Three Alpha Princes for an Unwanted Omega

”You are summoned, my prince. The Alpha convenes the council within the hour.”

This was itthen, Ares thought to himself. He would be Alpha tonight.

Ares walked into the council chambers. He felt their eyes on him as he took his place behind his father’s chair.

Kieran stood at the head of the table.

”I have summoned you to inform you of a decision.” His voice carried across the room. ”It is not open to a debate and it is something I should have done before now.”

He took a deep breath and continued.

”I am abdicating the throne of the northern packs. Tonight, Ares will be crowned in my place.”

For one moment, there was stunned silence before voices erupted in confusion.

”I have said all there is to say on the matter.” Alpha Kieran stopped them.

”Messengers ride as we speak to carry the news around the pack and summon those who can reach the hall by noon.”

”My lord...”

”I understand your concerns... all of you but Ares has always been my heir. He knows the ropes and if we are going to admit the truth, he is young, vibrant and exactly what this pack needs to combat our enemy.”

The room remained quiet after that. None of them could argue the truth in Kieran’s statement and he knew it.

”That will be all.”

The chamber emptied around them. Ares stood at his place until the door closed, and then he crossed the room to the man who had raised him.

”Father, you do not have to do this.”

”You should go and prepare yourself.” Alpha Kieran said, clasping his son’s shoulder.

Ares nodded and excused himself.

...

The robes were heavy.

Ares stood before the glass while a servant adjusted the collar. He did not think that this would have ever happened.

He had always imagined that he would take over the throne when his father was gone only to discover he was not even of Alpha bloodline to begin with.

He sighed, staring at himself. Green angry eyes stared back at him.

The rogue king’s letter had been simple. He was going to honor their peace treaty at a place of his choosing and he was only sending a response to acknowledge the meeting.

Ares could not wait to meet the bastard, to look him in the eye.

”You look like you are attending your own funeral.” Damon said from the doorway.

”Perhaps I am.” Ares glanced at his brother.

Damon strolled in, already dressed in silver, and leaned against the doorframe. ”Cheer up, brother. It is a coronation, not a death sentence. Though I admit the resemblance is uncanny.”

The servant bowed low to both princes and excused himself.

”Where is Cassian?”

”Coming. He, as usual is rounding up another batch of herbs for the boils that seem to be ravaging children and adult alike.”

Ares smiled at this.

Of course, his brother... ever the healer.

”Do you think he is making the right decision? Abdicating. For me.”

Damon considered it. ”I think he is doing the only thing he can think of to prove you are his son. He cannot change your blood, Ares. So he is giving you his name instead.”

”His name. And his crown.”

”Both.” Damon squeezed his shoulder and let go. ”Also he knows you are the best Alpha the pack can dream of. You have trained for this your whole life and a little information about bloodline does not discredit that fact. You are not a fraud, Ares...neither of us are.”

Ares looked at his brother, a smile of gratitude on his face.

Cassian arrived as they finished. He took one look at Ares and nodded.

”The hall is filling up. We should head over now.”

Cassian had not exaggerated when he said the hall was full. There were hundreds of people waiting. Ares could feel their eyes on him as they parted for them to pass through.

Alpha Kieran stood on the dais, a smile on his face and beside him stood priestess Miranda.

He also saw Brenna in the crowd and he nodded to her which took her by surprise but she returned his nod with one of her own.

Ever since, Ayla’s kidnap, she had become resigned... devoid of the scheming he had come to know her for.

She might have been hard on her daughter but she loved her just as much.

Cassian and Damon took their places in the crowd, giving the moment to Ares and their father.

Kieran raised his hand, and the hall fell silent.

”My people.” His voice rolled out. ”You know why we are here. I have led you for thirty years and I have given you everything I have to give.”

He paused, his eyes finding Ares.

”Tonight I give you something more. I give you my son, my heir who is going to lead you into the next generation. Come forward Ares.”

Ares’ throat closed up as he walked to his father.

”Kneel.”

He knelt.

The elder brought the crown forward and Kieran took it in both hands.

”I hereby...”

Ares felt a pang in his chest. He cleared his throat, rubbing his chest lightly.

What was that? He thought, trying to focus on what his father was saying.

”Behold your new Alpha, Ares Rykeron.”

The crown was placed on his head in the same moment the pain came again, like a blade had been driven between his ribs and was being twisted. A sound tore from his throat, a raw animal cry that he did not even recognize as his.

He hit the ground, his hands clutching his chest, clawing at the robes.

”Ares!” Alpha Kieran barked as he sank to the ground after his son.

There was another roar... or was it two?

Pandemonium broke out in the hall.

”Ares!” Alpha Kieran shook his son. ”Summon the healer at once... Get me Master Aldric!... Ares, can you hear me, son?”

”Ares could not answer.

Tears stung the corner of his eyes and the back of his throat felt clogged with spittle.

This wasn’t from him. It was something else.

Ayla... Ayla was in pain. He could feel it, feel her...

Another thing Ares felt in that moment was the bond between them breaking.

”Miranda, do something.” Alpha Kieran barked. ”Where is Damon and Cassian?”

He looked up, his eyes sweeping across the crowd and landing on both his sons, also on the ground, clutching their chest just like Ares was.