anymore. I’m used to it now. You should be proud.” I smiled. “You are actually one of the reasons why I become like this, your majesty.”

The King’s mouth opened as if to speak, but no words came from it. And even if he claimed to be the king, I didn’t have any spare time to keep rehashing the past with him. I left his office but then I met my holier-than-thou brother in the hallway.

A smile automatically curled my lips.

“You are one hell of a lucky guy, you know. You have such a delectable mate, brother. She has the softest lips I’ve ever kissed. When I saw her earlier, I just wanted to swallow her up. And I just might do that the next time I see her again.”

I smirked when I saw his eyes. They were shooting daggers at me. I know he wanted to punch the hell out of me but since we were near the King’s office, he restrained himself. I know him well enough. Before his mother and my father met and got married, we were more than best friends. We were sworn brothers. We know exactly what makes each other tick.

Once upon a time, running down this twisted road was easier because we had each other’s back.

I looked at Bradley, daring him to speak, but when he kept quiet as he avoided my gaze, I casually patted his shoulder and was about to walk past him when I heard him finally utter a word.

“Aren’t you tired of our situation? How many times must I apologize for you to forgive me? What do you want me to do? Kneel? Beg? Just say it. I would do it all over again if you want me to, Xander.”

I stopped talking and turned to him. “Don’t say something you don’t mean, brother.”

“I mean it. I regretted what happened that night. I regretted everything. Believe it or not, until now, it still haunts me, too. If only I could go back to that moment, I would.”

“Then if I say I want you to die, will you kill yourself?” When Bradley’s expression went rigid, my smile broadened. “Of course, you wouldn’t. You’re enjoying your life way too much for you to just leave everything and die. And no, brother. I’m not tired. Not at all. I’m actually too fired up at the moment.”

When I remembered the unwavering look in Katriona’s eyes when we were in the balcony, a naughty smile curved my lips. “Why don’t we play a game? For old time’s sake, let’s try hide and seek again, brother. Hide your mate. Do everything you can so that her path and mine wouldn’t cross again because the next time I find her, I will steal her away from you and you will never see her again. Not even a glimpse of her shadow.”

Bradley finally snapped. His claws stretched. In a blink of an eye, he was already a step away from me but before he could lunge at me, the guards all pointed their guns at him.

I laughed when I saw him freeze.

“It seems that there are still a couple of sensible people here who could recognize a true McCain from a fake one.” I gave the guards a hand salute. “I’m impressed. You, guys, are smart. This city doesn’t deserve competent people like you. So, once you get bored of all this madness, come find me in the North.” I winked at them. “I will give you all a more suitable position in my territory.”

“Damn you, Alexander! Are you listening to me?” Bradley screeched. “I said leave Katriona out of this! This is just between the two of us! If you hurt even a strand of her hair, I swear I will hunt you and kill you!”

“All right. I’ll be waiting.” I met Bradley’s furious gaze and clicked my tongue. “Too bad, you are not yet the king, Bradley. There are still many things you can’t do. This is why you shouldn’t have made me your enemy. You will never be able to handle someone like me, brother.”

I grinned and left him with the guards who all gave him an apologetic look without dropping their weapons. I heard him cuss as he punched the wall.

The remaining guests at the hall quickly shut their mouths when they saw me. I ignored them all and linked with my beta.

“Any news?”

“I heard that both the queen and her son are now rushing the wedding preparations, alpha,” Jace reported.

“I expected that. Did you get their schedule?”

“I did. Is the plan still in motion?”

“Of course, Jace. It wouldn’t be revenge if no one weeps and dies.”