Former Prince King Of Nothing

_"Come home."_

I stared at the note again, each word as heavy as the air in my furnished academy dorm.

"Why does he always start like that?" I muttered, flipping the letter over, hoping for something more, something less ominous. But no, that was it. Signed, Alpha Alexei. Of course.

I glared at the paper, wishing it would burst into flames. The last thing I wanted was to go back to that Pack, back to my brothers. Even though we were bonded, adopted or not, it always felt like a leash.

One they tugged when they needed something.

I sighed, leaning back into my chair and running a hand through my bedraggled hair. What was I going to do?

I knew one thing for sure—I couldn't disobey the Alpha.

I was twelve years old when my world was ripped apart by creatures I hadn't even known existed.

Even now, I could still smell the blood if I inhaled deeply, and if I listened carefully, the screams would echo in my ears.

I didn't want to close my eyes, didn't want to see the flames licking the sky, dancing to the sounds of people's agony as the vampires tore through them.

But despite what I lost, I gained something with the wolves. Alpha Russo's family and my new brothers, Alexei and Vidar.

"You'll be safe here," the Alpha had said, and eight-year-old Vidar had wrapped his arms around me, smiling up at me with two missing teeth, whispering mischievously, "Momma says you're human. You're my human now."

I later found out those missing teeth had been knocked out in training. Alexei, who peeked out from behind his father, had cautiously approached me after that.

Ten years later, I left for the academy, continuing my late father's legacy of making labs his playground. But a part of me knew that wasn't the only reason I left.

_'You're leaving me? You can't leave me! Goddess, not when I need you!'_

_'Vidar, get a hold of yourself.'_

That memory alone made me sit up straighter, unease prickling my skin. My gaze flickered back to the letter.

Alexei wanted me back, which meant something serious was going on—something pack-related.

Great. Just what I needed.

The door rattled, pulling me from my thoughts. My roommate, Marcus, barged in, tossing his bag onto the floor.

"Got plans for break?" Marcus asked, flopping onto his bed without waiting for an answer.

"Yeah," I sighed, "Apparently, I've got to go home."

Marcus snorted. "Pack business?"

I nodded. "Alexei sent a letter."

"Ouch." Marcus shot me a sympathetic look. "That's bound to be a blast."

Rubbing at my eyes, I couldn't help but think that "fun" wasn't exactly how I'd describe what was ahead. Hopefully, I'd make it out alive or at least sane enough to hold a syringe.

"Uh, hey." Marcus stood up, digging into his pocket and pulling out an envelope. "My brother wanted me to give you this."

"Jordan?" I asked, taking the envelope. The intricate design made my heart skip a beat—this wasn't just some casual message. "Jordan sent this?"

Marcus put his hands up in mock surrender, but I could see the sly look in his eyes. "Who else? He can't keep his eyes off you for two minutes. Pretending he needs help with projects... yeah, real subtle."

So much for being discreet.

"He wants you to open it when you get to your Pack," Marcus shrugged as he left, muttering, "Come back in one piece."

Yeah, that. I glanced at my wardrobe.

I would try.

***

Twenty minutes after arriving at the Packhouse, I realized the place had moved on without me.

Everything was bigger, better, more polished. Smiling, I reminded myself to mess up Alexei's hair once I saw him.

But when I walked into the courtroom and saw the white-haired man standing there, my jaw nearly dropped. When Alexei stood up, towering over me, I could barely form words.

"Doctor Theodore," he said, glaring at me under lowered lashes. "How many times does an Alpha have to send a message before it's obeyed?"

I frowned, surprised by how much the little brat had grown. He looked and sounded just like his father.

Remembering my manners, I bowed slightly. "Forgive me, Alpha Alexei, but that wasn't exactly a letter."

"What?" He grumbled, looking like the child I once knew. "It was on paper."

"With two words and your name."

"It was in italics."

"No address."

Alexei huffed, clearly irritated. "Alright, Doctor Know-It-All, you've been at the academy so long you need an address to find your way home?"

I stayed silent. There was no winning when it came to Alexei.

Before I could say more, he yanked off his Alpha crown and threw his weight at me in the form of a bear hug. His grip was so tight, I could barely breathe.

As I gasped for air, I noticed the stares and gasps from the Pack members around us. Alexei was a revered Alpha, one to be heard, not seen.

But right now, my biggest concern was whether or not he was going to crush my ribs.

"What the hell have they been feeding you?" I wheezed.

Alexei grinned. "Everything. Alpha's diets are intense. You should try it—might help with that noodle physique."

He gestured for me to follow him, and I did.

I scoffed playfully. "I'd rather have brains than all those biceps."

"Yeah, well, in this Pack, brains still need to carry a bit of muscle." He flexed his arm for emphasis.

I rolled my eyes. "Still compensating, huh?"

"Compensating?" Alexei raised a brow. "I'm the Alpha now, Theo. The only thing I'm compensating for is the ridiculous amount of paperwork on my desk. I swear, I thought being in charge would involve more—"

"Growling? Threatening people?"

"Exactly." Alexei snapped his fingers. "But no, it's just piles of requests and treaties. No one warned me about that."

"Sounds rough," I teased. "I'll send you some sympathy cards. Maybe a care package."

"Make sure it's in italics," Alexei grinned, but the smile faded, and he sighed. "Except..."

Here it was—the reason I had been called back. Seeing his face, I knew it wasn't good news.

"Except what?" I demanded.

Alexei squared his shoulders, every inch the Alpha. "You won't be going back for a while."