Fate or Destiny

Chapter 11 - The Ceremony

"Is she ready?" Rowhan asked his fellow companion. "Yup. She's tied up and I put tape on her." he informed him of her state, before rolling his eyes. "Man, she just wouldn't stop begging." "Do what you've got to do. In the meantime, I'm going to have a little chat with my father." Rowhan replied, striding purposefully toward his father's office.

"Got you, Alpha." At this, Rowhan smirked, a mix of confidence and mischief glinting in his eyes.

... 

Rowhan knocked on the door, announcing his presence. "We need to talk." "What now, Row? If you're here about the rule—" Christian began, but Rowhan cut him off. "I'm not actually. It's about the ceremony. More specifically, about the throne."

Christian sighed, running a hand through his hair in frustration. "I swear to you, I'm going to take the rule down, so the last thing you could do is track her down."

Rowhan stood up from his chair, his pacing revealing the weight of the moment. He needed to think on his feet and quickly devise a plan. The issue remained that the board had yet to confirm any changes to the rule. "Consider it said and done. You just have to promise that what I want will be given." Rowhan stated firmly. Christian sighed again, waving his arms in exasperation. "What is everyone else going to say, huh? Last-minute plans? You expect me to come up with a crazy story about how he chose his other son instead or how he picked an outsider over his own blood?"

"Let me stop you right there." Rowhan interjected, a smirk creeping onto his face. "You've forgotten some crucial things, my friend. I can compel each pack not to do or say anything crazy, so your sensitive feelings won't be hurt. My, my, this is truly a game where I scratch your back and you scratch mine, isn't it?" Christian nodded in reluctant agreement, feeling the pressure mount.

Rowhan's smile widened as he heard the next words from his father's mouth—exactly what he had been waiting for. "You can have the throne instead of Greyson." Christian confirmed.

"That's what I like to hear!" Rowhan exclaimed, a sense of victory washing over him. He dashed off to prepare, excitement coursing through him.

Meanwhile, Christian's expression scrunched in worry. Greyson would undoubtedly kill him for this betrayal, so he needed a plan—fast. He frantically searched for his son around the pack house, finally spotting him in the garden. Without hesitation, he ran toward him. "Grey, listen to me. We need to talk." he said sternly, urgency lacing his voice. "Rowhan's going to be the Alpha, and I told him he could have it." Christian revealed. Greyson's face turned a shade of crimson as he gritted his teeth in anger, standing up to look at him. "What the hell?!" he shouted, fists clenching at his sides. "You can't just hand over the throne like that!" 

"It's complicated. I thought--" "--Complicated? You mean you thought it would be easier to stab me in the back?" Greyson interrupted, his voice rising. "You're making a huge mistake!"

Christian tried to calm him down, placing a hand on his shoulder. "I did it to protect you. You don't understand—"

"Protect me? By giving him everything? You're betraying your own son!" Greyson snapped, pushing his father's hand away. "Just listen to me! Rowhan has a way of ensuring everyone stays quiet. If we don't play this right, things could get out of control." Christian argued, desperation seeping into his tone.

"Out of control? You've already lost control, Dad! You think this is going to end well? Rowhan is a snake, and you just handed him the keys to the kingdom!" Greyson spat, his voice heavy with disbelief.

"We can't change what's done, Grey. We have to think about the future." Christian insisted, trying to reason with his furious son.

"The future? I don't care about the future if it means I lose everything!" Greyson shot back, anger radiating off him. "I'm going to stop this. I'll make sure Rowhan pays for what he's doing."