Chapter 111 - Dominion

**Ambrogios pov**

In the mirrors reflection, the gray streaks were clear, it was calming to my heart while the rest of my insides is in turmoil. That night, when we got Zandra back was the last time I saw her. She was taken to her house by Callum and his beta to rest and I..like a coward I ran away. I haven’t heard from Great Falls since then and I haven’t asked Tony to speak with them either. I’ve spent most my time in self-examination. What does this mean? For Zandra, for me..for our families? What happens the day my true self takes over again? I can feel him in me, deep down sometime but more often just under the surface. The part of me that revels in the blood of my enemies, the one that fucks a young woman to death while enjoying the way her blood moistens his throat while his cock soaks between her legs…the part of me who wants to rebuild the stonewall around my heart. How he longs for a war, a battlefield with the ground red with blood, the wind from the flapping of the crows’ wings as they land to feast on the corpses. I could keep him in check as long as we had prisoners left, the hunters’ foot soldiers who didn’t manage to escape us. But they’re all gone now, drunk to the last drop or just torn to pieces.
“Father, they are here, everyone is gathered.” Brad’s voice followed a soft knock on my door. I took a deep sigh and ran my hands through my hair before leaving the room.
Brad was right, they were all there. My generals, my strongest children. As soon as I entered the room, they stood and bowed their heads, as expected. Some of them had brought their second in command and they stood faithfully silent along the walls.
I walked over to the bar and grabbed the nearest bottle of amber colored contents. The taste has no significance, but the strength of the alcohol has a small one. I did not call this meeting, no, it was requested by the men in the room, the men who could now only see my back. As far as I can remember, this is the first time they’ve all come together and demanded my attention. They know that I see it as defiance, it is not their place to call me, their place is to come when I call. I empty the glass and roll my head from side to side, well aware that the snapping of my vertebrae is clearly audible in the quiet room before I turn around. My leather-covered chair is out and waiting for me. It has a higher back than the other chairs in the room, the wood is beautifully carved and carefully oiled to harmonize with the black rivets that hold the leather in place, a king among chairs you could say. I walked up to it while I studied the men along the walls. I recognized them all, but it was the first time any of them had set foot in this room. This room and the table in it were meant for the generals and my trueborns. Another sign of defiance. Instead of sitting down, I passed the chair and walked over to the man closest to me.
“Who are you and what are you doing here?”
“I am Hank, second in command to my Master, Master Paul...Paul Johnsson...Alaska Territory...”
“Master Paul?”
“Yes, Master Paul..”
“Father..please..its just..” Paul’s voice died as soon as he saw my profile, I just needed to turn my head a little for a few seconds. I turned my attention to the man next to Hank, a man who smartly kept his eyes on the floor.
“You..what is your name my child?”
“Rasmus, Master, second in command to General Grump, Montana Territory.” I nodded and turned back to Hank, he looked noticeably nervous which in itself was not strange. Of all my children scattered across the globe, not many had the privilege of standing near me..to be able to do so and also to make completely fools of themselves, well, I’m guessing he is cursing himself in his head...
”Hank...did you notice the difference between yours and Rasmus’ answer?.. of course you did, tell me, What is General Johnsson called back home?”
“Hrm..uh..” He tried to look over my shoulder to see his superior.
“Look at me Hank, and answer my question!”
“M..Master...he wants us to call him Master...or Father..sometimes father...mostly by the girls.” His voice was barley a whisper.
“Mhm..and what happens to those who disobey his command in this matter?”
“Disrespect is punished by bloodletting...in extreme cases execution..Please Father, forgive me! I meant no disrespect, I beg you!” Hank fell to the floor sobbing at my feet, it made me sick, a second in command was crying like a little school girl.
“Brad, help Hank out of here, get him something to drink.”
“Yes Father!”
Normally I might have let this hang..maybe blamed it on being away from my children too much, giving them too free reins...But the darkness inside me raged, screaming for respect and submission. I had my nails in General Paul’s throat before anyone could react, I held him there, dangling one foot over the floor gurgling while his hands worked frantically to loosen my grip, to no avail of course. Still with him dangling, I turned to the table.
“There is only one Master..One Father! Let Paul here demonstrate to you what happens if you try to reach above your station.” It didn’t take much force, less than I expected in fact, a small jerk of the hand was all it took to dislodge Paul’s trachea from the rest of his throat. The blood hitting my face didn’t bother me at all, on the contrary, I enjoyed it, just as much as I enjoyed seeing the white faces of the others, splattered as I tossed Paul’s body onto the center of the table.
“You dared to demand a meeting with me. You came with your seconds in command, to do what? Look menacing? Strong? Collected? What do you think you can do? What the hell do you think you can do to me? I gave you life, strength, territories and what do you want to do now? Challenge me? I’ve got you replaced before Paul bleeds out here!” I didn’t scream, barely raised my voice but I know everyone could feel the threat and the cold in it. They know I’m right and they know they made a mistake. None of them dared to look up, right now the physical pain of my anger and disapproval was probably almost more than they could bear. “You are to leave this room, this mansion..you stay in town and come when I call you. In the meantime you don’t drink a single drop of blood, you are forbidden to do so and while you grit your teeth with the pain of your bleeding gums and flat veins, consider if you ever dare to disrespect me again.” I could see how some of them shaking..of fear? of the knowledge of the pain my command would bring? A command they were incapable of disobeying. probably all mentioned.
“Get the fuck out!” It was almost comical watching everyone trip over each other to get out of the room. As usual, Tony stayed behind but he didn’t have his usual nonchalant smile on his lips.
“What?!” I growled while narrowing my eyes at him.
“How bad is it?..The thirst for blood, how bad is it? How long since you fed? And I’m not talking about blood bags, how long ago did you drink from a vein?” I snorted at him and his questions and returned to the bar and my empty glass.
“Father, I don’t disapprove to what you did here today, those asses have gone far too long without a lesson and Paul always was a two-faced fuck...but I know you, probably better than anyone, I see that you are suffering...Please Father, let me help you.”
“Sure Tony..there is something you can do for me.” He immediately looked calmer, relieved somehow.
“Lately we’ve been doing as you wanted, not only peace with the wolves but also cooperation..right?”
“Yes Father, and it’s been good, hasn’t it? Your witch is back, you and Luna have buried the hatchet..that’s good, right?”
“Good?...that might be good Tony..but it’s not what I’m made for...”
“Please Father, tell me how I can help you..” I chuckled a little at his desperate need to take care of me and emptied my glass again, feeling a little calmer.
“Peace with the wolves is under your command from now on until I say otherwise, I want results regarding the hunters, this has taken far too long, use whatever resources you need.”
“Okay..and how can I help you with the other thing, the thirst?”
“You think I’ve made it this long depending on someone feeding me? Don’t you think I’m capable of solving that part myself?”
“Well, of course, I was just thinking...”
“It’s always been one of your sides Tony, you think too much, for better or for worse...Now, leave me alone, go!”
Smart as he is, he obeys without protesting and soon I can breathe out in my solitude. Through the window I can see the night sky lit up by the city a few miles away and I immediately feel the urge for a cheap buffet.