King Weight of The World

---

The pack has been in a quiet distress upon knowledge of Zeke's steady aging. They all knew that Zeke failed to have kin that were worthy of taking the throne after him, and since Galileo's reign it was tradition how the monarchy in the Paradox worked. The monarch was supposed to birth an heir to the throne, so was the case with Zeke's mother, and he himself...
He knew how strong the bonds were between the Paradox and its code written in the stars. When he grew old, he expressed his concerns with his mother, whom had since ascended, frolicking between the lines of life and death.
Weight of The World grew up in the Paradox, sort of. He was adopted into the pack from another pack, and he doesn't remember much of his puphood before then. He just knows that once he was claimed by the Paradox, his life completely turned around. He knew he used to be picked on for being smaller and weaker than his littermates, being the runt and all… and his pack felt he'd be better off elsewhere, they had no use for him.
He's ever so happy he landed here. The Paradox has treated him with the utmost respect, and it was clear Zeke favored him since he was adopted. Weight of The World appreciated the way his king treated him, and he never felt inferior in the Paradox. In fact, he felt very special…
He was not oblivious to the issue that came to finding an heir. The royal meddlings were very private, and the pack wasn't told these things. However… the pack was acquainted with the children of the royalties, and they could tell something was up.
When it came to the heirs, you could always tell who was inheriting the throne. Usually the leader would say something, but Zeke was silent. That is... Until the day before he retired.
It was a brand new change of pace for Weight of The World, that day. He had just became an adult, and already Zeke pushed the previous breeding male to the side to make room for him. Now, Weight of The World felt luxurious with the responsibilities and trust that came with being the Paradox's public stud. He was treated even better than before, and he couldn't believe that that was even possible.
Zeke approached him, and he requested they speak up in private inside of his royal den.
Weight of The World perked, a couple of emotions stirring in his belly up to his chest. He didn't really know how he felt, mostly just confusion and curiosity.
"Ah— Why… of course, your majesty…!" He obliged without question.
Zeke led him to the royal dens. Truth be told, Weight of The World was dying with anticipation. He had never been inside the royal dens, and most of the Paradox, besides the royals, were not allowed inside of them.
Zeke led him to two secluded dens nestled between the trees. There was a den that was sort of a clad of rocks that had a tree completely toppled unto them, creating this very narrow, tight entrance between the rocks and the trunk. A few feet away, another den, not as destined but instead enhanced and built with skilled paws, was built as sort of a small cave. Both these dens were very well hidden in the vegetation of the forest, especially with the thick and hardy leaves of the trees that stood strong in a place like the Glacier.
The canopy of the forest had the royal dens very shady, flecks of light rustling, dancing gently across the rocks, across the trees, across all below it. It was very cozy here. It was clear that the den created by the stone clads and the collapsed tree spoke of history. When Weight of The World looked at it, he could hear his thoughts.
This den must have been the first. The den that late queen Galileo laid eyes on, and slept in for the night… she brought the Paradox to life here.
Zeke squeezed between the rocks and the fallen tree with expertise, beckoning Weight of The World to follow. Unlike his king, Weight of The World didn't exercise as much grace snuggling in between the fault of an entrance, but he had to admit that it certainly gave it charm, and it definitely felt authentic and safe once he was on the other side.
His eyes scanned the den. Part of the walls were supported by craft, to keep its shelter. Most of it was dug out. It was pretty dark inside, however skilled paws had thin beams of sticks lined through the far walls and across the ceiling. A lantern hung from one of the sticks.
On the ground, there was plenty of bedding. All types of herbs crunching under your paws as you walked, the beds made out of grass clearly from some other biome. Grass didn't get that reed-y or long here. Sitting on one of these beds, for which there were three, was Zeke's mate, Zenith. The queen. And snuggled into the corner, in a slightly tight-looking squeeze, was the late queen, Vvareth. Zeke's mother. Previous ruler of the Paradox. She was not very present it seemed; she didn't see them enter and she had been curled up, her head on the ground and her eyes closed peacefully.
Weight of The World was also fascinated to see a small stash of random items from what he assumed was a part of the hoard— something that the rest of the pack doesn't get to see. Zeke always only ever grabs things from the hoard himself and directly gives them to his pack members, so seeing some random items cluttered about was undoubtedly exciting to Weight of The World.
Being in such a setting of importance gave him anxiety.
Zeke sat down on his bed, next to Zenith. Zenith turned her head, her icey eyes flicking up to Zeke for a moment, then to Weight of The World. He was hunched awkwardly, you couldn't really stand up all the way in this den.
"Take a seat, you'll ruin your posture curled over like that." Zeke remarked.
"Yes, your majesty."
The tall wolf laid on his belly, tucking in his front legs.
It seemed Vvareth was napping, but he could tell she was present now, somewhat. Her eyes remained closed, but her ears moved as they spoke.
He could tell that Zeke was getting ready to say something important… the worried expressions on Zeke and Zenith's faces didn't help his growing worry.
"I'm sure you've noticed, that... None of our children are fit for leading the pack. Prince Mamba and princess Swelleyn are strong, smart wolves— just like their siblings before them, but still not the leaders that the Paradox needs."
Zeke seemed to have a frog in his throat. He was doing his best to not let emotions show through.
"The Paradox, since the beginning, has had the crown passed from parent to child. That ensures the strength and dignity of our leaders."
Zeke looked away, his ears drooping backwards.
"I've always feared this would happen. Because I was born so early into my mother's reign… I grew old quicker, quicker than my reign. I fell short, I didn't have any time to have the perfect heir."
He looked back at Weight of The World, his three red eyes difficult to decode much feeling from…
"I spoke with my mother. She is very endowed of the code of the Paradox… Tomorrow, I want to crown you the king of the Paradox."
Weight of The World felt his heart race a million miles, the adrenaline causing him to flinch.
"Huh??"
"I understand your shock. You aren't my child... However, I did raise you from puppyhood. The Paradox has never had an heir that was... Adopted. I have conflicting views on this, but to blend your blood in with ours, I was going to ask you to—"
Zeke swallowed his breath for a second.
"… I need you to breed with my mate.—"
"Huh?!" The anxious wolf shot up from his semi-relaxed position, hitting his shoulders and head on the low ceiling. "What??"
"Remain calm, please. This is to stay true to the prophecy. We are positive in our decision, and as soon as Zenith is in heat again, that will tie our blood together… sort of— and that compromise is something my mother is sure that the ancestors will accept. You're the only one that can lead the Paradox. We have to count on you."

---

The Weight of The World is yours!

Art by Foodonwalls.
Weight's Toyhouse page.

Chat ad

🌎🌊 Weight of The World 🌊🌎 | Losna Torn Pie | Fae 👁️ | Event Special Marks ⭐ | https://www.wolvden.com/chatter/topic/969096