EIGHT!

LIAM

For the past couple of days I have been confined to my room and my office. I have not seen my father or my betrothed.

Seeing my father murder the second highest priest in the kingdom without any remorse stood me up to his cruelty.

I always knew he was cruel but I guess I just didn't see it because he was my father or I was just blinded to it.

If he could kill a priest in his chambers what more can be done or has he done. How was he able to kill him? The second highest priest is one of the most powerful wizards in the kingdom. Yes my father might be the king, but he is no match for him.

“Liam, it's time,” I heard Martin's voice from the entrance of my chamber. Today is the ceremony of his death, where he will be buried along with his wolf.

“Is there a way to skip this?” I asked Martin as I fixed up my tie, looking at myself in the mirror.

I think I cried for a while, the second highest priest was like a father to me. He helped me during a crisis I had when I was a kid and we were close.

My chamber doors opened, Martin and Ethan walked in.

“Don't be a prick, we have to be there for,” Ethan cleared his throat and looked at Martin.

“Don't worry you can say her name,” he said.

“You have to be there for Layla, you know Adrian won't,” he said and I nodded.

Layla is like a sister to both me and Adrian but she and Adrian drifted apart because of his ways.

As for Martin, himself and Layla are mates but they haven't been able to be mated because of some issues both himself and Layla won't talk about. I guess that's how it is with mated wolves.

“I'm dressed anyway,” I ran my hands down my black tux and stared at their faces.

“What?” I asked them.

“Why haven't you gone to see your father lately?” Martin asked, I rolled my eyes at his question. He is only the upright one, doing everything according to the law or the law of his father or my father.

“I have been busy,” I said walking out of the chambers with them behind.

“How?” Ethan asked, spoiling my answers.

*He knows you are avoiding him and he wants to know if it's because of the betrothal.” Martin said.

“Don't tell them,” my wolf, Dylan said, “we don't know who we can trust,” he said. I looked at Ethan and Martin with a straight face, neither of them knew I was talking with Dylan.

“But they are my beta's,” I said to him.

“Since you are not King, they have a duty first to the King,” he said and I understood his hesitation.

“I'm still wrapping my mind around the betrothal that's all,” I said to Martin who looked at Ethan.

“Let me guess because of Brianna,” he said and I scoffed.

“Not because of anything, just trying to understand what's best for me,” I said and they both had a scary look on their faces.

“Why are you both looking at me that way?” I asked.

“Nothing is best for you, it's what's best for the Kingdom,” I heard my father behind me.

Of course it's him.

“Good day father,” I bowed with my hands locked behind my back.

“Why haven't you seen me to discuss your betrothal?” He asked and I knew better than to give my earlier response.

“Just thinking if she is the best for the Kingdom,” I bowed at the last statement.

“She is,” he said outright, “don't waste your time and that of the Kingdom,” he said, walking away from us.

“Yes father,” I bowed as he left but he stopped walking.

“Walk with me to the ceremony,” he said and my head rang a lot of bells.

“You are going to the ceremony?” I asked him.

“Of course I am, the priest was a dear friend,”

“Yet you murdered him,” I said in my mind, smiling at him.

“Of course,” I said, walking over to stand beside him.

He held me on my shoulder as we walked, “we should pay our respects,” he said, looking like someone is mourning a friend but I know that he really isn't.

I need to get to the button of why he killed and what he meant by he thought they all died.

“His Majesty the Highest Alpha King and his highness, the heir to the throne,” the announcer called out as soon as he saw us.

I looked around for Layla who had a sorrowful face. Her face glance at my father was filled with hate but she quickly masked it with loyalty by bowing to him.

“My King,” she greeted. He held her up and hugged her.

“I'm so sorry for your loss, Layla,” he said to her and walked towards his seat.

“Liam..” she called my name as I pulled her into a hug.

“I'm so sorry, Layla,” I said to her. Ethan hugged her but Martin didn't. I wonder what happened between them.

After all the processions and the rite of passage, my father came to the altar. I am so eager to hear what he has to say about this death. Who will he pin it on now?

“The second highest priest was a noble man, an upright man and his death is a blow to us,” he started, “the war against the rogues has been on for decades and because of little provocation it hasn't been won by us, but this provocation can't be looked away,” he said and it all sounded foreign.

“What are you doing father?” I whispered.

“The rogues who attacked and killed our priest haven't been found yet, so my two sons will be heading the mission to find them,” he said and the crowd cheered for him.

I looked at Aiden who smiled at me. Anything to kill rogues.

But this is a provocation, the rogues didn't kill Layla's father.

“Your father did,” I heard Layla in my head and I looked at her heart.

“What are you doing, Layla, you are not allowed to do that,” I said to her.

“We have a lot to talk about but we must be where no one knows about including your beta's,” she said, walking away.

“What's going on Layla,” I held her hands but quickly let her go in order not to arouse suspicion.

“We are all in danger,” she said and walked away.

Danger? From who? My father?