Chapter 43: Zethar Comes Home 1
Elián;
I sit at the edge of my bed with my mind constantly replaying thoughts of Koda. Everything about this morning has been stuck on repeat in my head since he left.
His stupid smile, his beautifully soft fur, how majestic he looked even as a bear... This place is starting to mess with me.
For fucks sake, I found a bear attractive! I’m acting like it’s okay for people to just up and transform into big ass blonde grizzly bears, transform back to their human form and still lead kingdoms.
I’m losing my mind. Or wait. Is it this place?? The longer I stay here, will my mind just start accepting the absurdity of it??
When last did I even think of home?
"Master Elián, you have less than four minutes to get your tummy stuffed with something before attending Alpha Zethar’s meeting with the king," Alana says rather excitedly as she walks into my room with a tray of fruits, and as she sets it down on my bed, I say nothing.
I stare at all the colourful fruits on the tray and start picking at the grapes. I toss them into my mouth and chew absentmindedly as I vent my frustrations on the fruit.
I said I was going to hang around him to learn more about him, but my heart hasn’t stopped beating like a drum since. I’d get a stroke or cardiac arrest at this rate.
I don’t think it was a good idea. How will I learn anything about him if I’m going to be like this after every meeting?
For fucks sake, how can someone be so... hot??
"You and Alpha Koda looked cute this morning." Alana suddenly speaks as I toss a grape into my mouth, and I freeze.
I look up at her, and her cheeks are rosy, as she grins from ear to ear.
"I’ve never seen him so relaxed with anyone." She adds as she sways like a girl talking about some romance novel.
The edges of my upper lip rise in disgust at the dreamy look in her eyes as she talks about me and Koda.
"He even rolled on his back for you. It was so cute. Bears only do that when they’re comfortable with the person they’re with. Ah, it was such an adorable scene!" She continues, and I chew in slow motion as she keeps rambling.
"I could really picture your adorable babies in that moment. It looks like your relationship with Aloha Koda will blossom very naturally. I’m so happy for you!" She squeals as she cups her cheeks with her hands, and my eyes widen.
I swallow wrongly and start choking.
She rushes over to me and starts slapping my back while my eyes water.
"Master Elián, swallow slowly!" She exclaims as my coughing ceases, and I turn around to glare at her.
"What is it?" She questions in confusion as her rabbit ears fall slowly, and I blink at her.
"Why’d you say that?" I demand in annoyance, and she blinks at me. Her big brown eyes filled with so much confusion.
"Say what?"
"That thing you said!" I snap, and her confused expression only grows. "About babies! Why’d you have to bring babies up?!" I rant, and she tilts her head as she looks at me.
"Master Elián... aren’t you the one who said you want to get to know Alpha Koda better so it would be easier for you when it’s time to carry his babies?" She replies, and I pause.
My words replay in my mind, and my mouth falls open.
"Hmm. If I’m eventually going to carry his babies, isn’t it best I get to know him better?"
I shut my eyes, and silence flows in the room.
"Master Eli..." She begins, but I cut her off.
"Okay. New rule. From now on, only I get to talk about babies and anything related to making them. Okay?" I respond, and she blinks at me.
I pout as I stare at her because now I have the feeling she isn’t going to follow this order.
"Alana... O - K?" I demand, and she blinks at me in confusion before nodding slowly.
"O...okay. If that’s what you want, Master Elián." She replies, and I smile.
Good. Now that that’s out of the way, we should get in with the rest of the day. I still haven’t seen this Alpha Zethar guy, and I’m quite curious. He sounds interesting. I want to see him.
I stand up and turn towards the door.
"Shall we?" I question, and Alana quickly stands up.
"Sure. Alpha Koda should already be in the hall."
*****
Zethar;
The hall hums with murmurs as I step into the hall.
As per culture, the place workers are present to welcome the Royal family member who has been away. Father is on his throne, but my brothers aren’t present.
As expected.
No... I expected to see Zephan here. We haven’t seen each other in three months, and he’s not here? That’s odd.
Is he okay?
"Oh, he’s so scary." I hear one of the workers whisper as I walk down the aisle, but my attention is on Father. On father, as well as the subtle urge at the back of my mind to figure out what that moon flower, minty, honey scent is...
The whole estate smells like it. I haven’t smelled anything so strong in my entire life. It’s someone’s scent... but whose?
Whose scent is so strong it blocks out even Father’s scent?
I’m just a few feet away from Father when his voice crashes into my thoughts.
"Welcome home, Zethar."
I stop walking and stare at the old man I know I’m about to get into yet another fight with.
"This estate felt different in your absence." He adds, and I smirk.
"Is peaceful the word you intended to use, Father?" I question, and he stares at me deadpanned.
"Yes."
I scoff rather proudly as I stare at him.
"Aw. Too bad the peace has come to an end." I reply, and he eyes me.
With that stern look he always tries to give me, but I can tell he missed me and has so many questions for me.
"What’s in the sack, Zethar?" He finally questions, and only then do I realise what I’m holding.
My heart skips a beat, and my smile fades as I remember something my mind only just forgot after two whole days of being haunted by it.
I reach into the bag, and gasps ripple through the hall as I pull out the pale, bloodied, decapitated head.
I toss it on the ground towards Father, and he stares at it with wide eyes.
"What is this, Zethar!?"