Chapter 16: I WAS A BAD KING

PRINCE SEBASTIAN
I was tired from my long trip.

I had gone over to one of the neighboring pack for a feast which I was invited to. Though I was not one who liked or even fancied things like parties, I had just gone to keep up appearances and save the Alpha some face.

My entourage dismissed themselves as I made my way into the palace. My main destination was my bathroom because I desperately needed a good scrub down and sure as hell deserved a warm soak.

My body was dirty and weary, something that a hot soak could easily solve.

The moment I set my foot in my throne room, I found all my council members, all six of them standing there, obviously awaiting my arrival.

I stopped in my tracks.

I did not go to any war and come back victorious. Did I truly really needed this standing ovation welcome?

But when I looked closer,their stance betrayed the fact that they were not just gathered , standing on their feet just to welcome me.

There was immense worry written all over their face. And, I smelt tension in the room at large.

Had any bad thing happened while I was away?

"My prince," they all greeted in unison as if they had practiced specially for it.

Something was fishy.

Yet, I waved their greetings away with a warm smile.

"I did not go to any war and return with any war trophies," I said to them. "Why then am I getting this elaborate assembly? What have I done to warrant this large welcome?" I inquired as I walked towards my throne.

And despite being tired and dirty, I sat my weary body on top my throne because if i did not do so, take a seat, they would all have to keep standing because no one dared to sit before I did so.

And, I could not ask them to wait for me to freshen up. They were vividly worried meaning it was a pressing matter. I also could not ask them to dismiss the gathering and assemble again.

It sounded rude to me.

That meant that I had to listen to whatever case that they were going to present afore me no matter what.

Why delay then?

"Beta," I called.

"Something has happened my prince in your absence," Zedd, my Beta said to me. He alone was still standing as the others had long since taken their seat after I had done same.

"I know that something is amiss Zedd. I am asking for you to tell me what has gone wrong," I told him. He sighed softly.

"My Prince?" He said.

"Yes, I am listening."

"There was a jail break," he broke the upsetting news to me.

"What did you just say?" I asked as I stiffened.

"There was a jail break," he repeated for me to hear in a much louder voice.

"How? Why? When?" I dropped the series of questions, blinking in disbelief. Had they really let such a thing happen in my absence? On whose watch had it occurred?

"It happened last night my prince," he said to me.

"How many prisoners escaped?" I asked feeling frustrated.

"My prince, that is where the problem is. We lost all the prisoners."

"You did what?" I demanded getting on my feet, disbelief painting my visage.

"All the prisoners escaped my prince. We could not stop them."

"They would not dare! You all wouldn't dare! You would not dare let them all go! Or would you?" I bellowed. All the tiredness and weariness was gone and in its place was anger and disappointment.

I noticed everyone in the room held their breaths in fear at my outburst.

"What of the traitor?" I demanded. I hoped desperately that the lady was safe. She was still after all my mate's twin, my Beta's sister and my right hand man's daughter.

She was important.

"My prince, forgive me, I failed to hold the imperial prison together in your absence. In not doing so, I paid the price with the loss of my sister."

Something clicked in my head.

What was Zedd saying? Had he failed to protect his sister too? Was she gone?

"Where is the traitor?!" I roared at them all as fear raced through me. What had happened to the young woman?

"She is gone my prince."

"What do you mean that she is gone?" I snapped at him.

"She was taken away by the escaped prisoners my prince. They took her away, they took my sister away," he said in a regretful shaky voice. Was my Beta on the verge of tears?

"And you let them?!" I snapped again as panic rose in me at the idea of the escaped prisoners harming her. She should have been in the imperial prison, not with some prisoners that no one knew where they where or what they would do to her.

"My prince I-"

"Save it! Whatever stupid explanation everyone has concerning this matter, let then take it out òf their mouths, fold it neatly and store it in their pockets for themselves for I do not need it!"

"We are sorry my prince," they all chorused getting to to their feet and offering a bow.

"All these are not needed. Dispatch as many search teams as you can. Let them search everywhere. Find her!" I ordered them.

"Yes my prince."

"Everyone should leave my presence!" They all began to festinate. "Except you Zedd!" I added on an after thought.

"Yes my prince," he said returning to his former spot.

After everyone has left and the both of us were alone, i spoke.

"How did this happen?" I demanded from him. He shook his head.

"The prisoners revolted and the prison warden tried to whip them. They overpowered him and stole the keys. Then they let everyone out."

"On whose account was this story made?" I asked.

"The prison warden."

"Where is he?"

"He is recovering my prince."

"Zedd?"

"Yes my prince?"

"Find your sister and bring her back. Make sure you do."

"I will my prince."

"You may take your leave."

"Yes my prince," he said with a now and then left. I slumped rather ungracefully into my throne, worn out and frustrated.

Why was I so worked up about this? Why did I even care? What business of mine was it if she died or not?

"My prince?" My Beta's drew me back to reality. He had returned. Why?

"Yes?" Someone followed him in. I recognized him as one of the imperial doctors.

"Doctor Philip will like to speak with you," he informed me.

"Speak," I allowed.

"My prince," the doctor greeted me with a deep bow.

"What is it? Why did you request an audience with me?"

"My prince, the morning before, the traitor had a fever and I went to check on her. I noticed Zedd who had been standing at the side line with an uninterested stance look up with piqued interest.

"What are you getting at?"

"I examined her my prince. I found out the cause of her illness and waited for you to get back to announce it because no one else must hear of a royal pregnancy before you my prince."

To say that I was shocked was an understatement.

Zedd was as shocked as I was.

"Is my sister pregnant?" Zedd asked the doctor who nodded an answer. He staggered backwards but caught himself in time.

I groaned in frustration.

So now, not only was she lost, she was gone, with my child?

I was a bad king.

Obviously.