68.

**Malcolm**

This is not what I planned for. This just ruins everything, the goddess didn't bless them with that much power in the vision she showed me. A pup wasn't in it, neither was my son.

My son. The news my men brought back from the palace was one hell of a shocker, gifted, my son the half breed was gifted with royal powers. The elders said it couldn't happen.

'He's very powerful just as the royal mates. We need to get rid of them before they come in search for their princess' my wolf said to me.

The gifts the Dark God blessed me with was greater than those of my birthright but the blood of the white wolf and my firstborn would make me untouchable. Eternal. I can be the eternal king. I would show all supernaturals what ultimate power can do. They all would bow to me. Wolves. Vampires. Witches. Humans. All shall bow to me.

'Be quick about it,' my wolf ordered me. He was very dominant just like his human. We both wanted the same thing and would do anything to get it done.

Going to the case that was delivered to me a while ago I took a look at the contents in which brought a satisfied yet eager smile to my face. "This would do perfectly," I said checking the vials. Calling out to my Beta I prepared the syringes for my two captives, by midnight they would no longer be a problem to me.

"Yes, sir" he answered coming through the door.

"I need you to take care of the young alpha. I have no longer any use of him. Pitiful little pup. Emotions are for the weak." I spat placing the syringes back into the cases.

"What of his... Pack members?" he asked.

"I may have some use for them. Send Heather in. I have a great job for her" I said grinning at what I know she would love doing just to prove herself to me.

"Yes alpha," he said with venom in his voice. Now, why can't everyone be as faithful as my people?

After a few minutes to myself thinking over my plan, Heather came strolling in wearing a sultry smile. She was one cold-hearted bitch of a she-wolf, her hatred towards Emma and humans made it easy for me to coerce her. Her utter disregard for my son when he left surprised me fully. Wasn't finding one's mate was the main goal of every she wolf's life, their happily ever after? She accepted him by mating him then took it all back when he revealed he was half-human.

Cold. That's how she moved. Cold and heartless.

Heather was one of many who were easily fooled by my son's aura and confidence. His human side was stagnant beside gaining his wolf at 18 he had full wolf potential but I knew what he was.

A mistake.

"Yes alpha. You requested my presence," she said with her head bowed.

"My dear Heather. How would you like to show your loyalty to me?" I asked of her. She looked confused initially then a small smile grew on her face.

"What do you have in mind?" she asked.

"How bad do you want Emma out of your life?" I asked standing in front of her

That small smile grew into a sadistic one and her confidence went higher; "What do you have in mind, alpha?" she asked.

Loyalty is so easy to come by these days.


*******************************


**Caleb**

I looked at my cousin sobbing in the corner her shackles shook by her efforts as she tried to hug herself. Her sadness was un-welcomed, her constant happiness was what I grew to love and looked forward to every day. How can one be so carefree and optimistic during all the threats made to her life? I asked her this one day while we took a stroll in the gardens.

"I've learned from a young age to never allow yourself to break under the bad of people around you. It is yourself you have to make better. Take care of yourself then take care of others around you. Your happiness reflects well on others. I've been dealt a bad hand but in return, I've been rewarded with a great prize as a result of making it through" she said smiling up at me then glanced behind me.

Turning I saw Michael strolling towards us, gazing at Emma with all the love and adoration a man can have for his mate.

"Michael," I said to her as she stretched forth her hand in which Michael took and kissed her palm reverently. "Without running for my life or finding out my true identity I don't think I would have met Michael so soon. He's my greatest gift the Moon Goddess bestowed on me," She said as Michael pulled her into his arms.

"I understand now. Thank you, Emma," I said to her and left them on their own.

"Emma. What is it?" I asked. To my left, I saw Aiden easily making his way to her, he has changed since the last time I've seen him at the compound. My father surely got inside of his head, all that's left of the young alpha was utter confusion and failure inside the hollow of a man. I could have told him that it was all lies my father fed him in the solitary confinement he was held in but I was forced to keep quiet. My father sensed my resistance to his 'sole mission' when I didn't take part in the destruction of the other packs. Moon Dust pack was my first and last. So many innocents were killed and captured. The screams of women and children when the rogues killed them without hesitation; the nightmares plagued me after that. That's when I knew what he was trying to push on me was wrong.

That's when his control gotten stronger on me.

"Emma?!" Aiden called out to her crouching in front of her, "Talk to me, my queen". The endearment he called her took me by surprise, not the words but the sincerity and love in his voice was clear. My father knew how to play with the love Aiden have for Emma and he succeeded.

"I should have told him. I should have told everyone even you Caleb" she cried. I tried to stand up stronger but failed, I wanted to comfort my now broken cousin.

"Tell them what, my love," Aiden asked brushing her hair away from her face, she flinched at his close proximity and touch, that gesture caused Aiden to freeze his movements. Poor kid.

"I'm pregnant," she whispered.

Of all things that are holy, that is surely something to be shocked about. The room was silent apart from the soft sobs from Emma.

"Pregnant? Pregnant with the next royal?" Aiden said utterly stupefied.

"Emma we will get through this. All we need to do is get out of here and try to find our wolves" I said to her trying to comfort her.

"Your wolves are indisposed for the next two hours. You two were injected with wolfsbane and serotonin. It dulls the senses of wolves putting them to sleep for a period of time due to the dosage. Without the connection to your wolves, I don't think you can use your gifts" Aiden said in one breath still focusing on Emma.

I cursed under my breath as I remembered the package from the hunters my father received. "Goddess help us," I said to myself.

"He's gonna kill us won't he?" she asked Aiden. He didn't answer only looked away.

"He will kill you too, Aiden," I told him.

"Why? I did everything he has asked. He promised me my free.... dom" he said trailing off when he noticed my expression while I looked at Emma.

"Your love for her has signed your death warrant. To him you're a weak link" I said trying not to sound harsh.

"It would be for the right cause. If I can't have Emma, living is of no use" he responded Emma quickly looked up at him, shaking her head 'no'.

"Don't do this Aiden. Please. Think of your father. You are all that he has left. Think about Mason and I. We don't want to lose you this way" she cried.

He shrugged and gave her a sad smile. "At least I can help you two before Malcolm gets rid of me," he said.

Emma and I looked at each other in confusion, "Trust me" he said to us and quickly left the room.

"Whatever he's up to my father won't like it one bit," I said out loud.