Torn between two Fates

Chapter 6

Darius POV

Princess Kara.

That was what everyone called her when I first set eyes on her three years ago. She moved elegantly like the princess she was, and still is, exhibiting confidence wherever found herself. I saw many ladies that day but none equaled her beauty. Not even my Rebecca. Gia, my wolf who has been dormant for years, wasn't sure about her but like a good father would do, I thought it would be nice to have a Lady of such intelligence and character for a daughter-in-law. Her father, Alpha Verick, was my long time friend and a trade partner so it was easy to arrange her marriage with the boy I now know to be a son, a boy I adopted to save my name from shame.

An ungrateful bastard.

So the marriage happened and I delighted knowing since I couldn't have her, she was now my daughter-in-law. Even when she couldn't put forth a child, I never thought it her fault because her presence was always a sight to behold. And it could easily be imagined how disappointed I was knowing that this was the very woman Adrian took for granted.

I've heard her cry many times, each time complaining how Adrian is such a terrible husband. But everything changed when Savannah arrived, and the perfect opportunity presented itself. However, I never thought it would lead to a one-night affair, an affair that now seems to change the hand of destiny.

While I'm sorry for having bedded my daughter-in-law, I can't deny what I felt the very moment I slid my rod into her. A huge burden was lifted, and that explains the energy I now feel, the energy to track down those monsters.

The Lycans.

I push back myself to the chair and I soon I resume scanning the map in an attempt to track their coordinates. The bastards can be very nomadic and dangerous. They have already taken two pack's in the last four weeks and my pack might as well be their next target, which is I need to find them before they find me. And I've been engrossed in the task of tracking every possible one of them in the last few hours with very little success.

I set aside the map when a call comes into my cellphone.

Dr Cuff reads the caller ID.

I pick up.

“It's done,” he says.

The call ends and I sigh knowing I have fulfilled her request. I resume scanning the map for their next possible location. Adrian, with his poor performance in leadership and administrative functions, would definitely be a walk in the pack for the Lycans. And I'm glad that such a weak man is no son of mine.

Later, my attention drifts when the door opens. Adrian appears bearing a steel expression.

“Sit,” I order.

I close the map as he settles on the seat opposite me.

“There are change of plans. The Lycans are becoming more of threat and I need you to supervise the rebuilding of our territorial walls.”

He pushes himself forward and appears surprised. “But father, the beta could handle that. Not a prince. That job is far below the station of a prince,” he says.

Just like I thought he would. An arrogant adopted bastard.

I shoot him a continuous stare and he knows I'm not joking.

“I'm already working on the waterfront project and I'm almost—

Your poor performance with the waterfront project has made me reassign the job to Damian. Henceforth—”

“But father!”

“Enough! You would do as commanded. And I expect the wall to be up in two weeks…that would be all.”

He goes into deep thoughts before standing to leave. I resume my ask. I hear the door open but doesn't close. I look up to see Adrian in contemplation. Something is going on in his mind.

“Doctor Cuff’s test revealed no pregnancy. All he said was that the vormit was caused by a disease or something. I can't even pronounce the name.”

“So?” I continue to stare at him.

He lowers himself to my desk. “I'm not sure but I find it suspicious that she is not pregnant.”

“Then what are you insinuating?”

He swallows. “She asked for Renixion, you know.”

“Then you should grant it,” I say. His eyes shoots open at my remark. I swallow knowing I shouldn't have said that. But what choice does he have.

“ Don't get me wrong. All I'm saying is, since she is no longer in love with you, why not let her go.” I turn to the picture of Rebecca on my table. “Sometimes, the best way to express love is to let go.”

“But she wouldn't say the name of the other man. All she kept saying is some guy she meant at highschool…she wouldn't even say his name.

Highschool?

I struggle to hold back a chuckle. She is one hell of a liar.

He sighs, and I see frustration in him. He should've known this would happen when he was treating her badly.

A befitting end for a union that was doomed from the very beginning.

“Well, the reassignment is in two days time. Hopefully, I will get to know the guy who stole her heart from me.”

I smile inwardly. “Hopefully!”

Silence lingers for a while.

“But father—”

“Haven't you said enough?” I bark. He is now getting on my nerves with this talk. He met me working, yet, he wouldn't stop talking. He should probably leave.

He pulls himself up. “Sorry, I forgot you have no time for discussions like this.”

What an ungrateful son. No. Adopted son. But his words continue to echo in my mind long after the door closes, and I realise that something needs to be done. This Renixion is going to happen anyway, and I needs to make sure everything is in place, including the elders.

After wrapping from the office, I decide to go see Luke instead of heading home. I knock on his door and I see him surprised. Not everyday an elder gets to see an Alpha in the dungeon he called a home.

He offers me a chair and a drink but I don't take the drink, fearing that I might be poisoned. I've become too careful since my mysterious health.

“What brings you my king?” his voice gives his age away.

I clear my throat while hoping he has an answer. “How well do you know about Renixion?”

The word picks his interest and, he begins to tell me all manner of stories on how it began, the first Werewolves to ever do it, how it involves the confession of all sins, as if it's something I don't already know.

This is one reason I always try to avoid the elders. They talk too much, and luke proves the point.

He continues talking, and I sigh when I grow bored. I didn't come here to be lectured, but to fulfil a promise made to a lady.

“I need you to do something for me,” I cut him off.

He run his mouth for a few seconds and then nods.

I don't expect him to do otherwise. Nobody messes with me in my pack. If not for her, I wouldn't have come here in the first place.

“And you will do as told without questions, do you understand?” I say in form of a threat.

He nods again. I also expect him to persuade the others to fall in line, else even the old will incur my wrath.

***

“A highschool guy…I didn't think you a liar,” I smile the moment I set my eyes on her. I'm now increasingly drawn to her. I can't stop thinking about her even at work. Maybe it's because of the baby. My baby.

After a brief smile, she slumps back into her thought and I wonder what she is thinking. I set down my files after a very hectic day, and I'm fully well that my warnings have sunk deep into elders heads.

When Luke conveyed my message to them, they grumbled, saying it was against the ethics of an Alpha to meddle with the process. But who cares about ethics? For their sake, and for everyone's sake, I hope they don't mess with me.

All hell may break loose.

“I hope it's a boy!” I say with a grin. But she does not turn to me. Her eyes are on the window and she is deep in thoughts.

“Kara, Kara!”

It takes a third to jerk her back to reality.

“Are you sure you want to do this?”

“Sure! Yeah! Why not?”

I saunter towards her. Something is definitely on her mind. I take her arms and sigh. “You know I hate to see you worry. Now tell me, what is it?”

She hesitates, and I know something is wrong. Definitely wrong. But I hope it's not about the baby.

She turns in my direction, and I see fear written all over her face. “Diana overheard Adrian discussing with an elder earlier, something about the Renixion process. He suspects a foul play,” her voice trembles as she speaks.

But Adrian is someone I can handle. If he isn't going to do it willingly, then I need not take the easy road.

With some clenched fist and without anymore words, I turn around and march towards the door.

“Don't do anything stupid. This isn't going to work anymore. Let it go.”

Her words hit me hard but I don't turn. She is carrying my child and she wants me to let her go?

I tried it once with Rebecca but I won't do it anymore. Not with her.

I'm still the owner of this pack. My pack. I don't play by people's rules. Certainly not that of Adrian or the council. It's time to do things my way.

I bang the door behind without turning back. Adrian is easy to find and see him addressing a few pack members on heavens knows what.

They all excuse the room when they see their king. Except him. The man I come for.

Father—”

“You will go before the council, confessing your sins and saying you accept the transfer of the bond…do you understand me?”

My words are unambiguous, but I see it takes a while for them to sink in, then he contemplates for a few seconds. Well he better choose his words carefully.

“And why should I do that? I mean, Kara is still—”

I reach for his neck and my fingers squeeze with ease. The i***t is no better than a man. I can kill him as he already begins to choke.

I release him and he begins to pant.

“Have I made myself clear enough?” I growl. He is still coughing and panting, but I expect an answer.

Holding his necks, he turns to me. “Is this because I'm no son of yours?”

The words hits me like an ice and I take a few steps back to process how he found out.

He pours himself a drink. “You don't think I know?” He pauses and sips. “You relieve me of important positions—”

“Those are the results of your incompetence,” I shoot back, angry that we are ever discussing the reasons for his failures.

“It doesn't matter, father, or whatever you are to me. At first I thought it's all Kara but then I found out why you always treated me poorly.” He turns to me after emptying the cup. “So, no father. I won't accept the transfer of the mate bond. Kara remains my wife…and don't think I don't know.”

What does he know?

“Know what?”

I move to grab him but suddenly, he turns around.

“You don't think I know you f****d my wife,” he barks.