Half-Blooded | The Dark Child Prophecy Series [✔️]

Chapter 46.5: Hypnotized [Part 2]

"All rise for King Alpha Vraal James Hellmuth, King of the Hunt," called the announcer in his same deep voice from the night before. "And First-Born Son, Prince of the Wolves, Master Alpha Jason Hellmuth."

The guests rose to their feet in tandem and I pushed myself up to stand, crossing my hands gingerly and folded them in front of my stomach. Vraal came into the room with Jason at his side, walking with a cane and his son ready to hold him steady. They looked like what I would expect royal wolves to be in some fairytale book. Vraal wore a dark purple and navy brocade suit jacket that was reminiscent of the height of the Middle Ages with a grey fur vest over it. He wore a crown made of silver and I could see the sparkling white moonstones within its face. He no longer looked like a retired rock star, but a king who could tear his opponents in half barehanded. As he stepped into the room, his back straightened and he walked with less fatigue and frailty.

I suddenly had a little more respect for him.

Jason looked grim, and I could feel his dread and sadness through our bond. He looked handsome in his dark grey tuxedo with a white fur skin around his shoulders. He wore a coronet of silver that looked like the male equivalent to my borrowed circlet. It was thicker with glittering black onyx and moonstones in the metal. Despite his attire and what was about to happen, he looked like he might be sick.

You can do this, I whispered when he looked at me. 

Thank you, he answered just as softly.

As they ascended up the steps and passed our chairs, Maria and I both lowered our eyes and our heads dipped down. I swallowed and then looked up once Jason and Vraal reached the top tier and turned in front of their new seats. Jason now stood in front of the King Alpha's rightful throne and Vraal was placed at the lefthand of him in what I was sure had been Jason's seat when Victoria was still alive. Vraal didn't stand before the righthand's chair like I thought he would, and it remained vacant. He glanced at me then the empty seat. A warm blush spread across my cheeks and I suddenly felt too conspicuous.

Vraal cleared his throat. When he held up a hand and lowered it, the entire room found their seats. I sat carefully into my chair and found my pose again, eyes still turned to watch him. The old king glanced around the room as he inhaled slowly.

"My brothers and sisters, my Pack," he started, his voice deep and gravelly. "This night, I renounce my title as King Alpha of the Pack. As tradition has been for hundreds of years, it is time a new Hunter leads the pack to future fortunes and glory. This night, my son, Jason Tidus Hellmuth, takes on that responsibility. From this night forward, he will choose our direction, our prey, and our den in which to make our eternal beds."

The father turned to his son and gestured for him to kneel. Jason lowered himself onto one knee, his head dipping down where his chin almost touched his chest before he looked up at his father. Vraal picked up a broadsword from the seat of the throne and held it erect in front of his chest.

This was it.

I held my breath as I felt all of the chances I had to let him run away with me slip away. He was no longer going to ever just be mine; he now belonged to the Pack fully and eternally. Even if we were destined to be mates, I didn't want to be bound to the people I wasn't ready to lead while at his side. I had finally found comfort in my hybrid gene in his world, but I wasn't made to be a queen... Not yet.

"Do you, Jason Tidus Hellmuth, take on these responsibilities? To lead and protect the Pack above all else?" the old king asked.

Jason lowered his eyes again. "I swear it, by the fang and the sword. My loyalty lies with the survival of the Pack." He slowly removed his coronet and placed it at Vraal's feet.