LEAVE AND NEVER RETURN

Damien’s POV

The last few weeks without Freda had been absolute hell. I couldn’t focus, couldn’t sleep, and every second felt like hell, I was so confused and frustrated. I’d spent days moving around with the warriors, searching every corner of the land and nearby lands trying all i could to find her.
I had a feeling she wouldn’t have gone that far but once again i feltlike i was underestimating her.

I slammed my fist onto the oak tree, the map I was once holding now in pieces on the group. My warriors stood silently behind me, waiting for orders. I’m sure they were also tired of searching with mo result to show for it.

"Alpha," one of the warriors, Lukas, murmured quietly, breaking me from my thoughts. "We have to return. There’s an issue within the kingdom that demands your attention."

I clenched my jaw, this isn’t the right time for all this. How could anything demand my attention more than Freda? Before I could ask what the issue might be, Lukas continued.
“We’ve received reports that vampires have been slaughtered on the outskirts of the kingdom, looks like it was done by witches that practiced black magic.”
If I didn’t handle this, I’d have an even bigger problem on my hands.

"Fine," I spat, “Let’s go back. Now."

The moment I stepped foot back into the castle, Volkov ran towards he could speak up, the elders came in.

"King Damien," Silas greeted. "We need to speak."

I didn’t bother hiding the irritation in my voice. "What is it this time, Silas?"

Silas exchanged a glance with the others before stepping forward. "It’s been weeks. You’ve spent too much time searching for a *human* who abandoned her position. Your kingdom is on the verge of chaos, and we need stability. If you cannot be the king you were meant to be, then we will have no choice but to replace you."

That last word, *replace*, echoed in my mind, igniting a fire I’d been trying to control for days. Replace me?And them think they could just *replace* me?

"You think you can just walk in here and demand I step down?" I growled, stepping toward Silas, my anger taking the best of me. "Who do you think you are?"

"We are the elders who brought this kingdom to where it was before destroying it," Elder Valeria chimed in, her cold eyes locking with mine. "You are distracted, Damien. Your love for that human is clouding your judgment, and it’s weakening you. This kingdom needs a ruler who isn’t taken away by love."

The rage I’d been holding onto for weeks boiled over. "You dare question my judgment?" I snapped, "I am still *your king*, and you will not dictate my choices."

Just then, the one voice I’d been waiting to hear,the one who always managed to crawl under my skin spoke up.

"My nephew," Williams said while moving forward, A fake and creepy smile appearing on his face "I’ve always known you were too soft for the throne. Now, look at you. A pathetic excuse for a king, chasing after a girl who doesn't want you."

My fists clenched, the room growing hotter. "Williams," I said through gritted teeth. "I don’t have time for your games."

He laughed, "Games? You’re the one playing at being king. The throne is meant for someone strong, someone capable of ruling with power, not emotions. You’ve always been a shame to this family, Damien. The only weak person from a strong lineage, your brother was stronger than this."

The fact that I was being compared to my brother made me more angry but I tried my best not to show it, I know the Game my uncle was trying to play.
"Careful, Uncle," I warned, my voice low and dangerous. "You’re crossing a line."

Williams’ grin widened, "Or what? What are you going to do, nephew? Are you going to banish me like a child? You’re no king, Damien. You’re just a lovesick fool, and everyone here knows it."

That was the final straw.

In less than a heartbeat, I lunged at him, my speed blurring as I closed the distance. My fist hit his jaw making me feel a little satisfied, it wasn’t enough. Williams staggered back, but he recovered quickly, his face twisting with rage. He lunged back at me, and suddenly, the elders gasped.

"You think you can challenge me?" I snarled. "You think you can just take the throne?"
Williams didn’t answer. Instead, his fangs came out fully, aiming for my throat. Some elders tried to separate us both but they ended up across the hall.
I threw Williams against the wall, the sound of his bones cracking echoing through the room, but he didn’t give up. He screamed and charged at me again, bringing his fangs out, his eyes became more red. I dodged his attack, grabbing him by the throat and slamming him to the ground.

"Enough!" I shouted, pinning him down with one hand, my strength overwhelming his. "You want the throne so badly? Then come and take it. But I will not let you, or anyone, question my rule ever again."

Williams struggled to fight back beneath me, but the fight had ended. He knew he lost so stopped moving. I leaned closer, "Leave this kingdom, Williams. Leave and never return, or I’ll make sure you spend the rest of your life rotting in the dungeons. You’re lucky I’m letting you walk out of here alive."

"This isn’t over," he hissed, before turning and storming out of the room.

I stood there, breathing heavily, my hands still shaking with the adrenaline. I turned to the elders, their eyes wide, no doubt shocked at the brutality they had just witnessed.

"Anyone else want to challenge me?" I asked, I was ready to fight them all.

Silas was the first to shake his head. "No, Your Majesty. You’ve made your point."

"Good," I growled. "Because the next person who questions my rule will end up worse than Williams."