Page 34 of A Surrender Of Hope

My Beast stopped feeling the need to listen and bow to Father over two years ago once Lennox’s magic started to develop, and even though his magic isn’t at full strength yet, my Beast senses him as our Alpha.

I hadn't told a single person about this development, not even Arch before I thought he had died. Father is my King, and I will listen and protect him with my life, but Nox is my blooded prince—the reason I exist. Arch and I were born and bred with a singular reason: to protect Lennox and him alone. No one could sway my need to protect him, not even my Father and king.

I’m still unsure how Arch is going against our brother; his instincts shouldn’t allow him to act against Nox. Even though Archer’s shifted form isn’t as linked to the raw need and primal instincts as my Beastia, this betrayal would physically hurt him and his magic. This only leads me to believe that something darker must be going on. Whatever Arch has done, he’s corrupted his magic and swayed it against its true purpose. It shouldn't be a surprise, considering this is only history repeating itself. After all, my birth father betrayed his own blooded prince and brother, which started the Dark Wars alongside the devil himself: Inanis.

I shift on my paws behind Nox, trying to hold onto my pathetic control as the bloodlust rushes through me like a drug, the euphoric feeling lighting up inside me with the need to fight. My Beastia wants to tear the guards to shreds for touching their weapons while this close to Lennox, and I know the moment I’m not fighting him for control, the moment I give him the slightest amount of freedom, he will do it.

“Yannos!” Father barks at me, his magic thickening and my Beast chuffs in amusement at his attempt to control me. He doesn't like Father trying to tell him to back off from ourpurpose, and he really doesn't like that he keeps tossing glares at the annoying female behind us. Only we get to glare at her like that.

Nox side-eyes me, looking shocked when I don't immediately shift back into my normal form. “Raz,” he commands with a simple nod, and I can feel my Beast immediately drop in submission, letting me fully take the reins and release him. I feel the air shift as I gather my magic to ensure my cloak billows around my body and my bones shift and break so I can stand back on two legs instead of four. I relish the lick of burning pain the shift brings, letting my claws sink back into my skin as I slowly stand to my full height behind my brother, my eyes flicking directly to my Father’s as soon as the shift is complete.

“Yannos.” I hear Mom release a choked whisper, but I know better than to look at her with Father's full attention on me. It would be considered disrespectful to move without his permission.

“Son,” Father murmurs, his eyes narrowing on me with a hint of suspicion as he finally dips his head in a greeting. I bow back, pressing my lips together to restrain my growl that still wants to break free. Logically, I know my father is not a threat to my brother. He would protect Nox with his own life if he had to. Father may not be the sweet, gentle parent that Mother is, but I know he cares for us in his own way. He’s harsh with us but fair and highly traditional, set in the ways of the Kings that ruled before him. You show respect when it is called for, or there will be punishments.

I can hear Creed dismount behind me and the soft gasp of my Pup as he gently lowers her off his Nuckelavee. I snort, Creed needs to stop treating my Pup as if she’s made of glass, she is far stronger than they all realize. I stiffen when Father's attention moves from me and Nox back to her. This time, I can't stopthe growl that breaks from my lips and grimace when I see Nox stiffen and Father's gaze snap back to me with renewed interest.

“I see,” he grinds out, eyes flicking from me to Nox and back again. His hands fist at his sides as anger flashes on his face, no doubt sensing whatever emotion is coming from Nox.

Dammit! I just royally fucked up. My Pup stills, sensing the focus has shifted to her.

Nox’s whole plan was to keep his attention off of her until he could explain what was happening and hope he would understand without too much fighting or bloodshed. Instead, I stupidly let my protective instincts win and showed our hand before we could even explain who she is to Nox and my brothers.

“Orcus,” I hear Mom whisper, a warning in her voice, but now that his temper has flared, there’s no turning back.

“Valen, take your mother and Heldakar to your wing. She’s been preparing for your return. Yannos, follow your brother to the throne room and bring… that,” he growls, pointing a finger at Meyer, who furrows her brow in response to his words. “With you. I’ll be there shortly to discuss what must be a fascinating story.”

“No,”I clip out, then arch a surprised brow when I hear the echo of not one but all my brothers simultaneously respond with the same answer.

“No?” Father scoffs, looking at the four of us with a fury I don't often see, turned our way. The guards closing in tighter around us, emboldened by their King's anger.

“I—I don't mind. I can go,” I hear Pup stupidly pipe up as Creed tries to step before her. I roll my eyes as Nox snarls, tossing her a glare over his shoulder. His smoldering black eyes meet mine, and he nods toward her, and I grunt in response.

Twisting on my heel, I sidestep Creed, snagging my Pup by the arm and stoop low, planting my shoulder in her stomach, hauling her off her feet. “Razar! Don't you fucking dare! Put medown, or I’ll stab you again!” she threatens, kicking in my arms as she tries to dislodge my hold on her.

“Again?” Mom hisses to Valen worriedly, watching me with wide eyes as I stride past them and up the stairs, ensuring I put a good amount of distance between my Pup and Father before he blows up.

“Don't worry, Mom,” Creed pipes in, moving to grab her in a hug to prevent her from following me. “Violence is Raz and Meyer’s twisted love language. When they start being nice to each other, you need to start worrying.”

“Raz?” she questions, her voice fading as I move further away from them. I glare at the guards at the top of the stairs and nod at the door, commanding it open and slow my pace as they spring to do my bidding.

“Yannos!” Father bellows after me, and I almost grin when I hear Nox growl, distracting him from our retreat.

“Put me down,” Pup grinds out, still struggling in my arms.

“Behave,” I snap, locking my arm around her thighs, tightening my hold on the pest as I carry her down the vast, well illuminated hall. My fingers brush against one of the several thigh holsters I gave her over the last few months, and I grunt in satisfaction, knowing she’s armed herself. Not that she would know I gave her these. I’m pretty sure she thinks one of her annoying friends or maybe one of my brothers keeps dropping off throwing blades on her bed randomly.

The first set I gave her was after her first week here when I noticed she had zero survival skills. The only thing she knew how to do adequately was throw a blade, so I grabbed a few from my personal weapons stash and left them on her bunk in the Ranger's barracks. The following few sets I left as she grew in her training, the blades getting longer and sharper with each set I gifted. The markedly finer ones she's wearing now are the ones I left on Nox’s side table as we waited for her to wake up, eachhandsome blade charmed against Therion and Beastia to help keep her safe.

I roughly shove past some more servants and guards with a sigh of annoyance, hating how many people live in this castle. The moment they realize who stands before them, the scent of fear and wariness fills the air as they drop their gaze to the ground and bow their heads.

I move past them without acknowledgment, wanting to get the feral girl on my shoulder confined in a room before she makes good on her threat and attempts to actually stab me again.

“Do you not remember what happened the last time you hauled me through a castle like this? Well, I’m going to make sure that looks like fucking child’s play, Razar!” she growls at me, her tiny hands pressing to my back as she tries to look over her shoulder. The memory of her kneeing me in the balls makes me physically wince, and I mentally note to grab a pillow to protect them the moment I set her free.

My Beast practically purrs in approval in my chest, loving her violent streak, wanting to encourage it and see how far she’ll take this frustration. I have to grind my teeth together to not do something stupid like show my Pup how to unman a Demon correctly. Damn, I bet she would look stunning as she disemboweled a man.

I pick up my pace, my cloak billowing behind me as I rush up the flight of stairs to my wing of the castle, relief filtering through me when I spot the large wooden double doors leading to my personal apartments. Hand outstretched, I magic my door open, relaxing a moment too soon as, my Pup wiggles in my grip, bringing her knee up and striking me firmly in the chest, knocking the air from my lungs.

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