Chapter 40 – Caden

The early morning sun filters in to the room, waking me from my sleep. I smile as I take a deep breath, the air being filled with the scent of lavender and mint. Curled into my side, Grace sleeps soundly in my arms and I can’t help but stare at her serene face, her eyelids fluttering as she dreams. We have survived the Run and now I have a date to plan for the two of us. I smile, thinking about how I plan to romance the she-wolf in my arms, to show her a side of me that I have dreamed of giving a woman. She see’s me as Caden, the friend she made in the Run and not as Prince Caden, the man who will rule all the wolves in the world. Making sure that Grace is sound asleep, I slowly untangle her from my and slide off the bed. As much as I would love to stay curled up beside her, I have something that needs to be done.

[Zander, is everyone ready?] I ask, linking my Beta.

[Yes Alpha, we are all in place ready to commence the operation.] I smirk, pausing at the door to look back at Grace. I made her a promise that the Run will end and after this morning, I will be putting effort in to creating a better future for wolf kind. With a deep breath and inhaling in Grace’s calming scent that I have grown to love, I step out of the room and close the door.

“Zander told me to stand guard over the she-wolf inside.” Karina greets me, her nurse uniform gone and replaced with a slick black outfit. I smile, thanking my sister for protecting Grace in my stead, and silently make my way out of the medical ward. Wolves were gathering outside, some making their way to the front of the Lodge and I follow. A stage has been erected since last night and on velvet chairs sat my father, Felix and the Ancient Eli. It seems I am just in time for celebration.

“Greeting participants of the Run and visiting Alphas.” A voice calls out, the announcer from seven days ago standing proud at the podium.

“The run has concluded this cycle and many events have occurred. First, congratulations to those that have gained a mate.” Cheers from those now mated rang through the crowd and I suppress a snarl. How can wolves cheer when many she-wolves were beaten and rapped.

“Okay, settle down now.” The announcer chuckles, amusement flickering over his face as he scans the crowd.

“Next, Ancient Eli has confirmed that all of the rogue fledglings have been killed. We are happy that no one was killed by them and thank those who helped in eliminating those fledgling, you are all brave men and women. He has already seen the recordings of the kills and has prepared awards for those who have killed a Fledgling..” Another round of cheering erupts from the crowd and I think of Grace laying in bed sleeping peacefully. She had killed one on her own and definitely deserve praises. The announcer settles everyone once more, a look of pride on his face as he calls attention to him once more.

“Finally, as you all may have noticed we have another guest with us. Please welcome our Alpha King, King Gregory Alcazaris as he has an important announcement to make.” It is time. I watch as my father stands, his face set in a friendly mask but I know the true evil that hides behind his perfectly practice smiles. The mounds of bodies from dead she-wolves that have gotten too close to him and try to claim their spot as Alpha Queen beside him. The multitude of rogues he captured and hunted as sport. The crowd bows to him in respect and I scoff, wanting nothing more than to rush up their and kill the man who gave me life.

“You may all rise.” His deep voice echoes over the crowd as if he is some magnanimous person and not a monster that will execute a wolf just for bringing him warm coffee.

“Many of you are wondering why I am here and as you all know I have yet to appoint my heir and the next Alpha King.” He starts, his smile fading into a frown. I watch as Felix lets out a smug smile and dread fills me. That bastard plans to give the throne to Felix.

[Now?] Caleb asks, his anger towards my father evident in his voice.

[No. Let him dig his own grave.] I answer, feeling Zander walking up behind me, ready to protect me if need be.

"As such, I have decided with a heavy heart that my son will not be appointed as heir but instead I have chosen some one else. I am highly disappointed that for the last six years, my son Prince Caden Alcazaris has had twelve opportunities to bring home a mate. Instead, he decided to prevent our males from bringing home perfectly good she-wolves and ruined any mating-"

“Mating?!” I shout out, already done with my father’s bullshit.

“If by mating you mean kidnapping, raping and murder then you are right, I refuse to be a part of this!” I shout back, seeing wolves nod in agreement. Taking slow measured steps, I keep my senses on high alert as I watch my father fume with anger at my interruption.

"Caden stand down!" My father growls with rage, the power of his blood turning his words into a command. Glaring back at him I scoff, his command weak and glancing over me like a breeze. Since deciding to challenge and kill my father for the throne I no longer saw him as my Alpha.

“I will not stand down!” I shout back, letting my own blood boil with the power of a Royal Alpha wolf. I watch my father flinch, the realization that I am stronger than him hitting me hard. It seems I will be able to succeed in killing this bastard after all.

“The Run may have passed a hundred years ago when women were considered property and could be claimed easily but that isn’t the case now.” I continue, seeing some wolves agree while others scoff at me, calling me a wimp of a man. I ignore those wolves, instead I focus on the ones agreeing with me with many being she-wolves.

“He’s right!” Someone shouts from the crowd and I hold back my smirk as I recognize the voice as Amelia.

“We live in a world where women now have rights. Where they can own their own homes and businesses and do what ever they want. Why should we allow them to run for their lives and allow a man to rape them?” The crowd begins to voice their agreement, some woman shouting they don’t want their mate, others claiming they were unjustly raped. I watch as my father tries to calm the crowd, his eyes widening as he realizes I am winning the people he rules over.

“I think it’s time we enter into a new era, one where she-wolves have equal rights as males and can choose their mates base on love. Its time we stop forcing our people to run in a forest with fear of being rape or fear of losing their rightful title if they do not rape and bring a she-wolf back as their mate!” I shout, allowing the wolves to shout their agreements to change. To a world with equal opportunity for she-wolves. Zander squeezes my shoulder, his silent support reminding me that he has my back as my Beta and I send a thank you through our link.

"Its time for a change and it starts with me." The wolves who gather around me cheers and I smile. I would take the crown from my father and rule, whether or not I had a mate beside me.

"Caden I am warning you. Felix is my chosen heir and I will not take your insolence!" My father roars out, silencing the crowd. Felix smirks from his seat, not bothering to stand beside my father and I laugh. How can anyone be loyal to a wolf who refuses to stand beside the man that made him the next heir.

“Felix will never be the heir because I, Caden Silas Wolfrain Alcazaris, challenge you King Gregory Otto Alcazaris to the title of Alpha King!” My eyes meet my father’s with a steady hatred knowing the emerald green of my iris has turned golden in a challenge. I wait, wondering if Gregory will take the challenge. With a roar, he rushes off the stage, shifting mid-air into his black and grey wolf. Pushing Zander back, I roll to the left and shift into my golden wolf, thankfully dodging Gregory’s attack. The crowd backs up, creating a wide circle around the two of us and giving us room to fight. I snarl as Gregory stands, shaking out his fur while his emerald eyes – the only thing I thankfully inherited from him - stares back at me with fury. We circle each other, trying to find a weakness in one another that we can exploit to gain the upper hand. As if a bell has rung, we spring towards one another in a clash of claws and teeth, trying to find some hold. I feel the claws of his right paw graze my shoulder and take note that he is favouring his left side. A weakness he was trying to hide from me. Swiping my claws against his face, I back away and allow him to regain his bearings as blood drips down the right side of muzzle. As he shakes his head, most likely to regain his focus from the pain, I study his left side trying to find his weak spot. Gregory charges at me, his right eye closed, and I quickly side step to the left, using my momentum to sink my teeth into his right shoulder. He howls with pain, the crunch of bone letting me know I have broken his shoulder cap. He whips his body to the side, forcing me to let go and duck just in time to doge a swipe at my head. With him balancing on his hind legs, I push off from the ground and tackle Gregory to the ground and sink my canines into his neck. He struggles, his hind legs kicking at my underbelly and leaving wounds, but I ignore the pain as I force myself to shred his jugular with my canines. He whimpers, his kicks slowly growing weaker as the blood in his body drains from the wound I am slowly growing.

[Are you really going to kill me?] His voice fills my mind and by the silence of the crowd, they have heard him as well.

[Yes because if I don’t, you will find a way to keep the Run going and ruin any chance at a better future.] I answer, my voice cold and emotionless. I have stopped considering this man my father years ago, stopped caring about him and only focused on my training to become King. I will not Gregory to ruin our nation by handing the care of all the wolves to Felix. I will not allow our people to be raped and enslaved by the males because of a long standing tradition. Gregory growls, his weak kicks landing a blow to my underbelly, causing me to wince and nearly loose my grip on his throat. Furious, I paw at the broken shoulder and smirk at his pain filled howls. Death is near for him and I debate on whether or not I should make it quick and painless or long and painful. So many wolves died at his hands, some because they made a small mistake, some for being born. I think of the many half siblings that never even lived past their first breaths because of his inability to keep his dick in his pants.

[Kill him already!] Karina’s voice fills my mind and I pause, thinking of the only sibling I have alive. She grew up in fear of this man, fear that one day he would snap and kill her or worse, mate her. I protected my sister, sending her away during summers to my mother’s pack, keeping Gregory away from her when he was angry and taking the beatings that were meant for her knowing he would have killed my sister if given the chance. Karina is right, I need to end him. Releasing my grip on his neck, I shift back into my skin and allow my nails to become claws. I can see the fear in Gregory’s eyes, ignore the pleading to let him live echoing in my mind through the link. I send a silent prayer to the Moon Goddess, asking her to let him suffer in the after life before plunging my clawed hand into his chest.

Gregory tries to kick out but fails, the blood loss making him too weak to fight back while my hand reaches past his rib cage until I grasp the beating heart of his. Leaning forward, I look into his eyes, relishing in the fear and realization on his face that his only son is the one to end his life. With a smirk, I slowly crush his heart.

“Long live the King.” I whisper loud enough for only Gregory to hear before I yank out his beating heart, ending his life. The crowd is silent, the shock of their tyrant of a ruler set in the old ways being defeated must be incredible. I close my eyes, allowing myself to mourn my father for the briefest moment before raising my hand still clutching his heart in the air, the blood dripping down my forearm and the cheers of the crowd roar into the air. I smile, taking in my victory and plan for the future. The wind blows the scent mint and lavender towards me and I smile, turning around knowing Grace just watched me defeat my father and her Alpha King.

“Caden behind you!” She shouts just as my body is tackled to the ground.