Caged In

Chapter 39: King of the Trash Pile

5 years ago

I had all of my necessary belongings packed in a light backpack. There was no reason to stay. I didn't know that such a big fight would break out when they finally caught on to my plan. I suppose it was a bit stupid of me to want to say goodbye to them.

I looked between my bickering brothers with exhaustion.

I should have left quietly hours ago.

" What if she just gets caught and none of this matters ?" Corine said.

I should have left a note and ran.

" How are they gonna catch her, it's not like she has a scent to track ?" Finn spat," Plus she's way weaker than us, I'm sure father would be happier with her gone."

I finally snap," Shut up! All of you just shut the hell up!"

My siblings all looked towards me at once.

" Olivier, what do you want ?" Corine said quickly.

" I want everyone to get along." I say.

" Then tell us who you think is right ?" Varian said.

" Like her opinion actually matters here." Finn hissed.

" What do you mean ?" I ignored Finn.

" Who's the next rightful successor ?" Varian said slowly," It's me, right ?"

" Well -"

Finn cut me off," Your mother is a diseased whore, Varian, my mother is lined up to be the next Luna!"

" I'm your twin, why can't I be king - " Corine is cut off by Varian.

" Don't insult my mom like that Finn! " Varian yelled.

" Why ? Everyone else in the kingdom does." Finn spat.

" I'll rip your head off!" Varian growled.

" I'd like to see you come over here and try it." Finn crossed his arms over his chest and turned his chin up.

" Guys, I -" Mia tried to say.

" Shut up!" Varian, Finn, and Corine yelled at the quiet girl, all at the same time.

Mia looked away, on the brink of tears. I walked over to her and put my hand over her shoulder as the boys continued to bicker.

" Hey!" I yelled.

Finn and Varian continued to verbally attack each other and Corine occasionally voiced his opinion.

" Hey!"

I was ignored again. I patted Mia on the back once more before smiling softly at her and stomping between the boys and shoving Varian and Finn away from each other forcefully," Seriously, stop it! Why are you all so obsessed with it ?" I yell as Varian and Finn both stumble backwards and land on their asses. I might not have shifted, but I was still as strong as any one of them.

" You wouldn't understand, you were given this on a silver platter. All you had to do was shift, but you couldn't even do that right!" Finn yelled.

This silenced Varian, causing him to close his mouth, stopping him from saying whatever he was going to say to Finn.

I look at Corine," You need to learn your place. Your mother is no luna yet, and the first Luna - the king's real mate - was my mother which means I'm still technically first in line. I don't know when or how you decided that the throne was suddenly up for grabs or that I wasn't going to shift, but you need to realize that when those things are settled, you will not have a say in the matter. So you're completely right. I don't care for the throne much, and this is one of the many reasons why. I don't enjoy having my life dictated by everyone else, and I don't like all of the fighting, deception, and jealousy it leads to. Honestly, I mean look at you guys, you are no better than stray dogs fighting for dominance over all this 'I'm going to be the next king' bullshit." I glare at Corine," Who's the king of the trash pile ? Who cares, it's still garbage!"

" Let's be honest here, Finn's right." Corine stepped forward," You wouldn't be forced into doing that mating ceremony if anyone actually thought you were going to shift on your own, and even then you probably won't shift. This kingdom doesn't need a weakling for a leader, what they need is a strong werewolf who can prove themselves in battle. You'll be stuck as the useless wench of that happy-go-lucky Beta for the rest of your life and you won't become king. You'll just be another disappointment. Even you know it, that is why you're running away, isn't it ?" Finn paused and smirked at the silence his monologue had caused," Face it, once you're out of the way it's gonna be one of us who succeeds father's throne."

I impulsively lunge for Corine, with my hands reaching out for his neck," You brat, I'm gonna -"

Someone holds me back, and I turn to see Mia holding my shirt, keeping me in place.

" Calm down." She whispered.

" I'm gonna throttle him! He's -"

She interrupts me," Don't let yourself fall to their level." She said quietly.

I huff in anger as I cross my arms and stand back in front of Mia, who lets go of my shirt.

" Corine . . . " Varian whispered.

" What ?" He yelled as he looked around," We're all thinking it! I just had the balls to say it to her face."

" That doesn't mean it was right." Varian said.

" You're just trying to gain her favor so she'll pick you." Finn said.

" I won't be picking any of you!" I yell," Not that it's up to me, but none of you deserve it. You're all despicable!"

I turned around, only now remembering Mia was behind me. Tears flowed freely down her cheeks as I brushed by her and whispered an empty apology.

Tomorrow will be better. I won't be here anymore, I'll be free.

1013 words

Just in case any of you were curious, here are the ages and birthdays of all the Regime siblings (remember they all have different mothers, except for the twins):

Olivier - May 20th, current age: 20

(age during the chapter: 15)

Varian- November 20th, current age: 20

(age during the chapter: 15)

Finn - March 21st, current age: 19

(age during the chapter: 14)

Corine - March 21st, current age: 19

(age during the chapter: 14)

Mia - December 4th, current age: 17

(age during the chapter: 12)

Benjamin (who was too young at the time to talk) - September 7th, current age: 8

(age during the chapter: 3)