Who do you think you are?

Luciano tightened his hold on Seth's unconscious body, slowly turning around to face the person who spoke up. Dominic mimicked his movement, both men reminded a mirror effect, yet only one held a woman in his hands.

Dominic seemed to look quite interested, confused even, as soon as his eyes met the sparkling golden brown. The person in front of them struggled to stay in their human shape, their breathing deep and ragged at the same time.

Luciano raised an eyebrow in question, eyeing the stranger.

The King was sure that he had seen the man before, but despite any effort, he couldn't remember where exactly they had met.

Was it another man from a random bar where he spent his lonely nights along with some friends? Perhaps he had gotten into a fistfight with the man, but now, he didn't look like the same person as he was after a serious beating.

Most of Lucoano's victims lost their usual appearance as soon as his fist collided with ones' face, letting the former Alpha recall only the blood-covered faces rather than ones before.

“Who do you think you are?” Luciano growled out, annoyed by another obstacle in his way.

He had to get Seth back to his house and call a doctor to check on her. She shouldn't be under the drug influence for too long, and now, when he could finally get his happily ever after, he wouldn't stop.

No matter what he had to do, no matter whom he could have to destroy. Blinded by the possibility of happiness, the soon-to-be King dismissed any red flag in his way, heading for the goal.

Seth was in his arms, safe, and even someone who could be close to her would never pry her out of his hold. Even if Luciano would die - he would keep holding her. They had to tear his arms out of his shoulders to get to her.

“Who am I?” The stranger poked his own chest, chuckling as he did.

Vlad and Ryder joined the men within minutes, eyeing the argument as they stood at their side. Whoever the man was, he acted as if he had a death wish.

Who, in their right mind, would ever dare to challenge the new King as he did? Or, perhaps, the man had no idea whom he faced right now.

Either way, the situation wasn't playing out how it should. If the man didn't shut up, everyone could risk getting punished by Luciano. Before he took the title, every other shifter knew about his explosive nature, which might become worse as he was trying to protect what was his.

Wolves fought about their women as if they were their territory. There was no in-between; one died while the other took the prize.

“Don't fucking make me repeat myself, cat!” Luciano growled lower, taking one step closer to the male. It was a rare phenomenon, but his voice became low enough for the vibrations to shake the ground.

Many Kings before possessed the power, but only two could do such things with their vocal cords alone. No wonder Luciano won as easily - he had no competition from the very beginning, at least between the Alphas.

The King was pissed; how could any low-life man simply walk into the Council territory and wander around as if he owned the place? More than that - where did he find enough courage to face the man, who was supposed to rule over all shifters at once, including him?

“Listen, pal; I wouldn't do that if I were you. Mister Vincent, here is our next King; you better treat him with the respect he deserves. Seriously, don't sign your death sentence without reason. Trust me; you shouldn't piss off a man like him. Aside from being violent, he also has a short temper; we know that much,” Ryder appeared next to the male, whispering a warning in his ear.

The Alpha expected a sudden change of behavior, especially after voicing the fact about Luciano's new title.

However, the stranger didn't show any emotions; even his bravado didn't fall. Maybe today, they would have a chance to experience Luciano's first execution before their eyes.

It wasn't an uncommon thing among the new King's; they often killed even before taking the throne - showing the consequences before someone else decided to go down the same road.

The King didn't get respect as soon as he took the throne, even that had to be earned, and the easiest way seemed to be murder.

The man chuckled, pointing a finger at Seth. “I couldn't give two rat shits about the asshole's rank; I care about my fucking best friend! Yes, exactly, the woman in your arms is my best friend! I don't take it kindly when someone carries her around while she is unconscious. I tried to keep quiet, thinking you would take her to the doctor but taking her home? Really? You are just one of those good guys, claiming to help but taking advantage of intoxicated women as soon as you get a chance. Why doesn’t the high and powerful King put down my friend and fuck out of here? Go, find a she-wolf, fuck one of your own and leave our species alone. As a King, you should know that it is illegal to fuck someone who isn't the same species, right? Uneducated fucks.” Anton's voice rose louder as he pointed out his frustration.

He dated a wolf that had to stay as a secret, but the King didn't need to know that. At least not for now. The only person Anton could be worried about now was Seth.

He was so secretive and ended their conversation the last time they spoke, feeling as guilty as never. After that day, no matter how he tried, he couldn't get a hold of her.

Seth didn't answer his messages, calls, or voicemails. He even tried to write an email, full-on essay to apologize about his behavior, hoping she would come back to her senses.

After a while, he couldn't take it anymore, packed a bag, and drove to the Council territory to find her. Then, after running around for hours, questioning the servants, and finally, getting the council members to speak - he saw her.

Unconscious, in the arms of an unknown man, looking as pale as a sheet while the man carried her, God knows where. Anton ran out of the Council mansion and followed him, confronting the weird male.

“Has any of you seen this clown ever before? We can't hurt him; that might make Seth angry, even more than she will already be. But we can't trust him either since she can't magically wake up and confirm the truth of his words.” Dominic involved himself in the conversation.

Thankfully, Dominic tried to think of all possibilities and aspects surrounding their current situation. If the man was Seth's best friend, they couldn't touch even a hair on his head - that woman might go mental if anyone dared as much as calling her friend names.

Then again, he might lie, trying to get Seth all to himself. There was a rumor speculating that Seth was to marry a lion leader.

This cat could be one of his men, a spy, sent to get the woman to the territory.

Nobody really knew what was happening around; even the Alphas seemed to be as confused as ever. Standing in a circle, like a bunch of teenagers, fighting over anything but the essential things.

“Nope, but it is not like any of us have ever met anyone from her family and friends. As far as I am aware, she was working here, alone. Seth mentioned a friend that got her a job position here, but she didn't mention the friend's name. Or I forgot the name. I'm not sure; it has been a while since we met for the first time.” Vlad spoke up, recalling the first time when they met.

Unfortunately, the Alpha couldn't remember if Seth ever mentioned the name, but she did speak of childhood with the male best friend. If only she had mentioned that detail, saving them so much trouble.

Tomorrow was a mystery; no one could know what information you would need or what might happen. There was no way any of them could have an idea how important one name could be, especially one of a man.

“You had one job, God damn it, and you failed even that one. How hard must it be to remember one name? What are you - an idiot?” Dominic mocked Vlad, placing a hand on his shoulder and squeezing it.

His body language seemed friendly, while his words were rather harsh. This wasn't the first time he laughed at his friend or tried to make the Alpha look intellectually incapable, but sometimes one could go too far.

Dominic had no idea that Vlad knew about the little stunt he pulled with Seth that night.

However, this was the first time in front of many Alphas, mocking him and acting as if Vlad was lower than any other men surrounding them. It was a new type of disrespect; one an Alpha wouldn't take even from his best friend.

“If you're that smart yourself, why don't you remember the name of the damn best friend? Wait, I don't think that she would ever mention it to you. What is it? You got to sleep with her behind my back, acting as if nothing happened and still were left out? Our lovely Seth didn't trust you enough to discuss personal things, huh? Aww, it must suck to be you. I would rather be me, the person who forgets one name rather than someone she never trusted enough to tell things to.” Vlad spat back in hatred, pulling his hands in fists, ready to fight back.

Dominic, the same as any other, significantly more dominant man, was unpredictable.

He could attack anyone without a single thought on his mind other than murder. They were supposed to be friends; they had to share secrets and everything that happened between them and others.

Vlad confessed that he liked Seth at the first given chance while Dominic promised to stay away.

Perhaps their friendship ended there. Not because of the woman, but because of the mistrust. Breaking a promise might be the worst thing Dominic had ever done.

“Shut the fuck up, Vlad! You are in the same shit as all of us are; I won't even mention the personal shit we will have to handle later on.” Dominic's cheeks turned bright red; eyes traveled from one Alpha to another.

Ryder knew about many things, but such personal matters as the relationship between the two best friends would have to stay private. Vlad had never been the one to initiate a fight or argument - he was the calmer Alpha Dominic had ever met.

What had happened to the man he once called a friend? Would everything fade the same as the friendship between Dominic and Luciano did?

“Oh, and you would be the one to speak, right, Dominic? You still could look into my eyes and call yourself my best friend? I bet you could, like a damn snake you are! I know more than you could think, especially about the things you have been hiding from me. Trust me; you are not the one to speak.” Vlad turned his back to his former best friend.

The argument would keep on going, in higher tones and a fistfight behind a closed door probably. Now, speaking more, exposing more of his dirty doings wasn't the most critical thing Vlad should focus on. They still had a stranger, claiming to be Seth's best friend, and an angry King, holding the woman.

“And is this what we should do? Men, calm down; we can't act like children - that's not how we will find answers.” Ryder, the voice of reason, got in between Dominic and Vlad right before Dominic could come up with a comeback.

They had to focus on Seth, on her health, and the mysterious friend. By now, the Alpha grew worried, wondering why Seth didn't wake up yet.

She had to, an hour ago, actually. They didn't give her too strong of a dose to make sure that the woman would wake up soon after their arrival. Something might have gone wrong.

“If only I would have known that four grown Alphas could be such pussies - fighting like a bunch of chicks. Hilarious. Don't mind me; I am eager to see how this might end.” Anton laughed, wiping the imaginary tear from under his eyes.

Everyone focused their attention on the cat shifter. His facial expression was joyful at one moment and changed to one of a scared man the next moment.

“Wait…” Anton whispered, taking a deep breath. “This is not right. She's not moving. Seth always does, even if she takes sleeping pills - she has been talking and moving during her sleep a lot since she was a child. This is so damn wrong,” Anton whispered under his breath as if talking to himself. Then, his eyes widened: “Is that?”

“Is that what?” Luciano questioned the cat shifter, a little scared.

Why would a grown man react like that unless there was something wrong with the woman?

Anton kept watching Seth wide-eyed, throwing occasional glares at the bunch of Alphas before he took a few steps closer to Luciano. The King growled in another warning for the cat shifter to stay away.

No matter how intimidating the man might seem to others, this cat seemed to ignore every other warning or threat thrown his way. Perhaps the cat did have a death wish, or he knew something they didn't. The other Alphas watched him with interest rather than tried to stop him.

Taking another step, Anton deeply inhaled the scent through his nostrils as if tasting the scent.

The man grabbed his nose, struggling to force his nostrils closed. The cat shifter watched men in terror, his eyes tearing up, capillaries in his eyes exploding before them, causing a visible hemorrhage.

Anton fell on the ground, coughing violently as he tried to choke out another word.

The cat shifter struggled to breathe, spitting specks of blood on the ground. His hands kept landing on both his neck, mouth, and nose.

Forcing himself to look at Luciano, Anton yelled at the top of his lungs, blood slowly running from the corner of his mouth: “You idiots! What have you done? Why are you killing her? I'll kill you; I'll kill all of you!”