The Imprisoned Princess

Wade

When King Xander arrived at the Blackwood Pack

I stood next to Trey on our border, waiting. Anticipation and anxiety swirling thickly in the air between us. I couldn’t let anyone know what was about to happen. Dad thought I was training in the woods with Trey, I had relieved him of his guard duty which was something I had done before. So I didn’t think he suspected anything. I hope he doesn’t suspect anything.

The unmistakable sound of cars graced my ears long before I saw them. Then finally a line of black SUVs crawled to a stop. A door opened and two men exited the third SUV. I recognised the King and bowed. I didn’t recognise the dirty blonde man next to him. “Mr. Blackwood, please explain where my children are,” I gulped and nodded looking to him but not into his eyes out of respect “Your son is in the dungeon of the warrior house. The brick building furthest to the west. Down the stairs, your son is to the right, in the furthest cell. There are three guards on duty.” The King’s eyes glazed, five men exit different cars. The man next to the King leads the five men into the trees. “My daughter?” I noted the hint of anxiety in his voice.

“Main house, up the stairs, second door to the right, here’s the key.” I hold out the little gold key for him to take “I locked her in to keep her safe”. My forehead creased in uncertainty if the King would take my further imprisonment of her as a slight. However, to my relief the King merely nodded stiffly and jumped back into the car, the fleet moved off and gained speed quickly, disappearing in the dust.

A mixture of emotions filled me as we jogged back to the pack. I’m betraying dad, I’m betraying my pack. But what dad did meant he and everyone involved had committed treason. Unwittingly, I had committed treason too, I had touched the princess while she was under duress and I felt terrible. I thought she liked me. I thought she was my mate. I rubbed my face as the scene and smell around us changed to fighting and blood. Wolves were everywhere as many had transformed, some members of my pack had fallen. Some, surrendered not wishing to fight the royal guard.

We picked past those fighting towards my house. The door laid smashed to splinters and the floor stained red with blood. Five of dad’s closest men lay dead, their throats torn from their bodies. The King had another one of my dad’s men in his mouth as his scream turned to a gurgle before silence. King Xander spat the throat of the last man at dad’s feet. I could see his fear, but he’s smiling “Buddy, this is all just a huge mistake. Son! Tell the King how much a mistake this is! The Princess loves you, she wants to be with you.” His sickly sweet smile disgusted me.

“No dad, you kidnapped her and threatened her. She’s terrified. Tell the pack to stand down so no more blood is lost.” I folded my arms, staring daggers at the man I called father.

“I would listen to your son,” the King’s growl full of power and foreboding.

“Fine,” he snapped, his eyes glazed and I heard his voice in my head ‘stand-down’ a strange silence descended around us as the fighting instantly stopped. The silence after adrenaline was always strange as your heartbeat became the only sound. I always hated it, and I always will.

“Let’s talk about this like the old friends we are,” his arrogance was ridiculous, almost laughable as he looked at the King.

“My son’s safe.” He breathed a small sigh, I’m sure it’s relief. He’d obviously just got word from one of his men. I moved to the side so I could see, dad looked to me, that stupid smile on his face. How does he not get that he’s lost? “Surrender to me. Submit,” the King growled. A chuckle escaped dad. Is he insane?

“Come on Xander, we’re friends.” Yeah he’d gone insane.

“We haven’t been friends since you blamed me for the death of your mate,” he pushed through gritted teeth, “You have committed treason. Submit, or die.” The smile finally faltered on dad’s face. He took a deep breath staring King Xander straight in the eyes. And finally extended his neck in submission.

I saw the loss of control a split second before it happened, King Xander stepped up to dad, “You disgust me,” his claw extended, slitting against his jugular. A fear spreads over dad’s face as he realised he’s about to die. “I should make it slow...” The King breathes before he ripped dad’s head clean off, tossing the fear-stricken face to the side. I blinked in surprise as I watched almost in slow motion the body of my father slump to the floor as if he’d turned into a sack of potatoes.

He’s dead.

I swallow, not fully believing what I just witnessed. He was many things my father, I want to say he was negative, everything about him was negative... but it wasn’t. He was harsh but knew what I needed to work on, knew my weaknesses, and pushed until they were no longer there. His drive, his passion was undeniable, he was never happy with his lot in life so strived to be more, do more. He built a pack from nothing. His charisma and strength drew wolves to leave their packs and join his. The loyalty he received was one I always strived to possess too.

He may have done bad things. But he was still my father.

“Get me a towel,” King Xander’s voice forces my eyes to tear from the lifeless body back to the King. His chest rising and falling deeply. I don’t question I run to the nearest bathroom and grab one, sprinting back as fast as I can. He cleans his hands and mouth “You are Alpha now, round up your survivors, I will contact you in due course,” King Xander runs up the stairs. I turn to find how many of my pack are left.

Eighteen... Eighteen survive.