Page 26 of You Will Crave Me
“Father?”
“It is time for your eldest children to begin their own Houses. Release them, Théoden, now, as I once released you all those centuries ago. It is time for them to grow my army through the blood you have so cleverly imbued with werewolf and dragon venom and resistance and abilities. With these new changes, we may become a target and there is no time like the present. Marco, Bruce, and Donovan are more than ready and ripe. Your sons Michael and Tyler have thrived here, Théoden. You have clung too long and I have allowed you the luxury because I understand your dragon nature to hoard. This ends. I have given you my edict. Obey it,” Ara commanded in a tone that left no room for negotiation.
The thought of having to let go of my eldest sons left a sour taste in my mouth. I was used to having them near me for centuries. Sensing their auras nightly, and knowing that I was able to always protect them. To know there would now be distance between us and I had to let them become their own House Masters was both a proud moment and bittersweet. I didn’t want to fully admit it, but Ara was right.
“I will obey, Father,” I said, leaving it at that.
“Within the week, Théoden.”
I blinked at the urgency. “A week? Why so soon? I’ll need time to—”
“No, you don’t. You’ve had centuries, Théoden. And I already know you have properties purchased that you intended to give them over ten years ago.”
“They will need to be prepared—”
Again, Ara interjected. “Money, to which you have plenty, will easily solve this. Also, I know that the properties have been maintained. Stop trying to postpone the inevitable, my child. Doing so will only piss me off. Am I clear?”
“Yes, my King. I will rush the ceremony preparations for their ascension, and send them on their separate ways,” I said, attempting to hide my attitude as best as I could.
“Yes, you will. And when you speak to me, Théoden, it will be without further annoyance to your tone. I will not be disrespected,” Ara warned.
“My apologies, Father.” I realized I’d addressed him as “my King”. Something I tended to do when he gave me a command I didn’t agree with.
“Good. Also, make sure your newest grandchild sires another. Dominic, is it?”
“Yes, Father. You will be pleased to know that he turned full wolf last night.”
“That does please me. Do we know why Dante was able to make a vampire like him since he hasn’t been able to replicate it with others he’sEmbraced?”
“Not at this time, Father, but we are still trying to figure it out. But the vampires and werewolves he has made are all immune and with their own abilities. You now have the most powerful wolf pack in the world and an alliance with an extremely powerful dragon king and pack Alpha in Kendrick,” I said.
“An alliance I want to make sure stays strong. I want you to sire another as well, Théoden. With your oldest children leaving, you need to keep growing your House,” Ara said.
I wanted to scoff, but I held it back. “Am I also given a week to fulfill this command?”
“You would have been, but since I detect attitude in you tone, you have seventy-two hours,” Ara said.
Shit.“I apologize, Father.” Damn it, I knew better than to mouth off, so why did I?
“Accepted, but the time frame will remain the same, seventy-two hours.”
“Father, with all due respect, please allow me time to find a human worthy of your line. I fear that with everything I must do to prepare my sons’ departure, I will not find a human suitable.”
There was silence on the line, which concerned me.
“Very well, but I want your son, Donovan, to choose his child within a week. It is time he became a real Sire,” Ara said. “And as for you, I’ll give you a ten-day period.”
“Thank you, Father, and I agree about Donovan.” At least, I managed to buy myself some time.
He sighed. “I can still sense unease within you, my son. Let us not part on such nasty terms. Especially not when you’ve given me so much to be happy about. Where are you now?”
“My office, Father,” I replied, not sure what he meant. I was annoyed by his edict, but it would pass. It always did.
“Alone?” Ara’s tone dipped into a seductive purr, his Middle Eastern accent thickening, and my cock jumped in excitement.
“Yes, Father.”
“Mmmm, free yourself, Théoden.”
