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Selfish Beings! All of them! Them and their goddess. May Chaos reign forever, in this life and the next.
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[KAYOS ADREN PRIME]

"Are you nervous?"

I do not spare Vaeln a look at a remark so ridiculous. My gaze remains glued to the heavy oak double doors closed before us.

"I only ask, because you pause..." Vaeln added, leaning toward me slightly, "Usually when one is before a door, they—open it..." he hints.

Selene cannot be this cruel that I have to endure this torment, is she?

I have no desire to explain to him that I take a moment, for I have to calm my wolf.

The realization that the woman that we are to call mate is behind these doors distresses him, for he knows, whatever she is, she is anything but.

I turn to him blankly, "This is none of your concern, Vaeln."

"True," He grins, "It is more of an interest to be honest. I'm very interested."

I stare at him.

I do not speak again. He is much too aggravating and inconsequential for me to spare another second of my attention. Instead, I ignore his response, pushing the doors wide open and walking in.

I am the center of attention the moment I enter.

The large table set before us has men from Greenwood seated to the left.

To the right, Mother, and Master Gregory.

Mother is first to rise as I walk in, a smile adorning her face, eager yet I sense an uncertainty about her.

The others follow suit.

My eyes trail each male as I walk by, they all bow till I stop at the helm of the table. Vaeln does not mind taking the spot beside me, as my gaze travels the men at my table.

Men.

"Where is the girl?" I growl. There is no female save my mother at this table.

"The girl's name is Vivian, Your Majesty," A cool crooked voice croaks.

My gaze snaps to the man who speaks. His golden rings gleam around his fingers that sit on his cane. A deep set of grey eyes that match the grey in his head. He is by far the oldest at the table.

Alpha Cain Pryd Edmus.

He was Alpha also in my father's time, arguably the oldest ruling Alpha in Valcane.

Whilst I take no liking to people, Alpha Cain is bold, and straightforward and stands over his fear. I believe it is because he and his family have been dealt a bad hand by Selene, one almost similar to mine.

It is known that the line of Esmus takes an unusually long time to find their mates. They are not known as the Shadow Pack for nothing.

Still, at least they claim mates and eventually live lives long enough to be filled. In that sense, his supposed curse is incomparable to mine. But his boldness is the one thing I do appreciate.

Cain has Pride.

As Alpha of the biggest pack of the thirteen, and still Alpha despite having an heir of age, He is more confident than any other Alpha maybe in my presence.

The Alpha's of Greenwood are most hated, second only to me, third if one must speak of Firdon, for they are as ruthless as I am dark.

I feel it is why fate shuns them. Cain is a man of Greed.

He has wealth and still he desires more. The line of
King. To breed bloodlines. It is the only reason he is here.

And so he takes courage.

He shakes, yes, but he does well to hide it. It's a shame one cannot hide the rate at which one's heart beats. It's the only thing that gives him away.

Few people stand before me this way. When they do, I take note.

"My first daughter, she is closest to her mother's heart. Vivian, Your Majesty."

My gaze narrows on the Alpha.

"Oh, we remember her quite well. Vivian. A rare beauty," Mother intervenes. Sweet flattery between her lips.

Her gaze shifts to me as if in some sort of warning, a miserable attempt, then to the Alpha, "Kayos is simply eager, as all men who await their bride are, " she chuckles easily.

I am not amused.

Silence circles the room before Vaeln clears his throat, "Perhaps, we should all take a seat first."

My gaze shifts to him momentarily, he raises both eyebrows, "Kayos.." he persuades.

I grunt, but I sit, and all follow after.

My fingers tap impatiently against the wood table as Mother speaks.

"I see you brought company, Alpha Cain, " She indicates lightly, her eyes trailing over the men beside him.

The men take a hint, and a familiar face speaks. His face is hard, and firm. A testament to the cruelty in Greenwood, "Beta Rome, your majesty," He bows.

The second man almost identical in stature, "Gamma Bolen."

My gaze shifts to the last two men, seated next to their father, one after the other. Both have dirty blonde hair yet earth-brown eyes.

"Calen, Your Majesty," the first son greets, he stands and bows before us. Only a few years younger than I. His gaze is hard, he stands like a man of war, "and my youngest brother, Julius,"

My gaze trails lazily to the next son, he is notably younger.

The boy greets us.

"I must say, I was not expecting to be in the presence of another Arc-" Alpha Cain begins, eyes on Vaeln.

"Where is your daughter, Cain?" I repeat, my gaze snapping to the Alpha, interrupting his feeble attempt at pleasantries and conversation.

"Kayos!" Mother snaps.

Master Gregory clears his throat, "Your majesty, perhaps I should take center-"

My hand slams against the wood. I've had enough.

"Let us not pretend we're here for a marriage ordained by Gods," I mock, "This mating is nothing but a shallow agreement. A rigid proposal. A feeble attempt to protect the Selfish from the damage of Chaos. I need a mate, and whilst you claim to love your daughter, Cain, you wish to give her to me, if not only to claim a stake to the throne. Therefore Gregory," I grunt looking at the master, "if you desire to have a pleasant conversation, you can do so in a second meeting after I'm gone, " I grit.

The table is silent.

Mother's eyes are wide her mouth is closed and open in instances. Vaeln hides a snicker, the bastard, Master Gregory's jaw is locked.

Mother's gaze shifts to Alpha Cain panicked "You must F-forgive the outburst-"

"She offers no apologies on my behalf, but I will soon be hearing yours if my question remains answered." It is a low threat.

I do not wish to lengthen discussions over issues so easily sorted.

Bring the girl, and set a date. It should be simple. Why must we lengthen what they already deem must be done?

My statement has the Greenwood company set on me. Hearts are beating faster than I feel should hold them as still as they are, but I know this means they are simply frozen in fear. Their wolves tell them my threat is clear and absolute.

"It's is alright, Grand Luna," Cain nods my mother's way.

My gaze lays heavily on him. His eyes finally meet mine.

Calm.

He places both hands on his cane leaning backward, "Your Majesty is correct. I cannot fool a man as wise as he."

I am neither impressed by flattery.

"As much as I love my daughter," he clears his throat, "I do believe she is best claimed to the throne. But I have not come to this decision on my own. The girl is eager. She knows fate may delay, and she understands what it is she is sacrificing. Still, she knows better what is there to be gained. His majesty speaks the truth. I wish our bloodlines joined. The Shadow Pack, the line of Edmus and that of the dark Lord, the Prince of shadows," He grins slightly at that, "It was always meant to be." He adds.

His gaze shifts to my mother, "Vivian has her mother's heart. You know my Luna well. A strong creature. As her seed, Vivian will be fit to rule these lands and the lands to come beside our King. That is certain."

His gaze finds mine, "And as for her location. She is near. In Yulis. She comes with the Luna. You see it is customary for the males to arrive first. She will be here by sunrise the next morning."

I feel my wolf shift within me. I bid him quiet.

I know Diane listens quietly from my pocket. The Faerie knows not to speak or to be seen. In such a company even a tiny squeak could be heard.

Silence.

I am in my thoughts.

"Wonderful!" Vaeln continues, sitting up from his laid-back position, "That is indeed wonderful news. Is it not Kayos? Your bride is near. For a moment I thought it would be a brideless wedding," He chuckles.

I would have preferred it.

"Let's talk preparations," Mother Beams, "It must be on the day of a full moon."

"Of course, blessed by Selene," Alpha Cain replies.

I am gone. I am not present.

"I will not go into too much detail, for I am sure the Luna and bride would like to pick out flowers and their colors," Mother chuckled.

"It would be best to wait for that company, yes," Vaeln adds playfully.

Mother pats his hand as she leans in, smiling, "Still, I have many suggestions for the Hunt."

I get up, and all eyes are on me again.

"Kayos?" Mother huffs.

I do not say another word.

I cannot.

Neither can I stay another moment.

I leave the company, the doors swinging open once more. I hear heartbeats return to normal after the door shuts behind me, Vaeln volunteering to take my place.

Alchest scampers beside me, gliding through the walls.

"Ugh, it is so stuffy in here!" Diane huffs, fighting upwards to peak out into the moment, "Ah! I can finally breathe!" His arms hang out of my pocket, his head dangling as if he had been suffocating, green hat swinging.

Then he turns glancing at me, his eyebrows drawing in, "What is a Vivian?"

I roll my eyes, sighing, focusing instead on my destination.

I need peace.

I need a sanctuary.

No, I need something more.

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Short Update. Yes, I know. But it was either this or nothing. Busy days these days. Hope you enjoyed it.