“Three hundred and forty-one,” Dolan announced as the last body was dropped into the truck. It was that of a young lad whose left ear was missing.
“Three hundred and forty-one,” Thane repeated with a sigh. “If we don’t stop him, it might just reach five hundred.”
“Well, what would you have me do? Wilhelm is not picking up my calls, and Avetha has refused to help us. Don’t forget we still have Cocci to treat,” Sia said, annoyed. He was damn tired.
“Tell me something I don’t already know,” Thane said sadly. “What’s Massa doing, anyway?”
“Practising magic. Somehow, uncle is immune to our brother’s numerous spells,” Eoff replied.
“He’s on a rampage. It’s expected,” Zikur chirped in. “What are we to do with the tourists outside?”
“We? There’s no way in this,” Dolan said.
“Look, if there’s one person that can help right now, it’s Zikur. So, Dolan, back off,” Sia said.
“Okay. First, we need to get rid of uncle. Zikur, see to that, please. Dolan, you take these bodies and burn them up. I’m sure you know the place. Eoff, gather some slaves and organize cleanup. Sia, the tourists are yours to deal with,” Thane ordered.
Zikur disappeared. “Wait, when did Thane start calling shots?” Dolan queried.
“Dolan, can you not be like this right now? We need to work together to clear up the mess that has been made. I’ve got a meeting with Ruarc and the Icelandic council. Thus, Thane, you would have to take care of the tourists. Now, get to work. We don’t have much time.”
…
“I’ve spoken with the alphas from my end, my prince, and they are all saying the same thing. They want an alpha king,” Edmund said, his loud voice bouncing off the walls.
“So, give them one,” Elvis said.
“No,” Ruarc objected. “If we let them have an alpha king, we lose control over them. These wolves might be inferior to us, but they produce what we need most, and that’s weapons.”
“The people are scattered, Ruarc. The packs are torn apart. What else would unify them if not an alpha king? He would be able to put them together,” Elvis argued.
“It doesn’t have to be a man,” Kayne said as he took his seat.
Eleanor laughed. “Are you suggesting that a woman from our end lord a group of dominating males?”
“Well, if they were so dominating, they wouldn’t need a leader,” Edmund muttered.
“Quiet. I was talking to Kayne, not you,” Eleanor sneered. He didn’t even know why Edmund was here. Sure, he was part of the council, but still… “Brother, please continue.”
“As I was saying, yes. Women are quite capable of ruling, Eleanor. We just need a woman, a female rather, who they are familiar with.”
It took a few minutes for Kayne’s words to sink.
“No,” Sia spoke up for the first time in the meeting. “There’s no way in hell I’m sending her back there. Plus, you don’t expect them to let a rogue and an omega lord them.”
“She’s our only option, Sia.”
“No. And that’s final. She’s not going back. Understood?”
“I don’t understand,” Crinka said as she stepped into the meeting room unannounced. The men turned to face her, baffled that she would dare to interrupt. Crinka didn’t seem to care as she walked further into the room, heels clicking against the floorboards. “You guys hate my guts, or so you say, and yet here you are wanting to make me an alpha king.”
“Kayne is the only one supporting that stance,” Eleanor scowled. “What are you doing here, Crinka?”
“Don’t get your panties in a twist, prince. I’m not here for you. I’m here for my beloved.”
“Well, as you can see, he’s pretty occupied,” Ruarc snarled.
Crinka turned to glare at him. “I am sure your brother can speak for himself, Ruarc. And regarding the alpha king thingy, I won’t be doing it.”
“Nobody asked for your opinion,” Elvis sneered.
“As I was saying, I won’t be doing it because there’s another person, someone better if I might add, who could fill that empty spot. Be your man from the inside.”
“Who is that?” Sia inquired.
“The queen’s son.”
They all laughed. “None of us can be the alpha king, Crinka. Not when we are already princes.”
Crinka glared at them. “I wasn’t referring to you idiots. The queen has a son, other than the twelve, who is just an omega like me. His name is Novgorod, and I’m certain he would make an excellent alpha king.”
“Crinka, are you aware of the allegations you’re making against the queen, my mother?” Ruarc asked.
“If I wasn’t aware, I would have kept mute. I am not lying, Ruarc.”
“We’ll sort this out later. This mustn’t leave these walls, any of you.”
And with that, they left quietly, leaving Sia and Crinka to themselves.
“Where have you been?”
“Around?”
“Where were you last night?”
“Around.”
He narrowed his eyes. “Crinka…”
“You don’t believe me, do you? You, just like your brothers, think that I’m lying.”
“Crinka…”
“Answer me, Sia.”
“I don’t know what to think, Crinka. You just appeared from nowhere and dropped a bombshell on us. You can’t just expect me to believe you?”
“Look at me, Sia. Do you think I would lie to you?” she asked, nearing him. “To the father of my unborn child?”
Sia’s eyes widened. He couldn’t believe his ears. “Is it…?” he paused, then looked down at her. “Are you…?”
She looked away. “I don’t… I’m not entirely sure. It’s just a hunch. I’ve been vomiting since morning.”
“Did you take a test?”
“I sent Mila out to get me one. Let’s just keep our fingers crossed, I guess,” she stated quietly.
“You don’t look too happy.”
“I don’t… I don’t know if I’m supposed to be…”
He cut in. “Happy at the possibility of carrying my child? Of course, you should be, Crinka. You don’t know how I’ve yearned to become one.”
“Don’t be so excited, Sia. We’re not even sure if I’m with child yet. Plus, I’m not ready to be a mother.”
Sia’s face fell. “You don’t want kids? You don’t like them?”
“Yes. Kids are just so exasperating and… annoying! Plus, becoming pregnant would spoil my figure. I don’t think it’s safe to bear your kids just yet. Thane mentioned you having enemies, and I fear that they might come after me. Look, can we just talk about this later? Right now, I want to know what’s with the palace servants and decorations.”
“Oh, they’re just doing that because it’s Christmas. We didn’t used to celebrate Christmas until last year. Now, it’s an integral part of our lives. On the 25th, we spend time indoors after mass, sharing heartfelt memories with our families and friends. On the 26th, we open presents. On the 30th, we release a lot of prisoners.”
“Wow, that’s a lot. Are you a Christian?”
“I used to be,” he replied vaguely.
“What changed?”
“I became a prince.”
Before she could ask questions, Mila walked in, bowing. “Your Highness, milady. Your Highness, the king has asked me to come get you.”
Sia sighed and left Crinka without saying goodbye.
Quickly, he walked to his father’s chambers, and at once, the servants left them be.
“You called me father.”
“Your cousin has arrived. See to it that they do not see him. Also, inform all the tourists that the Ice Palace would be closed. Have them know that half their fees would be refunded, and they are welcome to try their luck again next year.”
“Would that be all?”
“Of course not. When are you going to let her go?”
“Her?”
“Don’t play dumb with me, child. When are you going to send her away? She has been here for months. The people are starting to talk. The families of the wolves we dismembered would surely revenge if we do not exact punishment on your beloved wolf. Send her away, before the House of Ruins get to know that a wolf breathes on our lands.”
“She loves me.”
Thjis laughed. “I do not care. Sia, I do not care if her love for you surpasses the earth’s revolution around the sun. She is to leave, and to do so at once.”
“I can make her fall out of love with me. If I succeed, she’s to stay for another month.”
Thjis frowned. “You’re in no position to make demands, son.”
“I believe I am. After all, you do owe me for keeping your secret.”
Thjis laughed. “You didn’t have a choice. Fine. Three weeks. You have three weeks to get her to hate you. Then she will stay for another month. And that’s all. One month. Nothing more.”
Sia smiled. “Is that all?”
“Keep an eye on your brothers, especially Massa. Have him know that the tourists are off limits.”
“Would that be all, father?”
“Merry Christmas, Nasia. And yes, that is all.”