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Prologue

CH.1

The young grey-eyed prince paced uneasily in his father's study awaiting the arrival of his parents King Michael and Queen Emma. They have been reigning for thirteen years to a peaceful kingdom. Though they have come up with few rebellious groups along the way, there haven't been any dire threat to the throne. The fear of the royals usually outweighed the goals when it was time to attack.

Caiden, his younger brother Angelo and their little sister Rebecca have been trained in the ways of true royalty. How to act, how to speak even how to live like a royal, and also how to fight without killing. With years of training on royal etiquette, the control of their gifts came into play. They all should have acquired their gifts when they first shifted at thirteen but they all received them earlier than usual, an advanced step for a royal, as Elder Liselle said.

Their gifts were compatible with each other with one common gift. But Caiden was said to be the strongest as he was blessed with two extra gifts due to being given life by the moon goddess herself when he was a child. Everyone saw him as their savior and their protector, when he ascended the throne but Caiden did not want any of it. He also knew how false that statement was, he wasn't the strongest of the three.

He grew tired of it all and wished for his freedom. A life away from it all.

"Sweetheart?"

At the sound of his mother's voice, he quickly spun around and faced her, a smile came upon his face as he took in his mother in her simple jeans and t-shirt, her long brown hair in a single braid which made her green eyes shine brightly. Emma was not the one for jewels and expensive dresses on a daily basis just because she was queen. Comfort was her main motto when she was at home and not expecting guests.

"Hi, mama. It's good to see you back home. I've missed you so much," he said slightly bending to hug her. At 6’ 1’’, he towered over his mother and sister and always teased them endlessly about it.

"I've missed you too. I'm sorry we couldn't stay for your graduation party," she said leading him to the sofa. He laughed as his mother pouted in such a childish way. "Mama I understood. I was truly happy that you both were there to see me cross the stage," Caiden said kissing her cheek.

Caiden and Emma had a very close relationship as mother and son. They never got into any heated arguments nor have they crossed each other in any way. It was very strange to someone else, even his friends in college thought it was unheard of when he confided most things to his mother. He was called Mama's boy a lot but he didn't care. He loved his mother dearly and would never deny that.

"Now what is so important you wanted to discuss that requires both of us here," she asked fixing his hair. Rolling his eyes, he batted her hand away from his hair and grinned at her.

"When dad gets here mama," he said sternly and tried his best to keep his face serious.

"Fine. Now tell me about your last days back at university. How is Micah?" she asked about his best friend and future beta.

"He's great. They are set to return tomorrow from their vacation," he explained. Micah was the only son of Mason, the royal Beta. He was a hybrid and was very strong in both wolf and vampire due to his parents' lineage. Even though he was a year younger than Caiden, they grew as brothers and was at each other's side all through college.

He was hoping for his friend to be by his side then to help talk to his parents but Beta Mason took that time to visit King Damian and Dimitri while his parents were away in Australia on diplomatic issues.

"Great. I think we should all have dinner together tomorrow night, since you boys are back. Everything is alright, I hope. How is your control?" she asked.

He knew what she was pertaining to, he gave her a weak smile but kept his head low.

"Cay?" she said soothingly and lifted his head with her forefinger. He cleared his throat and looked at his mother.

"There was an incident at the party...." He started softly.

"Cay" his mother whispered and stood up.

"How bad was it?" she asked. She wasn't angry nor nervous. She was just worried. Emma knew of how strong her son was and was fearful that he would hurt someone badly even worse himself.

"Mama. I swear I didn't mean to. But he got my wolf so mad that I lost control. This kid has been bullying me for my entire stay at college. When you left with dad, he began his torment all over again saying stuff like he now sees the reason why I cling to you. And what he wants to do to you. Every word that came out of his mouth disgusted me that I shifted in the eyes of everyone. Stupid human kept on talking, in my mind I wished he would just stop talking and he did. Then he began to clutch his chest, wheezing and coughing up blood then he... he... died," Caiden explained staring off at the distance.

Emma said nothing, she stood looking at how guilty her son looked, they have tried to help him gain control of his powers but it kept on evolving. Their children were powerful indeed. They can all use their gifts in wolf form but control in that form is yet to be mastered.

"And the witnesses?" she asked softly.

"Angelo and Rebecca manipulated their memory of it. Uncle Noah dealt with the Dean and his parents. They wrote it off as some sort of heart attack I don't know. I blacked out after he died," he said going to the window.

"All we have to do is train your wolf harder. We can ask the goddess what to do. It all would be fine. We will see what we can do about this mishap" She said reassuringly.

"MISHAP?! I killed a man by just thinking about it. How is that fine!" he shouted. The pitcher of water that was in the corner exploded by his anger, Emma quickly froze the pieces and put them back together.

Caiden stood still looking at the now unbroken pitcher. His mother's gifts were still growing and it amazed him at how easy she had control.

"I'm sorry" he whispered.

"It's alright. My mind was still catching up by what you told me and I said whatever came to mind," she said holding her little boy. She still saw him as her sweet little prince who always was eager to be with her.

"I wish I wasn't born into this royal family. I just want to be normal. Is that too hard to ask for?" he said moving away from her but she didn't answer. Unconsciously, she gave him a sad smile which he quickly regretted his words. He didn't miss the pain in her eyes his words caused.

He groaned at the thought of hurting his mother, his father told him what happened when she was pregnant with him and it still hurt her even after all these years. Caiden felt worse. He didn't mean to say those words.

"There you two are" he heard his father said interrupting his thoughts.

"Dad" Caiden called out and quickly went and gave his father a hug.

Michael held his son in his arms and sensed the sadness between his mother and himself. Emma looked at her mate and gave him a comforting smile. He nodded and decided not to come between them.

"Now tell me what was so important to drag me here, " he teased his son while he sat next to his mate. She held his hand and kissed his temple, the love between them grew stronger every day. The most simple touch was enough for them.

Caiden smiled at his parents as Michael returned his mate's innocent kiss. One day he wished for a love like that with his mate.

Emma and Michael looked at their son as he let out a frustrating sigh.

"I want to move out of the palace," he said in one breath.

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