Saved - Chapter 2

"Now, what do I want Keith to do for me?" when I heard those words, I gulped.

Sebastian was doing it on purpose. He was purposely playing with me, wondering what I should do for him. He made me wait all the way home, starting his sentence, but never-ending it.

"Spit it out already!" I burst out of patience as he laughed. "I don't see what's funny..." I pouted crossing my arms.

"Sorry, I couldn't help it, you're so easy to tease." he tried to stop laughing, but miserably fail.

"If it's like that..." I turned around and was about to open my door house when a hand stopped me.

"Okay, okay! I'm sorry." he said with a small smirk. "So, I want you to..." he took a pause and then a huge smirk appeared on his face. "I want you to do all my house chores for a week. That also includes one of your special cooking per day."

"Fine. I'll see you tomorrow. 'Night." I sighed, at least he didn't ask me anything embarrassing like... Walking around commando.

"See you tomorrow darling!" Sebastian exclaimed as he sent me a flying kiss, which I avoided it with a head movement.

As I entered my house, mom was in the living room reading a book. So I guessed father wasn't home yet. When she finally snapped out of her book, she looked at me with worried eyes.

"Keith..." she started as her smooth and modulated voice filled the room. "I'm sorry for what happened today. Your father knows you're doing your best every day. He just... doesn't know how to show it that's all." she apologized as she tried to explain.

"Mom, you don't need to apologize. It wasn't your fault and for father... I guess I'll have to double my efforts?" My affirmation came out as a question as I fought my tears.

"My baby... Don't cry..." she soothed me her voice breaking too.

"I'm okay, I'm... I'm tired that's all. The hunt and the race took all my energy. I'm going to sleep now. Goodnight mom." I explained not only trying to convince her, but myself and gave her a kiss on her cheek.

"Goodnight, sleep well."

I went upstairs and Angela was already there waiting for me. She also had a glint of worry in her eyes, but only for a few seconds. Contrary to me, she was a dominant and a knight and her wings weren't only a pure white, but also strong and powerful. That's why father didn't say anything to her since he was proud of her not like me.

"Hey, little brother. I know I'm not the best sister ever, but this time, dad went too far. Forget what he said and continue to do your best because even if he doesn't see anything, everyone else does." she gave me a hug, which was rare. "Now, go take a shower, you stink." she said before going back into her room.

I smiled at that. Yes, Angela was sometimes cold to me, but at least we cared and loved each other. I smelled my shirt and she was right smelled really bad. I went to wash all day's dirt off me, it felt so good that I almost moaned. I surely took my sweet time. When I got out all fresh, the light downstairs was still on. I looked at the clock and it was pretty late. What was father doing? A meeting with the King couldn't take more than three hours. So, I went downstairs and told mom to go sleep first that father would understand. However, she refused and didn't want to move an inch. So, at least I took a blanket and put it on her shoulders.

Next morning, someone banged on our front door, taking me out of my peaceful slumber. As I rushed downstairs, mom and Angela were already there answering whoever it was. Not expecting this at all, the elite, a group of warriors trained for the sole purpose of protecting the King, came in. I joined the rest of my family waiting for the bad news since the elite only brought bad news.

"I suppose you're wondering why we're here." one of them, the leader I supposed started to talk tonelessly. "I'll be direct, yesterday the King summoned Daniel Vanburen in order to talk about his behavior. Let me tell you, that Daniel Vanburen tried to murder the King and we are actually searching for him."

"M-my husband tried to m-murder the K-king?" mom silvery voice turned brittle.

"Yes, Mrs. Vanburen. Is your husband home?"

"No, he didn't come back since last night." answered my sister as woman heavily dressed with weapons came to whisper something to him.

"Yes, my men, just confirmed it. However, Daniel Vanburen did kill the King and since he's nowhere to be found..." he sighed. "Please, get dressed and come with us. In case, one of my men will follow each one of you."

I knew what was going to happen, as soon as the commander said that father was nowhere to be seen... But, we did as he commanded, we didn't have the slightest chance to win or to escape. The only hope we had, was that they would find father before it was too late.

I rapidly changed not comfortable with someone watching all my movements. I couldn't believe father really killed the King. He was so good to us, why?

We were taken to the pack house, where the King's body was connected to way too many machines. The elites did say he was dead, but he was still breathing. Well, kind of, not by himself, but he was. Next to the bed, there was the Queen and the King's son. They were crying until recently, their eyes were all puffy and red.

"I heard what happened. Since I'm the only heir, I'll be the one in charge of this matter." he took a deep breath like he was trying to calm himself. "You all know that family and the bond we create are everything. If one member of the family committed a crime, and the one accused is nowhere to be found, someone has to take responsibility." he stopped his speech waiting for someone to speak out.

I couldn't let Angelina take responsibility since she would be the one helping us to survive and mom... She was way too weak, too fragile not only physically, but also mentally. Not only she lost her husband, but she also learned that the man she loved was a murderer. At the time, I couldn't be selfish, it was for the family.

Then I looked up to the Prince. We didn't talk a lot, but we knew each other and our relationship was great. I could see all the pain in his eyes and the unshed tears accumulating. I took a deep breath and I took a few steps forward, even though I knew I would regret it later. I was just hoping that Sebastian wasn't going to act as if he didn't know me. Since I knew and I saw what happened to people like me.

"Since, Keith Vanburen wasn't the one committing the crime, he won't receive the ultimate punishment which was death. However since he agreed to take all the responsibility his punishment will be..."