(James)
The man bowed his head to his knees and banged his head against the floor with a loud thud. Blood splattered his forehead. "My highness, please remove your shirt."
Everyone's gaze turned to Kael's direction, his sharp gaze burning like a flame. He sighed and removed the shirt from his body. Then he turned around.
My eyes widened in shock. Right there, a glowing dark mark of a royal triangle showed he was in the next line of the throne.
How is this possible?
I'm the oldest child and my father's son. Unless I'm not, why wouldn't my father tell me anything? There must be something wrong.
The crowds became chaotic, like a storm that had come out of nowhere. The kneeling man on the ground shouted with venom, "You see! He's nothing but a fraud!"
His sharp gaze, steely and cold, his words caused mayhem across the room. Everyone gasped loudly, hands over their faces.
"It's true. He's a fake."
"Someone dared to have the courage to impersonate to become the king's son."
Some people shook with fear while others rose from their chairs, "Arrest that fraud!"
The world tilted, not from impact, but all these people turned against me. I wanted to defend myself, but I had nothing to say. Before I could open my mouth, my brother spoke, "Calm down, I will investigate this."
He raised his hands, and without warning, men in masks and cloaks walked toward me. Their expression was dark and empty.
I knew I needed to escape. Somewhere deep within me—warned me to run. I couldn't get caught.
I turned around and sprinted. My legs jolted like my tail was caught on fire, but before I could run any further. A large hand grabbed me.
And pushed me to the ground. Hard. Ruthless. It was the first time someone treated me with this amount of disrespect.
I turned my head, and my system felt shock like lightning. The person whom I've never expected to betray me. Kael.
He pushed me to the ground and smirked, his face dark like a demon wearing his face. He whispered within my ears, "Don't worry, dearest brother, I won't kill you."
"This is the beginning."
I glared sharply, "Why?"
A half-sneer tugged on his lips, "Because the throne was always mine. Not yours."
He tilted his head. "Since the throne is within reach, I'll acquire it."
I glared at him, "You think you deserve it? As long as I'm alive, I will never let you have it."
Kael laughed, his voice akin to sharp ice and smoke, "You're funny, brother. So foolish."
Then, a woman with black hair akin to midnight, deep, endless, and sleek as obsidian, like it can slice through the heart.
My heart jolted, a sensation of betrayal and disbelief unlike anything I felt cut through me.
"Isabel."
Isabel, my girlfriend who's been with me for three years. She stood beside my trailer brother with a half-smile, "Don't look so shocked, do you honestly think I will love a wolf less prince like you?"
Her words, usually soft and gentle, turned sharp and poisonous. Her flawless hands curled over my brother's hands, and I knew with a startling realization.
When were they together?
How did I not see this?
The pain of it all sent my chest screaming like a drum. I glared at both of them, "You will pay for this."
Kael laughed deeply and freely, like he was enjoying this. "Don't be too upset, brother. Just watch me become king, and you will accompany me."
The guards dragged me away, their hands nearly bruised. I kicked and screamed with every strength I could find within me. But it was useless. It was like fighting against a stony wall that couldn't relent.
And Kael's words became true. I watched him become king. And I couldn't do anything. I had no powers, and everyone betrayed me. For the next two years, I was tortured mentally and physically; my brother, for some reason, found amusement in my pain, suffering, and hatred.
—-
Present:
I looked up, and Nyra watched me with an interested expression. I realized I had zoned out in my thoughts.
She asked, "You never transformed. Not even once?"
I shook my head, my voice turning raspier, "No."
Then my brother's voice spoke with a hint of arrogance, "That's why he's a fraud. If we hadn't found two years ago, all of us would have been tricked by this bastard."
His words were filled with menace and sharp. Nyra turned to him, and an arrogant expression appeared on her face. "Was I talking to you?"
"Uhh? Of course not."
She smiled, but her smile turned sharp like a razor. "That's right, so shut up."
She turned to me and calmly said. "You are a werewolf."
She announced calmly if I wasn't feeling on edge. I was stunned and asked, "Why do you say that?"
The man beside the queen narrowed his red eyes, obviously annoyed by the tone of using the word "you."
But I was too emotional and forgot to use a respectful tone. She curled her fingers in my direction, "Come closer."
My heart pounded, I crawled across the ground and headed in her direction. Her face was sharp and beautiful, and she wrapped her hand under my chin.
Her hands were cold like ice. "Because I can tell by tasting your blood."
Her hands tightened under my chin, her eyes gleaming with curiosity and excitement. "This time—you're mine, and I won't let you go."
"I haven't found anyone with sinful taste. It makes me want to drown in your blood."
Her words sent a thrill down my spine, and my dick in my pants hardened. I was slightly embarrassed, so I gently moved away so she wouldn't think I was trying to offend her.
I asked, "What do I get in return?"
She smirked, "Getting away from here."
The way she said it made it sound like she knows what I go through behind these walls—the screams, the terror, and the pain I go through every day.
Although she's my enemy, I would rather take my enemy's hand than stay with my brother.