Forced to marry the powerful Lycan

Chapter Eleven... Elaina

Kael's POV

The shadow-meld dissolved as Drava and I materialized in the sprawling, gilded courtyard of the Royal Palace at the capital.

Before we could take two steps, one of my personal guards bearing the dark crest of my private legion, an army loyal solely to me rather than the crown stepped forward from the courtyard archway and bowed low.

"Your Highness," the guard reported sharply.

"The King has summoned you to his primary study immediately. He is currently meeting with your brothers."

"Understood. Stand down," I replied, giving him a brief nod.

As the guard returned to his post alongside the rows of my personal soldiers stationed around the courtyard, a soft, familiar voice called out from the upper steps. My younger sister, Lyra the only sibling who shared my mother's blood came hurrying down the marble steps. Her long brown hair, the same shade as our father's, trailed behind her as she ran.

"Kael!" Lyra said softly, her dark eyes scanning my face with quiet worry as she reached us. "You're back. Please be careful in there... the air in this palace is sour today."

"Stay close to your quarters today, Lyra," I said gently, giving her shoulder a quick, reassuring squeeze before exchanging a grim look with Drava.

Leaving her behind, Drava and I marched up the Grand Tower toward the King's inner sanctum. When the heavy ironwood doors swung open, the suffocating scent of stale power and political scheming hit my lungs.

Sitting behind the massive mahogany desk was my father, the King. His long brown hair fell over his shoulders, framed by the weariness of his advancing years. In our entire royal line, I was the anomaly the only one born with silver hair, a physical mark of the full moon that set me apart from every other Prince in the realm.

Flanking my father like vultures were my elder half-brothers, their brown hair matching his, draped in fine silks while their own wives and children occupied the lush lounges in the outer chambers.

I bowed to my father, he nodded. Drava gave him a stiff bow.

"Ah, the Crown Prince finally honors us with his presence," my eldest half-brother, Cassian, drawled from his seat, a smug grin plastered across his face.

"Sit, Kael," my father commanded, his deep voice carrying the raspy weight of his reign.

"We were just discussing your schedule. The Internal Court is finalizing the preparations for your public Eldorian wedding ceremony. The peace treaty requires a formal grand celebration here in the capital, not just a quiet exchange of vows."

My father paused, leaning his heavy palms on the desk. "It has been nine days. The Princess has had enough time to adjust at the Keeping Castle. I want her brought to the capital immediately so the Court ladies can prepare her."

My jaw tightened. "She isn't ready, Father. The capital is far too dangerous right now. She stays at the Keeping Castle until I decide otherwise."

Cassian let out a sharp, mocking laugh, crossing his legs. "Dangerous? Or are you just hiding your little human pet away from us, brother?"

"Perhaps our mighty Alpha is afraid," my second half-brother, Lucan, chimed in with a toxic smirk. "What's the matter, Kael? Afraid that what happened to Elaina will happen to her?"

The entire room went dead silent.

My body went completely rigid. Beside me, Drava who had been silently leaning against the wall flinched violently, his hand slamming onto the hilt of his sword as white-hot fire flickered across his knuckles.

Shadows violently burst from beneath my boots, swallowing the light in the study as the temperature plunged below freezing.

"Don't you dare speak her name," I growled, my voice dropping into a guttural, terrifying register that made the wooden beams in the ceiling groan under the pressure of my Alpha aura.

Lucan didn't back down, though his smile twitched. "Why? Still affected by a ghost from the past, brother?"

"Enough!" the King thundered, slamming his fist onto the desk with enough force to c***k the polished wood. "You will not speak of that matter in my presence! Not another word!"

Father glared at Lucan before turning his tired, stern eyes back to me. "The decision is made, Kael. The Court requires the bride present. You are dismissed."

Lucan and Cassian stood up, brushing down their embroidered coats. As they brushed past me toward the exit, Lucan leaned in slightly, his golden eyes gleaming with malice. "We truly look forward to meeting your fragile little human wife, Kael. Do bring her soon."

I didn't turn around. I just glared at the wall ahead, my claws extending as I fought the feral urge to tear their throats out right then and there.

The heavy doors clicked shut behind them, leaving only Drava and me in the quiet hall.

Drava let out a low, dangerous breath, the white fire fading from his hands, though his red eyes burned with lethal hatred.

"Fuckers," Drava whispered, his voice laced with absolute venom as he stared at the closed doors.

"I swear to you, Kael... one of these days, I'm going to rip their heads off and burn their bodies to ash. And I'm going to enjoy every second of it."