CHAPTER 43
THIRD PERSON’S POV
As he got closer to the coronation hall, his boldness increased. He could hear hundreds of murmurs from the hall, and wondered if he had wasted so much time already. Nonetheless, he increased his steps, forcing his guards to run after him. Just as he stepped in through the side entrance of the hall, he saw a familiar chief standing in front of the congregation and speaking with a guard.
Logan looked to the side, and every single wolf on that row had instantly recognized him.
“The king has requested we spare some more minutes in waiting, for the prince!!” Chief Drakos announced, and Logan smiled to himself. He was right on time.
“That wouldn’t be necessary!” He replied, making his way up to the podium with bold steps. While at it, his eyes locked with Audrey’s and he quickly looked away. He expected that usual wave of pain to hit him, but was surprised that all he really felt was anger and hate. ‘Interesting’, he thought to himself. It was way easier to do away with someone, when you didn’t feel any form of attachment towards them anymore.
He spared a quick glance at his family, and they all looked relieved to see him. For a moment, he felt bad for making them so worried.
“Oh, great!” Chief Drakos grinned. “The prince made it just in time. I present to you, your intended leader! Your King! Alpha of all Alphas!!!” He announced, and more than half of the hall’s population went up in cheers. Logan looked around the hall, searching for Ryan, but couldn’t find him. While at it, his eyes locked with that of Sebastian, who wore a cocky smirk. He had never imagined that they would come to this point. They were supposed to be brothers. He pulled his eyes away, giving Sebastian the feeling that he still had the upper hand.
After the cheers had died down, chief Drakos continued. “Please, can the crown princess step out?” He requested. Everyone’s eyes fell on Audrey, but she remained seated in her position. Logan could see the fear in her eyes, and it only made him glad. She wasn’t sure what was gonna happen anymore, and that was just how he wanted it. He was going to frustrate her in so many ways, until he was finally ready to punish her in the worst way possible.
“Go on.” Layla nudged her by the side, and Logan smirked inwardly. Clearly, Audrey hadn’t told anyone what had happened. That was the only reason they were being this nice to her.
Slowly, she stood from her seat and walked up to Logan and Chief Drakos. The entire hall went up in cheers, and she closed her eyes for a moment, probably reveling in the satisfaction of being so loved and adored. Logan despised that look on her face, but vowed he was going to wipe it away, when she least expected.
When he looked at her, he could no longer see that extraordinary beauty. All he saw, was a….. a waste.Ccontent © exclusive by Nô/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.
“I present to you, your future Queen. Luna of all Lunas!!” Chief Drakos announced, and cheers erupted. Audrey blinked furiously, almost looking dazed.
“It is a well known fact, that the crown prince here, has given an open floor for a duel with any other wolf who seeks to have the throne. This is a call for any wolf with such intent.”
At the sound of that, Audrey’s heart beat increased rapidly as fear completely engulfed her. She looked up at Logan who didn’t spare her the slightest glance. It broke her heart over and over again.
“I am interested!” Sebastian stood up and walked up to Audrey and Logan. Just then, mutters filled the entire hall.
“Okay.” Chief Drakos nodded, not looking the least bit shocked. Logan loved that about the man. He was able to properly conceal his thoughts. “Before a duel can begin between you both, you should have atleast, one third of the council elders in your support.” He said to Sebastian.
Without hesitation, Lord Hartley stepped out, and the other elders in support of Sebastian stepped out as well. Before Chief Drakos could continue, the first Alpha stepped out, followed by the second, and then, the third, and… Logan lost count.
Most of all, he was very disappointed. Not because he couldn’t fight for himself, but because he just realized how easy it was to mess up a perfectly working system.
In the blink of an eye, Sebastian’s back was full of his supporters. Logan looked at Luna Marion and Alpha Dean; Audrey’s parents. He couldn’t believe how guiltless they looked. It was almost funny! A pig could never birth a Lion after all.
Lastly, the Queen stepped forward, indicating her loyalty was with her son. Of course.
Logan looked at the reserved seats for the Alphas, and was surprised there were still a handful of them left. He wasn’t going to let them down. Just then, the large doors of the hall were pushed open, and Ryan waltzed in, Brienne and Dante walking beside him. Carina, Isobel, and Keturah were just behind them. Logan looked up at them in surprise, but was more surprised when he noticed the guards dragging along a chained man behind them. Okayyyy… what was happening now?
“Vampires.” Whispers and gasps from the congregation echoed through the hall.
The moment they got to the podium, the king gasped in shock when he saw her. Before he could hold back, he stood up and walked towards them in slow steps. Logan watched his father in slight confusion, wondering why he looked at the younger woman like he knew her
“Brienne!” The king called out, taking her hand in his. Dante tried to look as neutral as possible, having prepared himself for this particular scene for so long.
It was safe to say that the whole place had turned silent.
Logan was suddenly feeling choked up by this revelation. Layla rushed towards them and tears had completely clogged her eyes. They all knew that name, ‘Brienne’. She was their supposed late mother. But then, their mother couldn’t look so young.
“It is important I cut short this reunion.” Ryan said, calling everyone’s attention. All the while, Logan stood still in his place. “But I have brought with me, an enemy to the crown.” Ryan continued.
“What do you mean?” The king asked, confusion taking over. The coronation was fast taking a different turn.
“Bring him here!” Ryan yelled out his order, and the guards dragged forward the chained man. “This is the traitor!”
“Who is he?” Chief Drakos asked, seeing as the king was too confused to say a word. The only thing he was able to do, was look at the woman in front of him. The same woman he thought he had lost forever.
“This is Lason Atlas. He is responsible for the disappearance of our former Queen Brienne.”
“How do you mean?” The king finally found it possible to speak.
“I would make this as brief as I can.” Ryan sighed. “While Queen Brienne was still pregnant with the prince and princess, she had unknowingly taken in some vampire blood, mixed with grape wine. She slept and woke up feeling different. It turned she had died in her sleep, and was now transitioning. Of course, in order not to lose her children, she had to feed on her personal maid, and transition fully.”
Logan’s eyes widened in shock and Audrey held his hand in support, but he instantly pulled away, making her face fall.
“A month after she bore the prince and princess, she could no longer keep up with hiding her new life. The supernatural races had recently divided, and werewolves would not tolerate a vampire amongst them. Of course, she wanted to remain with her children, but was scared she would be found out, and implicate them as well. So she left without a trace.”
Logan looked at the young woman who still had her hands in his father’s, and all he felt was anger. If all Ryan had said was true, then she was the victim here. All the while, she hadn’t abandoned him. She had been suffering.
He look at her teary eyes again, and it suddenly made sense. He had her eye color because she was his mother! All her unusual cries at the shrine, was because she could really feel his pains.
“We are deviating from the actual matter at hand!” Queen Mercedes yelled out in annoyance.
“That is true!” Lord Hartley rushed out in agreement.
“Why?” Ryan glared. “Because the present Queen ordered Lason to do what he did?” At his revelation, the congregation roared in disbelief.
Logan looked at the queen in shock, and wondered how much more harm she could do to them. More than anything else, he needed to expel this anger that was quickly taking over him.
“That is a very strong allegation, Ryan!” Sebastian growled. “Or is this a ploy for Logan to avoid his duel with me? How much more shameless and weak can you be?” He asked Logan, making his anger approach it’s limit. “This kingdom does not need a weak king like you! Fight with me already, and let me have my pack and my mate!” Sebastian walked closer, and took Audrey’s hand in his, while she quickly pulled away. And that was it! The next scene which unfolded, was epic.
Logan felt his bones expanding and cracking into a wider structure. It wasn’t a painful experience, but he was lost in it nonetheless. He could feel his skin heat up, as furs began to surface. A dull ache attacked his gums, as his fangs emerged. Finally completing his shift and standing atleast, 8 feets higher than every other person, his eyes got fixed on Lason like that of a predator.
He could smell the fear oozing all over the hall. Before anyone could comprehend what next was happening, he rushed towards Lason in crazy vampire speed and the next second, Lason’s head rolled over comically, as his limp body fell to the floor.
The entire place had gone haywire, and fear consumed all the Alphas and elders on Sebastian’s side. They had never seen a being such as this! He was clearly a wolf, but not an ordinary wolf. He looked like a Lycan, but was too big to be classified as one. One could still make out his face, amidst the furs and fangs.
Scanning his environment with the sharpness of a hawk, Logan let out a loud growl, making every single person bow in submission. He released yet another feral growl, and the entire place was as quiet as a grave yard.
With heavy steps, Logan marched back towards Sebastian, who was the only person still standing. Not really out of challenge, but out of shock. When Logan got to him, he growled in anger.
“How dare you?!!” He could even speak in his supernatural form? Like a weak animal awaiting slaughter, Sebastian fell to his knees in submission.