Alpha Princes Hidden Mate

2- SUPREME GAURDS

The Regent Prince Abaddon Valor, the younger brother of Late King Dimitri or famously named 'The Hidden Royal' was standing tall and fierce in the middle of the arena facing Eros for the final fight of Moon Supreme.  

No one in the entire kingdom even knew about the existence of King Dimitri's younger brother until the time when Eros was three years old. At that time, Dimitri just announced the return of Abaddon to Valor. It is a known fact that when Dimitri was born, the royal family became secretive, secluded and closed off when they were the most open of all the Royals in the world. Nobody knew the reason behind it and no one was brave enough to confront them. So they had no choice but to accept it.

A lot of rumors and speculations spread about Abaddon one could pick their favorite from. Oh! the most famous one was that he was the illegitimate child of King Dimitri's father and hence kept hidden. Or the other popular one that could seem very convincing was that he was weak as compared to Dimitri and royals did not want him to be in the eye of the public, of being frowned upon. Whatever the reason may be, he was kept hidden, living in the shadows of his elder brother. This drove him away from the palace and his family to find his own path. 

People attributed the years of struggle, solitude, and facing unknown challenges while living in the wild, to the strength that Abaddon now exudes. Although his skills were admired throughout Valor and beyond, his mysterious existence unsettled everyone. No one trusted him and the respect given to him by Eros was the only reason he was accepted or rather tolerated as the temporary leader, the Regent of Valor.

Now the day everyone was waiting for was finally there. People couldn't wait to see the rightful owner sit on the throne. Both the opponents, fierce and wild in their own way, were exuding power rendering everyone silent. Though the situation was not the same as he imagined. He knew it was going to be way more difficult to fight with his mentor, who he had been practicing with since he could remember but that did not mean Eros was afraid. 

They both were staring at each other, daring the other to attack first. Everybody was on the edge of their seats as they watched the scene unfold on the grounds in the center of the stadium. In a blink of an eye, they both launched at each other, and just like that the fiercest warrior fight started in the middle of The Gladiator Bowl of Valor.

Since they both were well acquainted with each other's fighting style, techniques, strengths, and weaknesses, the fight seemed to be balanced on both sides. Eros took a punch on his face and Abaddon, a kick in his lower abdomen. The movements of both the fighters were so fast, precise, and elegant, the audience was unable to decipher who was winning.  The anticipation was high in the surroundings.

After a few minutes that seemed to be dragged for hours, they separated to take a breath. Now everybody could see the equal amount of injuries they had sustained. They started to circle each other, trying to gauge each other's emotions. They should have known that they were the masters in hiding them and putting on a poker face. Eros knew he could not drag this fight any longer as he was beginning to feel his energy getting drained and it was time to pull the ace.

Eros had thoroughly prepared himself for this very situation. He knew that at some point he had to fight his uncle, make him submit.  So he started to train and learn new techniques on his own so as to surprise his uncle in that very field. Eros knew he was more agile as compared to Regent. So taking this advantage, he ran fast behind Abaddon in order to attack from behind. But he was not prepared for what happened next. Not prepared at all!

As soon as Eros jumped from behind, Regent swiftly turned a bit, took a hold of Eros' hand, used his own momentum to toss him on the ground, and held him in a death grip. Eros did not understand what happened within the second. He felt disoriented as soon as Regent gripped his hands. He felt his energy draining from his body in waves, it was like someone was sucking his strength out of him. He felt dizzy and unable to get out of the chokehold Abaddon had on him.

No! This.... can...no..t ha..ppen.......I had.....it.....al..all....planned....I.....ha,,,,ave,,,,,,t..o...I......nee.....

Eros' mind was a mess and the audience restless seeing their prince losing the ultimate fight that would give them the right leader. He knew something was wrong but Eros for the life of him could not comprehend what it was or what his next move should be. The atmosphere was growing more tense as the seconds ticked by. The warrior in him was not allowing him to accept defeat while his common sense was begging to submit as Regent Abaddon squeezed him with more force. 

Father........Mother........ what.... shou..ld I do? ......I.....wis..h you..... were here..... to guide me.

Just ten seconds were left until midnight, the moon at its prime and it would mark the end of Eos' eighteen years of existence. There were bitter emotions rising up inside Eros as he realized his prime age would start with a horrific defeat, defeat he was not ready to accept but had to take and......His train of thoughts was interrupted by something, no by somebody that came into his peripheral vision. Actually, there were two. 

Two identical cloaked figures came into the view. They were well hidden from the view of everyone but Eros. They were still in the shadows in an isolated corner entrance of the stadium. Though their cloaks were hiding their faces very well yet they could not hide their identity from him. He could recognize them anywhere. Even when they were wearing face masks.

A frown appeared on the face of Eros as soon as he saw them. Before he could react any further, the loud chiming of the bell tower clock, standing proudly over the main stage of the stadium, rang around breaking the heavy silence prevailing there. Soon the sounds of gasp followed it as everybody witnessing the fight stood up with their mouths hanging open. 

Confused, Eros looked at the two hidden figures and got shocked himself. Their eyes were shining like two glowing globes, one emitting enchanting rich blue light like shining ocean waves and other silvery moonlight. Eros then turned towards a stunned Abaddon, he could see his own shining bluish-grey orbs shining through the reflection in his shocked opponent's eyes. 

A moment later, an immense power coursed through Eros as his canines extended. His hand and feet nails turned to claws. This made Abaddon lose his grip on him and that was all Eros needed to flip their situation. Nobody was able to make sense of anything that was happening there anymore.

There were murmurs of disbelief rising high as none had ever seen a werewolf shift partially before. There were legends about it for sure. But they were just that, LEGENDS. Legends, so old that they were considered mere thoughts of overactive and creative minds.

Yet here was a partially shifted Eros standing over The Regent of Valor, eyeing him as a predator eyes his prey. Eros could definitely see the hint of fear in Regent's eyes as he held him by his neck. It did not take him much effort and more than a few minutes to get Regent to submit before him. And just like that, the tense and dazed environment was filled with cheers and claps of the people of Valor.

The prince got his victory and the kingdom got its MOON SUPREME.

A large midnight colored wolf with shining bluish-grey eyes was standing in front of a large wolf pack. The fur of the wolf was shining under the moon as wind flew through the soft coat. The Royal Blood Moon Pack was ready for their first pack run under the leadership of their new Moon Supreme, Prince Eros Devereux Valor of Kingdom of Valor. With a loud howl, Eros took off towards the forest followed by his pack to run under the bright moon.

A hush spread across as the ceremonious music started to play. The large golden double doors at the one end of the throne room opened. A numerous royal guards in traditional red, golden and black attires started to march in the room. As the crowd separated allowing them to clear a path towards the throne, Eros entered the decorated hall looking ever so rugged in the black suit with golden detailing with the Royal red robe and a traditional Valor headgear. 

The gear once belonged to his father which Eiona had given to him in the very morning. The dawn was on the horizon when everybody returned to their homes or chambers after a very exhausting and emotionally intense night. After the successful run, Eros also returned to his chambers and was just about to retire to his bed when there was a knock at his chamber doors.

Who could be there at this hour? Strange

He opened the door to reveal Eiona with a large box in her hands.

"Happy birthday Eros or should I say our Moon Supreme" though Eiona sounded exhausted but  the pride and excitement in her tone was still decipherable.

"I hope you were not asleep yet. I had something of yours, I am sure you would want it"

"No aunty, I was just about to retire. Come on in" Eros opened the gates further to invite Eiona in. 

"Oh that's good. I would have hate to disturb your sleep. Wouldn't have come, if it was not necessary."

They sat in Eros' living room as Eiona gave the box to Eros. 

"What's this"

"Open and look for yourself"

Eros could detect the hint of sorrow in Eiona's words but didn't pry further. He took the box and opened the lid. Eros stiffened and just stared at the contents of the box. There was an old robe and head gear inside with a royal crest inside the box. No, not any robe and headgear, it was Valor's traditional  royal attire worn by the prince at his crowning ceremony. 

"I hope you will wear this tomorrow at you ceremony. If Dimitri and Maria would have been here, they would have been so proud of you. Of what you have achieved at such a young age. They would have loved you to see in these clothes while taking the oath and held your Moon Supreme sword. So, so proud" Eiona's voice was thick with emotions and eyes watery with unshed tears. She rushed out of Eros' chamber as a tear finally escaped her eye.

Eros did not even bother to reply to her. He was not even sure he heard what she said as he was engrossed staring at the box in front of her. Now, here he was wearing those same clothes, walking through the triple heighted hall filled up to the brim of its capacity. The royal pack, all of the alphas in Valor as well as the foreign royal delegates were there to witness the youngest prince to be given the title of moon supreme as well as become the crowned prince of Valor. 

Eros looked ahead and saw Regent Abaddon standing beside the throne with a poker face. It was nothing unusual for him to stand like this. Soon Eros reached the stairs at the base of the throne and kneeled in front of the High Priest of the Royal Blood Moon pack. He was wearing a red robe which was as ancient as the golden throne standing with all his glory even after centuries. Eros looked at the royal crown of King Dimitri kept on the throne. It showed that still the reigning power was in the hands of the Valor family. 

No one in the other kingdoms were powerful enough to attack them. He just made sure that no one from within would betray. After all, the ones that are close friends could be more lethal than the outside enemy. Eros and everyone else knew that through their personal experience. After all, the closest friends more like family were responsible for the death of King Dimitri and Queen Maria.

"Prince Eros Devereux Valor of Valor, the kingdom of courage, bravery and moon warriors, do you accept the title of Crowned Prince of this kingdom", priest asked Eros with pride in his voice and the strong emotions he kept for this young man kneeling in front of him

"I do"

"Do you promise to uphold the esteem of this  crown no matter what you have to sacrifice for it?"

"I do"

"Will  you lead this pack and the kingdom of Valor both in peace and at war?"

"I will"

"Are you willing to provide the heir, the future to this crown, kingdom and its people?"

"Yes, I am"

"Then bring your hand forward, palm upwards"

As Eros brought his hand forward, aunt Eiona came with a transparent chalice with gold stem and the ancient dagger believed to be given by the Moon Goddess herself to his family centuries ago. The priest took the dagger and cut Eros' palm slightly. He let the blood drip down in the chalice.

Soon the chalice filled up to the brim with the blood of Eros. Everybody's breath was caught up  in their throat as they waited for the chalice to accept Eros. After a few seemingly long seconds, the chalice started to glow an ambient blue light and the red blood color changed to a dark rich violet. 

Everybody released their breath and a loud cheering broke the silence that prevailed within the walls of the majestic throne room.  A golden coronet with wolves running along its base, citrine jeweled eyes and a central large wolf oddly familiar to Eros' wolf Amarok howling up to the moon  with eyes made of deep purple Lapis stone, was placed on Eros' head by the head priest. Then the priest handed Eros the Moon Sword, the most prestigious of the weapons Valor is proud of.

Eros stood up taking out the sword from his sheath and held it out high towards his people as the blade caught the moonlight shining down from the high glass vaults on the roof of the throne room. It seemed that the moon shined a little brighter as if conveying the blessings from the Moon Goddess herself. 

"Werewolves of the Royal Blood Moon pack , the kingdom of Valor I give you your crowned prince, Moon Supreme Eros Devereux Valor" the priest's voice echoed around the hall followed by another round of loud cheers.

Eros instantly felt a new connection forming with the rest of his kingdom, not as strong as a King but somewhat similar. A rush of adrenaline followed along with numerous 'Prince', 'congratulations' and other such welcoming words echoed in his head as a kingdom wide mindlink opened. He quickly shut it down to avoid any severe headaches.

Eros put the sword back and looked towards his pack, his people.

"I, Eros Devereux Valor hereby accept the title of  Moon Supreme and Crowned Prince of Valor. As per the traditions and what the law says, I would give my first decree as Moon Supreme of Valor with you all becoming the witness to this.

As the Moon Supreme of Valor. I hereby reinstate the fiercest Valor army that the world had ever seen.  I would like to introduce SUPREME GAURD BATTALION OF VALOR."  

Loud gasps of horror could be heard as the door to the hall opened with booming sounds. Huge terrifying men in black warrior attire marched down the hall and stood in front of the Moon Supreme, their sole leader. Their physic or attire was not what made them terrifying though. It was the name of the battalion, just that name could be petrifying. It was even forbidden to say it in public. Adding to this was the horrifying  huge grey wolf skull like masks that each of the guards were wearing.

"This battalion has been a symbol of terror in Valor for so long. It is used as the horror stories recited over and over as the reminder of the dark age that Valor saw, survived. BUT only because it was kept a secret from the people of this kingdom. It was used by then Moon Supreme as a weapon to fulfil his own greed." Eros continued with authority he had, with the passion he had.

"NOT THIS TIME. Because THIS TIME it will become the symbol of BRAVERY AND PROTECTION. YES, this battalion will become that impenetrable wall of protection surrounding this kingdom that the enemies wouldn't even see the wall they hit before entering our FORTRESS, OUR KINGDOM."

Everyone was stunned to even breathe. They just gawked at their new Prince, their Moon Supreme not knowing whether to feel proud, happy or fear what was to come.

"This time you will know about the Supreme Guards, you will know that these warriors are selected from within you. Though they will remain anonymous, they can be your son, brother, mate or friend. These are the people who care about you and will do anything to keep our kingdom safe. They are MADE OF US, MADE FOR US."

Eros could see the trust building in the eyes of his people. He could even see pride swelling in some as they looked at the new future, their future. 

"I have also decided to divide the power within the guard to create a more stable battalion. So I would like to introduce you all to my second and third in command,  Beta Supreme and Gamma Supreme."

Two middle warriors stepped out from the line of Supreme Guards. They both were wearing the same attire as others, just they had a different colored mask. One wearing golden and the other red. The beta and gamma supreme.

Though, none was the wiser that these two were awfully familiar figures.