"The guests are terrified." Alaric humd.
"Terrified, how?"
"Afraid," Theo clarified, stepping forward with a tray of food. "You tore through alphas and betas like they were nothing. Now they all think it was a warning, so kind of show of power."
Alaric gave a small shrug. "They’re calling you a force of nature. And no one wants to be on the wrong side of that. So, congratulations, you’ve just earned yourself a dozen new allies... out of sheer fear."
This wasn’t as bad as I thought. The alphas who had been arrogant and stubborn, now willingly offered their alliances out of fear. Anyway, fear is power.
Alaric sighed like he didn’t want to say what ca next. "There’s more... Alpha Allison is waiting. She says it’s ti to complete the mating ritual."
Beowulf snarled inside , his growl scraping at the edge of my skull. I didn’t even need to say a word, his rage said enough for both of us.
I stood slowly, not bothering to hide the way my legs shook. "Let out."
They hesitated for a second. But then Theo stepped forward and unlocked the door. The cell creaked open, and I stepped out.
Before either of them could speak, I reached for Theo and pulled him into a hug. He stiffened, surprised, but he didn’t pull away, he wrapped his arms around .
Alaric watched from the side with a crooked grin. "Oh, and I don’t get one?"
I pulled him in too... Well, it was a big mistake.
"Shit... damn it! My ribs!" he yelped, stumbling back. "You are hurting ... your majesties."
"Don’t ruin the mont," Theo warned.
......
The throne room was rarely used for gatherings. I hated the formality of it, the high ceilings, the polished floors, the golden wolf-head throne. They reminded of my father and my elder brother. This throne was ant for my elder brother... Sitting on it never felt right to .
But it was important that they saw like this, in control and power.
I sat on the throne, my body still aching from the shift, but I didn’t let it show. My cold grey eyes fixated on them, letting them know that my wolf was in control.
The elders lined the side walls, whispering among themselves. So of them looked nervous, while the others wouldn’t et my eyes.
The double doors opened, and one by one, the alphas entered.
They ca forward as soon as they were called in by the guards. I saw the shift in their expressions, and pride had drained from their faces. Most of them kept their eyes down as they approached, each of them bowing, offering their pledges of loyalty.
"I offer my full allegiance, Alpha King," one said.
"Your strength is unmatched," another added quickly. "It is an honor to serve under your rule."
I didn’t answer. I simply nodded, letting the tension grow. No one dared question about my past deeds, especially not after what they’d experienced.
The fact that half the guests never made it back brought shivers down their spines. And in a way... that suited just fine.
Then ca the sound of sharp heels against the marble. It was confident and powerful.
Allison stepped into the center of the room, her shoulders high and her lips curled into a smile that didn’t reach her eyes.
"My King," she said smoothly, "it is ti. Our mating must be completed, and our people are waiting for their Luna."
The room fell silent, as everyone watched with expectations.
She smiled up at , expecting to rise, and say yes.
Beowulf growled low in my chest before I could even open my mouth. The sound rumbled through my ribs and echoed in the high-ceilinged throne room. Several alphas flinched, and one of the elders stepped back.
Allison’s eyes narrowed, but she didn’t lose her composure. She tilted her head slightly, confused by my silence. "Alpha King?" she said softly, her voice just loud enough for the others to hear. "The moon waits for no one. The mating must happen tonight."
Beowulf growled again, louder this ti, and I didn’t stop him.
I stood slowly, each motion deliberate. Allison straightened up, clearly taking that as a sign I was agreeing. She even took a step closer.
But I raised my hand, halting her.
"There will be no mating," I said, my voice cold as ice.
A murmur spread through the room.
Allison blinked, the confidence on her face faltering. "What?"
I looked her in the eye, and my jaw tightened. "I won’t be taking a Luna."
"I’m not completing any ritual," I said. "There was never a bond between us. And there never will be."
The silence in the air was so thick that a dropped pin could be heard. Allison’s expression froze.
"You led the pack to believe we will beco one," she said, her voice cracked. "You made promises."
"I made no promises," I said. "And I don’t lie to my people."
Her jaw clenched. "You humiliated the day of the ritual. And you are going to humiliate now? Even Ember, the one you claid to be your mate is dead..."
One growl from , made her shut her mouth.
"And if I had gone through with it, I would have humiliated myself."
A ripple of tension moved through the crowd.
"I’m not rejecting you," I added. "Because there’s nothing to reject. The bond never existed in the first place."
She stared at , the rejection settling in. Then she calmly stepped back but I saw the flash of fury in her eyes.
"You will regret this, Alpha King." She turned around and walked out of the hall.
I turned my gaze back to the gathered alphas and elders. "From now on, no one will speak of Luna matters. We have more important things to deal with."
Then, one by one, the alphas bowed. "Yes, Alpha King."
I turned around and walked to my throne. "You are all dismissed."
They began to disperse one after the other. Now that I had gained alliances, I knew the bloodmoon pack would think twice before acting.
’Ember, wherever you are, I’m going to find you.’
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