Fangless: The Alpha's Vampire Mate
Chapter 204: Big Doors, Bigger Egos

Chapter 204: Big Doors, Bigger Egos

It had been an eternity since Thorin last set foot here. Back then, this castle had seemed massive—of course, he’d been a pup, and everything looks big when you’re tiny and clueless.

Now as a full-grown Alpha leading his own pack, the place barely registered as impressive—ordinary, even. Honestly, it felt like a dollhouse compared to the royal palace of Eira.

Speaking of Eira, thinking about it inevitably led to thoughts of her. Riona. The true heir of that kingdom. The Blood Moon child. His... lover.

Thorin cringed at the word even as he grinned like an idiot. Lover. Ugh, could it sound any cheesier? If his past self could hear him now, he’d be gagging. But whatever—it was the truth, and somehow, that one word made him feel like he could punch a mountain.

He couldn’t stop himself. He was practically vibrating with excitement, and let’s be real: the real reason he was here, dealing with his troublesome aunt, was Riona.

It had been an epic, painful, and ridiculously drawn-out journey for Thorin to realize and admit his feelings. The cherry on top was she actually liked him back.

It was so surreal that all he wanted to do was turn around, sprint home, and bask in her presence like some lovesick pup. Truly, he was hopeless.

"Wipe that ridiculous grin off your face. You don’t want your family thinking you’ve completely lost it—more than they already do," Puck said, rolling his eyes as he caught sight of Thorin’s expression.

Puck was convinced Thorin had lost it, though not for the conspiracy-fueled reasons Nina Zacharia would assume.

She’d probably blame it on dark magic, brainwashing, or some other dramatic nonsense. Puck, on the other hand, knew exactly what was wrong—Thor’s brain had turned to mush thanks to love.

"You’re just jealous!" Thorin shot back, hopping off his horse and handing the reins to a stable servant. His cheeks burned with embarrassment, but he wasn’t about to let Puck see that.

Puck just stared as Thorin patted his horse before handing it over. The Howl didn’t even bother with a comeback, instead sighing deeply and turning away like someone thoroughly done with the day’s nonsense.

"Do you think she’ll listen to you? Your aunt’s not exactly famous for her warm heart or family hugs," Puck said, deftly changing the subject.

"Where is she?" Thorin asked Sir Leon, who responded with a wordless gesture, as stoic and dignified as ever.

As they walked, Thorin threw a glance back at Puck. "She’ll have to listen to me. I’m not some helpless little pup anymore. In case anyone forgot, I’m an Alpha now, and I’ve been blessed by the Blood Moon child, too."

Sir Leon stiffened at those words. He didn’t turn, but the flinch in his shoulders gave him away.

Thorin smirked, mission accomplished. He’d said it deliberately, knowing the old butler would carry those words straight to Nina Zacharia.

If she knew he’d been touched by the Blood Moon child’s power, she might think twice before trying anything underhanded.

Puck quickly caught onto Thorin’s plan and decided to stir the pot a little more. "Your aunt really needs to get it through her head that you’re not some lone pup anymore. You’ve got an entire pack behind you—ready to fight tooth and claw if it comes to that."

His eyes stayed glued to Sir Leon’s stiff back, watching for even the smallest reaction. But the old butler didn’t flinch. Either he’d braced himself for this verbal onslaught, or he genuinely couldn’t be bothered.

"Nina Zacharia thinks she’s so untouchable," Puck continued. "But, let’s face it—she’s old. No offense, of course. I mean, everyone ages eventually, right? Maybe now’s the perfect time for her to consider a nice, relaxing retirement."

Thorin couldn’t help it—a quiet pfft escaped him as he stifled a laugh. It was funny, no doubt, but Sir Leon clearly didn’t share the humor.

The old butler turned on his heel, his glare sharp enough to cut through steel.

"Mind your manners, young man," he said coldly. "You’re a guest in someone else’s home. The very least an ignorant fool like you can do is keep your mouth shut before you say something irreversibly stupid."

Puck raised an eyebrow. "Noted. But you might want to check the mirror, Sir Leon. Looks like someone already said something irreversibly grumpy."

Sir Leon decided not to dignify these brats with a proper response. He simply sighed, brushing off Puck’s last remark like a mosquito buzzing around his ear.

"This way, if you please. You’ve arrived well past the expected time. However, I’m sure Lady Zacharia will be gracious enough to overlook your tardiness."

The mere mention of tardiness by Sir Leon was enough to confirm what Thorin had suspected all along—Nina Zacharia had orchestrated this entire situation from the very beginning.

On the surface, it might have seemed like Sir Leon was simply referring to the timing of the invitation, but Thorin knew better. He could read between the lines.

The drained animals? The ominous water situation? Classic Nina. Those weren’t coincidences—they were her version of a summons, as subtle as a howling alarm.

Whether this was about Riona and Florian or something entirely different, Thorin couldn’t be sure.

But one thing he did know was the kind of werewolf his aunt was—controlling, relentless, and unyielding. Nina didn’t just seek control; she demanded it. And she wouldn’t stop until every piece on her chessboard was exactly where she wanted it to be.

"Gracious?" Puck echoed. "Are we talking about the same woman? You sure you didn’t mean... furious, vengeful, fond of punishment, and a big fan of creative pain?" His grin widened as Sir Leon’s eye twitched ever so slightly.

Thorin lost it. His laughter exploded, loud and unrestrained, as he doubled over, clutching his stomach.

Tears streamed down his face as he wheezed, leaving Sir Leon glaring at him with the kind of disappointment reserved for unruly children and poorly trained dogs.

The butler’s gaze screamed, You’re the Alpha; you’re supposed to manage this nonsense.

But when it became obvious Thorin wasn’t about to regain composure anytime soon, Sir Leon’s glare softened into something more resigned—like a man who’d finally accepted his fate.

They reached an enormous door, its towering height at least three times Thorin’s size. It loomed over them, its sheer size practically screaming, I’m important, and you’re not.

"Now that’s a door," Puck said, tilting his head in mock admiration. "Well, nothing says ’bow down to me’ quite like a door big enough to fit a dragon. Subtlety must not be in her decorating vocabulary."

The door creaked open, and a tall, slender man stepped through. His dark, short hair and soft features made him look a lot like Thorin, though his face was gentler.

"Uncle Warren!" Thorin beamed, launching himself into a hug that was more of a full-body tackle. The two clung to each other like they’d been separated for decades. Warren was, after all, the only Zacharia sibling Thorin genuinely liked.

"Ahem." The warm moment was shattered by a deep, commanding voice. It belonged to Sullivan, the eldest of the Zacharia siblings.

While technically tolerable, Thorin still ranked him just above "nuisance" on his personal scale of likability.

"Uncle Sullivan," Thorin said stiffly, his enthusiasm draining as he nodded in reluctant greeting. His gaze shifted, finally landing on the throne. He froze, his body tense. Even now, it was hard to stand in her presence without trembling.

"Aunt Nina," he said, his voice quieter, careful.