Chapter 1
The Most Valued Prize
Tobias Greggory Talbot…that was his name and yet he couldn't believe that this was now his life. He had slumped back in the overstuffed armchair in his Father's study while gazing out at the choppy waves down below. His lavender eyes were clouded with troubled thoughts as he replayed in his mind the events that had unfolded just this morning. He brushed a stray platinum blonde strand of hair out of his eyes as he straightened himself in the chair once more.
He had to keep studying no matter how troubled he was at the moment. It was critical that he absorb and retain every scrap of information he could about his magical heritage. Luckily for him, his Father had amassed a rather impressive collection of old books on just that subject alone. He had known and been exposed to the magical aspect of their family all his life of course. But now it seemed that part of him was taking a more active role in shaping his future.
Not the magic energies of simply being a witch or wizard, but the magic that originated from a more….ferocious origin. They were Dracken. Every one in his immediate family. Mother was the Dominant and Father was the Submissive. His siblings were all Dominant. He, as the youngest, just happened to be the only Submissive his parents had managed to produce. That would have been fine if it hadn't been for the fact that he wasn't a normal Submissive.
From what he'd been told by his Parents, every Dracken child born in their country was tested for genetic abnormalities and potential future health concerns. It was just a safety precaution really. But it had been discovered that he'd possessed a rare genetic variation that in the future would only allow him to give birth to submissive offspring. This news of course was greeted with much excitement by the magical medical community as well as the Dracken elders of his home country.
Given the state of the current Dracken population, or lack thereof, they were treating him as some sort of savior of their kind….and he hated it. Upon discovering his uniqueness, the Elders had put upon him an insanely strong charm that would mask his Dracken scent until it was time for him to choose his mates. Which would be coming up sooner than he'd like. He'd only just come into his magical inheritance in late Spring.
He'd expected it, but still felt extremely awkward adjusting to his new features. He didn't like to see himself in that form. He wasn't sure why it made him feel so ashamed. He'd done no wrong after all. He hoped he'd grow out of it as he got older. He glanced down at the worn page in front of him. He'd gotten distracted yet again. That book stank of mildew and he closed it carefully, not wanting to damage the ancient pages.
He really didn't think he could do this….really had no desire to even try. He didn't want mates or to be used as a mass incubator for even more Drackens. Privately, he held the belief that their very existence was a mistake of nature. That a human and a creature of magic should have never come together in such a way. To him, it felt so unnatural. Like a perversion of nature. Yet here he was. Very much alive and a creature of mixed origins. It felt more like an unwelcome curse to him. He felt himself growing angry again and of course that wouldn't be helpful for anything.
Taking a deep breath, he quietly strove to calm himself in preparation for his Father's return home. He'd been away for work nearly two weeks now. Though, as a family they would Skype each evening with him from his current location. It was true that they were a magical family, but they didn't snub their noses at all the wonderful inventions of the modern world. That would be foolish. They were a family with one foot firmly planted in each world, as his parents had wanted.
It was believed to be to their future advantage as adults that would be existing in both worlds. Though human technology as of yet was unable to function in the magical world. A problem that would be solved in due time, he felt certain of it. A chime sounded from downstairs, signaling his Father's return and he at once was taken with nervousness. He couldn't help it. They all knew this was coming and it was pointless to start acting bothered by it now.
As always, his Father came straight to his study to unwind and decompress from his trip. But this time was different. His Mother had informed him that his Father wanted him to already be there waiting for him. They were going to have a long chat and that's what he was nervous about. He moved to sit in one of the two chairs that were already arranged by the fireplace. The warmth was soothing at least.
The door opened quietly as his Father strode in. He was an intimidating man on first glance. Tall and well muscled with a graceful gait. With jet black hair and beautiful amethyst eyes. Upon seeing his youngest son, his eyes softened and the tiny wrinkles of weariness around his eyes faded just a bit.
"Toby…." He nearly whispered in relief, seeing him unharmed. Toby couldn't help himself and rushed into his Father's arms. He had missed him so much and things had been so crazy these past few days. The security of his Father's arms was hugely beneficial in helping to ground his turbulent young emotions.
"I'm sorry, Father. I didn't mean to get so upset when Mother told me. I just…." Toby tried to continue but was gently hushed when his Father put a finger to his lips. "It doesn't matter now, child. We have much to discuss and time is not on our side. Unfortunately, you came into your inheritance earlier than expected. Which has had the added annoyance of accelerating the process of your mateship." His Father explained carefully as he guided him back to the chairs by the fire.
They both settled in and tea was brought along with an assortment of dainty little snacks. His Father poured them both tea and they took a moment to replenish their energies before getting down to the business of his future. Toby's stomach was in knots, but he forced himself to eat and be normal so he didn't worry his Father. Of course he was riddled with worry anyway. What parent wouldn't be in this situation?
He took this rare moment of quiet to study his Father more closely. He was 42, though he didn't look it at all. If he'd seen him on the street for the first time he'd assume he was maybe 24 at least. But it was always tricky to guess a Drackens age just by looking. It was the magic of course. He had the 'hipster' style of dress going on that his Mother despised. But it made him feel most comfortable so she wisely didn't fuss about it too much.
His glossy black hair was tied back in a simple ponytail, though his skin was unnaturally pale. He wasn't unhealthy, it was simply the normal for him. It was obvious he'd been working far too many hours and no one in the family knew exactly what his work entailed. All he ever said was that it's for the Magical Ministry and it was safer the less they knew.
He could only assume he was involved in some dangerous activities to come home looking so haggard and worn. It worried him, that one day he simply wouldn't come home and they'd never know why. What could they do in such a situation? His Father must have noticed his pensive gaze and set his tea cup down carefully.
"I suppose we should get down to it then." He began with an exhausted sort of sigh. "You know the order of things to come. Your Mother and I have spent years preparing you for it and we're all well aware of your reluctance in the matter. We don't blame you for feeling the way you do. But we only have two viable optons…..we cooperate with the Ministry or they take you from us and force you to do it anyway. I don't personally like either option." His Father explained with barely veiled anger.
Toby understood his Fathers anger. It was his own after all. Though his Father was the submissive in his parents union, he still had a monumental temper at times. "What if I just disappeared?" Toby dared to suggest, hesitant to meet his Fathers gaze. There was a chilled silence for a moment that made his heart skip a beat. "That would be the act of an immature coward." His Father replied with utter seriousness.
Toby nodded quietly. They'd had this particular talk before. About how running away from ones problems and challenges didn't make them go away. That becoming an adult meant you had to do a lot of things you wouldn't really want to do. But all he wanted was to just be free and live life on his own terms. Deep down he knew that was just a pipe dream. He couldn't ever truly be free. He'd lived his childhood like a bird in a gilded cage.
He'd had everything he'd ever wanted. A superb education, perfectly balanced nutrition, physical activity for fun and bodily development, all the material things he could ever desire. Yet he would never have the real freedom he so desperately craved. Because he was the supposed key to his people's future. He understood perfectly what was expected of him and hated it with a passion that would never be exstinguished.
"I don't know if I can do this…." Toby admitted honestly, feeling like a dog that had been backed into a corner.
"You can and you must. There is more courage and strength within you that you're unaware of at 14 years of age. But I believe that you'll do what must be done for the future of our kind, as well as your own." His Father said fervently, hoping against hope that he sounded convincing.
Toby didn't buy it. He knew he was being selfish and he didn't honestly care about the future of his kind. He was still too angry to have been born this way to begin with. It wasn't like he had a choice in the matter. He strongly just wanted to run away, but he didn't really know anything of the realities of the outside world. Even he knew he'd been severely sheltered his whole life. It was a detriment to him now in his time of distress.
"This weekend we're expected at the Ministry to begin the paperwork and soon after they'll make a formal announcement to the global Dracken community. Dominants will begin to flood into France by the hundreds when word gets out about your special gift. They'll be desperate to be chosen and your safety will be of utmost concern to the Ministry. They'll want a concrete decision from you whether you will choose to cooperate of your own free will. If not….well, it'll be taken from our hands entirely." His Father explained further, hoping his youngest and most petulant child would understand the seriousness of the situation.
"So….I'll become property of the Ministry? Like a prized sow for breeding? Is that all I'll be to them?!" Toby asked heatedly, his control starting to slip slightly.
"Of course not" His Father said soothingly, trying to head off the outburst that was incoming "It's nothing so crass as that. You would be treated like a Queen in your mateship and likely spoiled horrendously." He explained calmly, hoping to soothe the storm before it started.
Toby forced back his passionate emotions and looked away to hide the budding tears in his eyes. He knew there was no way they'd see eye to eye on this. It was obvious he didn't have all the details he needed and he got the impression that his Father wasn't being given any choice in the matter either. He'd pretty much said so.
So they were both in a tricky spot. His Father looked so desperate to see him safe and settled with a good group of Dominants. Not that he blamed him, it was the natural thing to want your children's future secured. But he didn't want it decided for him, that's all. Though for now, he thought it time to drop it and let things blow over. He needed some peace to process things and he was getting hungry again. Those little finger foods only teased his stomach mostly. He needed a filling meal and a good nights sleep.
"How about we have dinner and give it a rest for a bit?" Toby offered and his Father nodded in agreement.
"Yes, you're right. I'd like to enjoy the time I have with my family before I'm off to work somewhere else again." His Father lamented as they both made their way downstairs to the dining room. Dinner smelled heavenly and he felt himself starting to salivate in anticipation.
"Looks like your Mother hunted up something quite nice for tonight. I hope she found a plump wild boar. She knows how I love their meat." His Father said wistfully.
It was quite noisy with all his siblings gathered round and his Mother barking orders at everyone. She was an orderly but loving tyrant of the home. They all knew better than to start any nonsense around her. "It's about time the two of you came down! How thoughtless to make the whole family wait on you two!" she chided as she passed plates around and swatted one of his brothers for sticking a finger in a bowl of yams.
"I do apologize, darling. But you are aware of the situation at hand." He reminded his wife gently. "Of course I am, Greggory. I'm not some vapid forgetful girl." She groused as she tore a hunk of meat from the carcass of a perfectly roasted boar to place on his plate.
"This looks amazing!" he praised as he placed his napkin carefully in his lap before slicing into it delicately.
His Mother's sharp blue eyes crackled angrily as she served his siblings. Her platinum blonde hair was bond up in a tidy bun as to not get in her way. He loved his Mother dearly and it was obvious she was angry, worried and frightened for his future. She was just as trapped as he and his Father were. Either cooperate or be made to. He loathed that his family was being put through this.
It wasn't their fault he'd been born the way he was, but they were all paying the price and it would only get steeper as time went on. From what he'd read in the books about Dracken behavior, his inner Dracken was supposed to be eager to seek out a mate now and have children. But he felt none of that. Was he broken even by Dracken standards? Maybe he should ask to see a Dracken Healer just to rule out anything medical?
"Why aren't you eating, Toby?" His Mother asked worriedly, instantly switching on the maternal nature as she perceived something off about her child. "It's nothing, Mother. I'm just stewing and fretting about things out of my control it seems." He told her as he nibbled at a pastry with obvious disinterest.
His Mother suddenly burst into tears and hid her face in her crisp white apron. "Darling!" His Father said, rushing to her side to comfort her. "I'm sorry….I wish I had a good solution." His Father said in an attempt to soothe his mate, feeling hopeless as he held his distraught wife.
Toby finally understood. Forces outside their control were causing his family distress and he was the only one that could put it all at ease. By his cooperation, things would go back to normal and everyone could get on with their lives in peace. It was time he stepped up and made the right choice for his family. This was so much bigger than his selfish desires and he needed to do what was best for the greater good. Then it was settled.
"I'll do it." He stated simply and plainly to the entire room.
"Excuse me?" His Father inquired, not sure he'd heard right.
"I said I'll do it. I'll go through with the mating. For everyone's sake" He reiterated once again.
"Are you sure, darling? It's such a serious decision." His Mother asked worriedly, coming over to stroke his hair like she always did to soothe him.
"It's alright, Mother. I'll do what I have to do and maybe if there is a next life after this I'll get to live my life how I want. But for now…. It's the right thing to do for so many reasons. Even if I'm unhappy about it." He explained calmly, almost as if he'd lost all hope. He really didn't have a choice…..
Or did he?...
TBC
