He took off his packet and kept it on the dining chair as he entered the house. 

"In your room or the laundry please." His ears picked up his mother's words and he immediately picked it up and walked to his room sighing internally. He could afford to anger the woman. 

​​

His room seemed to be dull as compared to his mate's. Her's was beautiful and lively and he seemed dark and dull. . .bland.

He kept it on the chair and laid down on the bed. Tired, even his beast felt so.

It had been on a complete alert ever since Adeline had been in an accident and the fact that he was not aware of that happening had left his beast to go crazy. So much so that even in the middle of the night he had urges to go and check if Adeline it was safe and sound.

Which he had tonight and left around midnight. Now, he was calm and resting.

"Pup?" He heard his father and grunted from he was. "You have to train in the morning. Do not sneak out like you did today."

Shit. Even with the lineage of blood, he had in his veins it was obvious that his brother and he were trained daily as the new heir to The throne and a spare.

Never was it that he was not reminded of that.

Alexander was the one who was to be the crowned by his uncle and become the king of the shapeshifters whereas he was the spare until the new heir came. He had initially been quite excited and into the whole system but when Adeline arrived he knew that simple and good life would do him good.

Just right here.

His door opened and by the Scent, he knew who it was. So he did not bother to open his eyes.

"I am turning twenty one next year." He sighed and laid down next to his brother. "I am officially going to leave for the capital in the shapeshifting realm."

Xavier sighed and turned to his back. "Do you expect to see that I would miss you?"

Alexander shook his head. "No . . No." He didn't laugh and Xavier knew that it was serious. 

"Say it." He urged. He stood up and lit an incense stick. He waved it around the room and placed it near the door. "Say it now. No one would hear you." They were not many times when Alexander was open about his feelings but when he was Xavier accepted it with open arms.

"It's just. . . ." He stopped and closed his eyes, "Taking The throne is going to be a huge responsibility. I will be ruling millions of people. Millions of people that I will be responsible for is something that's haunted me as a responsibility because it's huge. I cannot even take care of Ashlynn that well and here they expect me to take care of . . A whole species."

"You will do great. Better than me, I mean." Xavier laughed, "Even that old scholar does not have much hope for me."

Alexander tsked, "You do not take the responsibility seriously mainly because I am the one who's going to take it and I understand that you have no interest in it." He looked at his brother, "You will always be the man that I will go to."

"As a king?" Xavier scoffed. "Don't be stupid."

"I'm not," Alexander argued. "Truth be told, as compared to any scholar your word will always hold more value to me given that you are my brother and blood."

"Is it the moment where we kiss now?"

Alexander laughed loudly. "Fuck you. I think our mates would hate that." He shook his head. "Adeline is perfect for you. I have noticed Ashlynn and mother talking about her as she is perfectly feminine, kind and helpful. I think she would make the perfect queen."

"She will be my queen. But she will not be involved in any responsibilities as my counterparts until she is ready. At least for her, there will be that option."

"I hate uncle for not having kids," Alexander murmured but then felt guilty. 

"At least he is not dead yet." Xavier shook his head as he disagreed. "It's a medical miracle that he has been alive for so long after his mate's death and now that we are mated, you must understand that moving on seems like the end of the world."

Alexander nodded as he became oddly eyed. He seemed to think."I don't think I can."

"Move on?" Xavier scoffed. "No one can."

"No," Alexander say up. "I don't think I can rule. It's a fucking big job."

"Are you shiting me?!" Xavier growled and glared at his brother. "At this point where you are this close to taking the throne you are telling me that you are not ready for it?"

" . . . Not ready for it, I don't think I am up for it."

"Shut it!" He growled and the entire floor vibrated under him making Alexander more firm in his resolve.

"Did you see that?" He pointed to the floor that had just vibrated.

"Bitch, I did it," Xavier muttered under his breath and agreed after all he had done this.

"This is exactly what I am talking about. You are so much better than I am at this. You are more dominant than I am and we need a king that strong!" He pointed at his brother. "You are stronger than I am any given day if, you would win."

Once in his lifetime he was finally getting rid of responsibilities and had his mate in arms reach but of course, something had to happen. What Alexander was saying could have him in a shit load of trouble. It would mean that if Alexander abdicated and that would mean he and Adaline would be the new king and queen of a species that she was not even aware of hence that would push back his coronation to years.

Which was not possible because his uncle was dying and he was only surviving with the hope that Alexander, in six months, would take on to the throne.

"No," he shook his head. "Alexander what you talk of a something that can never happen. firstborns born, the crown will go to you."