CHAPTER 82: CHAPTER CHAPTER EIGHTY-TWO: DAMIEN’S STORY XXII: I’LL BE YOUR IDOL.

When Damien finally calmed down, Alex carried him to the bed and tucked in the sheets. He looked down at his crybaby son who had a runny nose with mucus staining his cheeks.

At that moment, Alex made up his mind. He wasn’t going to continue running away from his present but accept it because of his son. He picked up a scarf from the floor and gently wiped off the mucus on his face before they dried up and become painful the remove.

Once he finished his task painstakingly, he walked out of the room.

"Ezra."

Ezra appeared in front door of him, bowing his head shortly. "Yes, your majesty."

"Stay with Damien. I’ll go get Cassian from the meadows."

Ezra looked surprised for a while. "You found his highness?"

"Mm."

"But how?"

"The relic helped." Alex said simply and walked away from him. Ezra didn’t bother to stop and ask what he meant by that. Whatever it was, it most likely had something to do with Mira. It truly was saddening that even with the awful amount of pain he was going through, he still had to be a man, a king, and a father at the same time.

How exhausting, Ezra thought. He had always respected Alex more than anyone else. Maybe it was because he had taken him in as an abused child and helped him. Either way, he didn’t care. He owed his life and his generations to that man.

Once Alex was gone, Ezra walked into the room. The door laid uselessly under feet as he walked over it and into the room.

"You’ll be alright kid." Ezra said nonchalantly as he picked up his tiny frame and vanished from the room.

He appeared in the one he shared with his brother, laid him on his bed before pulling out an abnormally sized flower patterned cushion. He sank his body into it as he watched the young prince sleep.

"Go easy on your father you rascal." he said, thumping his forehead lightly. "He has this harder than you could ever imagine."

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Alex landed gracefully on the other side of Veylar where the relic had showed them. He purposely landed several metres away from the meadows to intentionally get a breathing space. He walked in silence with his hands in his pockets as the morning dew fell generously on the leaves.

’How serene.’ he thought to himself. This was a perfect moment he could have enjoyed with his wife if...if she were still there with him.

His mind darted back to Xeranthis. Good thing he had let him go that evening. If not, he would have become his punching bag for the past week. The thought made him chuckle shortly. He still hadn’t paid that bastard in full for lusting after his beautiful wife. She was dead still the anger kindled quietly within him like a dead fire being reignited.

As he walked through the forest with his head bowed, his eyes caught something moving closer to him. Alex continued walking as if he hadn’t noticed anything, however, he could still feel its watching gaze trail his every move.

Out of nowhere, a mutated leopard lunged at him with its fangs bared dangerously in front of him. Before it could even get to Alex, another creature twice the size of the spotted colossus got to it first, slapping it away from the intended prey. Alex looked up in awe at the gigantic grey wolf that stood grandly before him.

He could barely hide his shock. A wolf? How was this even possible?

The wolf gnarled ferociously at the leopard who instantly weighing his rival’s strength, backed off.

The wolf then turned sharply to Alex who remained fixed to the spot. He hadn’t bothered to bring his sword along and just planned on tearing the beast in half but this wolf had beat him to it.

A flickering light shone across the forest and the wolf turned into the boy called Jesse.

Alex scoffed at the transformation. He gripped his head and let out an amused, ridiculous laugh. "Waw!" he laughed out. "I must have really gone mad huh?" He couldn’t hold it in. For some reason, the whole thing just seemed hilarious in his head. A wolf? A freaking wolf?!

"It would’ve taken more than just your hands to tear that beast apart, your majesty." the boy said calmly.

Alex looked at him for a second before bursting out in another bout of laughter. Oh god! He needed that.

Severin frowned at him. He walked quickly to where the king stood and took his hand. "I just saved your life yet you laugh?" he said with all seriousness.

The laughter in Alex’s throat died down upon seeing the blank look the boy gave him. He crouched down to his level, momentarily running his hands through his strange hair.

"So you’re a wolf huh?"

"As you can see."

Alex tilted his head to one side. The boy was rude...but on an interesting level.

"Not bad for a little kid." he said arching an eyebrow at him before running his hand through his hair again. Severin, not caring what supposed power he possessed, slapped his hand away with brutal force.

"Don’t do that." he warned dangerously.

Alex stared at the little boy walk away from him with his hand still suspended in the air. No one, not even his own children had ever dared walk out on him. Well, all except Mira of course and that had only happened once!

Intrigued, he jumped to his feet and followed the little boy. For some reason, he just wasn’t in a rush to find his son. Probably because he had seen him being delivered from the evil spirit that had possessed him. He frowned at the thought.

"You’re looking for your son." Severin started, drawing his attention back to him as they walked in the silence of the morning. "The one who was possessed I suppose."

Alex looked interestingly at him. He never knew werewolves could read minds. Hell, he hadn’t even met one till now!

"And?"

"You won’t find him here." Severin said simply.

Alex stopped walking while Severin continued like he hadn’t just told a father that his son wasn’t where he expected him to be.

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"Then where is my son...?" Alex trailed off.

"Severin."

"Ok." he stressed with a slight nod. "Severin, where is my son?"

"He’s with me."

Alex pinched the bridge between his nose. What was this kid trying to do by messing with him?

"Alright then." he surrendered. "Lead the way Samson."

Severin frowned. "It’s Severin, mister."

Alex walked towards him and flicked his forehead. "And that’s your majesty to you. Now lead the way."

Severin released a soft sigh and turned a corner that led to the outskirts of the kingdom. They trekked for almost an hour until they finally arrived at a small building in the town. It was smaller than an inn but bigger than a cabin yet it was generally called an inn. Severin walked into the inn followed closely by Alex who maintained a distance between himself and the ’wolf boy.’

"There you are!" a voice echoed in the candle lit living room. Alex looked around: there were some worn-out furniture with a few upholstery on them. A table at the center, some candlesticks by the kitchen window, etcetera...

It was an accommodation for low lives.

A boy that looked like Cassian’s age ran up to Severin and slapped him on the arm. "I’ve been worried sick about you! I couldn’t even sleep!" His eyes darted for a second towards the man that stood beside his younger brother. "Who is that?" he asked nonchalantly.

’Wow.’ Alex thought amusedly. He had never been referred to as a ’that’ before.

But instead of getting mad, he just played along.

These kids must really have no respect whatsoever.

"That’s the king of the neighboring kingdom." Severin breathed out.

Lucian’s eyes widened upon realization. He dropped to his knees, his head touching the dirty, wine carpet.

"Forgive me your majesty!" Lucian looked up to find his brother staring down at him. He pulled him down to his knees forcefully and forced his head onto the ground.

"What are you doing brother?" he asked Lucian through gritted teeth as the dust from the carpet blew into his mouth.

"You dummy! That’s the greatest vampire king ever!" Lucian half-yelled at him.

"So?"

He slapped him again on the neck. "So?!"

Alex watched as the two boys bickered in front of him and he was reminded of how Cassian would argue with Damien when they couldn’t agree on what game to play. That’s right! Cassian!

"Uhh...boy?"

Lucian’s head shot up and he trembled at his gaze. "Me? Lucian...your majesty."

"Mm. Where’s my son?"

"Your..." he drawled out, looking confused. Oh! The boy my brother brought back!"

"Yes."

"He’s here, your majesty. He is awake."

Lucian scrambled to his feet, using his brother as an object to lift himself off the ground. Alex crossed over his body as he followed his brother to another room opposite the living room.

He entered the room and closed the door behind him. Right there on the bed was Cassian looking more lifeless than Damien did. He approached him slowly and cradled him to his chest just like Mira would have done. "Cassian—"

"Mama’s gone isn’t she?" he asked all of a sudden. That was strange. Earlier, he had been looking for ways on how he could break the news to him. Thank goodness...I guess?

Alex looked at his son that sat quietly in his arms. He definitely had not expected that reaction. He even expected him to throw a wilder tantrum than Damien but he had taken the news so...well.

"Yes, son." Alex replied solemnly. "How did you know?"

"Severin told me." was all he said. He forced himself out of his father’s embrace. "Let’s go back home dad. Mama’s waiting for us."

Cassian dropped from his hold and walked towards the door as if he wasn’t bothered by the fact that his mother was dead. Alex on the other hand didn’t know whether to feel relieved that the wolf had helped him out or angry that he had helped him out.

Confusing...

Alex nodded once and with Cassian in front, they stepped out of the room. On their way out the front door, Alex turned back.

He smiled gently.

"How would you like to live in the palace?"

The two boys exchanged looks. The palace?

"Why? Severin asked flatly.

"You rescued both of my sons. It’s a royal order that would be announced officially. Would you like that?"

Lucian looked dumbfounded at the king’s offer.

"I asked you a question." Alex’s voice thundered out. Cassian just stood by the door with a blank expression plastered on his face.

"Yes! Yes we would very much love that your majesty! Lucian said joyfully, falling down in front of him again.

Alex chuckled at them. They weren’t so bad after all. It was the least he could do to appreciate them. He had saved his wife in the forest, Damien too, helped them locate Cassian, took him in.

He was sure Mira would have wanted that too.

"I’ll send a carriage to get you in two days time."

The two boys remained on the floor in appreciation to the life-changing offer given to them on a platter of gold.

Little did they know that this was only just the beginning...