The Beta’s Regret

I was greeted by loud gasps and hushed whispers. The noise in the room grew as a round of applause broke out.

My eyes swept across the room. I saw my mother close to where Lord Shevek stood, but they were not exactly together.

I felt a little slighted that Lord Shevek had her emotions on and off, even though he had confessed that he liked her but wasn’t sure about his intentions. I wished he would cut her off cleanly.

I watched Lord Shevek move across the room with a proud smile on his face as he approached me.

He held his arm out to me when he got to my side, urging me to take it. I did.

His skin felt cold against mine, but I had gotten used to the feeling of his hands.

Despite my uncertainty, there was a certain comfort in the way he treated me. If I didn’t hate this place so much, I would have allowed myself to bask in the feeling of joy that I knew I should feel.

“The maids did a wonderful job on you. You look stunning.” He whispered in my ears.

Despite my reservations, I felt my heart flutter, and a small smile fell on my lips. “Thank you.”

I took advantage of that moment to attempt an escape route with him

“I don’t want to do this.” I said quickly.

Lord Shevek sighed. “I told you, it’s just fear. No one would ever hurt you without my permission. You are special.”

I nodded and looked away. I knew it was futile, but I had to try.

Lord Shevek led me through the room. The crowd parted at our entrance; a large number of vampires flanked us on both sides.

I shivered. Maybe it was because of the large number of vampires in the room, but the room was unusually cold. Compared to them, I wasn’t ice cold.

Lord Shevek led me to the front and stood with me by his side. I looked at my mother, who beamed at me.

She looked happy. More different than I thought she would be.

“Once again, I am pleased to announce to you, my only daughter and the future heir of the Coven, Eden.”

For a moment there was a small silence, then the applause began, but not everyone joined in. I could see that some of the guests were not satisfied with the announcement. And one of them was Cheryl and her friends.

It was obvious from the way they looked at me that they were against my father’s announcement.

I looked at her side. An older woman who looked like a matured replica of Cheryl stood beside her, a smile on her face. Compared to Cheryl, she had a more relaxed poise and a small smile.

That must be her mother.

I suddenly recalled the fight Cheryl and I had in the hallway, and I frowned.

What exactly does she want?

Considering how she had tried to pair Lord Shevek with her mother and how she claimed Ryker is her lover, it was possible that Cheryl had thoughts of becoming the future heir.

That would justify the reason why she hated me so much.

That was the only reason I could think of, because from what I could see, her mother looked like she was doing just fine without Lord Shevek, so why try to matchmake them into a union that would be nothing but transactional?

Why was she hung up on Ryker, who wasn’t even her beloved? It was obvious she was chasing something else.

Power

If her mother married Lord Shevek, business or love, she would become his child, and that would mean that she had every right to take over after him.

And Kyker wasn’t far–fetched either. If she won the favor of the adopted son, even if Lord Shevek chose Ryker over her, she would just get married to him and still be in control.

It was a perfect plan, something that could have gone smoothly if only I didn’t exist in the picture.

It would seem that I was the only one that stood in the way.

I shook my head and smiled.

Cheryl rolled her eyes when she saw my smile. She wore a bitter expression and looked away.

“It’s time for the ceremony to begin.” Lord Shevek announced.

Another vampire brought a scroll to Lord Shevek, which he collected.

I rolled my eyes. Really? A scroll? They really played out the ancient culture properly.

I looked around the room. Everywhere was sealed. The only exit was through the front door.

Lord Shevek opened the scroll in front of everyone and began to read out loud.

“For thousands of years, we lived as a coven bond by blood, family, and choice. Our ancient rites and traditions have been passed down through centuries. And tonight, we will witness one of such traditions take place. The rite of inheritance.” Lord

Shevek said.

The crowd gave another round of applause and fell into silence.

Lord Shevek closed the scroll and stretched it out to have it taken away.

As soon as the scroll left his hands, he snapped his fingers, and immediately, a loud hiss filled the room, followed by a slight commotion as two vampire guards dragged an extremely pale and gnawed vampire over to the front, his hands and legs were clad in silver chains that cut deep into his skin.

I frowned.

What was going on?

“This man here has defied the sacred oats that we hold dear. He has gone against our trust as a people and has allied himself with our enemies. He is a traitor.” He paused. A hushed silence fell over the room. “And he must die.”

I gasped.

Lord Shevek turned to me with a serious look on his face. “I never spare anyone who betrays me.” Text © owned by NôvelDrama.Org.

I went pale; my eyes went wide. What does he want from me? Did he find out that I am trying to escape and called my friends? Ryker must have told him something.

Was Lord Shevek going to kill me? Just like he planed to do with the other man?

Lord Shevek stepped towards me. I backed away.

Then he smiled and pointed to the traitor.

“As part of your initiation, Eden, you must prove to us all that you have what it takes to lead the people. It is your turn to pass judgment on him. Drink his blood, and end his life.”

I didn’t know which was worse, getting killed or killing someone.

I couldn’t move. I stared at Lord Shevek wide–eyed. I silently hoped this was all some big joke that we would laugh about, but

it wasn’t. I knew everyone was waiting for me to act, so I did what I could.

I don’t want to!” I said. First as a whisper, then I squared my shoulders. “I’m not going to take a life.”

6:40 PM

My father’s smile dropped.

“Eden!” He bellowed. “This is not the time to complain.”

Before I could respond, the double doors opened with a loud cry.

“No!” This drew everyone’s attention.

At the doorway, Beauty, Arthur, and Adonis graced in, claws out, and fangs bared.

The vampires gasped, shocked to have hybrids creatures invading their sacred ceremony. My shoulders fell in relief as I watched the three of them make their way through the crowd.