28: Darius’ POV

I dropped Ada off in her chambers after a few hours lounging at the lake and started toward the lounge by my chambers. It wasn’t often that I had a day where nothing had come up and no meetings were scheduled, and I’d decided to take advantage of that and take Ada out. Yes, it was wrong. I was betrothed to my horrid cousin, Lady Elizabeth Jane, and should not be going on outings or dates with other women.

But Ada was intoxicating. I couldn’t think clearly when it came to her. She had some strange sway over me and had the ability to make me stop thinking about the one thing I had always been after before: my father’s throne.

No one would dare call me power hungry. Everyone knew the true power hungry one of my siblings was Nik, as he would do just about *anything* to propel himself forward. I did have determination to take what I thought was my birthright as my father’s oldest son.

It was around 5 in the evening when I arrived at the lounge space I shared with my brothers and I was surprised to find them there. They were sitting in chairs opposite each other, small glasses of whiskey in their hands as they stared into the fire. As I approached, Phoenix turned to look at me and shook his head.

Nik didn’t have to turn to know it was me, “Well, well, well. Darius, Prince of the Northern Skies has decided it’s time to break the rules like the rest of us.”

I sighed and walked over to the drink cart, “I hardly broke any rules.”

“Were you with Ada?” Nik questioned and sighed when I remained silent, “Were you alone?” Again, when I gave no response, he continued, “Were you on castle grounds?”

Phoenix clucked his tongue, “Of course he wasn’t. He wanted to take our dear Ada on a *date.*”

I narrowed my eyes at Phoenix as Nik shook his head and chuckled, “Again, Darius. Finally a rule breaker.”

It was true. I had gone against my father’s direct orders by pursuing Ada outside of our designated unions, especially by taking the Royal Surrogate off Castle grounds. What’s worse is in addition I had broken the agreement between us brothers that was supposed to limit any advantages. But how could I possibly resist her? They were just jealous and I could use that to my advantage.

I took a seat between the two and sipped on my whiskey, “Yes, yes. I’m a rule breaker,” my voice was low, “You both should take her on outings to keep it fair, then.”

It was the last thing I wanted. There was a bitterness forming in my heart as I thought of either of them spending any amount of time with her. I wanted her so desperately to be mine. But, considering out of the three of us I was the only one betrothed to another, I didn’t get to stomp my foot or use my seniority to get my way.

Nik scrunched up his nose and swirled his glass. He took a large gulp of whiskey before responding, “I’m alright. But if Phoenix wants to, I approve.”

Phoenix and I both stared at Nik and I wondered if my youngest brother felt the same way I did about Nik’s obvious feelings for Ada. It was an equal amount of guilt and anger. Guilt because Nik didn’t allow himself to feel things for anyone, especially not since our mother died. So to actively pursue the person he had feelings for now made a pit form in my stomach. Anger because Nik was not always the nicest individual and *how dare he* have feelings for someone so kind and genuine, who was in need of protection and not… whatever it was Nik would offer in its place.

But our youngest brother seemed to be able to shove whatever feelings he had about Nik to the side when it came to Ada. He was practically bouncing in his seat, “I want to. I just don’t know what I could take her to do.”

“We can brainstorm together,” Nik suggested, taking another swig, “What about a trip to mountains?”

“It would take too long,” I shook my head, “Father would notice their absences. A picnic?”

Phoenix shrugged, “I want something more epic. Something that she will remember.”

“Go shift with her,” Nik suggested nonchalantly.

Phoenix’s eyes widened, “Do we even know if she has a wolf?”

“No,” I stated firmly, “Which is why that isn’t an option. What about—“

“What about what?” A voice came from behind us. The three of us froze, not needing to turn to know who it was. Our father walked to the fireplace, his brass crown atop his head, “Do share.”

Phoenix looked to me, but it was Nik who answered, “We were just thinking of what we would like to do for the Harvest Moon this year, father.”

It was a better excuse than anything I could have come up with. We could only hope our father hadn’t been standing behind us. Even with our strong wolf hearing, that man had the ability to sneak up on us frequently. It was as if it was a specific quality he gained as our father.

But clearly he hadn’t been. He simply nodded, “Good. It’s good to plan those things in advance,” he stared into the flames, “I am here to discuss the breeder, Ada.”

“Royal Surrogate,” Phoenix corrected softly.

My father’s head snapped in Phoenix’s direction, “*Breeder*,” he insisted, “‘Royal Surrogate’ gives to much of an impression of importance,” his voice was sharp, quick, “She is to act as nothing more than a breeder. Once he role is fulfilled, she will be gone. I thought I’d made myself clear before but maybe you need me to spell it out for you.”

Nik rolled his eyes and set his glass down firmly, “Oh, please, father. Why don’t you?”

“Swearing loyalty to this shewolf,” he scoffed at Nik, “taking her on secret outings,” my father glared at me before turning to Phoenix, “doing things out of character like dancing at a ball suddenly,” he rolled his shoulders back to stand up straight, “It all stops now. She is a *breeder.* If she does not complete her job, she no longer has a place in this court or castle.”

“Wait,” Nik laughed bitterly, “So she either gets pregnant and produces an heir and *then* is banished from the castle, or fails to produce an heir and is banished?” he ran a hand through his raven hair, “Not much incentive for a girl who didn’t want this job anyway.”

“And what about the prize money?” Phoenix inserted, “Will she not receive that if she doesn’t produce an heir?”

My father stayed quiet for a few moments, eyes blazing like the fire behind him. It didn’t take long for me to connect the dots. My wolf stirred as I growled out, “Of course she won’t. Because if she cannot provide the destined heir, she is worthless to him.”

He leveled his gaze with me. My father gave a curt nod, “Correction. She is worthless to *you*,” he sighed, “If she cannot produce the heir to fulfill the prophecy, then she wasn’t the destined surrogate. She will lose her place here and be sent on her way.”

“Back to a pack that abandoned her,” Nik’s voice was almost as tense as his body had become, “Father, your logic is maddening.”

“Watch your tongue, boy,” our father snapped, “I have spoken on the matter and my decision is final,” he stormed toward the exit, “She either produces an heir or is gone.”

The door slammed shut behind him. Phoenix, Nik and I didn’t even exchange glances. We just sat in our chairs, sipping whiskey and staring at the fire. Because what could we possibly say to our father’s ultimatum that wouldn’t reveal too much?