Of A Protective Father

[NOUR]

Nour and the werewolf king had agreed that they would act like they didn't know each other; however tonight, he wasn't sure if he wanted the same. So when the rear door to his room creaked, Nour wasn't even surprised.

"You're home, my little Cass. I've missed you, son," the king said as he rushed towards his son, hugging him tightly. He had always hoped for the day Cass came back and for years, his son had never come home.

Granted, he knew that the young prince didn't come home on his own volition, but what else could he do other than be a father excited to see his only child come home to him? 

It was a sight that made him relax and yet at the same time, it made him wonder what the hell had happened for this to be Cass's only option.

"I… You're squeezing me a little too tight, Father," the prince said to his father who just kissed his hair and kept on hugging him. He knew that this was a one-in-a-million chance and he wasn't about to let it go just like that.

"Oh, son. I missed you, my little kid," King Cassius said as he held on to his dear child with all that he had.

"If I tell you I will come home every fortnight, will you at least release me before I faint?" Cass said and his father instantly pulled back with a smile on his face.

"You mean that?" the king asked and his son just nodded.

"A man's word is all that he's got, father. You taught me that. I will come home every fortnight," Cass said and his father once again pulled him into a hug, this time, it was a relaxed one. 

Perhaps it was because he knew his son so well and he knew his Cass wouldn't stay away for long if he made a promise.

"Alright son. Glad to have you back," the king said and Cass knew this wasn't going to end anytime now.

"I got a mate today, father. But it seems like I might die from your hug before I even get to know him," the young prince said and that got his father even more excited. If he wasn't careful, the king would be a little too bubbly by daybreak.

"You have grown up so fast, son. My Soraya would have been super proud of how fast you are growing," King Cassius said as he released his son, and they moved to sit on Cass's bed. The father and son were always like best friends, rather than a parent and his son. 

Their relationship had never once had hitches, despite all that had happened in the kingdom.

The king had always made sure to remind him so that the Acrod thrown was his. He always tried to prepare Cass without putting pressure on him, and he even supports his son's wild habits. 

Of course, there were times when the king was worried that living as Nour would cost his son his life, but then his son was more than just the mouthy omega, or even the dangerous wolf that lurked the Acrod paths in the night seeking vengeance. 

He was his kid and no matter what Cass did, and no matter who he chose to be, King Cassius had always been on his son's side. Always.

"You always talk of her with love and pride. I'm sure she would have been the best mom," Cass said, easing his father into the conversation. He was born of a human and a werewolf king, something that had never been right for older people. 

So when Queen Soraya died in the birthing hall, the king made sure to take out everyone who knew that the queen had given birth to a son. He had protected his son, despite losing his wife. 

He knew that the wolves would have had a hard time accepting a prince born of a human, but he wasn't going to let his son suffer for something that the fates had control over. So he and Ferhat had taken turns taking care of the young prince, even from a distance. 

The woman who had taken care of Cass with them, was murdered by the king, to make sure his son's true identity was protected. Of course, no one in the entire palace knew of the prince's true identity save for Ferhat and the king himself. 

Away from Acrod, Alanor, and the Wynter team were the only ones who knew of that truth, but it was one they had always protected with their lives regardless.

"Yes, she would have. Tell me son, who is he?" the king asked, not bothering to question his son's sexual identity. He just didn't care, as long as his little boy was alright and happy. That was the only thing that mattered to the werewolf king.

"Grant. Your whore of an enforcer and my best friend, Alanor's ex-mate," Cass said casually like he wasn't even affected by that truth, and the king took a deep breath. 

"This is going to be very interesting, son. Are you okay with that arrangement?" the king asked after a long silence. 

King Cassius had been thinking of how to protect his son from the enforcer. He knew of Grant's habits and the fact that his son was mated to the man wasn't something the king would ever wish for. 

But then it already happened, and once again, he was choosing to listen to his son and know what his son wanted. Maybe the king was giving his son a little too much freedom, but then he was a father above all else. 

If his son didn't want Grant for a mate, then he wouldn't have him. 

If his son wanted Grant dead, then Grant would be dead. 

If his son wanted the man ousted, then Grant would be ousted. 

Whatever Prince Cassius Junior wanted, he would always get, as long as his father could get it for him.

"I'm not sure at the moment. He came to my shelter all drunk and smelling like another man. I bet he came from the brothels again—" Cass said in an empty voice and the king let out a low growl. He already didn't like the idea of his Cass mated to Grant already.

"He disrespected you on the same day you found out you were mates? I will kill him," the king growled again as he got up and began pacing. He didn't like this, at all. He hadn't spent his entire life protecting his son only for someone to come and try undoing that.

"You sound like Ferhat, father. You know I asked him if I gave him a name and he responded he would take him out? You both are crazy," Cass said and his father raised a brow at his son.

If King Cassius was this angry and he wasn't even the disrespected mate, the king couldn't think of what his son was feeling.

"You do know you don't have to hide how you feel with me, son, right?" the king asked and his son smiled at him heartily. Of course, Cass was very much aware of that, but this was something that he needed to learn to deal with on his own. 

Cass was curious to know how much longer this could take and how long it would take for him to snap at Grant. But it seemed like it wouldn't take long because as he looked at his father, he could tell that something was going to happen when morning came.

"I know, which is why I'm not going to stop whatever ridiculous idea is going on in your head right now, father," Cass said and his father smirked knowingly. He was the king and Grant would know just what he had fucked around with.

"Promise me you'll leave him alive, Father," Cass said and the king glared at him.

"He hurt you… On your mating night."

"Alive."

"He disrespected you, son."

"Alive, father."

"Fine. But if he dares to try that again, you won't have to worry about me leaving him alive."

"I know. Come, let's talk about Mom," Cass said and the king just facepalmed.

"What if Ferhat accidentally breaks his neck?"

"Father—"

"You're my favorite child, and he hurt you."

"I'm your only child."

"Tomato. Tomato," the king said and Cass sighed. He knew his father was not going to go easy on Grant, but perhaps it wasn't so bad an idea, right? Perhaps he would let his father defend him this time, yeah?