RAGE

Damien’s POV

“Where’s she!” I demanded.
“She was trying to get to the tunnel where we stood at post.” Eric the castle guard assigned to protect the tunnel from potential intruders spoke.

“Why did you not report this to Volkov instantly?” I yelled. It was as though the wrath of the kingdom was on the shoulders of Eric at this point.

He tried to gesture to the other sentry standing next to him. “We were intact, found and interrupted by Volkov himself, your grace,” Dan said, bending his head and bowing after speaking.

“Did I ask you to speak?” I questioned Dan.
“I apologize, your grace” Dan implored.

“Next time I’d have your tongue cut off” I pointed at him vehemently.

“Now both of you, off my sight “ I gestured to the big oak tree wood doors that led to the chambers where I interrogated them.
“Summon Christie,” I said to the chamber guard next to my right-hand side. “Aye sir” he replied and left.

“I said you may leave now.” I gestured to Dan and Eric, the guards designated to the tunnel.

On my way out of the chambers, I met with my Uncle William.
He was walking majestically with a faint smile hanging on his tooth.

“You seem excited today, what's the matter?” I said.
“Nothing, I'm just coming from the courtroom.”

“ Have you seen Dan and Eric, I passed by the tunnel and no one was there.

“I summoned them. But they’ve been dismissed. Where are you headed?” I asked with a soft stern on my face.

“Oh, I’m returning to my chambers. I have some guests over there to attend to.” He says in a rather shaky tone.
Before now, I knew very well that Uncle Williams had been part of a group of the masterminds captured and executed by my father many years ago for their involvement in treasonous acts that involved usurpation of the crown. He was spared by my father because he was our bloodline.

“We need to talk tonight” I finally broke the silence and came back to the real world from my chain of thoughts.

“Talk about what exactly” Williams asked rather impolitely. I let my emotions slide and I gave him a short response. “Talk about the way you are going about the ceremony I planned to organize for the announcement of Freda as my chosen mate and wife,” I say rather firmly.

"You're making a mistake, Damien," his voice was low and hardly audible. His eyes flicked with something I couldn't quite identify: maybe anxiety, maybe something deeper. I stopped going and turned to face him.

"A mistake?," I asked with a steady voice. “What error would that be, Uncle? That the girl I decide to make my queen is the problem? Or is there another issue you find concerning? The smile of Uncle Williams was narrow and chilly. "She's half-human and half-werewolf, Damien. Our type and theirs never have worked out nicely. You know it, and you are inviting war. Neither the public nor the council will welcome her. “ Trying to control my rage, I tightened my fists. “Public??”

“Do you see how easily she gets along with them lately? Like no man’s business. How the guards easily mistake her for a queen already and how forcefully her servants follow her orders.” I snarled and leaned in closer to him, not caring about the council. My selection is Freda. She’s my choice.
"She will bring to this realm only anarchy! ”Williams' voice grew louder.

“You are young and blinded by the love you believe you have for her. But stability is what this kingdom needs, not the trouble she will cause.”
"I have made up my mind," I added with a definitive tone. "And I won't have this conversation with you again." Uncle Williams laughed, even though it wasn’t funny.
"You believe you are unbeatable since you are wearing the crown. Let me tell you something, nephew. Allies are what make a kingdom strong. You are walking on very hazardous ground”.

"I'll keep that in mind, Uncle," I responded chilly. "But right now, keep out of my path. I have ceremonies to organize.” Not waiting for a reply, I turned on my heel and walked down the hall. But I could see his eyes blazing into my behind as I turned away.

Later that evening, following the dismissal of numerous of my advisers and final ceremony planning, I discovered myself pacing in my room, my ideas a jumble. My head kept returning to Freda, "Your Grace," a voice cut off my thinking, and I turned to find Volkov at the door. "What is it?" My voice is louder than usual, I asked. Volkov bent slightly before he spoke. "It involves Freda. She... seems devoted to running away. Early today she was seen close to the tunnel.”

He says panting.

“Volkov, I got this information before you, are you really doing your work?” I asked as I turned to look at him.
“Sorry your majesty” Volkov replied as he bent his head.

“ Next time this happens you won’t enjoy your new position, keep your eyes on Freda don’t let her off your sight” I pushed his head up so he could see the seriousness in my face as i talked.

“Yes sir, she won’t get out of my sight. ” He replied with a shaky hand, he was surely good at hiding his fear.