A Sinister Betrayal

RIO The men seated around the table were powerful and influential men; men who could change the earth’s rotation on its axis at the blink of an eye. They were also men who weren’t too pleased to have me in their midst but regardless I sat there enjoying the front-row view of their congested faces. These entitled old bastards don’t want me here. They still think I’m a child. Well, f**k them! I’m here. “We can begin,” General Jolt said, getting up to his feet. “I called this meeting so we can discuss the ongoing war in the northern border.” There was a low rumble from the table. This was an issue nobody was willing to talk about ⸺ except me of course ⸺ which made my presence there meaningful. “We can’t ignore it anymore ⸺” “What would you rather we do? Give in to the rebels?” Marcus said with contempt. Marcus, the leader of the Moonlight party, had been in court long enough to know better, but he didn’t know any better. His family name secured him a seat at the table and kept him there. The man was a monster and deserved to live as one ⸺ in a forest. “Is it so bad doing the right thing?” I said, rolling my eyes at him. Lester growled as his pitbull face twisted in utter disgust. “What the f**k is she doing here?” “This is no place for children.” Or women. He knew better than to say that last part because the woman seated by his side ⸺ the only other woman present at the meeting ⸺ was his wife and she was scarier than he was. “I have as much right as any of you to be here at this meeting.” I said, glaring at each and everyone of them viciously. They were nothing but power-hungry wolves and my first course of action as monarch would be to turn them into docile puppies when I ascend the throne in some hours after the reading of the will this afternoon. The late Alpha King, my adopted father, had promised to give me everything just before he passed away from a mysterious illness. “That’s enough, Lester,” General Jolt said raising a hand. “As the heir of the late Alpha King she deserves to be at the table.” “She isn’t even his real child!” Layla cried out. I knew they weren’t going to accept and my father did too, but he was sure there was no one better to take over his kingdom and even though I thought it was crazy, I had to respect his dying wish. General Jolt was about to lash out, as the vicious look on his face suggested but I stopped him just on time. He was the kindest of all seated on the table but he had a terrible fury he barely let out. “It’s fine General,” I said with a weak smile. “I was going to take a walk around the grounds anyway.” Before he could protest, I made my way to the door and left the room. I felt their evil eyes aimed at the back of my head even as I closed the door behind me. f*****g savages. The old farts could drop dead for all I cared. “Hey Peaches.” I almost jumped out of my skin at the sound of the voice. I whirred around to meet familiar dangerous dark eyes watching me. My breath caught in my throat at his handsome face twisting in what seemed to be a friendly grin. "That's no way to address your Princess." I chuckled nervously. Drake Jolt. What is it about you that always seems to unnerve me? He was dressed in his signature black turtleneck and even darker pants. He moved forward taking most of my personal space as his. I refused to give ground. Not this time. "Sorry, Princess. I had no idea I was expected to bow." I sighed. "Can't you be more like your father and less of an asshole." He chuckled dryly. Drake Jolt was an impressive man but he had a habit of keeping everyone at arm's length, which only added to his brutal sensuality. Stop that. You have a boyfr- "What are you doing with my girlfriend, Jolt?" William asked as he entered the corridor. "William," I gasped. "I've been looking for you all morning." Drake slithered away. "Good luck on your coronation, your Highness." I knew Drake was as impossible as they came but I couldn't understand why he could never get along with William. They were like opposite sides of a coin. William took me on a stroll through the garden. I'd grown up cheering walks through the garden because of the rich scents and scenic, almost heavenly look. I confided in him about the ill treatment I'd gotten in court that morning. We joked about the ugly pot bellied bastards that ran the kingdom and how they couldn't last a second in battle if it came down to it. The only one of them that stood a chance was General Jolt. William congratulated me on my soon to be position as monarch of the kingdom. "What would be your first decree as Alpha Queen?" He asked, twirling a dandelion between his fingers. I thought about his question for a minute and then shrugged. "I don't know… Get the members of the council to take a strict workout routine?" He laughed hard. "I'd love to see Sam Lester try." As we laughed, I caught a movement out the corner of my eyes. A figure dressed in a black cloak approached us. I expected my wolf to react fast, giving me a warning sign of some sort of imminent danger the cloaked figure might bring but instead she (my wolf, Detri) relaxed. "Who are you?" William demanded. "Stop there!" He snarled, drawing out his sword. "It's okay, Will." I said, pushing his arm down till the blade disappeared completely. The figure approached hesitantly and, even though I couldn't see the face, I knew it was a woman. "You have to run." The woman cried out. "Save yourself." She twirled around frantically. Watching her, I was convinced she might be a bit looney but the urgency in her voice suggested otherwise. Guards appeared just as I made a move to ask who she was and she tore through in the opposite direction at a shocking speed for someone her size. I felt bothered by the incident but William convinced me to think nothing of it. She was crazy after all. I mustn't let such nonsense disturb me, especially since today was the stepping stone to achieving my dreams. William walked me to my room, gave me a sincere gentle kiss on my lips, and left me to prepare for the reading. I changed into a simple scarlet dress and then, as a minute adjustment, let down my hair (I didn't give a f**k if they saw it as an act of defiance or not). As I made my way to the hall, my troubled mind went back to the incident at the garden. There were a total of five people present, plus myself. General Jolt and Timutin Marcus, as members of the council. I was the heir, so I had to be there. William, my boyfriend, who stood at my side as my witness. Thomas and Finney, the lawyers. Marcus watched me with a cold hating gaze. He was probably cursing me for letting my hair down. He could kiss my ass for all I care. A cold chill moved through my body as Finney broke the Royal seal on the envelope.