11. CHAPTER 11
It’s been days since the attack on the witches.
While I’m relieved that Helia’s okay, I’ve also been dealing with a lot of guilt for betraying my own people. I can’t believe I picked her over my own family. She’s practically a stranger. Granted, a very sexy one, but still a stranger, nonetheless.
Don’t forget the most important part,my wolf unhelpfully adds.
Yeah, yeah, she’s a fucking witch,I grunt in reply.
I can’t believe I have to attend Garren’s coronation as if nothing happened. What’s even worse, I can’t believe that Father agreed to publicly accept and welcome a lousy commoner into our fold.
Yeah, Alyssa’s hot, but she’s not marriage material. Her military standing should allow Garren to fuck her without raising brows, but this is a whole new ballpark. He’s even claiming she’s his fated mate as if that makes it better.
I keep my head down as I sit next to my mother. Even though I know it’s not true, I worry that all the people in the church know what I did. Their attention might be turned to the throne in the front where Garren will get crowned, but I can’t shake a feeling that everyone’s silently judging me.
Keep it cool, my wolf warns.
I wipe my clammy palms against my pants. Someone must’ve cranked up the temperature because it sure is hot in here.
The grand door opens, and everyone gets up. I follow their lead, hoping that no one will notice my little delay. Gavin and Leia seem too busy watching Garren. It’s an achievement for Graham to be away from any of his gadgets, but here he is, smiling at our brother’s approaching figure.
The moment Garren arrives at the altar, he’s being escorted to the symbolic throne. I begrudgingly admit that he cleans up well, wearing the Gray’s official royal regalia of black and red colors.
I know as a wolf I shouldn’t be saying this, but we have way too many gods,my wolf complains, pretending to yawn. After listening to the archbishop saying his prayers for the last twenty minutes, I have to agree with him.
Yay, they gave him the scepter and the crown,I comment sarcastically.
Be grateful that it’s the last part of the coronation,he replies.
Followed by the kneeling and his speech,I remind him. Oh, and don’t forget the fucking wedding.
My wolf groans and sends a mental image of us clawing our eyes out. I suppress the urge to roll our real eyes, but only because it would suck to be accidentally caught doing it and having it considered to be an insult to Garren. While I never cared about the throne, I do care about my future queen being a commoner.
Are you sure that’s what’s really irking you? my wolf teases, apparently having the ability to see something I can’t.
“Long live King Garren Gray,” the archbishop announces at last.
“Long live the king. Long live the king. Long live the king,” we echo as one, and once again, I hope no one notices how I missed the first couple of beats.
I push down a heavy sigh when Garren sits on his throne, and we have to kneel. Everyone is so eager to do it, even deeply lowering their heads in respect. I bow mine just enough not to be reprimanded for it later.
Lucky bastards,my wolf comments, referring to Gavin and Leia who are king and queen in their own right and, therefore aren’t expected to kneel in front of anyone.
Garren really takes his time before standing, which is also our signal to sit up again. He walks to the microphone to make his first speech as the king. Not knowing where my brother’s head is these days, I brace myself for whatever.
“My fellow brothers and sisters,” Garren says into the microphone, his voice needlessly amplified. We are wolves after all. I guess it’s for the camera’s benefit. “As your new king, chosen both by our gods and the legitimate blood that’s running through my veins, I accept the role to lead our kingdom into prosperity. With my guidance and your help, we will thrive and grow.”
What a bunch of generic bullshit,I complain to my wolf, wishing for this to be over with so I can get out of here and away from my family.
They don’t know what we did,he tries to soothe me, but it doesn’t work. The guilt’s been eating me up. Wolves died in that attack. Their blood is on my hands.
“In the spirit of all that,” Garren continues, “My first order of business as your king will be to address the threat that’s been looming over us for far too long.”
My eyes widen in disbelief. He is using his first speech as a king to talk about the witches. This is even more serious than I thought.
“Yes, people, I am talking about the witches,” Garren confirms after several people gasp.
I don’t dare to glance around as the crowd begins to murmur. I’m too afraid I’ll look guilty if I show too much of a reaction.
Keep your cool,my wolf says gently.
I take his advice, letting his strength fuel me. I nonchalantly straighten my bow tie, then brush a non-existent speck of dust from my shoulder. While I don’t have any medals to display, I’m still wearing a pretty neat outfit that’s appropriate for a prince. Mainly black material with red edges to frame the suit.
“With the help of my brother, King Gavin, and his lovely wife, Queen Leia, we have managed to combine the forces of two kingdoms. Therefore, we were able to strike the witches twice as hard,” Garren announces with a triumphant smile that I can’t see as anything else but arrogance.
She’s okay,my wolf reminds me. Helia’s safe and sound.
I swallow hard, my throat bobbing. If I had paid more attention to the kingdom’s matters, I wouldn’t have been caught off guard by my brother’s cry to rally.
We have to make sure it stays that way,I tell him, unable to stand the thought of Helia getting hurt.
“Right now, the witches have a new young leader who’s both ambitious and ruthless,” Garren says.
I clench my hands into fists at the direct mention of Hekate. I can only hope that he won’t drag Helia into this. Mentioning her by name would paint a target on her back.
My brother continues with his speech. “It’s the worst kind of combination, and let me tell you one thing, that witch really doesn’t like us. She’s uniting covens and inviting other witches to come to New York where the first stage of extermination will take place.”
This is even worse than I’ve thought,I say to my wolf.
What? Did you think it was all just a fairytale?He scoffs. The witches are dangerous and shouldn’t be underestimated.
But Helia isn’t like them, I insist.
Perhaps,my wolf allows. But maybe that’s not enough. You both grew up with hatred in your heart toward the other. Can that hateful flame be suppressed to the point of extinguishing?
I don’t know,I admit. But we should at least try.
“We have to start laying down plans and take the battle to them,” Garren continues, his voice growing as he gets angrier and more passionate. “I’m afraid that I have to begin my reign with a declaration of war. As of this moment, the wolves are at war with the witches!”
The first claps come from my right. I shouldn’t be surprised to see Gavin being the first one to give Garren a standing ovation. He is the one who fought on the front lines, earning himself more medals than any other wolf in our kingdom’s history.
The Pack of Shadows also killed Hekate and Helia’s parents,my wolf reminds me.
And he was the one leading it,I finish, remembering Helia’s story.
What are you waiting for? my wolf hisses. Start clapping!
I awkwardly jerk myself into movement, clapping my hands together and hoping that no one noticed yet another one of my delays. It would be the worst possible day for people to start paying attention to me. As the second in line and the spare to the crown prince, I was always able to fly under the radar, getting away with a lot of crazy shit. Way more than Garren ever did, which said a lot because he wasn’t the most model of heirs. That title went to Gavin without a doubt.
With a lift of his hand, Garren quiets us down. I follow everyone’s lead and sit down, anxiously waiting for what comes next.
“I have a little surprise for you,” Garren says, and I nearly sigh in relief when I realize the worst part of the speech is over.
Here comes the most boring part,my wolf comments. Neither one of us wants to be here, but duty dictates that we are. Duty sucks.
“You haven’t only attended my coronation, but you’ll also be the guests for my wedding,” Garren announces with a wide and excited smile.
Gavin walks up to the altar to stand by Garren’s side. I do a mental eye roll. Not that long ago, they couldn’t stand each other and now they’re like two best friends.
Alyssa enters the church. Her sister Malia joins her, and together, arm in arm, they walk to the altar.
This is the part that they can’t force me to pay attention to. My mother nudges me in the ribs with her elbow when I don’t sit straight, but I pretend I didn’t feel it. I don’t understand how everyone is okay with a commoner becoming not only a royal but “the royal”. Our fucking queen. Even the archbishop gives her a genuine smile.
I let my mind drift off to Helia. A small smile tugs at the corners of my lips as I remember how hot she was riding me on that sofa. Her body fit perfectly against mine. We were like two jigsaw puzzle pieces finally being put together. I ache to inhale her flowery scent again, to touch her perky breasts, and to taste her lips.
The fucking wedding is finally over. Alyssa and Garren walk past us not only as a husband and wife but also as a king and queen. At least I won’t be expected to attend the celebrations because they’re too eager to hump each other.
Disgusting,I say to my wolf.
I don’t think you’re in a position to judge,he replies, and I let the matter drop. While it’s not worth fighting a losing battle, I’m entitled to my own opinion.
Instead of following everyone else through the main door, I go past the altar, aiming to quietly slip out through the back. I just want a bit of peace and quiet to process my thoughts and the recent events, including today’s war declaration.
“Grayden, hold up!”
I stop in my tracks and turn around with a heavy sigh to face my two brothers. Graham and Gavin approach me with hints of worry etched on their faces.
“What do you want?” I demand with a bit more force than I intended.
“We are worried about you,” Graham tells me, glancing at Gavin, who nods in confirmation.
I chuckle softly. “You should go back to playing with your little gadgets and leave me alone.”
“And what should I do?” Gavin challenges, raising his eyebrow.
I shake my head, an arrogant smirk on my face. “You should return to your Ice Queen and the Lafayette hole you crawled out of. Traitors should have their tongues ripped out.”
“I’m not a traitor,” Gavin replies calmly.
As a fourth born, he was expected to marry into another royal family,my wolf reminds me with a hint of warning in his tone. Don’t give them any more ideas on what to do with the traitors.
Ignoring my wolf, I push the guilt away and snarl at my brothers, “Leave me the fuck alone.”
“Grayden, wait!” Graham calls after me, but I’m already out the door and with no intention of talking to either one of them.
I’ve parked my car down the street behind the abbey. As I walk to it, I pull my phone from my jacket’s inside pocket and put in the only number that I’ve memorized.
“Hello?” Helia answers on the first ring.
“Hey, it’s me,” I say, then casually throw a glance at my surroundings to confirm I’m alone. “We have to talk. Can I come over?”
Helia doesn’t reply immediately. My heartbeat sounds in my ears filling every second of her silence.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” she replies at last.
I pinch the bridge of my nose with my thumb and my index finger. “It’s important,” I say, then lower my voice, “Please.”
“Okay,” she agrees with a resigned sigh. “I’m at home right now. Do you want me to send you directions?”
“No need,” I reply. “I know the way.”
I hang up and put the phone back in my pocket, then get into my black Audi R8 Spyder. The only thing on my mind is to get to Helia’s apartment. I need to see her, to confirm with my own two eyes that she’s okay.
After the attack, I decided to keep my distance in case anyone found out about the warning I gave her. Graham’s the only one that truly worries me. He’s like a wizard with technology, digging through the internet’s every nook and cranny.
I don’t care about the speed limit as I follow my heart to see the girl that smells like flowers. I’m not a fool. I know that what I’m doing and feeling is all new to me. I guess I might be being too hard on Garren for marrying a commoner while I have the hots for a witch. The massive difference between the two of us is that I’m not going to force her down people’s throats by turning her into a queen.
All I want is another moment by her side that will last long enough for me to get over this ridiculous teenage-like infatuation. The ploy to keep her out of harm’s way is as good as any other reason to get to her.
Except that it’s not a ploy,my wolf comments, but I ignore him as always when he points out the things I don’t like.
Helia is to be protected until this crush passes,I tell him. A broken heart is a lot worse than getting tired of someone.