(Author’s POV)

"Stop boring a hole in my head and just spout whatever’s on your mind," Jacob spoke, without looking up. He was busy reviewing a document while settled in his bed. A true businessman and a workaholic.

"Uhhh~ Your majesty~ .... I may be overstepping here, but may I know what the need for the sudden announcement for the next head is? Ahh~ ... what I mean to say is~ ...." Chris spoke, then paused, trying to articulate his words in the correct manner.

"Chris Shadow, since when did you worry about overstepping your boundaries, huhh? You have always done that. So, why are you being~ .... careful around me all of a sudden? That’s quite uncharacteristic for you. What, fell from a cliff of the mountain or hit your head or something?" Jacob remarked, lifting his eyelids just about right to meet his gaze.

"Master, how can I dare to~ ...." Chris said. Jacob waved his hand, gesturing for him to just get to the point. He cleared his throat, straightened his posture and started again, "I just wanted to say that you have just survived a great ordeal and will soon regain your full health, like before. So, what’s the need for appointing a new head now? I completely understand your intentions, but~ .... electing so hastily, it just doesn’t seem right. Additionally, tomorrow is the day of the summer solstice. All the clan members will be on edge because of that. There has already been unrest following your plane crash. And a council meeting to top it off, in a situation like this, wouldn’t it be too much to handle right now?"

Jacob rested his head on the headrest. Closing his eyes, he only chuckled, which turned into a hearty laughter, "Haha~ .... HAHAHAHHAHahhahahhahah~ ..."

Chris was caught off guard by his reaction. He frowned a little, his eyes flickering. Pursing his lips, he said, "Master, you are laughing at such a serious matter."

"Shadow, oh, Shadow. You said something so laughable, how can I help myself? Hahha," Jacob said, his tone playful, pinching his nose bridge. "Whatever you mentioned just now, do you think I don’t know all this?" Out of the blue, he opened his eyes and stared straight at Chris, "Tell me, who am I?" 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

"Huhhh?" Chris was confused. He couldn’t understand what riddling game Jacob was playing with him, "You are~ ...."

Jacob scoffed, shook his head and then spoke, his voice filled with absolute authority, "I am the Vampire King, Jacob Larson. I know everything. What you know~ ... and what you don’t~ .... all of it." He tilted his head a little, then added, "I want to ease the unrest; that is precisely why the council meeting is required to happen tomorrow. Aren’t the clan leaders my loyal subjects? At least that’s what they claim. I have been lying in bed for days, fighting tooth and nail with death, and none of them has visited even once. So~ .... it’s time for them to showcase their loyalty to their beloved king. A little discomfort shouldn’t be a problem. Don’t you think so?" He winked at Chris.

Chris was about to say something when they heard a knock on the door, so he swallowed his words back.

"Come in," Jacob said, his voice back to normal. Iris entered and announced, "Your majesty, Luna of the Moon Shine Pack has arrived at the mansion. She wants to pay her respect to you."

"Ohhh, she’s finally here. Take her to my study," he ordered, then gazed at Chris and changed his mind. "Forget it. I will see her here, in my chambers."

"Yes, your majesty," Iris replied and went out. After a few minutes, the door unlatched as Sara came inside, dressed immaculately in a purple blouse and skirt, embroidered with gold threads. The same colored net gloves added more finesse to the attire. The choice of colour represented her royal status and her pack’s legacy.

"It’s a pleasure to meet you, your majesty, Vampire King Larson," Sara greeted him with a slight nod.

"You graced my territory with your honourable presence; for that, the pleasures will always be mine, Luna Sara. Please take a seat," Jacob replied, sitting on the couch, formally dressed. With another nod, Sara acknowledged his words and settled. Then she asked, "How are you doing now? I heard from Alaric that your secretary brought back a potion, which has been quite effective in your speedy recovery." She glanced at Chris, who was standing a few paces away from Jacob, then back at him. "You must be quite satisfied with your right-hand man. After all, with someone in a position of power like ours, there is always a scarcity of loyal people around. You have a very staunch and devoted personnel next to you."

"Indeed. Having Secretary Shadow by my side is a blessing. Keeps me less stressed," this time, Jacob glanced Chris’s way with a carefree smile. "You have faithful and dependable people in Matthew Shaw and Janet Quinton. The Beta and the Gamma of the Moon Shine pack. They both are very capable individuals and fierce warriors to top it off."

"They are but~ ... not fiercer than you, your majesty," Sara remarked as a chuckle escaped her mouth. She was reminded of an incident. Once, when the Moon Shine Pack and the Blood Fangs’ Clan held an initial meeting in a neutral country of Sosraville, to form a treaty between the vampires and werewolves.

At that time, apart from Noah and Sara, most of the pack members were opposed to the idea of forming an alliance with vampires, including the current Beta, Matthew Shaw. But on the Lycan King and Luna’s insistence and clear orders, plus the pack’s unstable situation because of Noah’s half-brother, Casper Everests, he had to agree.

He remained cordial during the three-day and two-night stay. But on the last day, Matthew heard two of the Blood Fangs’ members making fun of their pack and the Lycan King’s mother. Someone who was always calm and composed couldn’t help himself and went full throttle on them.

Of course, he didn’t kill them, but did everything else that would make them beg for death. He ripped out one of their tongues, and as for the other, his ribs were shattered. Only when the commotion was heard and the damage was done did others come out. Jacob, Noah, Sara and all the people from both parties were present.

Another one of the clan members, when seeing their comrade crying in sheer agony and that Matthew remained unscathed, took it as an offence and charged at him. Seeing him, others followed suit. They all at once attacked the newly appointed Beta.

Battling claws and fangs, the Moon Shine pack members didn’t hold back either. All in all, it was total chaos.

Later on, with the command from their respective Kings, the dust was settled, and only then was the truth revealed. Matthew, still in rage, challenged Jacob, thinking he had the same mindset as those of his people. In a way, he wanted to test him as well and see whether he was even worthy or not.

Jacob accepted his challenge and, needless to say, defeated the Beta in the tussle. In the end, he just said to Matthew, looking him in the eye, "I commend you for standing up for your King and Queen, but~ .... You need to keep that temper of yours in check. Not everyone is going to be as merciful as I." After that, he punished those who badmouthed the Lycan King and Luna, banishing them from the clan. But this particular incident was something that no one could forget.

To Be Continued . . . . . .