Chapter 4

Douglas POV

I get in to be with my dad, the king in his royal chambers, the part he entertained visitors. Even though I'm his son, I had to keep with the protocol. He had instructed me to dress corporately each time I came to see him and that, I did. Thank goodness, the queen wasn't around, I could have a heart-to-heart conversation with my dad without worrying about avoiding words that could hurt her. 

I wondered where the queen had gone to and why. It was unusual for her not to be beside the king. Pandora was always with the king, if not convincing him to agree to her sinister plans, she would be scolding him if he didn't do what she asked. She was a devil in human nature. 

"Why do you keep asking to be king, why don't you let me rule my subjects in peace?" 

"Dad, you've already ruled for over sixty-years, it's due for you to transfer the mantle of leadership to me. I'm of age or don't you want me to be king?" He gave me a suspicious look, I'd have been afraid if not that he was my father. There's nowhere I wouldn't think of something sinister being planned if it was the queen looking at me this way.

I remembered what my girl, Nancy, told me before I left her. I always wanted her to be happy. After my mom passed away she became my only source of joy. I was determined to put a smile on her face, it's because of her that I'm fighting hard for the throne despite my dad's reluctance to hand it over to me. I was still in my thoughts with my dad staring silent and angrily at me when the queen came in, she was the replica of the devil. Her aura filled everywhere, the sensation of a pure wicked soul. I wondered if she even had a soul. I read in some books that vampires were different entirely from us. She must have a spirit then if she didn't have a soul!

"What are you trying to do, Douglas?" She stared ferociously at me. "I think I've been giving you too much freedom in this palace that's why you'd have to openly challenge your dad about his position." She muttered, almost to herself. Whenever she acted this way, her eyes turning darker, something evil was cooking up in her heart.

"I'm going to be king whether you like it or not Pandora!" I shouted boldly and she glared at me more ferociously, I snarled. My wolf growled at her. For once I needed to be firm, at other times I was afraid of her. I think that era is gone. 

"Are you talking to me that way?" Pandora was puzzled, no one had addressed her in such a way before. I myself haven't before but I did this because of anger. I can't continue to be cut off from the throne forever.

"Dad you're letting this wicked woman that murdered my mother to stand tall as the only proud peacock. So disgraceful of you!" I spit on the floor though it was tiled. Their eyes widened in shock at what I did. I was despising them and sure I had no regrets. 

"As for you, O wicked woman, you shall surely pay for what you've done!" I rose up in anger and stormed out of the room. Before I even got out of the hallway, guards walked up to me numbering about four of them and pulled me back up. 

I didn't know what was going on. "Get your hands off me lest I make you pay for this insultive act." I struggled but their hands were firm on me. Then I noticed amidst my struggle that we had ceased moving, they held me tight. I looked up and in front of me stood the queen.

"It's an insult in your case but not when you despise your dad and I?" She spit directly on my face. I got so ashamed. At once I realized part of me was dead, my wolf was weak. I couldn't have any connection with it. For the first time I felt the effect of the evil powers my step-mom had, as a hybrid, a vampire and a witch. In totality I was weak and helpless.

"Follow me!" She gestured to the armed guards who pulled me further up the winding hallway while she led the way walking in all her majesty with pride and authority. I felt like kicking her with my foot and spitting back on her. Her long black cloak trailed behind her as she took every step up, it swayed with the gentle blow of the early morning breeze. 

"I feel it's that useless girl that is causing you to behave in this way." She smirked. I wanted to ask her in what way I behaved but I felt it would be disastrous to do that. I might be possibly hurt and there was no way I could defend myself now my wolf was weak. 

I had no other option than to keep quiet. The security personnel armed with guns and in black uniform led me up the stairs to the guest room of the queen. It was the room she received her guests, most of which met with a tragic end soon after. I recalled what she said about my girl, fear gripped my heart. "I pray nothing will happen to my only joy," I wept inside of me. Before Pandora mentioned her, she had some evil thoughts about her. If she did wrong to Nancy, I swear I wouldn't fail to avenge. Even if it was one second before my death, I will certainly deal with her. 

Pandora opened the door abruptly, what I saw made my breath escape. Nancy was lying on the floor almost unclad with chains bounding her hands and legs. Her face swollen like she was beaten some minutes ago, she was downcasted. I stood helpless, the thought of avenging flew away. Here was something I better avenged but there was no power left in me. I sensed being useless and no longer a man. 

"Say a word and your girlfriend, whatever her name is, will be gone forever." Every cell in my body burned into the inferno of betrayal, my dad was the betrayer. If he had been strong enough to resist Pandora's charms, all of these wouldn't be happening. Because of her, I've lost my mother, my first love, and now my only love surviving. "What would my life be like if I lose her?" I muttered to myself almost unconsciously, I felt faint as my sight turned blurry. The next moment I dropped.