Chapter 93: You cannot be serious, father
"You heard our father, we cannot make any rash decisions for now."
"So what? We sit on our asses whilst Damon is out there trying to save Ayla’s life." Ares stopped his pacing to stare at Cassian.
"That is not what I meant."
"Then what do you mean, brother? Because from where I am standing, it looks like you are being a coward."
"A coward?" Cassian’s eyes flashed with anger. "Forgive me if I am the only one thinking clearly in all of this. We cannot all rush into the forest of death like our hard headed brother, Damon and begin hunting for something when we have no idea what even happens in the forest except death. For all we know, Damon is laying somewhere in that forest, dead. If that makes me a coward then so be it."
Ares scoffed, turning away from his brother and resuming his pacing.
Soren... fucking Soren had had them confined in their quarters with guards waiting outside because in his words, he was not sure the princes would not try anything rash just as Damon had.
And their father had just gone along with it.
"I cannot remain here."
"Ares..." Cassian began.
"No!" Ares stopped him. "If you want to stay here and hide, Cassian. That is fine with me but I cannot be here not knowing what could be happening to Ayla. She is... she is dying, Cassian."
"I know that."
"Do you?" Ares shot at him. "Or did you just want her when she could walk on two feet and fuck you senseless."
Cassian raised his head up to meet his brother’s heated gaze.
"Careful, Ares." he growled low in his throat.
Ares rounded on him.
"Or what? You are going to pelt me with herbs, healer prince?"
Cassian rose to his feet.
"Say that again!" he snapped.
Ares’ mouth curved in a smirk.
"Where are your herbs now when we need them?"
Cassian’s hand shot out slamming into his brother’s face. Ares wasted no time returning Cassian’s punch with one of his own.
Soon, both princes were grappling with each other on the ground.
The door opened but they were oblivious to it.
"What is the meaning of this?" Alpha Kieran snapped, jolting his sons.
"Ares rose to his feet, wiping the blood from his mouth. It would seem that Cassian, healer that he was had a mean right hook.
"I would think that both of you would understand the gravity of the current situation and behave yourself as befitting princes of the realm."
"Ares..."
"Not a word from you, Cassian." Alpha Kieran put a hand up, silencing his protests immediately.
He turned to Ares, disappointment etched on his face.
"Ares" He began. "I taught you better than this. What happened to maintaining a level head in the face of adversity. Your brother may not be able to handle his emotions but you should be different and from what I can see, he has been able to handle his emotions far better than you."
Ares bowed his head.
"I’m sorry, father."
"You should be." Alpha Kieran cast him a stern eye.
He turned to Cassian.
"I need both of you to sort whatever this is out because I need you to be with me when I address the people of our pack. As you well know, it was an unfortunate event that happened with Ayla but we must not lose sight of why the banquet was holding in the first place."
"You cannot be serious, father." Ares cut in. "You are willing to continue the banquet when my... with everything that has happened?"
"Yes, I am." Alpha Kieran turned to him. "And it is not because I do not regard the health of Ayla, quite far from it but you know as well as I do that the people are restless. You saw it for yourself that day when you ventured into the market. The reason I had held the banquet was to remind them of simpler times and I need that to continue while we figure out a way to help Ayla. Do you understand me, both of you?"
Cassian nodded.
"I do, father" He said.
Ares cast him a disgusted look.
"Ares?" Alpha Kieran called out, waiting for his response.
"I cannot do as you ask, father. I will not lie to the people of my pack and I suggest you do not do the same." He takes a step forward. "Soren is wrong about putting them in the dark. They should know what is happening, with the rogue king and with Ayla, it is better so they can protect themselves."
"You do not understand." Alpha Kieran shook his head.
"Then make me understand, father. Make me see that the decisions you are taking right now is not going to one day come back and bite us in the behinds."
Alpha Kieran regarded his son, his first born for a moment.
"You are going to stand with me and your brother while I address our people tonight. It is your obligation as my son and heir and I will hear no more of your protests."
"Father..."
"Not another word, Ares or I swear I will also announce to the whole pack that you are no longer heir and future Alpha."
Ares stared at his father, stunned.
Even Cassian looked like he could not believe what he was hearing.
Alpha Kieran sighed.
"I do not have time for this, son. I do not have the time to make sure you are with me against all else."
He turned away from them.
"I will have the guards leave their posts by your doors. You are no longer confined to this room so I would take it as an opportunity to visit Ayla and to also prepare yourself for the address later tonight." He said, walking out the door.
"Unbelievable" Ares huffed as soon as his father was gone.
He turned to Cassian.
"Surely, you can see that this is not proper."
"Let us just do what he says. He is Alpha and he has been ruler before we were even born."
"It doesn’t make him right, Cassian." Ares responded, the exasperation evident in his voice.
Cassian looked like he was considering it before he said.
"I should get ready." and walked past his brother, out the door.