The toxic family reunion

Roxy was beside Kian. She didn't know how to console Kian whenever he got upset with himself so she thought of the one thing that would bring him back to reality. "My prince, I think that was not a random attack on your mate," she told him.

True to her assumption, Kian immediately shut his head up with his brows crossed and his eyes slightly narrowed. "What are you saying, Roxanne?"

"I think someone intentionally targeted your mate," she declared.

Kian looked away as he pondered. As he struggled to remain calm, he asked absentmindedly, "How do they know about her?"

"Our enemies always spy on us, especially when we leave the territory. I think they saw you converse with your mate," Roxy said. She knew something of that nature would happen but didn't expect it to be so soon. Not many of Kian's human playthings are alive today because of his long line of enemies.

"That's bad. My mate's life would be in danger if he doesn't return but, if he returns without completing the mission he will be sent again to complete it," Kian pinched between his brows. A grave expression crossed his face as he sat his head on his fist, and stared out the window. "Have the witches bring him back," he finally decided.

"But my prince," Roxy protested but was rejected by Kian.

"Just do as I have ordered," he hissed.

Roxy sighed, knowing she had no choice but to obey her prince. Kian's witch, Monique was one that he had a fling with so knowing he has a mate now may not sit well with her. His other witches were sent on a mission by him, but Monique was the only one available. Roxy could only mentally brace herself for the drama to come.

...

The weekend came faster than Kian wanted so he was forced to travel back to Thornheart kingdom. He arrived on time but waited in his secret house until dinner time before he headed to the royal palace.

He was dressed in a blue three-piece suit, his hair loosely hanging around his neck. His face was emotionless. Walking past the organized line of Lycan guards who bowed in respect for him, he responded with a small nod. He stared at the tall closed door of the dining room and exhaled then signaled the guards standing by it to open the door.

He stepped in and almost paused when he saw that the dining room was already packed with his family members. He thought he had come earlier so he could already be seated when they arrived, but it turned out to be the other way around. He seemed to be one who was fashionably late.

As he walked to the table, he could feel his family members' eyes boring into his flesh. This was coupled with the sudden silence that followed his entry.

The seating organization was different this time and it looked like the only available seat was the one by his father, it was the last place he wanted to be seated. With no other option, he came and sat by his father's side.

His father and grandfather were still seated in the same place they usually sat, each on the head of each part of the table, opposite each other. The seat left for Kian to sit was his mother's possible and Faris, his brother usually sat by her side but now he was opposite Kian.

Kian could already smell the trouble this arrangement would cause from a mile away. He just hoped they didn't push him too much because he didn't want him to come out... He likes to handle things violently.

"Greetings father," he greeted his father in a low voice as a maid came to his side to ask for his order. He knew his father could be a forceful character, so he wanted to avoid any confrontation.

"You are late," was the reply he got from King Benjamin making Kian secretly grit his teeth. He was used to this kind of reception from his father so it was no shock to him but a small part of him wished it was different this time.

"My apologies," he said, his head low and staring at the food he was being served. Then he lifted his head to look at his grandfather who pretends not to know he was there. "Greetings grandfather," he said to him.

The old king scoffed as he chomped on a piece of turkey. "You finally decided to acknowledge my presence eh boy?" He asked sarcastically but Kian didn't respond rather he went ahead to greet his mother who as usual answered him coldly.

Everyone present was a direct member of the royal family, so the smaller dining table was used. They were all dressed as if they were invited to a serious event, wearing their most elegant suits and dresses. They were adorned with diamond wristwatches and necklaces.

Kian quietly started eating, trying to ignore the glares his mother and siblings shot at him. He knew something big was about to happen, he just wished it didn't because of their hostility, it would not end well for him.

He was the only person on the table who had pale skin; all the others had sun-kissed or olive skin. He was always the odd one out in every gathering making it obvious that he didn't belong.

Benjamin began, "Tonight, I will announce who succeeds to my throne."

Everyone including Kian paused and looked at the king with shocked expressions on their faces. This was except Alexander and Queen Ivy who already knew about the announcement but the queen's eyes were filled with contempt.

"As we all know, the time is near for my resignation, so the future king must begin his reign as soon as possible." King Benjamin continued, looking at all his sons except Kian, who continued eating unbothered.

"But father, there is no need for announcements. Everyone already knows I am next in line for the throne," Faris said proudly, smiling at the rest of his siblings who nodded in agreement.

King Benjamin gave Faris a condescending look of disapproval then scoffed, "Do you even believe that?"