FOREDOOMED

Chapter 2 PLOT

Inside a narrow room with bricked walls where hung a lone gigantic picture with frames gilded in gold, the royal beta was waiting for the arrival of the king's council. With the arch windows fully covered with thick dark red curtains, only a brass chandelier hanging over a low wood ceiling with exposed beams alighted the long table at the center of the room.

The door opened with the lady chamberlain of the castle ushering in the members of the king's council. Each one occupied a seat at the table; the beta as the lord chancellor sat down at the right side next to the king's empty seat, beside the beta were the commoners composing of nine Alphas who had either the largest or the strongest pack in the world, and at the opposite side were the four royalty members such as the king's uncle as master of coins and the king's three cousins as the master of laws, master of spies, and master of arms.

"Thank you for coming even for a short notice. The king highly appreciates your presence here," the beta welcomed the king's council with a sense of gratefulness.

"Cut the bullcrap. Get it on already," said the master of arms whose golden brown hair was perfectly slicked back, emphasizing his flawless, handsome face.

"Someone's cranky for not getting laid, I presume," said the master of spies whose pale blonde hair resembled a bowl that was put upside down, his front hair covering his forehead while the rest of his hair having the same cut all the way around, and the ends were perfectly trimmed.

Before the master of arms could retort which would lead to their never-ending bickering, the master of laws butted in. "Stop it," said the young royalty whose dark hair was almost fully shaven, leaving only a portion at the top.

"The beta must have a good reason for calling us so urgently," said the king's uncle who has long sleek silvery hair, his neck straining upward while his eyes narrowing toward the beta.He refused him as royal beta since the king himself was not addressing him so.

The king's uncle would often show in display his jealous aversion towards the beta. And the old royalty had a few good reasons for it. One, the beta did not possess an ounce of royal blood, yet the king chose him to be the Royal Beta, that was exclusively intended for a close royal family member, and that was supposed to be the son of the king's uncle. Second, the king appointed him as the Lord Chancellor, the second highest position in the king's council, that should be rightfully given to him being the brother of the former king. What further irked the king's uncle was his son was given the title of the vice-chancellor, a mere assistant to someone who was not even royalty, but a trash the king had a liking for picking.

"It is of utmost urgency that--."

"The beta must have seen us as his lapdogs that he could summon any time he wants," the king's uncle commented sharply, eyeing the beta as though waiting for him to fight back.

The beta dared not, keeping his head low. And so as the Alphas, for like the beta, they were not royalty. Still, they secretly supported the beta and would not openly criticize or oppose the king's uncle or any of his cousins. They were, after all, the king's relatives.

"We would be the most beautiful breed of dogs," the master of spies said with a smirk. Clearly, he was referring to them, the royal members of the king's council. Such a point of reference was not based on their royal blood alone, but their looks as well. Opposite to the four royalties having smooth, unscathed skin, beardless faces, and lean extremities, the Alphas' skins were embellished with tattoos and a few grotesque scars, their heavily bearded faces had some piercings, and their brawny bodies were bulging with muscles. The beta appeared like the alphas before, but having to appear at banquets or attend meetings to represent the king, he had to adopt the refined culture of royalty and eradicate any indication of savage crudeness he had been accustomed to when growing up in a slum. Presently, he appeared like any honorable gentleman with his clean-cut short hair, perfectly shaven face, and a fancy royal blue tailcoat and white pants.

"Still a lapdog," the king's uncle pointed out.

"Undoubtedly, we would be a higher breed than them," the master of arms bragged, pointing at the Alphas.

"Indeed, they are of a lower kind," the king's uncle agreed. "A chihuahua, perhaps," he added, earning a mocking laugh from the three royalties.

However the royal beta loathed their mockery, he maintained a blank expression. "It is the king that has called upon this meeting," the royal beta announced, instantly silencing their laughter.

"The king..." the king's uncle repeated with confusion. "Will the king's presence finally grace this meeting?" he asked in a sarcastic tone, recovering from his confusion.

It had been many years since the king attended the meeting with his own council. The royal beta was the one arranging the meeting, discussing national issues with them, and voicing out the king's opinions and final decisions on any issues at hand. The king might not be physically present nonetheless, he ensured his presence would be felt.

"Yes, King Henric will be here," the royal beta simply replied, silently satisfied with the four royalty's shocked expression that soon was replaced with grim seriousness.

Silence ensued afterward; all remaining immobile in their seats while engrossed with their own thoughts. The loud creaking of the door broke the silence and disrupted the men's inner contemplation, directing all their gaze toward the opening. King Henry in a black tunic and tight trousers strode with long quiet steps, his long untamed dark coffee hair that was like a lion's mane remaining stiffly unmoved.

All men stood up and bowed down, showing their respect to the king who simply motioned them to take their seats. And they obeyed, but not before the king sat down at the head of the table.

"This is a surprise, rather an honor for the king to finally join us in the meeting," the king's uncle said, masking the sarcasm with flattery.

The king's sharp gaze pointed at his uncle. "You've aged, Uncle Gustavus," King Henric commented, eyeing his silver hair. The last time he met his uncle, his hair was raven black.

Gustavus's tongue was held useless with embarrassment overwhelming him. His nephew had remained unchanged with his few words bluntly direct, and bitingly sharp. And he was no fool to challenge his nephew lest he be stripped from his rank.

"The king must have important news to be shared with the council," Gustavus said, quickly changing the topic when he found his tongue useful.

"Is the treasury becoming burdensome to you?" King Henric asked not out of concern, but as a firm reminder of his power and authority over him.

Suddenly, Gustavus was sweating even though it was raining violently outside as though a storm was brewing. "No, no, Your Highness. Honestly, the duties and obligations that I bear as master of coins keep me... youthful. The paperwork, the meeting, the young and vigorous people I work with... all of those, in fact, keep--."

"Enough," King Henric commanded when he found his uncle's blabbering irksome. "Just do your job well," he added.

Gustavus nodded meekly, concealing the abhorrence he harbored toward his nephew. And the three cousins of the king wisely held their tongues, not daring of risking their positions. And the alphas and the beta were quietly pleased in witnessing Gustavus bowing down to the king's will with only a few words.

King Henric directed his attention to his council. "I have found my second chance mate," he declared without beating the bush, surprising all men including the royal beta who clearly was uninformed. "And she is an Inferus," he added, shocking them yet again before they could even recover from his first declaration.

When shock subsided, confusion settled in as one question from another was forming in their minds, but no one boldly expressed it. Except for one, apparently.

"Are you certain?" Gustavus asked, not being able to stop himself from confirming.

It was known to the werewolf realm how the king had lost his mate, that he only got to embrace her dead body. Overwhelmed with uncontrollable rage, to the extent he almost went feral, he murdered the high priestess that presented her lifeless body and burned the temple along the neighboring towns and killing all the inhabitants singlehandedly.

"I am not dumb, Uncle," King Henric said, glaring at him for questioning his judgment.

Gustavus waved his hand nervously. "Indeed, you are not, Your Highness. It's just..." he trailed off, groping for the right words he would voice out to quickly appease his nephew. "Congratulations, Your Highness," he said, ensuring to sound lively and delighted when in truth, that was quite the opposite of what he was feeling.

As though a fog was lifted from the men's minds, they all expressed their hearty congratulations to King Henric, the beta and the alphas being the most sincere.

"Aside from your congratulations, I am expecting all of your support to my mate, to the Queen," King Henric said, the last word he put emphasis on with his voice deepening. He also opted not to use her Alpha tone to force them, for he wanted their genuine support.

"I will protect the queen, the luna, with my life," the royal beta declared without a second thought

"Rest assured, Your Highness, you have my support, and so as my fellow alphas," said the alpha who had the smallest pack yet the deadliest in North America.

"Aye," the eight alphas chorused.

"And so are we," the master of laws said, and his two cousins nodded to indicate their support.

Everyone including the king looked at Gustavus. "We are your least concern, Your Highness. It is the High Council that you should be convincing," he said, cleverly evading his declaration of support.

"They will approve. She will become the queen," King Henric said in utmost resolve.

They all agreed with an 'aye'. Though in Gustavus's mind, he was already plotting to ensure that Inferus woman either be not crowned as a queen or be dethroned before she could produce an heir.