52: Alpha King Everett Ashford

It wasn't exactly how I had intended for everything to play out, but most things had wound up where I'd intended them to.

Darius had come crawling back to Oberon Castle after Ada's harsh words to him regarding their mating bond, after he'd fallen into bed with Elizabeth. He'd shared that their bond was not singular-- that she shared a bond with his two brothers as well. *That* threw a wrench into everything because she couldn't possibly be the prophecized surrogate if she was also their mate. But she'd ticked all of the boxes that the prophecy had listed as a requirement for the woman who would act as a surrogate to the future heir. I would have to call upon the Elders to confer about this.

What *had* worked out perfectly was Darius and Elizabeth's union. They'd returned, Darius distraught. I'd managed to work with Elizabeth to convince him the easiest way to ensure that Ada could still be his in part was to marry Elizabeth immediately. At that point, he would be the fully designated heir. I could give him the power to deal with Ada until he took over the throne-- meaning her threats toward him would be empty. It hadn't taken much convincing on Darius' part. Elizabeth had told me the same thing about their union, which told me what I needed to know about Darius' relationship with Ada: I was right. She made my sons weak.

She would never be fit to rule this Kingdom or fill any role of power within it. She was useless, aside from being the fated pussy my sons were supposed to fuck-- and now that wasn't a guarantee either.

In a matter of days, Darius was married to the woman I'd wanted him to marry, we had enough ammunition to declare war against the Midnight Pack, and Darius was secured to take the throne over my other two sons. Generations ago, it would have gone to him automatically as the oldest son of mine. But the Elders determined that the oldest son was not always the greatest fit for the throne, and determined that it would be whoever could be married and secure an heir fastest. Unfortunately, they didn't account for the fact that would mean the current King still had pull because they control the unions of their children. Darius would make a good successor.

And the icing on top of the cake today was what was happening now.

I watched Ada's face as Elizabeth stepped up beside Darius, gold ring glinting in the sunlight. My niece beamed from beside me, radiating the happiness that winning Darius had brought her. I could smell the arousal on her as she raked her eyes over Darius. It increased as she turned toward me, eyes raking over my body. I fought back the growl that brought from my chest as my pants tightened. Apparently marrying my son had done nothing to quench her thirst for *me.* My vision blurred as her scent continued to deepen. *Fuck.*

There were other things that needed my attention more immediately. I narrowed my eyes on Ada as her mouth formed the word 'no.' Pure devastation wrecked her features, hot tears forming and spilling over her cheeks quickly. She fell to her knees and I motioned to the guards beside her, who wrenched her back to her feet. She stumbled, sobs wracking through her chest. Both of my younger sons faces contorted in pain and I watched as Nik's shadows crept out from his body toward her. Before I could react, she was blanketed by them.

My voice rang out, "Nikolai, pull them back. It's time Ada learns her place here once and for all."

"She can still hear you just fine," my son spat at me through gritted teeth, his coal gaze focused on me, "Speak, but I will not give you the satisfaction of watching *my mate* fall apart."

I motioned at the guards who were holding him back from her. They tightened their grip. Nik simply smirked and blinked. Both guards fell to the ground, their necks contorted where they'd been snapped. Elizabeth gasped, wrapping her hand around Darius' forearm. Rage laced my veins, echoed in my verbal roar. Nik ignored me, standing straight and strolling toward where his brother was at the front. I felt Darius tense as his younger brother approached. I prepared to step between the future king and his brother as shadows swirled around Ada in the distance.

Nik's eyes were glazed over, as if he was mindlinking someone, while he spoke to Darius with a bow, "Congratulations on your new marriage, brother. Many *blessings* to you and the future queen."

Elizabeth looked down her nose at Nik and offered her hand. He looked down at it, a dark smile growing on his face as he took it and brought it to his lips. Her voice was sickly sweet, thick like honey, "Thank you, Nikolai," her eyes shifted back to Phoenix and she nearly flinched as my youngest sons eyes bore into her, "It means a lot to us to have your support."

"And what will you do with the intended surrogate now?" Phoenix snapped from his spot, hand wrapped around the hilt of a dagger, "What will you do with Ada?"

Nik stayed where he was, but turned his head to me and spoke loudly, "Well, surely father will hand her life over to Darius to do as he wishes."

My nod was short. Elizabeth swallowed loudly and I fought the urge to grab her hand with mine. Darius cleared his throat, his vibrat blue eyes locked on the swirling mass of shadows across the way, "She will lay with no one other than me until she bears an heir. Once that happens, we will discuss what's best moving forward."

Sadness flickerd across Elizabeth's face but was quickly replaced with approval. Pride danced in my heart. The makings of a good queen were within her. That's why she had been chosen so far in advance. The only issue was the cruel streak she had, which was unfortunately Darius' problem to deal with going forward. She glanced at me, nothing but hunger in her eyes.

This time, I didnt fight the growl her look caused. Instead I used it to lead into my closing for this little meeting, "And so it is. My former decrees still stand," I nodded at the guards around Ada, "Escort her back to her quarters. Ensure a guard is always present," I leveled my gaze on Nik, "Drop the shadows. Now."

"Or?" he smirked haughtily.

"Or I send you to the dungeon," Darius quipped before I could, "You are not to touch her brother. Do I make myself clear?"

"It is against wolf law to keep mates separated," Phoenix argued, finally making his way toward his brothers, "Or does that not matter to you, Darius?"

"You're only separated as long as it takes her to provide me an heir as destined," Darius' fingertips extended to claws, "Drop the shadows. Leave her alone. Or pay the consequences from your future king."

Phoenix bowed with a flourish, "Whatever you say, *your majesty.*"

I remained tense beside my three sons until Nik's shadows dispersed and revealed Ada, curled in a ball on the floor. I turned toward the newlyweds and nodded at Elizabeth, "Come with me. I have need of you."