Fiona woke to find her father staring down at her. She blinked the sleep from her eyes. "Good morning, Dad."
"Good morning, Fiona," he replied, his voice a low rumble. "Now, tell me. Who was that young man?"
She frowned, her mind immediately going to Axel. "Where is he, Dad?" she asked, avoiding the question.
"He's gone," her father answered simply.
Her lips pursed. He left? Just like that?
---
PALACE
The palace grounds were in an uproar as pack members strained to catch a glimpse of Axel, who was kneeling outside the throne room. His hair fell over his face like a curtain, shielding the burning hatred and disgust in his eyes from the world.
He had slipped away from Fiona's cabin before first light and arrived at the palace as early as possible, using the shadows to avoid being spotted. When the guards saw him, they were too shocked to question him, simply opening the gate as if his very aura had turned to ice overnight.
He had knelt before the throne room at daybreak and remained there since. The Alpha had surely been informed of his return, yet no one understood why the King had not yet emerged.
Finally, the large gates groaned open, and the King stepped out, Elsa at his right. The Alpha had been unable to sleep for most of the night, so Elsa had suggested a draught to help him rest; he had consequently slept late.
"Axel," the King called, his face brightening with a relief he didn't bother to hide. One could see the genuine happiness in his posture.
Axel looked up slowly, his face a mask of cold indifference. He wasn't even looking at the King. His gaze was locked solely on Elsa, who rolled her eyes discreetly. Why did he come back? She had been so pleased he had fled the pack lands—and now he had returned? Would he ever learn?
"Where did you go all night? We were sick with worry. Even your stepmother couldn't eat," the King said.
Axel almost scoffed, his eyes flicking to Elsa again. A mask of maternal concern was plastered on her face, and he gave a slight, disbelieving shake of his head. One thing was surprising, though: his father's worry seemed entirely genuine.
"Axel... aren't you going to say anything?" Elsa scolded, her voice laced with false worry. "The Alpha is asking why you left the palace and worried everyone so. Have you forgotten you are a prince? You can't just behave this way. What came over you?"
"Such a good pretender," he muttered under his breath, the words barely a whisper.
"I will accept any punishment you see fit, Your Majesty," he finally spoke aloud, his voice flat.
"You still haven't answered my question. Where were you all night?" the King pressed.
Axel remained silent for a long moment. "I'd rather not say, Your Majesty."
The King's lips twitched in frustration.
"You will state your reason for disappearing from the palace, Prince Axel," Beta Orion interjected, emphasizing the title.
Prince Axel ignored him as if he hadn't spoken, and the elder shook his head in disapproval.
"Wash up and get dressed. I will speak with you in my chambers, Axel," the King commanded before turning and striding back inside.
Elsa shot Axel a sly, triumphant smile before following her mate.
Axel stood, his movements fluid and controlled, and walked toward his room without a single glance at anyone, not even Darius, who stood watching nearby.
Darius folded his arms, his gaze fixed on Axel's retreating back. "Proud bastard," he muttered.
He was about to return to his own chambers when Leon rushed over. "Is it true? Is Brother Axel back?" he asked, his eyes wide with unrestrained joy. "He's really back?"
Darius hissed, a low, warning sound, and Leon quickly composed himself.
"Who is your favorite brother? Me or Axel?" Darius asked, his tone sharp.
Leon looked away, uncomfortable.
"You call him 'brother,' yet you call me by my name. We are the same age, Leon. And stop smiling like a fool. It irks me." With that, Darius walked away, leaving Leon standing like a statue.
"Did I say something wrong?" Leon muttered to himself. "Why is he so mad?" Shaking his head, he quickly ran off toward Axel's room.
---
Axel sank into the bathtub, the foamy bubbles covering his body up to his chest. His jet-black hair was plastered to his forehead, and his smooth, pale skin seemed to glow in the steamy air.
The two maids assigned to bathe him stood ogling, frozen in place. Axel had never permitted the maids to wash him, even though it was a prince's right, so none had ever seen him bare-chested. The two young women stared unblinkingly until Axel's patience wore thin. His eyes snapped open, a flash of amber startling them back to their senses. They cleared their throats awkwardly and began to scrub his body.
He took a deep breath and closed his eyes again, enduring the contact.
Once he was clean, they dressed him in one of his regal outfits. He had worn black since he was a child, and that hadn't changed.
They were still fastening his tunic when Leon rushed in.
"Brother!" he called, throwing his arms around Axel.
A genuine, if weary, smile touched Axel's lips. "I missed you so much. I thought you weren't coming back," Leon said, his voice muffled against the fabric.
Axel looked down at him with fondness. "I'm here now. I missed you too," he said, ruffling the boy's hair. Leon chuckled.
"If I were you, I wouldn't have come back at all," Leon muttered sadly.
Though Axel heard him clearly, he chose to ignore it. "Don't worry about me, okay?" he said, patting Leon's head.
Leon nodded. "Hurry along. I need to see the King," Axel prompted, and Leon scurried out.
Axel walked to the King's inner chamber and knocked on the heavy door.
"Come in, son," the King's resonant voice sounded from within.
Axel entered and found the Alpha standing by the window, his back to the door.
"Have a seat," the King said, his voice tense.
Axel did as he was told. For a long moment, the only sound was the crackling of the fireplace. The King regarded him silently, his Alpha aura filling the room with a palpable pressure.
Axel was the first to break the silence, his voice calm and resolute.
"I wish to renounce my title and step down as a prince, Your Majesty."
The King's head shot up, his eyes wide with shock.