Chapter 5

• Cain POV.
• "Dad," a soft voice calls from the back of the room, breaking the tension and causing Marcus to exert enough control to withdraw his beast. I can not see her because she is hiding behind the door, but I can smell the Wolfsbane that is affecting her. My beast is becoming restless, but all I can smell is a slightly sweet odour.
• Marcus immediately tenses up again, giving in to his rage; however, the girl speaks a little louder but in a soft tone. "Will you accompany me to the hospital, Dad? My arm is hurting."
• Marcus remains motionless, his fists balled. The girl then speaks with a clear lie in her voice, but Marcus responds. "Please, Dad, I am scared and would appreciate it if you could tell me one of your stories. They aid in my relaxation."
• He tensely opens his mouth, his aura still tense my beast. "Cielo, please return to your bed."
• Every lycan and wolf in the room stiffens, on edge and ready to fight at what we feel next. My aura is deafening, and it rivals that of my father.
• The weaker part of me wants to give in. However, it is enough to pique the Alpha King's interest. Xander and Luna Sandra are both slightly submitting.
• Ruben's neck is strained as he tries to resist it.
• The next voice is anything but soft and sweet. It is very hot and makes my stomach churn. "Father, please accompany me to the hospital."
• Marcus steps back and unballs his fists. "Please excuse me, Your Highnesses; it appears that my daughter requires my attention."
• The air changes when the Alpha King agrees to his daughter's request.
• At that point, Xander takes his mother, and the royal family excuses themselves.
• Ruben, my father, my mother, and I stare in disbelief at the now-closed door. I have no doubt she could take on a lycan if she has that much power within her.
• "That was the Alpha King's daughter," I insist, my voice as trembling as my stomach. "How in the world is she that strong? Was she a werewolf?"
• My father casts a stern look at Ruben and me, pushing his aura out until we both bare our necks and kneel. "What I am about to tell you is not going to leave this room."
• "Do you get it?"
• "She is the Alpha King's daughter, a werewolf, and her wolf was bitten by a lycan," Father explains after we both look at him. "Her mate was a lycan, and a formidable one at that. During her first shift, she murdered him."
• "She killed a lycan when she was newly shifted?" my mind goes blank. I demand something from my father.
• "Wait, who was her mate? You said he was strong, but she could not have killed him." Ruben joins in, agreeing with me that this is ridiculous. "Why did she murder her mate?"
• "Wait," I say, my mind finally catching up with me. "What is her age?"
• "She is twenty-one years old and will turn twenty-two this year," my father says, giving me the hint.
• "How about four years ago?" I demand, while Ruben looks perplexed. "Danny was her mate?"
• "What?" Ruben yells, and my father confirms with a nod. Danny had gone completely insane one night. He had challenged our father and had lost. Danny fled before his punishment could be administered. It was almost four years ago. We all knew Danny was dead the moment the bond broke. We never found his body. I guess we never connected the dots. We had no idea Danny was capable of attacking the Alpha King, and we assumed it was a coincidence.
• "Your twin brother attempted to mate with the daughter of the Alpha King. He was one of the outlaws who attacked the Alpha King. To get to his mate, he had killed the king's beta. The princess was right to take his life. He had killed Beta Logan and was about to force himself on her; he had already marked her wolf, and she did what only a crazed rogue could do."
• "Did she murder Danny?"
• "She killed what remained of him," Father says solemnly. "This will never leave this room. War will be declared if the Alpha King discovers that it was my own son who attacked his daughter and killed his beta."
• Ruben and I both nod, realising why he is telling us about this. "Is there anything else?" I inquire.
• "Yes. Because she was never fully mated, the princess will compete in this year's Claiming. There will undoubtedly be rogues attempting to claim her. I want you two to keep an eye on her and make sure no rogues come near her."
• "Do you realise how difficult that is?" Ruben demands, and I begin strategizing.
• "Let me put this in perspective for you," my father chuckles. This unmated female is participating in the Claiming for the fourth and final time. "I am sure she will do the majority of the work for you."
• "Are you unable to make allowances for her, given her situation?" I demand, fed up with being a babysitter.
• "Not without violating werewolf law and defying the council." I have already called them, and they are not going to make an exception. If the princess survives unmated, she will be assigned a mate later. Her ancestors are too powerful to ignore."
• Father fixes Ruben and me with a commanding stare once more. "Under no circumstances will the princess's name appear in the Claiming. Am I making myself clear?" When I see the very real threat in his eyes, his eyes land on me, sending shivers down my spine.