Shattered

CHAPTER 4. He was invited.

Way back before the commotion started, two handsomely built figures were already in the hall. One, looking forward to the ceremony while the other, his Aura demanding and commanding, holding just as much authority as King Lincolnton himself but his, much darker.

Both stopped at the accusing words thrown at the second princess and decided to watch from the shadows. Alpha Damon's brows for the umpteenth time creased and furrowed, even when they were closed.

"Who's that..?" His voice lazed around like he was also enjoying the show, allowing the man beside him to let out a sigh. "She's the second princess of the late second Queen," Taylor answered his cousin's brother. The young man seemed tired of Damon's questions and was even more confused at the event that was displayed.

For a long, they stood at the corner of the hall, watching people going around with their business till the arrival of the princess who suddenly turned the whole place into a morgue. Silent as ever. The way she walked with grace and elegance, the way her chin was held up high with wavering at the glares thrown at her with an older woman at her side, she had stolen the atmosphere with herself but yet again, the once elegant young lady turns out to be an humiliation.

"The show is beginning to be boring," Damon said nonchalantly but Taylor who was at his side shook with fear that the devil beneath his cousin's skin was slowly crawling out. "We should let her breathe for a while, Taylor. Who knows if she's already suffocating?" His baritone voice sounded again, making Taylor immediately stop him.

"It's called rude, brother. We should leave them be." Taylor reasoned but what he saw afterwards made him move backwards.

"Rude is when they show their nuisance openly without security. It should be fun.," Damon's persistent voice resounded from the shadow they stood in, his ocean Blue eyes surrounded by tiny Silver lining blazed, merging Blue with silver together. It was so perfect that Taylor choked as Damon left him to move out.

Taylor couldn't understand why his brother would suddenly pick interest in Vinisha when she seemed to be the cause of the nuisance he claimed they were displaying. Shaking his head slightly as his hands moved to take his shoulder-length blonde hair that was well-trimmed and groomed, he sighed. The hall was now silent when Damon's mysterious aura called out to them all without him saying a word.

The dark Alpha wanted to get the King's attention and thereby, started by getting the crowd first.

He was calm, his manly silhouette and deadly aura matching with his Blue Silver eyes that reminded everyone of the ocean. Standing tall and mighty with Taylor who soon got his thoughts and emotions under control, both mysterious men managed to divide the hall.

Older women and even young ladies from the higher-ups family remained docile and tamed, their men, immobilized at their handsomeness. Only a few still muttered faintly amongst themselves, marveling at the presence of Alpha Damon.

"He's invited..?" Somebody asked.

"Oh bless the goddess for her handiwork, he looks like a painting in person." Another praised.

"He's tall and handsome.., but is that his favorite brother we heard of?"

Their words now finally gathered a number of people around them including the king and Queen.

Like a path led in the woods, they parted for their King to move as it was unexpected.

"A.. Alpha Damon?" King Lincolnton called in surprise, afraid to let his manners be questioned.

Smiling, King Lincolnton continued as he saw that Damon was unmoving. "You honored my invitation, I'm grateful." He bowed.

"Is that the reason you decided to perform a nuisance..? Because you thought I wouldn't come and it's all over..?" Damon asked, not in any way affected by the looks cast at him. Yes, how dare he talk back to their King like that? Who's he..?

Taylor who remained still suddenly flinched at Damon's words, as if the man said something poisonous but then, something picked his nose. That sweet intoxicating scent of ferminity, grape and juniper….

Taylor became distracted. Was he not supposed to talk his brother out and defend him in the presence of the King..? Instead, Taylor pushed past Damon and even the King, earning gasps from everybody as their gaze followed him. Taylor continued moving till eventually, he stopped only in front of the carrier of that intoxicating scent that filled his senses, his long-slumbered wolf suddenly awakening and screaming mate!! Bloody hell, what was happening…?

"M..mate..!?" Lucinda was the first to voice out, making it even more confusing for the entire crowd and even the King, but interesting for Damon.

He had suspected it since Vinisha was accused of charming Lucinda's mate while his cousin's brother would flinch at that word. He had become curious after all and decided to find out thus, bringing his brother out. He's right...

The grin on his face faded when Queen Valerie asked her daughter if she hadn't been mistaken; the same question that earned Quinton, Vinisha's maid, a slap..!!

His face darkened, trying to find Vinisha among the crowd but only got a glimpse of her Golden hair that reminded him of sunset. What is wrong with him..? Again, the crowd's attention was stolen again as they began hauling at her with their insulting words. Damon gritted his teeth and even had to pinch the space between his brows like he always does when confused.

"Mate..!!" Lucinda and Taylor's voices resounded together, making the entire scene go all bizarre.

Damon, who was already angry for no good reason, stared death at King Lincoln's eyes, asking through his eyes that the King should clean the mess he allowed in the first place, making the older man swallow loudly in dread.

At Valerie's question, the king thundered with anger and fear before ordering the guard outside to escort the princess out to everyone's utter surprise.