Chapter 1
Trevor
It’s the dawn of a new age. The great war ended more than twenty years ago and all of the different races had reached a peace agreement.
The vampires were the first to agree to the treaty, which was more than surprising to everyone.
The Fae kingdom quickly agreed, likely not wanting to let people think they were more heartless than the bloodsuckers.
The last to join ranks were the witches. They were quite opposed to the idea at first, but they changed their tune when their high priestess was slain.
Truth be told, I think we were all just tired of burying our loved ones.
My father, Alpha King Marus Phiria, was the one who proposed the treaty over two decades ago.
It took us losing my mother in battle for him to realize that no amount of power was worth losing another of our kind to the senseless war.
Seeing how he crumbled over the loss of my mother made me truly grateful I had never been cursed with a mate. Don’t get me wrong, I mourn her loss every day, but for my father…he was destroyed by it.
The only threat that remains to any of us are the dark clans to the north. They’re a pack of lawless demons with no respect for anything that doesn’t benefit them.
“Trevor! Come to my study now!” My father sounds irritated…what did I do this time?
I make my way down the hall slowly. My father is sitting at his desk with a rather annoyed look while his second in command, Isaac, stands beside him, looking as professional as ever.
“Yes father?” He hates when I address him so informally in front of our pack members.
“You will call me Alpha Phiria when we’re discussing pack matters, Trevor.” I can’t help but smile at the irritation projected clearly in his voice.
“How was I to know that this meeting was about a pack matter, Alpha Phiria?” I can see I’m pushing my limits and quickly bow my head down as a sign of surrender.
I may enjoy pushing his buttons, but I’m sur ethe hell smart enough to know when to back off.
“I’ve had enough of your childish behavior, Trevor. We have serious matters to discuss and you will conduct yourself in a manner befitting the future Alpha King.” His words are cold and pointed…much like the glare he’s sending my way.
“Yes, Alpha Phiria.” I hate how bitter he’s become since my mother was killed, but nothing seems to change his temperament these days.
“Now, to get down to business. A messenger arrived today. Queen Adonna Illestray has requested an audience with our council. She’ll arrive in a few hours.” His words take me by surprise and I make no attempt to hide it.
“The queen of the dark lands? She wishes to come here?” I realize I nearly shouted the last part and I quickly lowered my head again.
“Yes, and you will meet with her. It’s imperative that we get them to sign the treaty. Their signature would signal peace for all of us. Can I trust you to not screw this up?” I’m not surprised that he doubts my ability to handle this situation. I have a bad reputation for being hot headed and abrasive.
“Yes, Alpha Phiria.” He nods and waves his hand, dismissing me like some lowly servant.
Was nice talking to you too dad.
I return to my room to change, settling on a black suit, white button up shirt and pale blue tie.
As I stare at myself in the mirror, I find myself admiring how the tie makes my blue eyes stand out nicely and the suit hugs my large body perfectly.
I quickly pull my long brown hair into a ponytail and decide I look good enough to play the part.
As I finish getting myself ready, I can’t help but wonder what the demon queen looks like.
We’ve all heard stories about the demons and their pale skin, razor sharp teeth, long spindly fingers with sharp claws and glowing red eyes.
If the lower rank demons are so grotesque, what would their queen look like?
I’m pulled from my thoughts when I hear footsteps approaching my door.
“Trevor? It’s time to head to the council chambers.” Oh Isaac…he’s such a kiss ass.
I have no doubt that he would lick shit off my father’s boots if he were asked to.
I roll my eyes as I make my way to the door, opening it slowly and giving him n unamused look.
Isaac signals for me to take the lead as I descend the stairs and we walk out the door and head to the council meeting hall at the center of town.
Our home is quite beautiful and the color of the autumn leaves further enhances the beauty before me, the sight making the walk a little less unbearable.
Once we enter the council chambers, I look around to see that all the elders have gathered, though I didn’t doubt they would dare defy my father’s orders.
There were many curious onlookers outside as well, though that doesn’t really surprise me either.
None of us had ever seen a demon before and many are excited to get a glimpse, but others are locked away tightly in their homes…probably remembering the stories we were told as children.
At a quarter past five, we all feel the shift in the air, like a mixture of the pressure dropping and an electrical charge rising around us.
It feels like icy claws gripping at our flesh and I can tell the elders feel it too as they all shift uncomfortably in their seats.
I quickly take my seat at the head of the large table as we wait for the darkness that’s gripping us to finally manifest.
The door to the main entrance lets out a loud groan as it’s pulled open and a few moments later, we all watch as a tall figure floats through the doorway, concealed by a dark black cloak.
When I say floats…I mean literally floats…there are several inches between the floor and the bottom of her cloak!
“I appreciate you meeting me on such short notice.” The voice is female, but it sounds more like a dark whisper than an actual voice.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, your majesty.” I struggle to hide the surprise in my voice.
“I assure you, the pleasure is all mine.” Her voice is clearly making the elders uneasy, but something about it intrigues me.
Much to everyone’s surprise, she raises up her hands, gripping at the hood of her cloak and slowly pulling it back.
