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Chapter 6 - Welcome home, Prince Hadrian

HADRIAN

Nero wakes the moment we pass the two guards in front of the throne room. He immediately scans the area for any potential threat. I can’t help but do the same.

The throne room is the biggest in the palace. With high pillars of red marble and grand chandeliers hanging from the high ceiling. The throne stands on a dais and is decorated with gold and priceless gemstones. Next to each side of the throne are places for me and my sister. In front of the throne stands a long, mahogany table with two dozen seats where Beta Marcus and Gamma Silvius are seated. My sister is seated on the left side of the throne, like the princess should.

My father sits higher than the rest. He is the king and strongest alpha alive. He eludes that power from his place on the throne. His royal aura rolls in waves through the room. This is where he meets with his beta, gamma, generals, alphas and other advisors. This is the place from where he rules the kingdom.

I’ve been wondering why I’m called here today. It could be about something regarding border security, but it seems unlikely. My father doesn’t spend time on miscellaneous tasks. He has people for that.

I feel my eyes burn on me when I kneel in front of my father.

“Welcome home, Prince Hadrian. Take a seat. We have a lot to discuss.” His voice is even, with a slight drawl. My father gestures to the table in front of him instead of the seat on his right hand. I know why, I haven’t earned my seat yet.

But I will.

Nero growls at my father and I reign him in.

"You’re the crown prince. That seat is your birthright." Nero counters.

I ignore him and all eyes are on me when I take a seat across Gamma Silvius. A heavy weight presses on my chest. Nero is restless and paces around.

“It has come to my attention that there have been rumors circling the kingdom” My father starts. His eyes roam through the room. “Treacherous plots to overthrow me…”

My eyes widen at that statement. I never heard rumors like that within the kingdom. My father is the strongest in the kingdom, how could anyone believe they could fight him?

“They believe the bloodline is weakening.” My father continues.

“What do you suggest we do, Your Highness?” Gamma Silvius asks.

“Well, there is only one solution, really.” Morana cuts in. Her face is stoic and bored and her shoulders shrug, like the answer is obvious to her. Darkness swirls in her eyes and Nero starts to growl at her. I push him to the background and try to focus on the problem at hand.

“If people believe our bloodline is weak, we must strengthen the bloodline. People might find the current lineage of the heir unstable.”

My father hums in agreement. “Yes you’re right, Morana.”

My eyes turn to my father and notice all eyes are turned my way.

“Prince Hadrian, you will have to choose a mate and sire an heir.” The Alpha King orders.

It’s rare for a werewolf to choose a mate. Very rare. A fated mate is your perfect other half, even if at first glance it might not look like it. But the connection is created by the Moon Goddess herself. A werewolf can recognize their true mate with one look in their eyes. There are other signs of a fated mate, but that one look will ignite the connection. When a mate is marked and mated, the connection is final. Choosing a mate has become more common in the inner circle of Sanguinem. Where status means more than love.

I know I’ll never find my true mate. I’ve known there is no fated connection for me anymore in this world. And still, I notice Nero perk up every time a female looks us in the eye and the stab of sadness when there is no connection. I can feel his loneliness reverberate through me.

He will always be searching for his mate.

Nero is growling and howling in protest now, urging me to shift. I push him to the background again as I try to focus on what is said in the room.

“The ceremony can take place in three days' time.” Gamma Silvius says.

“Three days?” I choke out. My voice booms off the walls, harder than I intended and all eyes turn to me.

“Well, of course. The staff will need time to prepare. A royal choosing ceremony isn’t just a mere ball.” My sister explains with a shrug of her shoulders and disgust written on her face.

My head is spinning and rage starts to burn deep in my chest. What the hell is going on?

“Is there a problem, Prince Hadrian?” Morana asks in a sugar-sweet voice.

A problem? Yes, there is a fucking problem. Nero growls in agreement. I want to speak up. To tell them to ‘go to hell’, but I notice the narrowed eyes of my father and the empty seat beside him. I want that seat. I want my father to think I’m worthy of it. Worthy to be next in line for the throne. I swallow my words and clench my fists.

“No, there is no problem,” I say through gritted teeth.

“Then it’s settled, the ceremony will be in three days.” My father says.

There are further discussions, but I don’t hear them anymore. Because there is only one thing I can think about.

Why would my sister be so happy about this?

My sister has the tiniest smirks on her face. It is barely visible and someone who doesn’t know her that well would call her stoic. But she can’t hide her eyes, they burn with triumph.

I mind link my sister. “What are you planning this time?”

“Oh Hadrian, why do you always think the worst of me?” The same sugary voice echoes in my head.

“Because you are the worst.” I say and I watch my sister as she takes a sip of tea. Nobody is aware of our silent conversation.

“What would I even have to gain by this? You’ll be getting all the praise.”

“I don’t know.” I mutter mentally and I try to figure out her angle.

“Unless of course. Your heir won’t be the strong Alpha prince everyone expects. They would doubt the throne even more.”

I balk at my sister’s reasoning. “That’s outrageous.”

The royal bloodline is the strongest there is. Even with a weaker bloodline from one of the pack leaders, my heir will still be strong. I know my sister believes she deserves the throne more than me. I don’t have to be a genius to figure that one out, but putting all her cards on the slim chance that this would happen, decades from now. My sister has an unbelievable amount of control and patience, but this is too far. Even if I sire an heir with a citizen from the outer parts of the city, won’t guarantee a weak heir.

The only way she could ensure this would be if my chosen mate would be far weaker than me, and unable to carry my pup.

Like someone without a wolf.

The realization hits me hard, like a wrecking ball breaking down a carefully structured building, leaving behind only the raw truth.

"The human." Nero confirms.

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