For the Love of Miranova

Chapter 2: Four Months

It took just a few years before the families under the O'Connor Pride's protection began to become restless, and Nikaus could sense the growing tension with every meeting he attended alongside his father. It was only a matter of time before they would become bold enough to force his hand. He knew he would eventually have a choice to make and with it being near to his 21st birthday, he suspected that it would be soon.

The problem was that he wasn't willing to make such a sacrifice and he was now kicking himself for accepting the position of King of his Pride when Nekolette was originally meant to be first in line. He didn't blame her for rejecting it though. She'd lost her mate, and a mate-less lioness was often too reckless and uncontrollable. Very few were successful in caring for a pride the way it needed. In fact there were only two in the country and not only were both of their Prides under his family's protection, but they were also sisters.

"Are you even listening?!"

"What was that?" He growled lowly baring his elongating teeth. "I must not have heard you correct, Fabian. Based on your tone of voice, it sounds to me like you were begging for my claws to rip out your throat."

"My apologies, Prince Niklaus," the man replied with a bowed head, his jaw clenched tightly. Though he was physically larger and heavier than Niklaus, he understood his position in the much larger and more powerful Pride, and he knew that physical strength meant nothing compared to the power that radiated off of the younger man. "I mean no disrespect, but we've all come to an agreement. The Prides will all be in your hands very soon and it's time you've made a decision."

"On?"

The man's cocoa gaze glared up at him from his seat at the long wooden table that he and the other 6 Pride co-leaders shared along with Neklaus and his father, Kaleb.

"Surely you can't possibly be feigning ignorance on such an important matter!"

"Oh, I'm not," he declared standing to his full 6'2" height. "I just want to hear you say it so that I can kill you where you stand for daring to suggest what I believe you are suggesting."

"Sit down, Niklaus," Kaleb commanded calmly from beside his son. "You need to hear them out even if you do not agree with what they have to say."

With a low growl Nik slowly sat back in his seat. His piercing yellow gaze glared at each Pride leader in a silent dare for them to speak their minds.

"You may continue," Kaleb assured Fabian. However, the man kept silent with his gaze averted.

"If I may speak," a blond haired man beside Fabian piped cautiously. At Kaleb's nodd, Dax continued. "I think what Fabian means to say is that we would all feel most secure having the Prince as our King if he were to turn his human mate..."

"Do not speak for me!" Hissed Fabian. "Having a human as Queen, turned or not, is beneath us! She knows nothing about us or what it is to be Queen!"

Niklaus roared gripping the table in fury, his father's arm stretched across his chest to keep him grounded. He was ready to flip the heavy oak piece.

"Watch your mouth!" Growled the typically level-headed Clive from across the table. "Show some fucking respect you little-"

"While Fabian has chosen a rather distasteful approach," interrupted Olivia, one of the just two Queens in charge of a pride of her own. "He's not wrong when he says she's ignorant of what it is to be a Queen of a Pride. Especially one as large as this."

"She can be turned and taught," added Gizelle, the only other Queen at the table. Her shrug and cool demeanor at Nik's side helped to settle the rage burning within him. "I have met her, and personally, I believe she is strong enough to withstand the change."