CHAPTER EIGHTY FOUR


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    CHAPTER EIGHTY FOUR


    Jason’s POV


    How dare she mock me!


    I stormed away from the training grounds, boots crunching against the dirt. The memory of Talia’s expression reyed again and again. She looked at me with disdain as if she, an omega, was better than me. Losing face in front of her was humiliating. I would get even. I’d make her regret not epting me back.


    Henry was near the racks of Hunting Rite equipment, reviewing the list of equipment. He straightened the moment he saw me, but I could see him tense as he saw my expression.


    “What happened now?” Henry asked.


    “Check everything again,” I snapped, my voice carrying farther than I intended. “The bows, the des, the spears. Every strap, every shaft, every notch. Nothing can be out of ce.”


    Henry’s brow furrowed, but he gave a crisp nod. “I checked them yesterday and I just finished checking them,” he said as he motioned to the document in his hand.


    “Then check them again,” I barked. “If I lose so much as a single point because of a cracked string or a loose grip, it’ll be your fault. Do you understand?”


    “Jason, what is going on with you?” He asked in surprise.


    “Do you understand me?” I snapped, ignoring his question.


    His jaw tightened, but he kept his voice even. “Yes, Alpha. I’ll see to it.”


    I paced a few steps before turning back on him. My frustration wasn’t just with the equipment. “Well? Did you at least find out anything about the princess?”


    Henry hesitated. I caught the flicker in his eyes before he answered, and my anger spiked.


    “Don’t make me ask you again, Henry!” I growled.


    “No,” he admitted. “It’s strange. For the Alpha King’s favorite and only daughter, she’s unusually well-hidden. I haven’t been able to trace her movements at all. Wherever she stays, it isn’t where the other royals are housed.”


    My teeth ground together. “How is that possible? She isn’t a ghost. Everyone knows she exists. So why is it that no one sees her?”


    Henry spread his hands helplessly. “I don’t know, Alpha. It’s almost as if the Alpha King has gone out of his way to keep her location guarded. Either that, or the guards are under orders not to speak about her.”


    My thoughts darkened. The Alpha King shielding her so thoroughly meant she was valuable. That only made me want her more.


    Before I could say more, my father’s voice thundered through the mind-link, sharp andmanding, “Jason.”


    I straightened instinctively as though he stood in front of me. “Father,” I answered through the mind-link, pushing the irritation out of my tone.


    “How are preparations going?” he asked.


    “All is ready. Beta Henry is checking the equipment again,” I reported. “I’ve trained harder than ever. No one but Nn poses a real threat.”


    CHAPTER EIGHTY FOUR


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    At the mention of Nn, my father’s tone hardened. “What of him?”


    “He advised he was making a move during the Hunting Rite,” I exined carefully. “He implied it might even be against the Alpha King himself.”


    “Do not be a fool,” my father growled. “If you believe every word thates out of his mouth, you will be his pawn. This is simply a test to see what you n to do.”


    “Then what would you have me do?” I asked.


    “Ignore him. Focus only on the n,” my father said. “You must win first ce. This will be your only opportunity. If you win, the Alpha King cannot deny your request. The Princess will be yours and that is the fastest path to bing Alpha King yourself.”


    My father was right. I could not allow Nn to distract me. No matter what he did during the Hunting Rite, I would adapt to it. I would make sure the Princess was mine. The throne, the power, that would belong to me no matter what Nn did.


    “You are Shadoww’s future,” Father said firmly, “Do not fail me. Do not fail our pack.”


    “I will not fail. I swear it,” I confirmed.


    The link severed, leaving me standing in silence with Henry.


    “What did your father say?” Henry asked cautiously after a moment.


    “That it doesn’t matter what Nn ns,” I answered. “What matters is that I win. Nothing else matters.”


    “And if Nn tries something during the Rite?” Henry asked. “He’s a wild card and he refused to tell you what he was nning.”


    “Then I’ll deal with him,” I said with a shrug. “The Alpha King may be watching, but so will everyone else. If Nn wants to humiliate himself by making a move, I’ll be ready. Let him hang himself with his own arrogance. We will take advantage of the situation and look like loyal subjects to the Alpha King which will win us even more favor.”


    “Do you really think the Alpha King would allow you to marry his daughter? Even if you win?” Henry asked.


    “What is your concern, Henry?”


    “Everyone knows about your rtionship with Talia. The Princess is his favorite. Do you really think he will agree to your request?”


    “He won’t have a choice,” I said sharply. “The Rite is bound by tradition. Every Alpha here will expect him to honor it. If I win, the Princess is mine. And once she is mine, the throne is within reach.”


    Henry didn’t argue, but his silence grated. I stepped closer, lowering my voice. “Don’t ever doubt me again. Shadoww’s future rests on this. I won’t fail,”


    “I am not doubting you, Alpha. I am simply concerned,” Henry responded,


    He then bowed his head quickly. “Of course, Alpha.”


    I would not be humiliated again.


    I would win.