"Do I look like I need you to punish someone for me, Alpha Soier?" Zen asked slowly, his voice low and calm. There was no inflection in his voice. He could have been discussing the weather or commenting on something trivial. But, the coldness that spread through the clearing was enough to silence even the wind.
It wasn’t just the intent. It was the weight behind it. Heavy, suffocating, and absolute from the Enforcer of the strongest Wolf Pack in the entire world.
Every wolf in the clearing was forced to their knees, their bodies useless under his anger. Even Alpha Soier, who was much older than Prince Zen struggled to stay upright. His jaw clenched, and muscles strained under the weight of it as he bowed his head, bearing his neck in submission, but it was useless. Against this, he stood no chance and fell to his knees.
The only ones still standing were the two princes- Prince Kael and Prince Zen. Unbothered by his brother’s show of dominance or his anger, Prince Kael walked to the raised poduim and took a seat, ready to watch the show. But even as he did, his eyes skimmed over the bleeding figure, with interest.
Finally, after what felt like ages, Prince Zen walked forward slowly, stopping just in front of the kneeling Alpha Soier so that the man had to tilt his head back to look up at the Prince.
Zen looked down at him for a moment before asking quietly, "Answer me. Do you truly think I’m so powerless, so insignificant, that I would need you to act on my behalf?"
He paused, letting the words sink in.
"Tell me, Alpha Soier," he said, head tilting slightly. "Is that what you think of the Stormhold line?"
Alpha Soier trembled as he lifted his eyes, just enough to meet the Prince’s gaze without it being a challenge. His hands were pressed to the ground, knuckles pale from how tightly he clutched the dirt.
"N-No, Your Highness," he stammered, voice breaking under the pressure, "Of course not. I would never dare to think something like that. You command the highest respect. I only acted because I did not wish for you to be inconvenienced by the matter. That is all. Please understand, your Highness and forgive me."
His throat bobbed as he swallowed hard, his fear almost tangible, and he hurriedly continued," You can... you can give her any punishment you deem fit," he added hurriedly, nodding his head, almost grovelling now. "She’s yours to deal with, Your Highness."
For a moment, silence fell again as everyone waited for the verdict. Then Zen smiled- And somehow that made him look even more dangerous and ferocious.
Even though his expression held civility, everyone could feel the crackle in the air as something unseen stirred beneath it. Prince Zen could smell it clearly-the hatred, the resentment leaking from the old Alpha in front of him, despite the submissive posture and almost laughed out loud... There was no need to hate. One wa seither strong enough to fight back, or weak enough to be subjugated...
But he didn’t comment on it. Instead, he nodded once. "That is settled then... I’ll take her."
Gasps scattered through the clearing and a ripple moved through the gathered wolves, shock replacing the earlier fear. Take her? What did that mean?Whispers started to build, barely restrained.
"Take her where?"
"Does he mean—?"
"Surely not for mating?"
Alpha Soier’s head snapped up at once, panic cutting across his features. "Your Highness, ,she- she’s not of age. She’s just seventeen-still a pup by our customs. It would not be right, I mean-"
Zen turned his head slowly, fixing the man with a look that stopped his words mid-breath. Then, with all the nonchalance of someone brushing lint off his sleeve, he stepped back and walked towards the raised podium. Prince Kael watched him approach with a lazy interest, one leg draped over the other, expression unreadable.
Zen sat down beside his brother and let the quiet settle. Then, he raised an eyebrow.
"Why would I need an underage Omega from the Moonville Pack to rut for me?" he asked dryly, his voice filled with contempt. Fool."
Soier flinched as if struck.
Zen continued, "Since she thought it appropriate to disturb my rest, she’ll now be responsible for ensuring it is not disturbed again. For as long as I remain in this place... she will attend to me. Food, quarters, errands. Whatever I require to be left in peace."
There was no room for negotiation in the words and no one dared to respond.
But everyone understood: she had been claimed as the personal slave to one the most dangerous wolf in the kingdom. And for the Moonville Pack, that was humiliation enough.
Kael chuckled softly beside him, as he whispered in his mind. "You always did have a flair for theatrics." Zen didn’t look at him.
Instead, he stared ahead, where the Omega in question was still kneeling, bloodied, her chin low, expression unreadable.
He watched her quietly. And then, so softly that only Kael could hear it, he muttered, "Let’s see how long she lasts."