The Blackfang Alphas and Slaves

04

Kai’s POV

I’m halfway through my meal, enjoying the rare peace of my morning, when the doors to my chamber burst open.

I sigh. Not again.

Standing at the entrance, seething with barely contained fury, is my father. His broad frame fills the doorway, his eyes like ice, staring deep inside my gentle soul.

Ah. So it’s one of those mornings.

"Father," I greet casually, biting into a piece of meat. "To what do I owe the honor?"

His nostrils flare. “You have some nerve sitting here like a spoiled prince after what you’ve done.”

I pause mid-chew. “What have I done?”

His expression hardens. "Don't play games with me, boy."

I raise my brows. “Boy? I’m technically the next Alpha. Shouldn’t you show me a little respect?”

I barely finish the sentence before my father lunges.

Before I can react, his strong hands grip my collar, yanking me from my seat. The force nearly topples the entire table.

"Hey! My food!" I protest, struggling in his grasp.

Father slams me back against the chair, his face mere inches from mine. "You killed someone, Kai. Again. And this time, you’ve brought war to our doorstep."

The words are like a bucket of cold water.

A slow smirk creeps onto my lips. "Ah. That guy."

The vein in my father's forehead pulses.

Mother appears at the doorway, her hands clasped in worry. “Mael, please…”

Father ignores her. "What in the name of the gods were you thinking?!"

“Goddess” I corrected. Answer my question he yelled.

I shrug. “I was thinking he shouldn’t have been trespassing on our land.”

“You butchered him like a wild animal!”

“He came at me first.” I wipe my mouth with a cloth, though my hands remain pinned to my chair. “Self-defense. You should be proud. I handled it like a true Alpha.”

Father releases me so suddenly that I nearly fall forward. He turns away, rubbing a hand over his face.

“You have no sense of restraint,” he mutters.

Mother steps forward. “Surely there must be a way to settle this without…”

Father cuts her off, whipping around to face me again. “Do you even understand what you’ve done? The Alpha of the Redfang Pack is here. Right now. Demanding justice.”

“Justice?” I snort. “For a fool who trespassed on our land?”

“This isn’t just any fool, Kai. That was the son of Alpha Thorne.”

I pause.

Okay. That might be a problem.

Mother sighs, rubbing her temples. "They demand compensation or.."

"Or?" I prompt.

Father’s expression darkens. “Or war.”

Silence settles over the room.

Then I laugh.

"War? All over one dead i***t? That’s a bit dramatic, don’t you think?"

My father has had enough. Before I can even breathe, he grabs me by the arm and yanks me to my feet.

“We are going to the Grand Hall, he murmured. ” your voice somehow low for an alpha.

"Shut up and walk.”

I grin. “Finally, an official invitation.”

The moment we step into the Grand Hall, I realize just how bad this situation really is.

The room is full.

Elders and Warriors, even a few servants.

And at the center was Alpha Thorne of the Redfang Pack.

His face is etched in fury. His warriors stand behind him, armed and ready for blood.

At his feet lies a bloodstained cloth.

I don’t need to guess whose it is.

Thorne’s voice booms across the hall.

“This boy murdered my son. And you let him walk free?”

All eyes turn to me.

I blink. Then, slowly, I point to myself. “Me?”

Thorne’s snarl deepens. “Yes. You.”

I cross my arms, leaning back. “That’s a pretty big accusation. Do you have proof?”

Thorne’s veins bulge. “There were witnesses.”

Father looks like he wants to strangle me.

I sigh, rubbing the back of my neck. "Look, your son attacked me. I defended myself. It’s not my fault he couldn’t handle it.”

The hall erupts into murmurs.

Thorne lunges forward. “You arrogant little..”

Lucan and the guards step in, holding him back.

"Let me kill him!" Thorne roars.

Father steps forward. “This is not how we handle things here.”

Thorne spits. "Then how do you handle it? By letting your reckless son get away with murder?"

My father went silent.

I glance at Father.

Father remains rigid, his face carved from stone as he stares Thorne down.

As for me?

Well, I’m just enjoying the show.

"You stand here, asking for justice," Father says, his voice really calm. "Yet your son trespassed on our land, disrespected our borders, and picked a fight with the next Alpha."

Thorne growls. "My son was barely a warrior. You slaughtered him like an animal!"

I scoff. “Barely a warrior? Then why was he challenging me?” I smirk. "Look, I did you a favor. He was weak. He would’ve been a terrible Alpha.”

The room went noisy again, filled with gasps, whispers, murmurs and chuckling.

Father slowly turns to me, and I swear, if looks could kill, I’d be dead.

Thorne lunges again, but his warriors hold him back.

"You insolent brat….!"

"Alright, alright," I raise my hands. "No need to get all dramatic."

Father grabs my arm, squeezing so hard I wince. "Shut. Up. Your. Mouth."

I grin at him. "Noted."

Thorne straightens, eyes burning. “We demand compensation for my son’s death.”

Father exhales sharply. “And what do you suggest?”

Thorne's smile is cruel. "Blood for blood."

I tilt my head. "Oh? You want me to kill another one of your sons? Because at this rate, you won’t have any left."

A warrior throws a spear.

I dodge.

It skims past my cheek, slicing the skin. A thin line of blood drips.

Before anyone can stop it, warriors start drawing weapons.

Thorne’s men lunge forward, growling, their teeth bared. Our warriors move to defend.

And me?

I just laugh.

"Wow, is this what diplomacy looks like these days?" I say as I sidestep another blade aimed at me. "No wonder our packs have so many issues."

"KAI, STAND DOWN!" Father bellows.

I sigh. "Fiiine."

I lift my hands, signaling to our warriors. They hesitate before stepping back.

Thorne’s warriors don’t.

One of them charges at me.

I let him get close.

Then I move.

In a blink, I sidestep, grab his arm, and slam him face-first into the ground.

A loud c***k echoes.

The warrior whimpers.

I look up at Thorne. "That was self-defense too."

His snarl is shaking feets.

"ENOUGH!" My father's voice booms, shaking the walls. "There will be no war today or ever."

Thorne’s breathing is heavy. Rage consumes him.

“You’ll regret this,” he hisses. "Mark my words. This isn’t over."

With a sharp gesture, he turns, his warriors reluctantly following.

The hall is silent as the Redfang Pack storms out.

I grin. “Well. That was fun.”

Father slowly turns to me.

"…You are an absolute disgrace."

I sigh. "Here we go again."

Mother steps forward, grabbing my arm.

"Kai, please"

"I'm fine, Mother." I roll my shoulders. "They were never going to get what they wanted anyway."

Father clenches his fists. "You were supposed to be respectful and diplomatic."

I smirk. "Did you forget who I am?"

His hands tighten at his sides. "A mistake I make far too often."

Ouch.

I chuckle. "Well, good talk. Can I go now?"

Father turns away, his shoulders stiff. “Leave.”

I bow dramatically and stroll toward the exit.

As I pass Mother, she whispers, worried.

"Kai, be careful."

I flash her a lazy grin. "Always, Mother."