Chapter 4

Zuriel.    

'It is your duty to strengthen and protect the dragon empire,' my father's voice resounds. 

'Zuriel, you're my son and the stability of this empire. Your power, this precious gift of yours, will win us many victories. We shall occupy all the West and be the strongest supernatural to exist. You will do it,' 

His voice makes me shudder, and the sinister look in his eyes makes me see how truly mad he is. The mad king, the power-hungry king. 

'I - I don't want to do it. P- people will die,' I finally find my voice. 

Six-year-old me could only shift his gaze to the ground when he got up from his throne. He is angry at me for speaking out against his glorious plans for the empire. I should know better. I shouldn't anger him, or he will hit Mom again. I shouldn't have spoken. 

SLAP.  Mom gasps and rushes to me, but I shake my head and quickly stand up.

 If she helps me up, he'll hit her, too. My mom is worried. Father walks up to her and tucks a strand of her hair behind the ear. 

"You've failed me, Halsey, you've failed. Your stomach can't keep a child anymore, and the one you gave me barely speaks; when he does, it's against me,"

Mom winces as Dad tightens his grip on her cheeks. I want to help, but I need help. I'm powerless against the dragon king. I don't want to feel this way. The dragon inside me is scratching and clawling at me. He wants to fly and leave this place. 

'S- Stop, m- my head hurts,' I tell him. He stops almost immediately. 

"W- when I'm older and sit on the throne. We'll take over all the empires in the West," I say with difficulty, wanting to appease Father.

 Mom gasps when he releases her, and she stumbles. Dad raises my chin so I'm facing him, and he smiles. 

'That's my son, a true dragon. My heir. We will vanquish them all before they can think of taking us out first,' 

I startle awake from that dream. It has been twenty-one years, yet that man still haunted my dreams. I try not to remember my time in the empire or read any news about them. I want to forget my life there. 

I stare at the naked woman lying next to me. I get out of bed and pour myself a glass of scotch whiskey. I stand against the window, thoughts consuming me. I feel arms around me, and I stiffen. I close my eyes. My skin crawls at her touch. 

"Don't ever do that again," I bark. I'm not too fond of human contact. The girl backs away, and I hear her groan. 

"It's been two weeks since we've seen each other. Haven't I at least earned the right to hug you?" she says in a sultry voice. I hear her lips moving, but all I'm trying to do is recall her name. It was right at the tip of my tongue.

'Vara?' My wolf, Riel says. 

"Vara," I cut her rumbling. 

"It's Veera," she seems annoyed. I gesture for her to sit on the bed, and she does. 

Looking up at me, I go to the safe and get money.  I give it to her. 

"Leave and never come back. Thank you for your service." She looks horrified as she jumps from the bed with a screech. Oh gods. Couldn't she be quieter? 

"Who do you think I am? A whore!" she throws the money on the floor. 

"Aren't you?" 

I tune her out as she starts to shout. I've learned to do this over the years: I tune out people as they talk. Why couldn't the world be quieter? 

I hear the door shut, and I spin around. 

The door opens abruptly, and Veera walks back in, still fuming. She bends and picks up the money from the floor. She glares at me and leaves the suite. 

I didn't go to the company; I went straight home. My mother has been wanting me to visit. We don't live together. She stays at the estate, while I have a city penthouse near my company. 

Reaching the mansion, my mother, Halsey Crawford, is anxiously waiting for me. Behind her, a dozen servants are ready to welcome me. 

She can be a little overbearing. When I exit the car and approach her, her eyes light up with happiness. 

"My dear, it's been too long," she hugs me. 

"I was here last week for dinner, mother,"

She takes a step back, taking me in. "My handsome boy, I always miss you," 

I sigh and kiss her temple. "I'm hungry," 

"Brilliant. I've cooked all your favorite meals today," she is excited. 

She grabs my hand and takes me to the dining room. As we eat, Mother mentions finding a partner, and I groan. She's been waiting to marry or be in a serious relationship since I was twenty. 

"I haven't found the right woman," I tell her. She scoffs. 

"Right, woman? Zuriel, you have women fighting over you. Please just pick one and be happy," she begs. I cover her hand with mine. 

"Okay," I say just to end the topic. 

She doesn't believe me. 

"You're twenty-eight years old, and -" 

"Mother, if you want me to come here again next week, let's drop this topic," I say seriously. 

I don't want love, and I don't want to be with anyone. It is pathetic to put all your happiness in one person. 

My mother looks at me with a deep sadness. She knew I didn't want to marry. 

"The Princess is missing," she says suddenly, and I stop eating to look at her. My body is tense.

"The little werewolf Princess?"