Chapter 17

SEVENTEEN

Z ak's jaw clenched as he watched his cousin Grixxar saunter into the dining hall, an air of smug superiority emanating from every pore. The tension in the room ratcheted up several notches, and Zak felt Tiffany stiffen beside him.

"Ah, cousin," Grixxar drawled, his gaze sweeping dismissively over the assembled guests before settling on Zak. "How kind of you to invite me to this... quaint gathering."

Zak forced a polite smile. "I didn't really invite you, but you're welcome. I trust your journey was comfortable?"

"As comfortable as one can expect these days," Grixxar replied with a pointed look. "Perhaps if we focused more on our own advancements rather than... outside influences, we'd see some real progress."

Zak's nostrils flared, but he kept his voice even. "Please, have a seat. Dinner is about to be served."

As they settled around the table, Grixxar's gaze landed on Tiffany. His lip curled slightly. "So, this is the Earthling I've heard so much about. Tell me, my dear, how are you finding our... advanced civilization?"

Tiffany opened her mouth to reply, but Grixxar barreled on. "It must be quite the culture shock, coming from such a primitive world. I've read about Earth. Constant warfare, laughably outdated technology, a populace mired in ignorance and superstition..."

Zak felt Tiffany tense beside him, her hand clenching into a fist under the table. Before he could intervene, Gerri spoke, her voice clear and sharp.

"You know, for someone who's of royal lineage, you're quite rude, child," Gerri said, her tone cold.

"It's not a lie," Grixxar muttered.

"Excuse me, but has no one ever taught you that it's incredibly rude to insult guests in your home?" Tiffany's eyes flashed with indignation. "Or do manners not exist in your supposedly advanced civilization?"

A hush fell over the table.

Grixxar's face flushed an ugly shade of purple, his mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water. Finally, he sputtered, "How dare you? You... you common Earthling. You have no right to speak to me that way."

"Grixxar!" Zak's voice thundered through the room, his anger finally boiling over. He rose to his full height, towering over his seated cousin. "You forget yourself. Tiffany is my mate and a respected educator in our kingdom. Your behavior is unacceptable."

Grixxar sneered, seemingly emboldened by his own rage. "Oh please, Zakhar. You can't seriously be considering making this... this alien our queen? She knows nothing of our ways, our history. She?—"

"Enough!" Zak slammed his hand on the table, the dishes rattling with the force of it. His eyes glowed with an inner fire, his voice dropping to a low, dangerous growl. "You will show respect to Tiffany and to all our guests, or you will leave. Now."

Grixxar's face paled, but a stubborn set remained on his jaw. He turned to Queen Astra, clearly hoping for an ally. "Aunt Astra, surely you can't approve of this... this farce?"

Astra's expression was cold as she regarded her nephew. "I stand with my son, Grixxar. Your behavior tonight has been disgraceful. I suggest you take your leave and return when you've learned some manners."

For a moment, Grixxar looked as if he might argue further. But faced with the united front of Zak and Astra, he finally deflated. He stood, his chair scraping loudly against the floor.

"Very well," he hissed, his eyes burning with humiliation and rage. "I'll go to my quarters. But mark my words, you're making a grave mistake, Zakhar."

As Grixxar stormed out, Zak turned to Tiffany, his expression softening. "I apologize for my cousin's behavior. Are you all right?"

Tiffany nodded, a small smile playing on her lips. "I'm fine. Thank you for standing up for me. No one has ever done that."

Zak took her hand, bringing it to his lips for a gentle kiss. "Always, my love. Always."

As the dinner resumed, Zak couldn't shake the feeling that this confrontation with Grixxar was just the beginning of their troubles. He tightened his grip on Tiffany's hand, silently vowing to protect her.

Zak's muscles coiled with tension as he entered the council chamber, the air crackling with unspoken hostility. He'd barely settled into his seat when Grixxar sauntered in, uninvited, with Rickon trailing behind like an obedient shadow.

"Cousin," Grixxar drawled, his voice dripping with false sweetness. "I hope you don't mind my joining. I have some... pressing concerns to address."

Zak's jaw clenched, a low growl rumbling in his chest. "This is a closed council meeting, Grixxar. You weren't invited."

Rickon stepped forward, his voice oily and placating. "Sire, perhaps it would be beneficial to hear Lord Grixxar's perspective. After all, he does represent a significant portion of our kingdom."

The other council members shifted uneasily, exchanging wary glances. Zak could feel the tension in the room, thick enough to cut with a claw.

Grixxar, emboldened by Rickon's support, launched into his tirade. "We need to discuss your... unconventional choices, Zak. This dalliance with the Earthling, these progressive policies. They're weakening our kingdom."

Rickon nodded eagerly, adding fuel to the fire. "Indeed, Your Majesty. These Earth creatures, they're barely more than animals. Their technology is laughable, their customs primitive. To even consider one as a potential queen... it's an insult to our proud lineage."

Grixxar sneered, his eyes glinting with malice. "Not to mention the danger they pose. Who knows what diseases they might bring? What corrupting influences? We've managed just fine without them for centuries. Why start mingling with lesser species now?"

With each word, Zak felt his anger rising, a molten tide threatening to overflow. His vision tinged red at the edges, his inner panther clawing to be released.

"Lesser species?" he growled, his voice dropping to a dangerous octave. "Corrupting influences? You speak of things you don't understand, cousin. The Earthlings have much to offer our kingdom - new perspectives and innovative ideas. Tiffany alone has done more for our education system in weeks than you've done in years."

Rickon scoffed, apparently oblivious to the dangerous glint in Zak's eyes. "Education? What could a primitive Earthling possibly teach our superior youth? How to wage constant war? How to pollute their planet beyond repair?"

Something inside Zak snapped. He surged to his feet, his eyes blazing with an inner fire that made even the bravest council members flinch. When he spoke, his voice was a low, feral growl that seemed to vibrate through the very stones of the chamber.

"ENOUGH!" he roared, his fangs fully elongating, claws extending from his fingertips. "I have tolerated this insubordination for far too long. I am your king, and you will respect my authority!"

He turned his burning gaze on Rickon, who visibly wilted under the intensity. "You, Rickon, have consistently undermined my decisions and worked against my vision for our kingdom. This ends now."

Zak's gaze swept the room, meeting each council member's eyes, lingering on Grixxar's now pale face. "Let me be perfectly clear. If any of you - any of you - attempt to undermine my authority again, you will be removed from this council. Permanently. And if I hear one more word demeaning Tiffany or any other Earthling, you'll answer to me personally. Do I make myself clear?"

The silence that followed was deafening. Grixxar's face had drained of all color while Rickon looked as if he might faint at any moment.

"This meeting is dismissed," Zak snarled, his voice still carrying the edge of a panther's roar. "Get out. All of you."

As the council members scrambled to leave, Draven lingered behind, a mixture of awe and amusement on his face. Once the room had cleared, he let out a low whistle.

"Well, that certainly put Rickon and Grixxar's panties in a twist," Draven chuckled.

Zak blinked, momentarily thrown by the odd phrase. "Their... what?"

Draven grinned sheepishly. "Oh, it's something I picked up from Sia. Apparently, it's an Earth expression for getting all worked up."

Despite the lingering tension, Zak laughed. "Ah, I see your cute little mate is expanding your vocabulary. Speaking of which, congratulations. Are you certain she's the one?"

Draven's face softened, his eyes taking on a dreamy quality. "Absolutely. She's perfect, Zak. Smart, funny, adventurous... I've never met anyone like her."

Zak nodded, understanding completely. "I know exactly how you feel. That's how it is with Tiffany."

"We're lucky men," Draven said, clapping Zak on the shoulder.

"That we are," Zak agreed, the last of his anger dissipating. "Now, let's go find our mates. I think we could both use their calming presence after this... eventful meeting."

As they left the council chamber, Zak felt a renewed sense of purpose. With Tiffany by his side and loyal friends like Draven supporting him, he could face whatever challenges lay ahead.