Jasmine wished the ground could open up at that moment to save her from the look of everyone. It felt like a thousand eyes were on her all filled with surprise and shock. Even her brother couldn't spare her a look. The hall suddenly felt small to her and she began to sweat.
"Where are you going? King Rexinal asked as his face barely carried an expression. His voice was loud and clear enough for everyone to hear. It carried so much authority that Jasmine could feel it from where she was standing. It would be the first time she would be hearing such a voice, the voice of an alpha King.
" The king is talking to you" She felt a tap on her shoulder as Feeks whispered harshly into her ears
Jasmine was speechless as she stood still not knowing what to do or say. How will she tell him here that she was not interested in the presentation ceremony but was only here to satisfy her curiosity? That would sound insulting to the king and who would even believe her?
"Do not keep the king..." The head of the clan shouted before he was stopped by the king who raised his hand as an indication for him to say no more. Jasmine could tell he was both scared and angry at the same time. By this time she could only hold on tightly to her clothes with her lips trembling unable to form a word.
She noticed that one of the guards ran to the king to get instruction from him and in no time the other guards began to create a part from the podium down to where she was standing. The people understood that the kind must have asked his men to create a part so they quickly adjusted their bodies so a clear path could be formed.
Jasmine expected the king to order her to step forward but things rather became more interesting when the king took steps down from the podium and decided to make his way towards her.
Jasmine could hear murmuring from different corners of the hall. Fear gripped her as she felt her legs begin to grow soft. She wondered what punishment the king was going to melt on her for refusing to give him a reply and for daring to leave the hall. One of the rumors she had heard about him was that he was brutal to those who showed the slightest disrespect toward him.
She noticed her king stopped when he was halfway from where she was standing with the head of their clan following closely behind. Even if the king doesn't punish her she is sure he will find a suitable punishment for her and her family after the king is gone. This would only make her father and sisters dislike her more. But how was the king able to see so far to pick her from the crowd in the first place?
Those were the random thoughts in her head as she tried to analyze the situation before her. For someone who was not strong physically, she had a very sharp mind. It was her method of survival.
"Who is your presenter? The King asked. This time his voice was calmer but the look on his face was unchanged.
Jasmine had nothing to say as her head was still clouded with thought. She didn't even understand what the king meant by the word presenter.
" I am sorry Your Majesty, I am her Presenter," Feeks said stepping out behind her with his head deeply bowed.
At that moment there was a great murmuring in the crowd as everyone looked surprised.
"You didn't train your sister well" The head of the clan pointed out visibly still angry with the behavior of Jasmine.
The King quickly shot him a look that made him keep quiet instantly.
"Where is your father? Why are you the one presenting your sister? The King asked looking slightly upset.
At this question, Jasmine and her brother had nothing to say for how would they tell the king that a father was ashamed of his daughter?
" I asked a question, where is your father " The king asked again this time his voice louder with traces of anger.
Jasmine could no longer hold herself so she decided to speak for the sake of her brother. But as she opened her mouth to speak her father came falling on his face before the king trembling with fear. It was the first time Jasmine would ever see her father shake like a leaf before anyone.
She had always grown up to fear her father because he was one of the strongest men in their clan. Everyone respects him in the clan but here he was on his face before the young king.
"Your Majesty I am sorry for my children's behavior please spare their lives " He pleaded barely lifting his face.
Jasmine scoffed when she heard him plead for his children. She knew very well he was not referring to her but her brother Feeks his only son. If she had been the only one she was sure he would never have come out this way.
"Mr. Adams, why is your daughter being presented by her brother when you are still alive? I can see you came with your twin girls but not her. Can you give me an explanation? The King asked.
Jasmine was shocked that the king knew about her family even though he had never been to their clan. She wondered if he also knew everyone else in the clan the way he knew her family.
" Your majesty, ....forgive me but my daughter is yet to shift and.....so unfit to be presented to you " he stammered with his body shaking
Jasmine bowed her head in shame as she didn't expect her father to come up with such a reply before everyone else.
"I have made my decision, every other family can go. I have found my mate and as such there is no need for further presentation by anyone " The king suddenly announced with his eyes glued on Jasmine as if he didn't hear anything her father just said