Soren’s pov
I had barely sat on the throne when the door was forced open. Three men came in, in fast strides like it was urgent.
I didn't even let them settle themselves since they had disturbed my sleep that morning. “What are the plans for the invasion?” I asked, my eyes wandering around the men that stood before me.
“We are stronger, no doubts but they are larger in numbers than us,” One of my commanders said.
I let out a short but heavy laugh. “That better not be why you woke me up way too early this morning,” I threatened.
“My lord,” the men voiced out in one voice, bowing their heads.
I stood up from the seat and walked slowly, each steps were taken with great precision to exert fear and power. I had come to learn that power wasn't gotten by groveling or be kind, rather it was meant to be taken.
I had held this seat as King not because I was weak, instead I had it because I was brutal and that made me one of the most fearsome King in all of the seven kingdoms.
"Raise your heads up," I ordered, my voice was calm but sharp. The men looked at one another but didn't raise their heads up and that pissed me off. "I said, raise your heads up!" My voice vibrated through through the walls of the throne room.
They slowly raised their heads up but avoided eye contact with me which was expected.
"The city is without their fiercest warrior and you still can't take them out?" I questioned.
"My lord..."
'Don't buy into their foolishness,' Oberion, my lycan thundered inside of me.
"I don't want excuses. What I want are answers!" I yelled. I took a deep sigh, trying to release myself of the anger. "I took away every obstacle that would have stopped us. So, now what is the issue?"
"The are having new reinforcements in place and are preparing for a possible war since word broke out..."
"Then make their efforts futile," I commanded.
"We... We..." One of the men stuttered. "We will do our best," one assured me.
"Your best is what is delaying us," I muttered. "I want you..."
The throne room door was suddenly pushed open, catching my attention as my eyes flickered to the entrance. The famous biker strode in, in all of his grace... Not that I cared about it, but it was like a bone stuck in my throat.
"Soren!" His voice rang across the room as he continued walking.
The men stood in front of me like a shield and was waiting to attack if need be.
"It is King Soren!" One of the men shot back.
"Like I care," he snorted. "Tell them to leave now, Soren."
"Pick your words wisely, Orin." I roared from where I stood.
'He undermines your authority every time. Orin needs to be taught a lesson,' Oberion resounded as his claws pierced my chest.
"Don't make me be the bad guy, Soren." He tilted his head and a mocking grin formed on his face.
I let out a loud sigh as I turned to the men. "You need to leave," I ordered.
"You'd let him..."
"You dare undermine my order?" Oberion broke through me and that made dread wash over them as they scrambled almost too quickly.
"What do you want, Orin?" I questioned, returning to my seat.
"I need a favor," he said, his voice now lower.
"A favor? You caused all that noise for a favor?"
"Yes, you owe me and I have come to collect." He spat out the words out almost too quickly.
I had found Orin at the verge of when I thought I had lost all hopes and he gave me a new sense of hope. He was one of the biggest force behind my ascension to the throne but now he had become ny biggest regret and opposition.
He bowed to no one and saw me as too weak to rule but I didn't care about how he saw me because in as much as he was a man, I didn't fear him as much as I feared Veythar, his lycan.
Veythar should have been mine!
I was the next in line to had gotten the sacred beast locked inside but the bastard stuck with the beast and that had gotten him the respect of the people even other kings fear him more than they do me.
But I gave him something none would have-- I had given a home to that bitch... The Ashfang b***h! And that had let me put a leash on him... At least for the now.
"What do you want?" I asked, placing a hand that was rested on the arms of the throne chair on my chin.
"I will be gone for a while but until then you keep her out of danger and be kind to her," he said.
"I am not your slave, orin. So, I cannot promise you anything," I said, my voice a mocking sound.
He walked over to me as my heart fell to my bottom and I swallowed hard. Yes, even I was scared of the great Orin Ashvale.
"You owe me, Soren and you swore..."
"She is a spy!" I yelled.
"She is more than a spy..." His eyes flickered rapidly as they grew softer than they used to be.
What was she to him?
He had never cared about anybody more or less himself but her... He looked like he would give the world up for her.
"Who is she to you then?" I inquired, my tone was gentle and I was careful to not get him or Veythar pissed.
"You don't need to know but promise me that you would look after her and not a scratch or even a strand of her hair would be touched," he pleaded.
"Well..."
'This is an opportunity to use him, Soren. Get him to even the lines and odds for us,' Oberion nudged me.
I cleared my throat, and raised my eyes to meet his. "To do this... I will be needing something from you too."
"Go on," he urged me.
Wait, just like that?
'make your demands, now!' Oberion roared.
"I will need you to help us move forward with the invasion plans," I proposed. "And everything you need me to do for that..." I swallowed hard. "I will do everything required of me to keep her safe."
"Done," Orin replied and as if he could not spare another moment left the throne room. He left me alone with my thoughts.
'The Ashfang b***h isn't just a Luna from that pack, is she?' Oberion questioned.
"She has been here for days but no one had come to look for her and she has gotten Orin wrapped around her fingers," I said, pacing as I clamped my hands behind my back.
'She will be our leverage to keeping Orin and Veythar on our side.' Oberion added.
"Indeed but I want to get to know the woman that has my finest warrior all tied up in the head."
I was going to get back at Orin and this time I would hit him where he least expected.