The Alpha King (Kingdom of Askara #1)(7)

Just at that moment they both heard the sound of raised voices. Gabriel bowed and left them both.

“Your high—”

“Luca,” Luca interrupted Sam.

Sam grinned. “Sire, then,” he compromised. Luca sighed. The whole thing was incredible, unbelievable. “Sire, I came to ask you to speak to the Alphas. They will not disperse until they have seen you.” Luca glanced down at Kit and reluctantly laid him on the bed. He didn’t stir. Tara had tucked a soft blanket around him.

“I will stay, Sire. He needs to sleep and I will fetch him some broth when he wakes.”

Luca was torn between not wanting to let Kit out of his sight and needing to go sort out whatever was going on outside. They could both hear the shouts getting louder. “Call me when he wakes,” he ordered finally, then followed Sam out of the bedroom.

As soon as they were out of earshot Luca grabbed Sam’s arm. “Sam, what the hell is going on?”

Sam chuckled. “You, my friend, are the Alpha King.”

Luca shook his head. “That’s impossible,” he said defiantly.

“You held Hendrick’s chief gamma effortlessly with one hand. You bested seven guards without even taking your eyes off Kit. You threw a knife further than I have ever seen anyone do and with deadly accuracy. The ground shakes when you get upset for fuck’s sake.” Sam stopped. “And Kit. You saw his back, and you heard what Gabriel said.”

“But then that’s him, not me,” Luca protested.

“It’s both of you. I know one works in tandem with the other, just don’t ask me to explain the rest of it. Now,” Sam gestured to the outside, “make me your beta-commander and I’ll start whipping them into shape.”

“We can’t stay, Sam.”

Sam looked at him incredulously. “Sire, as of ten minutes ago you became the lead Alpha of Caedra when you killed Hendrick. This is your pack. This is your territory. And we are about to go kick ass.” Sam took a breath. “Then we need a plan.”

Luca swallowed. “A plan to manage Caedra?” He felt sick.

“No, sire.” Sam shook his head. “A plan to rule Askara.”

Luca stopped as they approached the stairs, shock washing over him. Rule Askara? Sam pulled on his arm and he followed him downstairs and outside...into complete bedlam. There were at least five Alphas who had decided what had just happened really hadn’t happened, claiming they had been dreaming, and all would be returning to normal. Two were getting louder and louder, trying to order the human slaves, and none of the gammas knew whose orders to follow. Alpha Malachi had a slave by the scruff of his neck for spilling wine. Karrick and Jerel, the twin sons of Alpha Teo, were fighting over who was going to get first choice of an omega at their choosing ceremony. Knives had been drawn, chairs overturned, and the guards didn’t know if they were supposed to pull them apart. In the middle of everything, Alpha Baroult was insisting, as senior Alpha now that Hendrick was dead, he should be running things.

It was chaos.

“Enough,” Luca roared, and everyone fell silent. He heard a sudden snarl and looked to his left. Gabriel was facing off his brother, Gareth. They were both half shifted and there was a young she-wolf kneeling at Gareth’s feet. Their father stood nearby, wringing his hands.

One of the gammas ran over. “Sire, we have a dispute.”

Luca stepped forward. He knew Gabriel’s brother, Gareth. He was twenty-five and taking part in this year’s choosing. He looked at the wolf.

“Stand down, both of you,” Luca clipped out. Neither of them moved. “I said, stand down!” Luca nearly yelled the order. The ground shook and everyone within twenty feet, except Sam, fell to their knees.

Luca tried to calm down. He’d never lost his temper so much in one day in his entire life. “Now, stand and tell me what is going on.”

Gareth leapt to his feet. “The omega is promised to me, both by sworn contract between Alphas Jace and Taylor.”

Luca stepped closer to her and the girl cringed. He held out his hand. “You have no need to be frightened. What’s your name?”

The girl raised a tear-stained face to his. “Danni, your Highness.”

Luca smiled and clasped her hand, drawing her upright. Gabriel took a step towards her, his face a picture of worry. Gareth growled. Luca suddenly realized what was wrong. She was contracted to the elder brother, but he had a feeling she was loved by the younger one.

“Why did your fathers enter into a marriage contract?” It was usually done to grant land and hunting rights, or the protection of a pack. Both packs were of similar size in this instance and Luca didn’t see the benefit.

“She is an omega,” Gareth bit out.

“She is my soul-mate,” Gabriel whispered.

“Tough,” sneered Gareth. “I have a signed contract.”

Well, shit, thought Luca. He rubbed a hand over his eyes. He was getting a headache and being out of action all day while he suffered through it wasn’t in his immediate plans. It wasn’t likely he was going to be able to shift and take off for a while.

Luca looked down at Danni. Her wide brown eyes were brimming with tears. “What is your gift?”

She opened her mouth, then closed it.

“She is forbidden to say,” Gareth insisted.