Lover Promised

Chapter One

Caldwell, New York

Fhear leaned over the pool table in preparation to take a shot when someone swiped his ball. Still leaning over, the male puffed back the black hair over his eyes to glare up at Tohr. The Brother tossed the white ball in one of the many nets. Sensing his game was over, Fhear placed his stick on the table with a groan.

Things in the Brotherhood changed over the month. One major player was that the Lessing Society was up to something. Having discovered an operation they had kept hidden from the Brothers had everyone on edge. Sure, there had been the usual busts on small meetings and nothing else. Only problem was that the lesser they were looking for wasn't at any of those meetings. A mysterious Mr. J had been alluding the Brotherhood and it was just driving them up the walls. This lesser created a program so good that not even V could crack.

Another change was Fhear's friend, Dhusk. The male had been working nonstop in order to return to the Brotherhood. Reason for this intense training was because he had a tinny tiny problem. Although, one wouldn't consider it tinny if Dhusk always went Dr. Hyde on someone whenever he was serious. Everyone knew that side of the male and dealt with it until the events of last month came to pass. Now he was determined to be rid of that part of him. And it just wasn't Dhusk working hard. Paige, his female, was preparing herself for the Scribe Virgin. The human had a pesky telekinesis ability which amplified when she had another near-death experience. So with a vampire who could flip the switch and someone who could move things with her mind, the Brotherhood pretty much had a bunch of stuff on their plate.

Without Dhusk around being the teasing one, Fhear was stuck with Ahgony and Hhavoc. Well, mostly Ahgony. Hhavoc wasn't much on talking ever since his cousin started training. There was also the hidden fact that the male was in tune to every sound made on the earth. The three found out about this ability when Hhavoc heard a group of lessers coming their way and when Paige's ability went out of control. He made them swear never to tell the others of his ability. Even though Fhear could see the potential of having such an ability, he could see the toll it took on his friend. Being able to hear everything and unable to turn it off would drive anyone crazy.

Since Ahgony was Hhavoc's new field partner, Fhear was left with too much time on his hands. It was partly his fault because of the raid a month ago. None of his friends expected him to join in the battle and he was proud for holding his own. But when the Brother found out, they immediately told his father. Now Fhear was on a much shorter leash than before.

After a long and heated argument between father and son, the final verdict was that Fhear had to have a Brother with him if he ever decided to go for a little midnight stroll. Two if he ever went with Dhusk, Ahgony, or Hhavoc. It got ridiculous when his father three Brothers would have to shadow him if the four went out together. Fhear did his best to keep his mouth shut in hopes of not provoking Wrath to making his punishment any harsher.

The other males had been busy of late so Fhear never saw the point of heading out.

He also had the annoying part of being the only prince of the vampire race.

His status was why Tohr interrupted his lonely game. All the male had to do was pat the prince on the shoulder and he knew what needed to be done. As of late, Tohrment had been the one looking for Fhear whenever his father needed to talk with him. Fhear didn't like the fact that his father summoned him now in a regular basis but he had to deal with it. Besides, this little summoning probably had to do with the fact that the princep meeting was tomorrow night. The meeting would be Fhear's first one.

Both males left the Pit in complete silence and headed back to the mansion. Heading through the tunnels until arriving at the entrance, Fhear told the Brother he had this and continued the trip on his own. The double doors leading to the study were closed so he knocked first. Wrath told him to enter. With a great push, the prince stepped inside and closed the doors behind him.

Fhear walked up to his father's desk only to stop when a tall male stood up from one of the wingbacks. Dressed in a black suit with a missing tie, the male's red hair was tied back and rested between his shoulder blades. His hair was a dark red color that there were tiny hints of orange. The male was just as tall as any Brother and built the same way. Even his dark green eyes possessed a warrior's spirit.

"My prince," greeted the man.

Acknowledging the male's presence with a nod, Fhear glanced over at his father. Even though he was blind, the king could sense when someone was watching. Wrath stood up and nodded in the male's direction.

"This is Cohnrad, son of Tristyn."

"Nice to meet you." Fhear waited for his father to explain what was going on.

"Well, I must take my leave." Cohnrad bowed to Wrath first then turned around to bow at Fhear. "I do look forward to seeing you at the meeting." The male bowed once more before leaving through the double doors.

Still in the dark, Fhear was prepared to ask his father when Wrath told him to take a seat. Being told to sit by the king was never a good thing. Either way, the male did as he was told. His father sat back down as well. Removing his shades and rubbing his eyes, Wrath placed them back on with a sigh. Something was bothering his father and it had to do with this Cohnrad guy. Fhear hoped it want serious.

"Cohnrad is one of the members of the princep council. He's a good male and a great ally to have on your side."

"Okay. So why was he here?"

There was that annoying sigh again that Fhear was this close to reaching over the big ass desk and beating it out of his father.

"His daughter—"

"Fuck no!"

Two words and Fhear already knew what the son of a bitch was doing here.

His own father was setting up an arranged marriage.

Bolting up to his feet, Fhear threw whatever was closest to him to the ground. His hand found a lamp from the desk. Hearing the thing break into a million pieces didn't help his rising anger.

"Sit down," roared his father.

"You have got to be fucking kidding me!" snarled Fhear. "I get why you keep me locked up and shit, but that doesn't give you a damn reason to control my life."

"And what of our people?" Wrath challenged. "What are they to do if you don't start taking your role to heart?"

"But you—"

"Look how that turned out!" Wrath was back to standing. "I spent three hundred years ignoring my duty and look how that turned out. Many of our people died because I refused to take the throne. I don't want you making the same mistake I did."

"That is such bullshit! The reason why you've been dictating everything I've done my entire life is because I'm your only heir. If I wasn't, you wouldn't care what I did since there would be someone else to succeed you."

Right when the words left Fhear's lips, he instantly regretted them. On the day of his birth, his mahmen almost died giving birth to him. It was because of him she had to have her uterus removed. With him being the sole heir to his father's legacy, Fhear always felt trapped in a duty he never wanted. What the prince wanted more than anything was to be part of the Brotherhood. Hearing the tales of how his father was once one of them prompted the urge to join. Funny how that dream went up in flames on the first day of learning politics.

Wrath didn't argue or agree with what his son said. The male was used to Fhear's outburst. This was a game they had played a million times. It was just this one accidently brought Wrath's shellan in the mix.

Fhear apologized for his words and sat back down. Wrath stood a second longer before sitting down.

"Sooner or later, you're going to have to accept you role. Might as well be soon."

"Why?"

"Once you make an appearance tomorrow, males of high ranking will start bringing their daughters. It's no secret that you will one day take a female to be your shellan. What worries me the most is what the males have to gain." Wrath leaned back in his throne. "Rehv actually introduced me to Cohnrad. I spoke with the male on a few occasions to understand that his only motive is to see the safety of the people and its future king. His loyalty is unwavering to the First Family."

"So you want me to marry his daughter to keep him in our corner?"

There wasn't any need for an answer. Having the male meet Fhear before the other princep members already declared the match.

"Her name is Claudya. You'll meet her once the meeting is over. All I'm asking of you is to get to know her."

Fhear restrained himself for making the snide remark of how he should get to know the female before the date was set. Might as well get to know someone before you were stuck to them for the rest of your life.

"Is that all?"

"Yes."

Without wasting a second, Fhear was up and out of the study. The male didn't care how loud he closed the doors. He slammed them as hard as he could. The chandeliers above his head shook from the impact.

The male ignored whoever was watching him as he stormed out of the mansion and down the tunnels. Taking a series of turns, he ended up in the garage. One car had a hood up with half a body sticking out. Marching right up to the ride, Fhear pounded his hand on the driver's side to get the male's attention.

"I heard you before you even set foot out of the study."

Leaning back and slamming the hood shut, Hhavoc wiped his greasy hands on his jeans. The male was wearing a white sleeveless shirt so the tattoo on his right upper arm could be seen. Bayne, Hhavoc's twin, had a matching tattoo on his left upper arm. The tattoo was of swirling circle with the end breaking off in crumbling rocks. With the tattoo representing earth, it showed to the world that the twins belonged to the line of Sohl. Esther, Adam, and Rayna had a tattoo similar to this with the jagged piece replaced with floating wisps. Their father, Adam, had the same tattoo since they were part of Shadoh's line. Even the triplets had a tattoo of the circle with burning flames for their father was Spihrit.

Fhear gave his friend some time to wipe himself semi clean. Tonight was the male's night off so he was working on his mechanical skills. Good thing he was easy to find because Fhear really needed someone who wasn't afraid to punch him or worse.

"You done here?"

"Not even close. I think I'll just let my dad finish this mess up. Everyone already knows how much I suck at this."

When Fhear didn't follow up on why he was there, Hhavoc grunted like he was bored. He gave his hands one more wipe on his pants before telling the prince to meet him in the gym in five. Both of the males headed out of the gym towards the locker room. While Hhavoc gave himself a quick wash, Fhear changed into a pair of slacks and a black shirt.

The males probably had ten minutes before someone came looking for them. So in ten minutes, the two would be going at one another like they were intending to kill the other. If Dhusk wasn't busy finding his zin self, Fhear would've gone to his friend. Hhavoc was a good second choice considering the male knew when it was time to call it. Fhear would be relying on his friend's decision because he really needed a good fight.

Leaving the locker room and heading to the gym, the first thing Fhear did was lock the doors. Now with those ten minutes in the bag, Fhear headed to the center matt and raised his arms above his head. Hhavoc soon joined the prince and did his own short stretch. Once they were nice and loose, the males took their fighting positions. They gave each other a fist bump to start the fight. No surprise when it was Fhear who came swinging fighting first.