5
ALAN
I entered the throne room, practically bouncing.
It was one of those days that had started badly, but had ended in a good way.
Today was supposed to be the day we attacked the Moonbane pack. And as the apparent heir to the throne, I was supposed to join my father.
But as usual, I had lost track of time, joining my friends as we partied and played games on the court. Absolutely clattered by the heavy intake of alcohol, I had slept off, and on waking up, I practically flew down to the palace in a rush.
But I was too late.
I was being told by my disappointed mother that the army had departed, and I had been left behind.
Fuming, I stormed out of the palace.
It was my father's way of telling me that I had to grow up. Time and time again, he had expressed concern over how I was going to rule the Lockwood pack.
I had heard the same words multiple times.
The Lockwood name was a huge name. The pack was one of the greatest to ever exist. If I couldn't control myself, then how was I going to control the people?
I knew my father was always trying to make me a better man, but what happened to having a little fun?
I had been at the house of my friends when I heard that the army had returned. And they were victorious. I was somewhat angry that they had done it without me, but at the same time, it was a huge victory for the Lockwood pack.
I had every right to be happy.
However, I stopped as soon as I saw the young woman before my father. Even though I hadn't seen her face yet, I loved the way the gown clung to her skin and complimented her figure.
"What's going on here?"
The question hung in the air as the woman turned to look at me.
My insides seemed to melt as soon as I saw her.
She was extremely beautiful.
Her eyes, the colour of the sea, even in its turbulent state didn't hide the uniqueness. They looked innocent, and at the same time, seemed to call out to me. Her face was one of those faces you would love to hold in your hand and admire, and her red, full lips had made me forget that I had even asked a question.
Who was she?
"We went to the Moonbane pack and returned without you, that's what's going on here."
I watched my father begin to climb his throne, his face darkening.
I followed him, aware that the fact that I hadn't been with the army had pissed him off.
"I lost track of time, dad, I'm sorry."
He eyed me coldly, then shook his head in what I knew was nothing else but bitterness and disappointment.
"You're sorry? You're the heir to my throne and the first blood of the Lockwood family and this pack, Alan. What do you think the soldiers and the people will say when the father goes off to war alone and his son who is of age stays back in the pack, partying with friends?"
I looked away, knowing that once again, my father was always going to make me hang my head in shame due to the harshness of his words.
He never missed a chance to give me a piece of his mind.
Either in public or private, he never seemed to care.
"Dad, I'm sorry, I really am."
"Oh, save it. It will happen again, and you'll always be sorry. When will you learn to take responsibility for your actions?" He turned to my unsmiling mother, his voice rising. "Do you ever advise your son? If I die today, he takes my place. Is he going to be partying when he becomes an Alpha?"
I bit my lip, knowing that begging was only going to make him continue his ranting.
"Well, look at what you've missed. I brought this gorgeous young lady as a gift from Joshua Moonbane himself. This is his daughter, a princess."
He turned to me, an evil glint in his eye.
"I would've gladly let you have her for the night, but you weren't with us when we took the Moonbane pack. You don't deserve her. She will warm my bed tonight."
I turned to the beautiful woman standing across the room, and at that moment, I hated her.
Not only was she going to witness my embarrassment, she was also going to be the young woman whom my father was once again going to use for his pleasures when he clearly had a wife.
"Father…she's a young woman…"
His laughter was haunting, mockery even.
"You're too naive, my son, and that's why I wonder if you'll ever be good enough to rule this empire I'm about to make. Haven't you heard the saying that the younger the better?
He turned to Boaz, the Captain of the Lockwood army and his Beta, and spoke.
"Take her to my chambers, Boaz. Today, my wife sleeps alone. A king has the right to spend the night with any woman he wants. I am a king, and I must be treated as one."
With those words, Boaz went into action, taking the young lady out. My eyes followed her until she left the room, boiling with rage, not just at her, but my father and his guts to commit adultery without even caring about his wife.
Shortly after, my father stood, a huge smile plastered on his face. Without as much as a word to the both of us, he left the throne room, walking as slowly as he could, past my mother, who had barely uttered a word.
As soon as he was out of earshot, I turned to my mother.
"Mother, what is the meaning of this? Why do you let him treat you so?"
She eyed me coldly, and when she spoke, her voice was laden with anger.
"You've suddenly had the guts to speak now? Why didn't you challenge your father to his face? Ask him why he's doing it to your mother?"
I bowed my head, knowing that as much as I hated my father, I knew he was a tyrant. Trying to confront him was giving death a date.
I watched my mother leave the room silently, her silence filling the room with unspoken words.