Mika looked around the halls, making sure everything was in order. In a few days would be his crowning. It didn’t matter to his father that it was also Mika eighteenth’s birthday, all that monopolized his mind was the fact that he was losing his throne. King Zain didn’t organize a party for his son, nor did he prepare a gift; the only things he was giving him were more responsibilities and a headache. 

Mika had to arrange all of the ceremony by himself, while his father slept with women. It was kind of a trial, how well he did would show how good of a ruler he would be. As if it made sense. Not like it ever did with the Weres.

The black panther had purple eyebags and could hear a ringing in his ears, both pairs, but for others, he still looked strong and charismatic. He couldn’t allow himself to relax, to slush or to yawn. Everything needed to be perfect, be it the ceremony or himself.

Mika was also looking forward to something, which made it easier to endure such a sleepless lifestyle. He didn't, couldn’t, tell anyone, but he had planned to celebrate his birthday in his own way. After the passing of his eighteenth birthday, Mika would go to a private clinic to donate his blood for vampires. He had already booked an appointment and the doctor was himself a vampire, making it easier to avoid rumors of him doing so circulating if he were a human or Weres. It was basically impossible for a vampire to know who he was or have contact with Beasts’ people.

The doctor, Charlie, had been more than surprised seeing a shifter enter his clinic and ask for an appointment to donate blood, but after Mika told him that he was looking forward to peace between the two races and wanted to help all he could, he was quickly convinced. It was easy for vampires to know when someone was lying or not, they could sense it.

Donating his blood was kind of Mika’s way to start changing things. It wouldn’t have a big impact at first, but maybe with time the animosity between the two races would lessen. It was also a way to lessen his guilt. He had seen, in his childhood, plenty of vampires being chained, tortured and killed by his father. All the blood shed by those innocent would now be compensated by his own.

Small steps, he told himself.

He just hoped no one would discover his little tricks, or he would be in deep shit.

"Prince, everything is ready." A fierce man with a crooked nose said, appearing before Mika as he was lost in thought. Mika nearly hissed at the sudden proximity, but he kept his hold on his animal and instead nodded at the warrior, allowing him to leave.

Watching the silent tiger walk away, Mika shook his head to get out of his thoughts and chose to visit the main ballroom where he would give his speech. 

Entering the room, Mika took a small step back, his eyes wide. The big banner suspended above the inner balcony had startled him. He could read his own name on it, Mika Benjales, followed by some words about him becoming king and whatever. However, what really caught his attention was the use of his name, because he hadn’t seen it or heard it in years, if ever. His father called him insults and others could only address him by his title, Prince. 

The name Mika felt both foreign and nostalgic. He liked the sound of it, in his head, and wondered just how it would be to his ears, like music, or like nails on a black board. He hoped it was the former. He, however, would never know, as he was destined to be above everyone and called King in fearful voices. 

Mika shuddered. 

Returning to his chamber was a slow and tiring process. He wanted nothing more than to throw himself on his bed, but he bypassed it and instead sat down at his desk before a pile of unread documents he would have to finish and sign before the sun pointed his shiny nose.

His hand took the first paper and with a shaky exhale, Mika started his punishment, for what, he did not know. Maybe just being born as himself was enough of a sin. Sometimes Mika felt like he didn’t belong, like he needed to be somewhere else. At those times, and when his mind became too loud for him, he just wanted to end it all, to disappear. Mika wanted to throw himself in deep water and let it invade his lungs in a peaceful, silent, release. 

Instead of doing just that, though, he continued to sign papers, even as his wrist started to burn, his eyes to cloud over and his back to hunch.

Because he was the King’s son. 

And the King’s son couldn’t be weak.

Mika awoke with a startled yelp. His mind struggled to clear away the fog in it as he looked for the reason for his awakening. He didn’t need to look far though, because the King’s furious face came toward him followed with insults.

Before his snail brain could begin to understand the words, he was up in the air, the front of his shirt held in Zain’s fist. His father swung him around, making Mika crash against the wall. He got up with a painful groan, only for his stomach to be kicked. Bile rushed up to his mouth and landed on the cold ground. 

"You piece of shit! I knew from the moment you were born that you would betray me. But for you to choose those monsters’s side…" The King yelled, his boot coming into contact with Mika’s curled body. He knew he couldn’t win nor escape, not for now. 

"What are you talking about?!" Mika exclaims, raising his tone to match his father’s even while still in a ball. It was the way he learnt to answer his father, he knew the old man wouldn’t be happy about a shaking voice or stuttering. All the times he was forced to wear a tight nuzzle when his reply wasn’t to his father’s wish proved it.

If he wanted to speak to King Zaine and not get hit, it was with anger.

"You dare talk back to me!? Don’t think I don’t know about those deals you made with those leeches." The King said, making Mika’s whole body pale.

He knew. 

He fucking knew.

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(1 095 words)