Ileus: The Dark Prince

When Vaarin woke up in the morning, he saw that Kaia was already ready. She had been pretty depressed over the past two days and he was aware that she would take some more time to come out of the shock that her sister Fuchsia gave her. He hadn't expected her to be present at the ceremony, but when he saw Kaia in a pale-yellow silk gown with flowers wreathed in her golden and gray hair, a smile came on his lips. It was a beautiful sight. "Come here," he said as he propped up his pillows. She was pouring tea for him. She took the cup, handed it to him and sat down beside him. He stroked her hair lovingly for a long time and then said, "Thank you, love." He kissed the back of her palm. 

She reached for his cheeks and cupped them. "Did you think that I won't see your appointment as the Alpha of the pack?" She stroked his cheeks with her thumb. "This is going to be the most historical appointment. Murtagh's family had been giving Alphas for time since this pack came into being, but now you will be the Alpha—a new family is being the responsibility. Do you remember how Murtagh killed his father just to become the Alpha even though his father was a strong man?" 

"I do remember those times…" 

"At least you aren't facing such challenges, and all thanks to Kaizan," Kaia said with pleasure. "I am so proud of both you and Kaizan so much that it aches my heart." 

"Kaia…" Vaarin whispered her name. 

"I am done being depressed, Vaarin," she said. "Go make me proud some more." She leaned forward and kissed him on his lips. "I love you." 

His face split into a grin. "And I love you too." 

She giggled. "And soon we will have a grandchild to play with." 

"And who knows that our grandchild is the next Alpha of the Whiteclaw pack?" Vaarin said enthusiastically. 

"Who knows?" Kaia winked. 

The eager wanna-be grandparents laughed together and then talked some more. Vaarin got dressed in a cerulean full-sleeved tunic with golden threads and black pants. When the two walked out of their bedchamber, they looked… stately. The servants bowed to them with respect and fear. Kaia couldn't help tipping her chin up as she walked confidently to the council room. 

Olivia and Kaizan were already standing in front of the council room waiting for Vaarin. When they saw Kaia too, Olivia greeted her mother excitedly. "Mother!" She hugged Kaia. "It's so good to see you! I thought you won't be able to come." 

Kaia raised her eyebrows. "And leave the chance of seeing my husband ascend to Alpha's position? Not in a million years, girl!" 

Olivia laughed, as Vaarin smiled proudly at his wife. 

"Come let us go in," said Kaizan. He was very happy to see that Kaia and Vaarin were more than eager to take the responsibility. 

The council meeting chamber was buzzing with excitement. Men were talking amongst themselves. The voices that had protested against the appointment of Vaarin as the Alpha of the pack were quiet. There were clearly two groups—one that wanted Vaarin and the other, who was scared of challenging Kaizan's decision. 

Most of the councilmen agreed that Vaarin should be their next Alpha, because the man had not only fought for the freedom as directed by Murtagh, he had also shown that when things became too difficult to handle, when the pack was on the brink of economic meltdown, when all they were left with was past glory and pride… he had shown the grit to go an extra mile and cinch the treaty. And ever since the treaty was signed, there had been many benefits. Though it was too early to see the repercussions, overall people breathed a sigh of relief. According to the spies, there was a lot of support for Vaarin. 

As soon as the guards opened the heavy oak door, the chamber fell into complete silence. Vaarin walked with his wife to sit at the head of the table. He made Kaia sit to his right and as soon as he was seated, the others took their place. Kaizan remained standing. He said, "By King's orders, from today, Vaarin will be appointed as the Alpha of the pack." He scanned the room with a dark glare. "If anyone wishes to challenge his position, tell me now." 

Men shifted in their chairs and looked at each other, but no one protested. They didn't dare to because challenging Vaarin meant not only facing the wrath of the General, but also becoming the enemy of King Dmitri and his wife Queen Adrianna. The murmurs died down quickly. They all looked at Kaizan eagerly. Since there was no objection, Kaizan lifted a crown of laurel leaves in gold that belonged to the previous Alpha and placed it on Vaarin's head.

Vaarin stood up and bowed to Kaizan. "Thank you for giving this opportunity to me General Kaizan," he said. Then he turned to his fellowmen and thanked them. He gave his hand to Kaizan. 

The General took out a sharp dagger that was sheathed in his belt and cut across Vaarin's palm. Blood flowed out immediately. "I want each and every one of you to take a new blood oath with Vaarin. After this you will be only answering to Alpha Vaarin." 

Everyone knew what a blood oath was. It was so binding that it could not be broken even if they wanted to protest. 

"But what about our blood oath to Alpha Murtagh?" asked one of the wary councilmen. 

As soon as he said that, shadows and smoke burst in the room. All of them, except Kaizan were shocked. He remained silent as if this was a part of the plan he was expecting. Ileus emerged from those shadows along with Murtagh. 

There was a collective gasp as shock flitted wildly through the men. Seeing their former Alpha after such a long time was a huge shocker. His hair had greyed more and he looked… healthier. Gone were his haggard looks. Right now, he looked as if he was dazed.

Ileus pushed him forward, his expressions dark. All of them bowed to the crown prince. "Relieve them of his blood oath, Kaizan," said Ileus in a menacing voice, his golden eyes daring them. 

"Yes, Your Highness," Kaizan replied. He took Murtagh's palm and cut it across. 

As the blood flowed, Murtagh watched it helplessly. He looked at his men as if was struggling with a lot of pain and reluctance. He grabbed his hair in one hand and then with difficulty, whispered in an ancient language, "I hereby absolve you of your blood oath to me," he named every councilman standing over there. 

The councilmen just stared at him. As soon as Murtagh freed them of his blood oath, Ileus grabbed his collar and pulled him back. Shadows and smoke burst out once again and the next moment he disappeared with Murtagh. No one could understand how this was possible for a man like Murtagh to free them of his blood oath so easily. Was his mind was being controlled? If fear had touched their skin because of General Kaizan, it was now bone deep because of Ileus. He was a dark wizard.

They all gazed at Vaarin and one by one, rushed to him.