SEBASTIAN’S POV


    “How long will the funeral servicest?” Catherine asked while seated on the edge of the bed.


    “In the text message, it said it shouldn’t take more than three days,” I replied, looking at myself in the mirror as I slipped on my suit jacket.


    When an Alpha King passes away, the funeral services typicallyst for two or three days as the case may be. On the first day, family members, other Alpha Kings, and important guests gather. The second day is dedicated to the wake-keeping and ceremonial customs, which take ce the day before the main event. During this time, candles are lit, incense is burned, and other symbolic rituals are performed to the moon goddess, asking her to ept the king’s soul and honour him as a king in the afterlife. On the final day, the main event takes ce. The body isid to rest on the ground. Eulogies and tributes are given, and after the closing remarks, a gathering will be held at his castle for a reception.


    Nn was a fool. He has always been. I never meant to kill him. I had just wanted to teach him a lesson. A brutal lesson for messing with Brianna. But he ended up screaming himself to death. I could still picture the horrified look on his stupid face that day after I ruined him. He deserved it and so much more. And so will anyone who will ever try to hurt or mess with Brianna.


    “You seem unhappy,” Catherine remarked as she got up from the edge of the bed where she was sitting and straightened my tie. “What’s wrong?”


    She smoothened out my chest and shoulders. Standing on her tiptoes, she gently touched my cheek and leaned in for a kiss, but I politely declined.


    “Not now, Catherine,” I turned away gently. “Nn was a close friend and fellow Alpha king, and his sudden death left me in shock and sadness. That’s all,” I lied.


    “I’m sorry,’ stepping down, she awkwardly cleared her throat and apologized.


    “No problem.”


    I grabbed my duffel bag where I had stuffed some of my essentials and made my way to the door. Before I could jerk the handle open Catherine called me back.


    “Darling,” she whispered as I turned to face her, her voice barely audible. “I wish I could go with you and express my condolences to Nn’s family, but I can’t,” she raised her bandaged wrist. “I’m not strong enough. Please do let them know that I really care.”


    “Of course I will,” I nodded. “You don’t have to worry about that. Goodbye. And please don’t do anything to hurt herself again. Enjoy the rest of your day. I’ll be back in two days,” I let out a dry forced smile.


    She dropped her hand, slightly lowered her head, and nodded, resembling a scolded little girl. I pulled the door open and walked out.


    *****


    After we arrived at Nn’s castle, we were informed by his family that his funeral wouldst for only two days. That meant the wake-keeping and ceremonial customs would be done in the night and not tomorrow. Then tomorrow will be the final day for his body to beid to rest.


    I didn’t understand why they had a sudden change of ns. But I didn’t find any issue with it. The sooner the funeral ended, the better. To be honest, I wouldn’t havee if it wasn’t mandatory for all Alpha Kings. With the change of ns, that meant I would be leaving tomorrow immediately after the reception.


    So much better, I thought.


    On thest day, after we had buried Nn’s body, we all came together at his castle for a reception. I was sitting on a soft stool near the mini bar, enjoying some red wine, when someone in a sharp ck suit and sunsses pulled their stool up next to mine with a screech and sat down.


    Turning, I brushed out a sharp breath and almost stiffened with rage on seeing it was Hermes. He still had that stupid smirk I knew him for on his face. That proud, entric, nonchnt demeanour I hated him for. He must have just arrived because I haven’t seen him since I arrived yesterday.


    “Hey buddy,” he removed his sunsses and yfully tapped my shoulder, causing me to spill my drink as I was about to take a sip. “It’s been a while.”


    I groaned inwardly in anger as I kept the ss cup on the coaster, resisting the urge to bang it so he’d know how angry I was with what he just did. So he’ll know how angry I was with his presence.Property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    “Ohh, sorry,” seeing what he did, he apologized. But like he didn’t mean it. “I never meant for that to happen.”


    “It’s nothing,” I said, even though it was something.


    The bartender handed me a napkin I used to wipe my mouth. Luckily for me, the spill didn’t get to my suit. After I was done, I gave it to him back and turned to face Hermes.


    His sandy-brown eyes reminded me of the ve auction. It reminded me of all those beautiful but bruised and battered young female omegas whimpering on the stage. It reminded me of Brianna. The intense pain, hurt, agony and tears she cried out all smouldered in Hermes’s devilish eyes. This was her dark past. He…was her dark past. I could see that clearly now. And I’ll make sure to erase every bit of it. It won’t be easy. But I’ll do my best for her. It was a good thing she was no longer with him. But the thought of the other female omegas that will be brought to that stage every year left me feeling paralyzed. There was nothing I could do to stop the auction even if I wanted to. It has been happening for a long time and is considered a tradition.


    “You seem to be having a rough time,” he admitted after giving me a hard stare. Turning to the bartender, he ordered a bottle of whiskey. He half-filled his ss cup and returned his gaze to me, taking dramatic sips. “Celebratory Night Takes Unexpected Turn: Alpha King Sebastian and Wife sh During Their Anniversary Dinner Party,” he recited the headline of the fight Catherine and I had at our anniversary dinner party from the morning paper two days back. And this only infuriated me more.


    “I saw that on the morning paper two days ago,” he added. “My apologies for not making it that night to witness the riveting drama,” he smirked. “Is that the reason you look like you’ve been to hell and back?”


    “I believe that whatever I do in my marriage is none of your fucking business,” I replied sharply and he shrugged with the ss cup in his mouth. “So mind your fucking business!”


    “Sorry for intruding,” he said like he didn’t mean it again, dropping the ss cup on the coaster. “True. Whatever you do in your marriage is none of my business. And that’s not even what I came to you for,” he collected the ss and took a long drink, finishing the whiskey in the ss and proceeded to pour another round. “I came to ask about the ve that broke your years of dormancy at the auction. If I remember correctly, her name is Brianna Campbell.”