07: Darius's POV

After returning Miss Ada Lennox to the medical room, Nikolai and I had returned to our separate private quarters. My two brothers and I had been prepared to be locked away in this castle for days while interviews and examinations were being completed, as that was what was expected of us by our father— the Great Alpha King Everett Ashford. I rolled my eyes at that thought. The only thing ‘great’ about that man was his ego.

I had been sitting in my living area, reading a report on a recent massacre, when my father’s voice had echoed in my mind and notified me that the surrogate had already been found. He’d ordered my brothers and I to join him shortly to discuss “important matters” which meant that I had to change from the laid back sweatpants and shirts I was currently in back into a suit. I donned the same one I had on earlier, when I ran into the rattled-yet-beautiful girl in the hallway.

Nik and I had been late in returning from a patrol in the Eastern woods and had accidentally bumped into a Candidate for the Selection. Ada Lennox. She had been so polite and feisty at the same time, especially since it was more than obvious she hadn’t wanted to be there. Or rather that whoever had sent her hadn’t had the decency to prepare her for the Court. She was almost all bones, and the smell of animal shit coupled with her own vomit had overpowered any natural pheromones I could have picked up on.

Still, as I walked to my father’s chambers, I found myself hoping that whoever was selected as surrogate had some of Miss Lennox’s features. Not just the physical ones, which were obviously important given what we needed to do, but the personality I picked up on. It wasn’t common to find a female near the Court that had an ounce of honesty in them. They all played the game, which pretty much amounted to, “How high up can I get if I…?”

When I entered my father’s personal library, he was sitting in front of a giant fire with my two brothers already present. I tousled Phoenix’s tidy red bun, causing loose strands to fray out and he smacked my hand away protectively like a young shewolf would. Nik rolled his eyes, sitting professionally in his all black suit across from Phoenix. He had a devious glint to his eye that I’d become all too familiar with— trouble was on the horizon. He could smell it like it was a sixth sense of his. Many of the packs that our father ruled over had other words for Nik — the Dark One, the Devil, Death… To us, he was just Nik, our ruthless and cold brother.

My father cleared his throat as I tossed my body into a chair beside Phoenix. For some reason, he continued to wait to speak. While he leafed through the final pages of a book, I let my mind drift back to the surrogate. What was she going to be like? Noble, no doubt. Probably some high-strung Lady of some high-rung pack or Court. It would most likely be someone who had never known hard work or strife in their lives, as what else could be fit to bear the future heirs of the Kingdom of the Moonglade? Who else could stand to wander the cold, unfeeling halls of Oberon Castle?

Finally, he spoke and flipped a file around, “This is the surrogate of the future heir.”

My eyes widened at the picture before me. It was Ada. Had she truly been chosen as Surrogate? Had she been the Selected? I felt my heart thud rapidly in my chest, vibrating back to my shoulders. Underneath the obviously abused, malnourished girl that had stood before me earlier, I thought I’d seen it. The glimmer of a Queen, some long-hidden confidence and power. But it had only lasted a moment, so I’d written it off. Based on the way Nik had tensed beside me, he probably saw it to. As a matter of fact, when I looked up at him, his finger was tracing the rim of a whiskey glass and he seemed to be unsurprised. Oddly enough, Phoenix also seemed completely aware. Was I the last to know something?

My father’s voice broke me from my thoughts, “There will be a competition at some point over the next month,” he sighed, rubbing a hand over his thick beard, “The three of you will complete various tasks in wolf form. The first one of you to complete all tasks and reach the Surrogate will be able to claim her,” my breathing quickened, “She meets all requirements foretold by the Prophecy, so you will have the privilege of taking her virginity and securing the throne with the child she will bear.”

Images of my hands running over her clean body, which was voluptuous and full of curves that I itched to mold to memory, flashed before my eyes. I could feel the heat radiating off of her, the whisper of her melodic voice saying my name. A thin sheen of sweat covered my skin and a rearranged myself in the seat to be more comfortable. When I blinked back into reality, Nik was looking at me and smirking knowingly.

Oblivious to the world around him, our father continued, “Her lineage isn’t a problem, as she is Alpha Bryant’s daughter. However, her standing within that pack is a problem,” I furrowed my eyebrows as he went on, “She was sent to live on a farm as a slave due to some issues she was having with her father’s new wife, Francine,” he scrunched up his nose, tossing the file down on the table, “In most circumstances, she would have been exiled for what she did to her. As such, she can only act as surrogate and cannot be Luna Queen.”

It was as if the air had been sucked from the room. Nik, Phoenix and I exchanged a look. Phoenix, being the youngest and by far the most reckless, spoke freely, “Father, not having her as Luna Queen with all three of us as her Kings—“

“Silence,” my father interrupted, “We are following the prophecy. It merely states she is to bear the future heir of the bloodline,” his voice was firm, but that didn’t stop me from rolling my eyes or Phoenix from clearing his throat, because that was *not* all the prophecy stated, “Forget the prophecy. If all three of you *wanted* to share, I suppose you could. It would probably increase her chances of conceiving,” he tossed his hands up, “Either way, only one of you will take over the crown. We have found a suitable shewolf for you to marry once the heir has been born and—“

Nik snorted, “A suitable shewolf?” he removed the leg that was resting atop his other and climbed to his feet, taking a step toward the roaring fire, “Tell me father, why not just bypass this surrogacy altogether? Have the one of us you clearly wish to take the throne marry this woman and ignore the prophecy entirely.”

“Nikolai,” our father snapped in response, “The competition ensures fairness. I do not have one of you in mind,” he slammed his own cup down on the table beside him, “Now leave and prepare.”

He watched as Nik set his cup down, eyes dull and angry, and started toward the door. I glanced at my father and he jutted his chin toward Nik. After a quick stretch, I followed after my younger brother. Just as Nik’s hand grabbed the doorknob, my father clucked his tongue. The three of us — Phoenix was right behind me— turned back toward him.

He held up a finger, “The future Luna Queen will be staying in the castle until the date of the wedding. Be kind to her or there will be consequences.”

I crossed my arms over my chest, “And who would this be?”

“Lady Elizabeth Jane of the Eclipse Pack,” he waved his hand in dismissal.

Phoenix turned to me, eyes wide, but I put a finger to my lips. Whatever he was thinking need to wait until we were away from our father. The three of us made our way to the opposite wing, beelining toward my room. As we rounded a corner, Nik skidded to a halt. The overwhelming smell of a flowery perfume cascaded toward me. It made my stomach roil.

And there she was, walking down the hall with her handmaids. Lady Elizabeth Jane. Our second cousin. She was in a bright gold ball gown, her yellow hair in a hairdo with many jewels intwined in the locks. Her face was cute, but similar to the shape of a rat. The similarities in looks and personality alike were uncanny. Her smile was sickly sweet, fake. She extended a hand to Nik, who kissed the back of it like a gentleman.

“Boys,” she said lowly, her voice holding an added tone of seduction, “How are you?”

“Fine,” Nik started to step around her, “Sorry to cut this short, but my brothers and I have much to discuss.”

Lady Elizabeth looked as if he’d struck her, but quickly shook her head and then waved at us, “I look forward to seeing the three of you later.”

We all exchanged pleasantries with her, skirting around her and sliding into my room. As the door clicked shut, Nik spoke clearly, “I don’t know about you two, but I think Ada is by far the better option here.”

Phoenix grinned, “Darius?”

Ah, a competition. The question was really if we were competing to win or lose at this point. Personally, I wanted to lose. Screw Lady Elizabeth. I gave a small nod and patted his shoulder, “Let the competition begin.”