Book 2 Chapter 35
John
“Well said, your grace.” Warrior Jabari mumbled, and an Omega rushed into the room with a little plaque with my name on it. She was probably the size of my mate, yet her hair was blonde. She put my name in front of me, then moved the Third Seat’s name in front of him. She silently changed the plate orientation in about a minute, and we continued. As she left, she bowed and closed the door.
I took a deep breath. If this was how they wanted to play... Fine. “I am John Stone, the Earthen One, Heir to the Second Seat, and the Lower Prince of my people. I have been on a long journey filled with peril from my own blood, and even the gods’ direct intervention. Fight me if you wish to challenge. Take from me my birthright if I do not deserve it, but know I will not be merciful.” I snarled, and no one raised their head. I hated sounding like an Alpha, a Real Alpha like father or Alpha Kaiden… I began to feel more …. Aggressive.
“Be calm, we mean no harm to you here.” Said a wolf with blue eyes that flashed purple, then red. He was the Sixth Seat’s son. I noticed I was also the tallest one in the room besides my escort…. Weird. I was a full head taller than the others, and I smelled stronger than all of them already…. This only made my wolf worse. He was in the front of my mind, tail high, frothing at the mouth because he wanted to fight them and put each one in their place. I’d never seen him so adamant about something like that before.
“High Seat, the agenda today was not that pressing, as most of us are Gammas or lower. We discuss the audit from their majesties.” Said the Third Heir. Father was in a busy panic this morning, and so was Brutus now that I thought of it.
“Yeah, I saw that. We should help.” I said scratching my chin and there was disagreement.
“They have never allowed us.” Said the Seventh Heir, Nero.
“Because you don’t know what you’re doing.” Said the Ninth Heir, Mikyu.
“I would like you to say that to my face.” He snarled, and I almost rolled my eyes again.
“CharredMoon used to do an audit and census about every few years. It isn’t hard, you just make sure all the births, deaths, company records, and a few other things match. If it doesn’t, fix it and move on.
“CharredMoon?” Asked the Third Heir. I sighed.
“…The Crown Prince’s pack. I was raised there, and he taught me everything I know.” I said it casually, and there was nearly a riot. I shook my head, “It’s just the MoonPack System. Lady damn.” I felt weird having to chastise wolves much older than me, but it was needed. Some of them looked a bit offended, but they did calm down.
I liked the way Alpha had run things as a kid. Yes, I remember my adopted father’s frustration very vividly, but everyone was happy. Life there was way simpler, but there I would only be a warrior. Here I am a leader…. Here much more is expected.
We went over what seemed like busywork until late in the afternoon, though I wanted to be with my mate… but I couldn’t. I only had about an hour before the real meeting happened, the one with the High Council. I was the only heir allowed to attend, though for the sake of keeping me safe, my father had already put my chair next to the King. This was an honor reserved for only him and the Third, yet he willingly let me have it if it meant I was safe…
Was I being selfish? I felt so conflicted about it… both sets of my parents risked their lives… and did Everything a parent could do for their pup, yet to honor one family is to ignore the other. My mother didn’t want to tell me, but she still smelled of fresh dry sand… that bite was deep. She was lying that she was fine, but I was glad that I pretended I didn’t know… because she may have been trying to keep her pack business private from the other seats as much as possible. Especially the odd seats and their mates.
I made my way down the perfect halls to meet those mates, in the High Council’s room. There were elegant paintings and statues littering the nearly gilded walls. I saw the Third seat making his way to the meeting place that I would not attend, as I knew better. He probably had a Shadow waiting for me to gut me like a fish, and I almost bumped into an Omega not paying attention. I was greeted by everyone else that chose to be early, about half the council, but not my father. He was still busy it seemed. I could have linked him, but I think most of the old Alphas here would hear me. I made a mental note to be silent here.
My seat was an actual throne… a bronze chair with green upholstery. There was a brass nameplate engraved with my name on it, polished so bright it was reflective.
I sat there hungry, as my mate was right, but two Omegas served all who sat whatever they ordered, starting from the center, then moving left and right at the same pace.
“Your highness.” They bowed at the same time, though he spoke to the one on the right. She was a small Omega she wolf with light blue eyes and pale skin. She smelled weak, and slightly metallic. She was an Omega from poisoning before she was born…..
“It is nice to see you are well now Glenda. I desire the beef stew. Is there any left?” He asked.
“Yes, your highness, her highness requested we prepare it.” She bowed deeply, and he nodded his head ever so slightly for her to rise. It was so minor that if I wasn’t paying attention, I wouldn’t have seen it.
“She requested you prepare it.” He corrected quietly, and she seemed flattered, but started to smell nervous.
“Thank you, your highness, … I do not know what to say. It is an honor to serve.” She spoke quickly, fumbling with her words, as the king had given her an honor she felt she didn’t deserve.
“I do not desire your words, only your health and happiness little one.” He said flatly, though I could tell he was in a good mood.
She then linked I assumed was the chef, and left. She was replaced with another servant, because he was the king; he would not be left to wait. The new she wolf looked similar, but she smelled healthy.
“Your grace, how may I serve you?” She bowed politely, but I could smell she too was nervous. I would assume so; I was new and they didn’t know if I was an ass or not.
“Is there any more raw venison?” I asked and she bowed again.
“Yes, your grace. Any particular cut?” She asked and I shook my head. She nodded, moving to the Sixth seat, because Esmond wasn’t there yet either… strange.
None of the high seats above four were.
“Some speak with Gwyneth. I believe my Third is eating in the garden.” He said receiving his soup.
“Thank you, your majesty.” I said with a bow. I tried not to think too loud next to him, but honestly it can’t be helped, he was just too old. His soup was steaming hot, yet he ate it with no problem, not even blowing.
It looked thick and hearty… but my meal smelled just as good. It was a large thick cut of hindquarter, bone in. I didn’t know if it was impolite to eat the bone, but just meat would only leave me hungry.
I ate with the knife and fork they gave me, and hesitated when I got to my favorite part. I went for it. It made a loud crack, and no one cared. I digested meat too fast… the bone was to help not feel hungry. I looked around to see that the others who ate meat did the same, so at least I wasn’t alone. I noticed the Fifth Seat ate his bone as well, but there was no crack…. He was melting it. Holy hell.
I stopped staring before he noticed, and my empty plate was taken by another Omega. They cleaned the table as the missing seats slowly came and sat, giving their kneeled bows to the King. He sat their bored, and he began with a small speech.
“This meeting will concern many things, but first I would like to acknowledge the new heir to my Beta. Johnathan Stone, the Earthen One.” He motioned for me to stand. I did and I felt out of place once I sat back down. Everyone here was stronger and older than me. I felt like a pup. To them I probably was younger than their grandkids…
“The first agenda would be the issue of the unauthorized purchase of silver dust, and the poisoning of Alpha Miller in Californiya by his Beta. This also poisoned the entire pack of BrimMoon, GaleMoon, and PikeMoon. He has been executed by me personally. He was responsible for the loss of 4,342 good wolves across the coastline. He has put the silver in the water supply and now 5,689 wolves must flee.” Said the king.
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