06|Let's mark her.

HADES POV

“Claim her, Hades” Cyrus's voice resonated within me, almost like the devil tempting one to do its bidding.

“I know you want her, Hades. You want to take her– to feel her” 

“Let's mark her, Hades. I want to feel her warmth. Her scent is driving me insane” Cyrus spoke again with an impatient growl but I ignored him, fingers flipping through the pages and eyes scanning the content of the file yet my mind was clouded with other thoughts.

I couldn't pay the slightest attention to what I was reading but it didn't seem that what I was looking at was worthy of my attention either. Another waste of time, I frowned and narrowed my eyes.

“Your majesty, the first agender today is the allocation of resources” The royal advisor announced with a loud voice. I didn't raise my head– only continued flipping through the poor attempt of a proposal with an unimpressed expression.

“Your majesty, we need to allocate more funds to the northern region. More packs are being attacked by rogues and survivors don't have the resources to rebuild their territories” Lord Everard stepped forward and stated, his voice loud with a slight air of arrogance that I detested.

Whispers erupted in the throne room and someone else spoke up. “But we already allocated enough resources last month. Your Majesty, if I may, I propose we allocate additional resources towards strengthening the defenses of these packs. The more fortified their defenses are, the harder it will be for rogue forces to overpower them, ensuring the safety and stability of our territories”.

Murmurs of agreement and disagreement echoed around me, but my mind kept replaying the scene from the car earlier today. If it hadn’t been for that last shred of self-control, I would have taken her right there. The thought alone sent a pleasurable shiver through me, it distracted me, she distracted my thoughts and I hate distractions.

“So are we going to ignore the helpless pack members that had their homes destroyed and their people killed?” Lord Everard angrily stated and I frowned as my eyes turned silver. The control of my body slipped away for a split second– my grip on the file tightened and I groaned fighting against the sudden surge of powerful force that rushed through me.

“I- I didn't mean that, Lord Everard. I was just saying–”

“You don't take consideration of others, I advise us all to be sympathetic. Your majesty, please grant me the funds to follow through”.

“Cyrus, back down,” I growled in my head, my anger and patience already stretched to the limit. I don't take well to being challenged, not even by my own wolf. “Back down, Cyrus. Don’t test me." I warned again and after a brief moment of struggle, I could feel his control slipping away and he went dormant.

“My king,” Draven called out beside me and I lifted my head, meeting the gaze of my assembled ministers, their expressions a mix of concern and something else- fear.

“Your Majesty–” I lazily threw the file on the floor before Everard could continue. Normally, I would have given him a chance to get what he wanted since I didn't care much about the greedy ministers that tried to find ways to fill their pockets but today, I wasn't in the mood and  I wanted to direct my frustration at someone– and that someone was in front of me.

“Is that what you truly want? To help those people as you speak?” I asked, staring down at him from my throne.

His eyes widened and he looked startled by my unexpected question. “M-my king, I do not understand what you imply. I am simply looking out for–”

“Do you take me for a fool?” I cut him off with a dry chuckle. I tilted the corner of my lips up and leaned against my throne. “Do you take your king for a fool, Everard?”

His body shook in fear as I awaited his response. He didn't say anything, instead, he fell to his knees, body shaking from fear, the very emotion I found amusing. 

“Your Majesty, I have sinned. Please, I beg for your forgiveness." His voice faltered, and with a heavy thud, he pressed his forehead to the ground. Blood began to trickle from the wound, but I stood there, watching him, indifferent to his suffering.

I narrowed my eyes with a dangerous glint, a finger tapping absently on the throne’s armrest. My head was slightly tilted to the side, watching and observing the bastard. I hated being challenged but worse, I hated betrayal. I can forgive being challenged, maybe break a bone or two for it but I don't forgive those who betray me and there was only one punishment I think those people deserve.

“You” I lazily pointed to the person that spoke up against Everard. He immediately fell to his knees besides Everard, his head on the ground in fear.

“Yes, your majesty”.

“We will follow up with your advice. Allocate resources towards strengthening the defenses of the packs. I want to start seeing results by the end of this month. Do not disappoint me”

“Yes- yes, Your Majesty”. He answered and I stood up from my seat, and almost immediately everyone bowed down in respect.

“My- my king, please forgive me” Everard suddenly spoke out, crawling towards me in a desperate attempt to grab my leg but before he could touch me, Draven stood between us and kicked him aside, making Everard yell in pain.

My face was expressionless as I glanced down at him. Pathetic.

I walked through the heavy door of the throne room and Draven followed closely behind.

“Have you checked who sent that message?” I asked as I pushed the door to my study, sitting on the chair.

“No, my king. We are unable to track the whereabouts of the sender and the owner of the auction house doesn't have the information we need”.

I sighed, rubbing my temples. Another dead end. I closed my eyes and waved my hand, signaling him to take his leave.

"King, what would you have me do with Lord Everard?" Draven asked, forcing my eyes open with a frown.

“What else?” I looked at him, a slow smirk spreading across my face. "Show him mercy—swift and painless.".

Like I said, I don't forgive people who betray me and there was only one punishment I think those people deserve—  death.

Those who betray me deserve to die.