Adams’ POV
Only the goddess could explain how he got in, because I was sure the room was empty.
I was speechless and dumbfounded at the same time. He was angry, and I knew it. I wondered what I should say to him, how he would react. I was an Alpha and this kind of behavior was least expected of me.
Even if I had suspicions about a person, there were ways to go about it.
“Ben, I… I…” the words just didn’t make sense and I gave up eventually, waiting for whatever would happen next.
He stood up and began to walk towards me, his movements precise and calculated. Since we were kids, I had never feared Ben. But for some awkward reasons, I had every reason to be scared of him now, since I was the one who trespassed.
I suddenly felt like a little mouse, about to be eaten by a frustrated cat. My legs shook like a leaf under me despite that I was boldly standing before him.
“Adams, what are…”
“My king,” Ronan called from outside the room, cutting him short. “I have been waiting for you.”
I could see frustration flash through Ben’s eyes, knowing he couldn’t take both me and Ronan into a fight, if he wanted to.
Ronan walked in and stood between us, facing him. He stood dangerously close to him, his hand on the handle of his sword.
They stared so fiercely at each other, there was no stopping them if a fight was to break out. I was happy Ronan had intervened and got me out of the mess I was tangled in, but challenging my elder brother to a fight wouldn’t go well with the others.
“Ronan,” I called him, and he broke away from Ben’s gaze. “Let’s go.”
I walked towards the door, and he followed, casting occasional glances at Ben.
“That was close,” I whispered as we walked down the corridor.
“I thought he wasn’t in the room,” he replied with a calm expression on his face.
“I thought so too.”
“But he was.”
“I know.”
We stood at the head of the stairs and looked towards Ben’s room, to see him watching us from the doorstep.
Fear crept into my body and I hurried down. Ronan, on the other hand, stared at him for a while before coming to meet me.
“You know better than to stir up trouble with Ben, Ronan,” I whispered to him as we got to the dining table.
“I didn’t know you were so scared of him, Adams,” he replied, a weird smirk on his face.
My eyes darkened as he said those words. I felt Ted dance crazily within me.
“Let me teach this bastard how to speak to his king,” it hissed.
“Stay put, he’s my friend,” I whispered, closing my eyes.
“I want his head now! His blood smells fresh too,” it protested as dark fur began to spread all over my body.
“Stop!” I screamed, struggling to stay in control. He is my friend!”
“Never! I want his blood now!”
My bones twisted and turned, it seemed like my body would rent into pieces.
Ronan realized he shouldn’t have spoken the way he did. He fell to the floor and grabbed my leg, begging for his life.
“I didn’t mean it that way, my king, please, forgive me.” Tears formed around his eyes and, for the first time since his father died, I saw him cry.
Ted was almost completely out. His claws had extended dangerously, and he bent down and picked Ronan up like he was a piece of paper.
“Adams, I know you are in there, somewhere. Please, don’t let this beast do this to me.”
His words seemed to annoy Ted the most, and he took his arm backwards and took it towards his neck, almost snapping his head off, but stopped as he heard Lilith’s voice.
“Adams, what are you doing?” she asked, standing by the doorstep with arms akimbo.
“Mate,” Ted said in a low growl and dropped Ronan back on the floor before walking towards Lilith.
She was petrified by the way her face became pale and she shifted back.
Ted smacked his lips the moment he got to where she was. He stretched his hand to grab her, but she dodged and went under his legs to the other side.
“Don’t start a game you will not finish, mate, you will be fueling a fire to do so,” he snarled.
“Ted stop,” I protested, but he ignored me and chose to play a game of catch the mouse, with Lilith.
She moved swiftly, avoiding his grip, but I knew he was being playful with her. Ronan simply watched in a corner, not knowing if to attack him or leave the room.
Attacking Ted was attacking me and, worst of all, he was no match for him. He also couldn’t transform into his wolf state because it was day, and he was no Lycan.
“Adams, please, I need you,” Lilith screamed. Her dress got tangled with a chair, and she fell, giving Ted a chance to grab her.
Soon she was in his arms, struggling to be set free. “It turns out you aren’t as strong as you claim to be, mate. I Have you n…” he became silent almost immediately, as she placed two fingers on his forehead.
He let her go and released me. Every trace of dark fur disappeared, and my eyes changed back. I ran to Lilith, who had slumped on the floor and held her in my hands.
She was breathing, but her body was pale. Whatever it was she did to Ted must have drained her strength as her pulse was weak.
Ronan ran towards us as fast as he could and also knelt beside us. “I’m sorry Adams, he pleaded. I caused all this.”
“It wasn’t your fault Ronan,” I whispered. “I couldn’t control him and put us all in this mess. You might not get so lucky next time, so mind what you say whenever you are around me.”
“Should I get the pack doctor?” He asked. I nodded, and he left my side at the speed of light.
I lifted her up in my arms and carried her to our room. Her heartbeat was unstable, and her breathing was haggard, but her face was beginning to show signs of life.
The maids and guards on the way stared at us and whispered among themselves. They must have heard the chaos that happened in the dining room but dared not show up.
“Woman hitter,” I heard a maid whisper.
“He is so evil, I wonder why he is the alpha,” another said.
I looked back and marked their faces before proceeding to the room. It dawned on me that they must have misunderstood the commotion in the room and now saw me as a woman beater.
Just how happy would the council be if words like that got out?