Beyond A King

Deepest secret.

She wasn’t shouting this time but she did seem to be making demands about having her pick of dresses. I couldn’t believe the nerve of this woman. First she makes a scene witnessed by a number of pack females who no doubt will already be reporting it to their friends and family. Now she is back making more demands.

“ seriously you females go crazy over a pretty dress” Marcus mutterd astonished a female could create so much drama over a bit of fabric.

“ yea actually you're right we do” I agreed with my brother.

Suddenly an idea formed in my mind. I grabbed one of the dresses that Stella had looked disgusted at earlier. It was a shinny dark green mermaid style off the shoulder dress. The thick satin ruffles on the skirt puffed out wide and made a crinkle noise when I moved with it.

I smiled at Stella and Marcus before raising my voice higher than usual “ I think this one is perfect for catching the king's eye” I held it up high as if showing it off to the others with my back to the queen B and her minions knowing full well my outburst would catch their attention.

I looked back at Stella who was halfway paying for her dress, she had stopped half way handing over her card to frown at me but I could see that Annie and Marcus had caught on to what I was doing. Clearly they were understanding my logic since the dress looked like a cheap 70s prom dress and nothing you would wear to an elegant function.

I winked at Stella and continued “ didn’t you say the king made a comment about loving the colour of emeralds” I say just as Stella’s eyes light up and she finally clicks to what I’m doing.

“ o.o..ohhhh, yes he did” she muttered unconvincingly and a little too loud I held a chuckle watching her cringe at her own failed attempt.

I rolled my eyes trying not to laugh before stepping out into the floor and twirling the dress around as if to admire it better. As predicted she was silently observing my show. Without acknowledging her I went over to the full length mirrors and held the dress against my body as if inspecting it’s appearance. Not an easy thing to do since my arms were rather short and the dress’s ruffles were a lot to handle. It felt like I was being smothered by material. The dark teal actually looked rather nice with my colouring and dark hair if it was a more modern style it wouldn’t look half bad on me but on someone as fair as redhead queen B it would not look right at all.

“ Yes that will be perfect to impress the king, after all he will not be able to see your beautiful face through the masks we all have to wear so wearing his favourite colour will gain his interest, good thinking lyla” annie promoted and I could see in the mirror red was slowly seething.

“ Yes, I think I’ll have this one,” I say, placing it gently on the counter next to Stella in front of Annie. I pretended to dig into my bag for my purse before quickly wiping back to Stella, “ oh we haven’t found your dress yet” I squealed like a school girl before grabbing Stella and ushering her back into the fitting room before she could protest.

Once we were inside it was all I could do not to laugh but Stella looked puzzled “ you do realise my dress is on the counter” she whispered confused.

I rolled my eyes “ come on Stella that woman has her nose so high in the air she won’t even notice anything but getting her hands on that other dress” Stella nodded in understanding. I knew that queen B wouldn’t even glance at anything other than getting her hands on that dress.

“ I don’t understand what makes you think she will like the dress, it’s outdated and tacky. Did you see the rhinestones all over the bodice?” Stella said pulling a face.

“ Stella that’s the point, all those beautiful dresses out there and she will insist on that dress for two reasons….one because I said I want it and she won’t pass up a chance to upset me after our little exchange…..and two she thinks that’s the dress that will catch the kings eye, something we know she needs to do since she is telling everyone she is the future queen” Stella stared blankly at me for a moment and finally something in her seemed to click and she started giggling.

“ lyla that was so wicked of you” she giggled again.

I pulled Stella back out towards the counter and sure enough the tacky dress was gone. Annie and Marcus were trying and failing to cover their laughter. “ didn’t even wait 30 seconds before she was at the counter demanding the dress” Annie laughter shaking her head.

“ I can’t wait to see the look on her face when she realises it was all a prank” Marcus says.

“ well she deserved it after the way she treated your sales assistant” I nodded to Annie.

“ oh don’t worry about Natalie she’s made of strong stuff” Annie waved me off as if I overreacted but it hadn’t seemed that way when we saw her.

“ Come on trouble, Theo just mindlinked me saying he has news” Marcus picked up Stella’s dress and guided her towards the door. It seemed she had reached her limit for being away from Theo and was eager to get back. I was just about to follow them when I felt a hand on my arm.

“ I figured you wouldn’t get anything, here” Annie handed me a dress bag making me look at her confused “ I need to promote a new design at the ball, since you didn’t buy one for yourself you can help me by being a model “ she looked me dead in the eye.

“ Are you joking?” I chuckled but realised She was being serious, “ nope, so don’t get hiding in the corner until home time either, I want those alpha wife’s and daughters in here first thing Sunday morning so you better make sure your seen at this thing promoting my business, besides it’s a masquerade only the dress will be on show so don’t be a baby and help a girl out ” she pointed her fingers at me.

I sighed. I guess she was right. I didn’t have to show off myself just the dress and at least I was helping Annie promote her designs. “Consider me your walking talking mannequin Madam Belu” I saluted her and left the shop.

Looks like I was going for eye catching, thank the goddess no one was going to know it was me.

(Stephan pov)

“ LET ME OUT THIS INSTANT!!” I shouted knowing full well the guards could hear me but they just ignored me. It was a new experience for me to be ignored, usually my orders were obeyed without question. How could my life have turned around in the space of a day.

The guards didn’t even bring me to the cells we use for current prisoners, no these assholes brought me to the ancient cells within the bowels of the palace. The place was dark and dirty. The smell of blood and faeces, not to mention all the other unbearable scents down here that I didn’t dare try to decipher was overwhelming. It had taken me an hour to stop gagging. This environment wasn’t even suitable for a wolf animal.

How fitting since you are acting like a wolf animal. Lexus my wolf mocked.

SHUT UP! I snapped trying to put up a block.

No! it was your stupid idea to send the omega to his bed.

I didn’t hear you protesting when I thought of it. I’ll admit it was a desperate attempt when I sent the omega to his bed but I figured he would be too distracted with screwing her he wouldn’t have time to worry about the kingdom. It wasn’t like there weren't plenty of alphas out there doing the same thing.

It was even more stupid than your idea to try and force his ex mate on him. You're more cunning than that. He was right. I should have vetted the girl better; she humiliated me at the summit. She’s lucky she ran off soon after.

After years of keeping magnus under my thumb the boy was supposed to be easy to keep him in line. He would take the mate we selected for him and she would keep him controlled and under our rule. When he refused vanessa I went to my contact who informed me of the boys fated mate. I figured he’d be more willing to accept his fated mate or at least I could catch him out and he’d have to have her in order to save face in front of the council but instead he exposed her for a cheat and his rejection was justified.

We need to get out of here. I will not let that little half breed mongrel take from us what is supposed to be ours. I growled

I had spent too long serving this kingdom to let it fall in to the hands of some witches brat that knows nothing about running the kingdom.

I mean building alliances with our subjects, it was absurd to ask for help from people that owe us their unwavering loyalty for the land their homes are on and as for helping the witches after what they did to us. It made my blood boil for that insult, it was a pill I wouldn’t swallow.

That was another plan that backfired. I figured when I extended an invitation to Juliana she would cause enough of a scene that the others would see there was no alliance to be had and it would sway the vote. Or better yet she would recognise Lucas as her grandpup and start another war, the boy did look more like Tatiana than magnus yet no the b***h was useless she couldn’t even be trusted to do the one thing she was known for.

I paced the cell not knowing what else to do, I wasn’t about to sit on that cot bed it looked like it had been used for everything accept sleeping.

I had never been so dirty in my entire life. As soon as I get out of this place I will head to my luxury room shower and order an omega to bring me something decent to eat while she serviced me. I should make a special request for it to be that cute little brunette from last week. She was unwilling but that had never bothered me. It wasn't like any of the omegas could refuse my order, not if they knew what was good for them.

I went to the bars trying not to touch them this time. I made that mistake when I first arrived and forgot they were laced with silver. There were still burns on my hand that hadn’t healed yet and the bastard guards wouldn’t allow me to see a doctor. This was inhuman treatment.

Two of the warriors aproached the cellone was holding a tray of - let’s call it food but it looked lowit had been previously chewed. The warrior put it down on the ground and kicked it across the cell towards me causing it to spill everywhere. he had done it on purpose not that I was going to eat any of it

As they turned away I shouted out to them “ Hey kid, get me out of here and I can get you whatever you want, women, money, what ever you want ” Hell he could be an alpha if he wanted to for I cared I planned to get rid of Lucas now anyway. He couldn’t be controlled and he would just keep getting in the way.

The young warrior scoffed not even trying to hide his amusement “ what about time? Can you turn back time?” He asked rather smugly. His eyes filled with hate but I don’t remember crossing paths with him before.

“ huh?” I asked confused. I didn’t have time for games. I needed out of here.

“ what I want is to see you suffering asshole” he growled so low and deadly it made me step back away from the bars. The warrior smirked at my fear.

“ look pup I don’t know what you think you know..” I began but he interupted me.

“ oh I know plenty ex elder, I know you r***d my mate, I know the pain I felt when you violated her, I know she was so ashamed after what you did she tried to kill herself, that’s what I know, your lucky that you have these bars seperating us becasue if they wernt I would have already shredded you” I look to his fellow warrior for support or any sign that he would stop it should this warrior make good on his promise.

For the first time in a long time I felt real fear. I don’t remember a particular encounter with his mate, I didn’t know his mate, I’ll admit my bed warmers didn’t always go willingly but as an elder it was my right to have those beneath me service my needs however I felt nessisary.

However Without my position these wolves have no fear of me. That stupid mutt had pup me in the line of fire dispanding the elders. A growl that shook the foundations of the ancient cell and I actually feel like Lexus shrunk back so far into my body he would never resurface.

( Lucas pov)

I step out of the shadows after hearing the warriors revelations. I could feel his pain through his words over his mate. I remember all too well a time when I felt similar pain through the mate bond and thought the worst was happening to Maddison, I couldn’t imagine how awful it must have been to feel his mates pain and not be able to help her.

I was so angry I couldn’t help the growl that escaped my throat, Ace was just as pissed. Even the warrior shrunk back against the wall all his fight left him in an instant and he assumed his previous position “ I apologise your highness” he bowed.

“ don’t apologise if you are stating facts, now tell me what we’re you saying just now? ” I asked wanting to know everything.

The warrior glared at Stephan and I knew if it was up to him the bastard would be dead “ it’s a well known fact the elders use the omegas as bed warmers, even the mated ones and when they don’t go willingly they are forced, my mate is an omega in the palace your higness her name is Marley and elder Stephan r***d her last week” Stephan doesn’t say a word but he obviously knows what the warrior is talking about when realisation washes over his face and his face goes a deathly pale.

“ I don’t know what the pup is talking about…h..he’s lying” he stutters in a panic with no conviction and begins backing towards the cot against the wall.

I can’t believe what I’m hearing, I’m disgusted. I knew Stephan was abusing his power but never to this degree and the warrior said it was all the elders not just one.

“ why has no one ever spoke out?” I asked the warriror.

He scoffs before remembering himself “ fear” like it should be obvious “ the last time an omega tried to speak out the omega was banished from the pack as a traitor”

“ what were the charges?” My voice was badly a whisper I felt like I might explode.

“ something about a petty theft, one of the elders claimed she stole a necklace” the other warriorsaid who had been silent for the whole exchange.

“ was there an investigation?” The warrior scofffed which told me all I needed to know. I had seen this type of behaviour in packs before. Men of power abusing the people that trusted them to keep them safe.

The elders would have made some bullshit claim that wouldn’t be looked into and the omega would be powerless against the elders beacaue they had full control of the pack.

“ well there will be one now” I linked Theo telling him I wanted to speak with the omegas in the palace. Things seemed to be in worse shape than I thought.

I turned to Stephan who had shrunk away so far into the cell he was almost in the shadows. “ you will remain here in this cell until I have all the facts, you and anyone else who is guilty will face the consiquences of your actions” I declared already to rip him to shreds for the sufering he had caused my pack members.

Stephan said nothing and I quickly stormed out of the cells before I lost it. There was only one place I could go now to soothe both Ace and my own soul. I left the palace and headed towards the first row of houses before the town, I didn’t stop to speak to anyone with only one goal in mind. The sun was beginning to dip and I realised how long I had been in the cells for. Damn I was late. The whole thing with the elders had held me up big time.

As I entered through the back door of Ronaldo’s I was greeted by Martha “ Your Late!” The tiny angry female scolded me from her kitchen doorway. She never looked any different. Still in her apron, the smell of great food spreads throughout the house. Coming to Martha and Ronaldo’s house was like coming home. It made you feel all warm inside.

“ apologies I was held up by..” she raised her hand not interested in excuses.

“ don’t explain to me I wasn’t the one waiting on you” she regarded me with disappointment and I sighed. I knew I’d screwed up by being late after I made a promise to my girl.

“ where?” I asked and Martha pointed towards the living room where the faint sound of the tv drifted in.

I walked through the house that I had been familar wkth since I was a pup,it looked the same even then,martha loved pups so much she had made Ronoldo decorate the house with children in mind, nothing matched and everything was alight with bright colours even the walls had been decorated with a single bold colour but nothing was the same the hall way was a red covered with pictures of the family and friends, I passed one of me and my parents when I was around five years old we stood outside our old house when we had tried to live in the pack as regular people but it hadn’t worked out well.

I took a deep breath before heading to the living room to see my girl. The living room was more of the rest of the house. The tv was mounted to a bright green wall while the one opposite was yellow this house was every child’s dream home it was like something out of a Disney movie. As if to prove my point Encanto was playing on the tv. This house coming to life was the only thing missing from it being every child’s fantisy. I think that was what Martha was going for when she designed it.

My attention was drawn to the tiny form sitting on the couch, she was curled up with her knees to her chest and her head almost buried in them I wasn’t even sure she was watching the movie “ hey princess” I knelt down beside her raising my hand to stroked her beautiful blonde hair that matched my own but she turned away as soon as I did, folding her arms stubbornly. Damn I really was in trouble.

“ I’m sorry…”

“ You broke your promise” she snapped but her voice cracked slightly at the end indicating she was upset and it nearly broke me, “ we waited, Martha made lunch, she used the special plates” she whispered into her knees. Martha had china her mother had given her when she mated Ronaldo. It was a delicate white little set with red flowers all over it. I always worried I would break the delicate cups in my large hands but ammie always loved it when she used them.

A little sniff drew me back to the little blonde sunshine that wouldn’t look at me “ we even brought cupcakes from the coffee shop” she sniffed again the sound broke my heart hearing how upset she was.

Unable to take it anymore I scooped her up, taking her spot on the couch and placing her on my lap. She tried to squirm away but I wouldn’t let her and held her in a bear hug.

“ I’m sorry I had to deal with a very bad man who was hurting pack members” I whispered to her. I still had to question the omegas but I had ordered warriors to hold the other elders for questioning. I would not take the chance that they would hurt any more omegas.

“ what did you do to the bad man?” She turned slightly towards me, her posture softening. I loved how no matter how upset she was she was still concerned about others.

“ I locked him away so he can’t hurt anyone now” I kissed her cheek and she nodded. She turned again and I noticed for the first time she had a cupcake sitting on a plate next to her. She scooped it up and began licking the frosting.

“ Is that lemon?” I asked, knowing already. I loved lemon cupcakes, it was probably why she got them, my mouth was watering as ammie took a big bite smearing the frosting all over her mouth.

She turned to me nodding finally smiling she was the cutest thing ever as she licked the frosting from her mouth “ You got a bite for me?” I asked looking at the cupcake longingly.

Ammie offer it to me but just as I moved to take a bite she drew back “ sorry only good big brothers get bites” she sniffed, shoving the last piece in her mouth, making me laugh.

I looked into the beautiful blue eyes that were equal to mine. My little sister.

Amine had come along just before I took off when I was severnteen. She was four when I took off again on my mission to learn everything I could about the world around us in order to rule the kingdom but I never lost contact with her she was my little sister, my sunshine, my princess, my deepest secret.

I hadn’t even told Alisha about Ammie, for her protection only Martha and Ronoldo knew who she really was, even their children didn’t know the truth, the official story to those closest to the family was that ammie was an orphan Martha and Ronoldo adopted.

In a bid to keep my sister safe and not wanting her to have to grow up in the shadows like me, my parents had given ammie to their dearest friends once she was born. Ammie always knew who her family was, she knew she was a princess and I was her brother but she just grew up with having two parents. Mom and dad would visit her often as did I. She was the only one from the kingdom I’d never lost touch with we would send letters when she was little but in recent years she had a mobile phone. Now I wondered if it was a mistake to get her since my phone was filled with endless funny videos and pictures of ammie I couldn’t bare to get rid of.

“ did you find her yet” ammie whisperd like we wernt the only ones in the room.

I sighed I’d made the mistake of telling my sister that I had found my second chance mate but had run away. She had laughed at the thought of her big alpha king brother being scared of a girl but it was true I was terifed.

“ ammie we talked about this” I had explained to her why it was important I didn’t meet this new mate she thought it was silly but she also promised never to tell.

“ I mean the pretty lady, I met her today” I laughed my baby sister was trying to play matchmaker. Maybe a new woman was what I needed I hadn’t been with anyone since Alisha maybe it was time to get back to my old ways.

Ammie looked around before wishepring “Lucas she’s special I felt it in my tummy” she patted her stomach. Ammie always seemed to have a sixth sense about people, she always says she has feelings in her tummy when it happens.

“ thanks Cupid l’ll keep that in mind, what do you say we go and see if Martha has anymore cakes for me” I asked and she smiled and nodded. jumping up she held my hand as we headed for the kitchen.

Martha was waiting for us, she had already set out the table with trays of cakes and sandwiches and those damn tiny plates. “ don’t scowl at my chin a little boy your not king in this house remember your not too old for a clip up the head” she said and handed me one of Ronaldo’s sturdy mugs. He hated the china too.

Her gesture made me smile “ you know I’m only scared I’ll break them” I said to her.

“ that’s why I give you the man mug” she gestured to the cup in my hands and handed Ammie one of the delicate tea cups. Ammie held it with care and elegance that any other ten year old wouldn’t have.

We sat and talked, Ammie her usual self and talking a hundred miles a minute telling me all about what she was wearing to the ball. I sat smiling like an i***t hanging on her every word. I hated that I had to keep her away from

Me and could only see her during these little visits. I wanted her with me all the time but for now it was safer this way but things were changing and maybe just maybe my dream of Ammie coming home wasn’t quite beyond our reach.