The Paternity Ritual 1

CHAPTER EIGHTY

The Paternity Ritual 1

“I said the throne belongs to you, and no one will be able to take it from you,” Ralph repeated.

Ashier secretly pinched himself to be sure he wasn’t dreaming and it was his brother who was standing in front to him, the same Ralph he know.

He moved closer to him and sniffed in, perhaps he was drunk, but he doesn’t smell like it.

Ashier was unable to comprehend was what happening and his brother’s sudden change, he felt like there was something wrong somewhere, but he just couldn’t tell what that thing was.

“Are you sure everything is fine?” Ashier asked.

As far as he could remember, his brother was one of the people who wanted to take the throne from him. Ralph had been on it since he was made the king, he had vowed to take the throne from him, Ashier was confused of what was happening and why he was suddenly saying that.

He looked up at him, trying to read him through his facial expression, but he couldn’t, he couldn’t read through Ralph.

What could have caused this? What could have led to the sudden change? Why was Ralph suddenly supporting him? He couldn’t tell what has led to this change.

Ralph on the other hand found a reason to finally stand by his brother after watching what happened during the meeting.

After overhearing Ashier announcing and accepting that Blair was his mate at the torturing room, Nora had come to meet him and asked them to join forces together so as to defeat Ashier and bring him down from the throne.

He at first thought that Nora was trying to make it a bait to expose his own desires and plans to take the throne until Nora openly exposed all the bad deeds she has done and asked that they work together.

Ralph ended up accepting to it as he also wanted the throne, not really for anything but to protect his love and his unborn child. It was a taboo to be in a relationship with a slave is one is among the royal family and the only one who was allowed to do that was the king.

Ralph decided to become the king so he could boldly claim and protect his love and his unborn child, that was all he wanted the throne for. He joined Nora for this as she also promised to make him the king.

Ralph was surprised when Nora’s name was called as the one who would become the king if Ashier gets impeached successfully and he just couldn’t believe it. He realized that Nora only wanted to use him for her own selfish interest and he decided to clap back.

Also, watching Ashier boldly telling the pack and accepting that Blair was his mate even against all odds, he felt like it would be bad to rip him off his rights. And for the first time in years, he saw the reason Ashier was made the king ahead of him.

Ignoring the fact that he was the son from a chosen mate and not the real mate of the previous alpha king, he didn’t have the strength and boldness just like Ashier had, he wouldn’t be able to stand up for himself if he was in his shoes.

Ashier was able to stand up for himself, he believed that a coward like him didn’t deserve the throne.

Ralph closed the gap between them and placed a hand on Ashier’s shoulder, “Call me when you need me, I’ll be there for you.” He smiled faintly and turned to leave.

Ashier ran after him and wrapped his hands around him, “Brother,” he murmured, trying his best to hold back his tear, he had been hoping and waiting for the day his brother would talk to him calmly like they were young, the day he would talk to him without his usual anger.

Ralph didn’t move and Ashier kept that position for minutes, he didn’t even want to know why his brother has changed, he was just happy that he was back to being the protective big brother he was before, and he hoped things would never change again.

Ralph pulled away and turned to Ashier, “You know how to call me if you need me,” he smiled and patted his shoulder before walking away.

Ashier turned slowly to Alisha who had been watching the two brothers, “What changed?” Ashier asked.

Alisha shrugged, “People change, Your highness, you never can tell the reason,” she smiled and moved closer to him, “Shall we go talk to Blair now?”

Ashier nodded and they both headed out of the pack hall. He still couldn’t erase what happened few minutes ago as they walked through the palaces hallway. His brother had just told him to call on him whenever he needs him, after being against him for years and fighting for the throne, he still didn’t understand what has changed to make him change.

The least he was concerned about was the reason Ralph changed, he was more concerned about what would happen in the future, if he would return to the cruel brother and his cold nature, Ashier hoped that wouldn’t happen.

He would at least love to spend the remaining days he had left with the people he loved and his brother was the top on his list.

They finally got to his chamber and Blair was already awake.

She bowed as soon as she saw them, “Your highness.”

Ashier rushed to her and pulled her up, “You shouldn’t bow in your condition,” he smiled, “And there’s no need for honorifics, Alisha knows everything about us.”

Blair nodded, “But what condition are you talking about?” She asked.

Ashier smiled and brought his hand to her stomach, “You are carrying our baby Blair, you are pregnant!”

Blair’s eyes widened, her eyes filled with tears, she couldn’t believe it, “I…I’m pregnant?” She asked, “I’m carrying our baby?”

“Yes you are,” Ashier responded and pulled her closer to himself, “We are having a baby!” He murmured.

Alisha moved closer to them, “I don’t mean to interrupt, Your highness, but before we forget, we should inform her about the ritual.”

Blair pulled away from him and turned to her, “Ritual? What ritual?”

“It is an ancient ritual being done to determine the paternity of the child, and it is compulsory to do it as Queen Nora is also pregnant and according to the history, one of the babies isn’t the king’s.” Alisha tried her best to make her understand.

Blair smiled, “There is no problem, I will go through with it as I am sure he is the father of this baby,” she smiled and swung his hand around Ashier’s neck, “This baby is ours.”

Ashier smiled and pulled her closer, “Tell the guards to prepare one of the rooms in the Royal villa for her.” He instructed Alisha who rushed out to do as he has said.

***

Ashier opened his eyes one after the other as the morning don filtered through the curtains. He yawned as he glanced at the clock on the wall it was almost time. Today was the day of the ancient paternity ritual, the day all the hidden secrets and truths would be revealed. He always knew that there was something about Nora, and that day was the day he would get to it all.

Looking back at the clock and how fast it was ticking, Ashier quickly rose from the bed, his mind was racing with anticipation. He quickly made his way into the bathroom, the sound of running water filling the air as he prepared for the day and what laid ahead of him.

Truths he might be happy or sad about, he just hoped that everything would go well, and at the end of the day, he would be with Blair.

The warm water flowed over his body, it provided a brief calmness from the jumble of thoughts that raced in his mind. He remembered his brother and how they got back together the day before and he made a wish silently that it would continue to be like that. He just wanted to feel at peace for the remaining days he had left, he wanted to be with the ones he loved and spend his last moments with them, he couldn’t wait for the whole ritual thing to be over.

Alisha's words echoed in his head as he bath, her words which assured him that Blair was carrying his child. But there was this little doubt, one he had tried to chase away, but it lingered still. It was fueled by the possibility that Blair might be the wrong one and Nora was the one carrying his child. The possibility of the happening gave him a sudden cold under the warm shower.

He stopped the shower for a while and leaned on the walls, his mind racing different scenarios of what the day motif be, different what ifs raised through his head.

He just hoped that everything would go well, he wanted to feel the calmness and the assurance that everything would be fine and it would go well after her leaves.

Minutes later, he was done with his shower. Ashier emerged from the bathroom with a towel wrapped around his waist. He stood in front of the mirror, his reflection staring back at him with a mixture of anxiety and determination. Today would bring answers to his long asked questions, but it also held the potential to shatter all his dreams and last wishes, he could only hope that it wouldn’t go that way.

As he dried himself off, he prepared himself mentally for what lay ahead and the possible outcomes of the day.

After drying himself, he quickly changed his bandage and smiled at his reflection in the mirror, he had already given in and accepted that he was going to be no more in the next six days, all that h wanted was to enjoy the rest of the days he had to live.

He dressed in his royal attire and took a deep breaths, attempting to steady his racing heart. He reminded himself to remain calm, and silently assured himself that everything would go well.

He headed out of the room and Alisha who was already waiting for him at the door bowed, “May you live long, Your highness,” she greeted with a big smile on her face.

With Alisha trailing closely behind him, Ashier headed for Blair’s room. He walked briskly through the palace corridors, his anticipation grew with each step he took.

As they approached the door to Blair's room, Ashier's heart began to thump in his chest, he didn’t know why he was scared.

Alisha had assured him that he was the father of the baby Blair was carrying, but he still couldn’t get the thoughts off his mind, the thought that Alisha might be wrong and everything might not go the way he wanted. He tried to shake away all negative thoughts, but the fear remained.

He just wanted to get over with everything as soon as he could. They got to the door and knocked, but there was no response.

Ashier looked confused, and there was also and a hint of worry on his face, “Are you sure she is in there?” He asked Alisha.

Alisha nodded, “She should be there, Your highness,” Alisha responded and knocked on the door, but there was still no response.

Alisha and Ashier exchanged a concerned glance, unable to understand what was going on and why Blair had refused to answer the door.

Alisha looked up at Ashier, “I will just open the door,” she informed before she turned the doorknob, and the door swung open to reveal an empty room, quiet as a graveyard.

Ashier choked on his breath as his eyes darted around the room, his eyes moved from corner to other, searching for any sign of Blair, but she was nowhere to be found.

He was confused, he couldn’t understand why Blair would be absent on such an important day, he couldn’t understand where she went to. Or was she missing?

“Where is Blair?” Ashier asked silently, “Why is she not here?”

“I will be right back, Your highness,” Alisha informed and the rushed out of the room.

Ashier staggered but he was quick to find his balance, he leaned on the wall, his eyes still moving around the empty room in search for Blair. Could it be that she is carrying someone else’s child and ran away to hide it?

Different reasons for Blair’s disappearance rang through his head, what if she was in danger?

Alisha came back him minutes later with Ralph and some other guards, “This is the room she was staying.” Alisha told Ralph who looked around the room.

He stopped when he got to the window and looked outside, he turned back to Alisha, “She is missing, she was abducted,” he announced.

“What!” Ashier exclaimed, “By who? Who took her?”

Ralph mover closer to him and held him by his shoulder, “You have to be at the ritual ground now, else things will go as they planned.” He pulled Ashier towards the door, “I promise to bring Blair back before the ritual starts.” He stated.

“I would be going with him, Your highness, we will both bring her back to you,” Alisha added.

Ashier nodded, “I am counting on you two,” he said and did as he was told. He headed for the ritual ground with the hope that Blair would be found and brought back before the ritual start.