ALPHA THOMAS
"You need to speak now, Enor. If what Hardin said has anything to do with you, then you better start talking," AlphaKing Desmond commanded, his voice heavy with authority that rolled across the chamber.
He was compelling her and I didn't like it. I wouldn't just sit and watch him treat my daughter like some weakling under his rule.
"Shouldn't we be focusing on something else right now?" I spoke up, my tone calm but pointed. His gaze snapped to me immediately, that same fierce look I'd grown to hate flashing in his eyes.
I despised that look. I despised the way he sat on that throne, like he was the Moon Goddess's chosen gift to all wolfkind. The Stone Pack might be weaker, yes, maybe, smaller, poorer, but that was exactly why this alliance was supposed to exist.
This bond was the only way to balance things. And once Enor secured her place in the Moon Pack, I'd finally get what I'd always wanted, the throne I deserved.
Let him keep thinking the Stone Pack is beneath him, when the time comes, he'd learn just how deep our roots run.
"I promised my daughter," I began, straightening in my seat. "She fulfilled her part of the duty, only for your son to run off halfway through the ceremony. That means you broke your end of the deal."
I paused, studying his reaction carefully. "That should be our focus here, Your Majesty."
Desmond leaned back in his chair, his expression unreadable. "I know that, Thomas. I don't need a reminder. The agreement stands. The Stone Pack will submit to the Moon Pack through this marriage, so yes, I understand perfectly."
My jaw tightened, and I felt my nostrils flare. Submit? He said it so easily, as if my people were some weak, disposable pack that couldn't survive without his protection.
I agree the Moon Pack was powerful, more resourceful, larger, but Desmond conveniently forgot he needed us too. He wouldn't say it out loud, but I knew where his weakness lay.
"Father…" Aaron started, but Desmond lifted a hand to silence him.
"Since that matter is settled," Desmond continued, his tone deliberate, "let's talk about Elara. You seem rather intent on pushing her aside, Thomas. Is there something you're not telling us about her bloodline?"
Was he trying to interrogate me now?
"I don't understand what you mean," I replied, leaning back into my chair, keeping my face calm even though my chest burned. I saw the twitch at the corner of his mouth. He wanted to press further, but for now, he didn't.
"Wait—wait, can someone explain what's going on?" Enor blurted out, her voice high and nervous but almost excited. "Does this mean I'm finally having Aaron?"
HARDIN
I couldn't care less about all this political bonding crap, but something was off. Thomas wasn't just here for formality, he was clearly playing his own game.
And somehow, it felt like Father couldn't see through it. Maybe his pride blinded him, or maybe Thomas had something he was holding against him.
If those goons they sent after Elara weren't just random thugs, I could have dug deeper, and perhaps found the truth behind who sent them. But Father clearly didn't want to touch that. For some reason he wouldn't say.
The moment Enor spoke, I felt my wolf, Lyon, stir restlessly. I knew what he wanted to protect Elara. And even though I hated this whole mate bond thing, I couldn't ignore the way his instincts strangely aligned with mine.
Gods, I didn't want to get caught up in this mess, not the politics, not the family tension, and definitely not the mate drama. It all just eats at your sanity.
"Nothing is final here, Enor," Aaron shot back, with his voice sharp but still carrying his calm demeanour. He turned toward Father. "There's no way I'm doing this with Enor. We already marked Elara. She's our mate now."
Father's expression didn't change. "That's not a problem," he said flatly. "You can do the same with your wife. After all, you were the one who failed your duty. I see no reason you should have any problem fulfilling it now."
Aaron's tone turned cold. "Seriously, Father?"
I turned to our mother. "Can you please talk to your husband?"
"I agree with your father on this. I want you to mate with Enor. That human girl can't be your mate, so snap out of whatever fantasy you're trapped in, Aaron. Can't you see Hardin doesn't even have a problem with this? Just be like your brother."
I scoffed quietly. So that was it? She really thought my silence meant agreement?
Well, sorry, Mother, I was just about to shatter that little illusion.
"How about I marry Enor?" I said, my tone low but deliberate.
The entire room froze. Every gaze turned sharply toward me like I'd just spoken the most forbidden words in the pack.