He suddenly realized something. Why should he pay for this little tyrant's mistakes? Wouldn't that make him a schmuck?
A few onlookers who could read the situation instantly took out their purses intending to borrow him some money. Who wouldn't want the werewolf king's left hand to owe them money? It would be like getting a golden ticket into the world of the top brass for a few pieces of gold.
Oh great, if he accepts any of this money he will surely be the joke of the entire continent. They might as well replace the word "black" with bankrupt in his battle name. Actually, bankrupt phantom doesn't sound so bad.
He shook his head before poking the little ancestor dangling in his hand like a dreamcatcher. The teenager looked at him with a gaze so sharp, that it made his muscles tighten in fright. That's because that gaze was as sharp as a sword blade. He couldn't help but wonder why this kid was as terrifying as his father?
"I don't have any. I am broke," said that milky voice again with a cold expression making it difficult for one to ask even when they know he is lying.
Vega laughed nervously feeling a little embarrassed before he abruptly turned his head and spoke through his gritted teeth, "You better pay up otherwise I am going to tattle to your father about your solo adventures outside the protection circle," he whispered through his gritted teeth making it extremely difficult for others to overhear their little secret.
The little brat sneered before begrudgingly taking out some gold coins. "Uncle Vega I think your mother should have named you Snitch instead," he said as he opened that tiny cinch bag. Vega was about to respond but when he saw all that wealth inside of the tiny bag his heart bled.
Vega took the shiny gold coins from that little paw and handed them over to the burly man but before he could, a long slender hand reached out and yanked the coins out of his hand.
Before the burly man could even say anything the gold coins disappeared into her brassiere as she smiled gratefully, "Thank you my kind sir. You are such a kind gentleman."
Vega felt a bit awkward with those grapefruits bouncing in front of him. He hadn't noticed before but now that was all he could look at while she was deliberately fixing them. If it weren't for the burly man covering his view with his hands he might have taken a second..... no third glance.
"We are just going to go," he said before placing the boy over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes and leaping up the walls of the colosseum.
His body hit the wall while his well-trimmed nails with a perfect manicure suddenly grew long and thick as inky pigment spread all over his arm like a parasite seeping through his veins and etching into his bones. Thick shadow black fur as thick as hay appeared on his arm in partial transformation.
His nails dug into the wall of the colosseum creating a dent in the sturdy structure demonstrating the level of his strength. In a couple of leaps, he reached the top and entered the colosseum with the little ancestor still dangling over his shoulder.
"I am going to tell father that you created dents in his wall. Rule number three of Nimrey city, no transformations unless if it is an emergency, the city is under attack or during an important ceremony," said the teenager with his arms crossed on his chest and his brows scowled.
"Well, rule number one in King Aperius' household, those who don't listen get the rod," replied Vega as he placed him down.
With both his palms pressed on his lower back, he stretched as though doing pilates, "Your parents are getting married today kid so don't make trouble."
Yes, this stubborn, gambling and cold-faced little brat was a pup born of Aperius and the soon-to-be queen, Lillith. His name was Lowell, the one and only child of the first-ever werewolf king.
"Then uncle, how about I keep your secret and you keep mine," said Lowell while fixing his collar that had been creased from being lifted from the ground by that burly man.
As much as Vega would have loved to keep it a secret, he couldn't. It was because the person who had sent him to find Lowell in the first place was Lillith herself. It was as though she knew her son had weaseled his way outside the territory without permission.
"Yeah, nice try kid," he replied before pulling his arm and dragging him to the inner passageway of the colosseum.
Lowell made little effort to resist mainly because he was no match for his uncle especially because he hadn't shifted yet.
But best believe he had noted down this incident in his little black book. One day when he gets stronger he will make sure to give back to his uncle tenfold. Lowell was just like his father who bore grudges to the very end.
Soon they reached a thick wooden double door with intricate patterns and carvings of howling werewolves surrounding the legendary eye of Lycaon, the symbol of their pack's strength.
This legendary eye was a precious gemstone acquired by Aperius and Lilith a time when Odessa was under siege.
This treasure was the very lifeblood of the werewolves as it gave them the ability to fight their opponents in an equal footing.
They now possessed the power to shapeshift into their full wolf form and didn't have to dependent on the full moon to reach the pinnacle of their strength.
Lowell's eyes absentmindedly lingered on the beautiful carvings, his mind a little entranced. This was his parents' legacy. The treasure that made them who they are today.
This wasn't the first time he had seen it but each time he did, he would get entranced with the respect for his parents increasing drastically each time.
At the same time, he feared he would never be able to be as strong and powerful as his parents. There was a saying in Odessa that legends give birth to legends but he didn't feel like one.
The door was suddenly pushed open, bringing him back to earth. Before he took a step forward through the threshold he was met by his mother's gaze.
The corner of his lips quirked up subconsciously his eyes sparkling like the brightest star on a moonless night.