As I head to my office, I can smell the scents of who's in the room. Callen, Mayla, and the old croon himself Elder Silvester.
I walk in, going straight to my desk completely ignoring the Elder. A power play. I can hear him grind his teeth. The male is a bit shorter than me, hunched. White thin hair, most of it gone really. Wrinkles everywhere, for a wolf he did not age well. Don't let that fool you. The male is conniving, one of those who thought I wasn't fit to lead because I was too young. If I could get rid of the Elders I would but tradition is tradition. Honestly? Fuck tradition, I'm waiting for them to give me very good reason. Their backward thinking is what's toxic, what's hurting this kingdom and the individual packs. Most of them supported my father in keeping the weak wolves under their feet instead of helping the pack prosper in unity.
Disgusting.
"What can I do for you Elder Silvester, what pleasure do I have?" I say looking down on him as I take a seat. The old croon sits across my desk on one of the chairs. Callen and Mayla are standing behind my chair. Mayla with a note pad dotting, I have no idea what down.
"Ahh King Alpha, nice of you to join us." He spits out.
"Well yes I do have a kingdom of wolves to run and a pack to manage, so you can imagine I get quite busy." Goddess I despise the male.
"Yes yes your Highness certainly. It's just the elders had another meeting and we need to implore the importance of the throne having a Queen Luna. The pack needs their Luna. You eventually need an heir." He explains as if this is the most important information on the planet. My grip tightens in frustration.
"Once again, with all due respect Elder Silvester I'll take a luna when I please." I spit through grit teeth.
He gives me a smirk.
"Well you see you are almost 30, and by tradition and wolf law if the Alpha King does not choose a Luna one will be chosen for him by the Elder council." He is full grin smiling at this point.
"What!"
I resist the urge to slam my hands on the desk. I feel my wolf coming awake. I let out a little bit of my Alpha aura to him. Callen and Mayla both stiffen behind me.
The old bastard stiffens with wide eyes. Sweating to come down from his temples.
"Your Highness, it is law. You can see it on the wolf accordance. There has only been one instance in which the council had to choose a bride for the king. Many centuries ago. But if you chose to have a choice really. We have presented a list of good candidates. Some Alpha's daughters that would look go by your side. Let me personally recommend Roxanna DeVore from Stone Valley Pack. My niece would be a perfect Queen Luna."
I growl at him. Letting Caden reach the surface and shine through my eyes. He starts to sweat profusely and I can smell the fear rolling off him.
"In any case here is a list of candidates we have collected. Another top contender is Seraphina Clive from Clear WaterPack whose father is hosting a ball inviting all pack territories to go for the girl's birthday. Look over the list and choose wisely. It is what's best for the kingdom and our pack, your Highness." He stands, bows his head and rushes out. Knowing one more second and I was going to rip his throat out. How dare the Elder council force me to do anything ! Give me a list of women to be bonded with ?
*Growls*
A growl breaks out of me. Caden is completely at the fore front. Not liking the Elders challenge. I stand to turn to my beta pair.
"Is it true? Can they do that?" I growl out.
It's Mayla who answers, she's very well versed in pack and royal law and traditions.
She sighs
"Yes Kieran. It's only been done once before, when a previous King's fated mate died with no heir. He had refused to bond with anyone else. The Elders had to intervene to insure the bloodline."
Barberic.
To force a male to bond with someone just to prolong the bloodline. Yes the mating mark made that the pair couldn't separate and would seek each other for their needs. But the mating mark could never force someone to love you. It's just an empty loveless bonding. Two people forced together by duty. I refuse. I've seen the product first hand. I will stay alone and if my bloodline dies with me then so be it. It's not like we deserve to rule. My bloodline it tainted by the genocide of innocent blood.
"We have to go to the ball." This time it was Callen who spoke.
I give him a stern look. "And why is that?"
"Look I know you don't want this but at least, look like you are playing along. Let us try to find a way out of it. If there's a loop hole Mayla would be the person to find it. We will go, you can pretend to be interested in some of the girls on the list, hell sleep with some for I care. Then we leave."
I start pacing the office staring out the floor to ceiling windows behind my desk. "That's not a bad idea. Why not have a little fun while we try to get out of this mess. "Clear Water Pack huh? Fine, get a jet ready, we will stay a few days and no more."
They leave to start making preparations for the trip.
I walk to a small bar at the front of my office and pour myself a glass of bourbon. Walk back to my chair, sulking about what the Elders are trying to do. I only care about what's important to the pack and my family.
UGH! Frustration rolls through me. Caden's emotions amplify my own.
There's packs mistreating their wolves, like my father used to do here. That's what is important, to irradiate these power hungry egotistical assholes tyrants. FUCK! Throwing the glass across the room. I put my elbows on my knees, hands in my hair.
"That isn't the way to let go of steam son, and you know it." A soft tender voice speaks. I looked up not realizing my mother had walked in. She stands by the door, arms crossed at her chest. Wearing a lilac gown, light blonde hair with white streaks. Green eyes, fair skin, I look nothing like her. I'm the image of my bastard father. Makes me hate myself even more. She stands tall with grace, showing off all Luna perfection.
I sigh. Dropping my shoulder and head once more.
She walks over to me and rubs my back, as if I were a young pup all over again. I guess in her eyes I'll always be.
"Oh my boy. It's going to be all right. Whatever ails you, I have trust you will find the proper answer to it."
"The Elders are threatening to choose a mate for me if I don't find one." I whisper.
"Is that such a bad thing?"
I sit up quickly, she backs away. I look at her in shock. My mother might have been Queen Luna but she knows better to ever challenge me or my wolf, she quickly looks away. Although I never or would ever demand her submission, not on purpose.
"How can you say such a thing mother? Forcing a mate? You of all people should know better!" I try not to yell at her but the words come out a bit rougher than intended. I stand and walk to the glass wall, looking out into the pack territory.
"Although I would love grandchildren," I growled, refusing to look at her, " what's important is what's best for you and the kingdom." She states. "What you are doing now is not healthy son." I look at her with confusion.
"What you think fucking any willing she-wolf doesnt taint a piece of your soul? There is being promiscuous and there is self medicating." She says tenderly yet it feels like I'm being chastised.
Hearing my own mother using such inept words has me in shock. I refuse to look at her and just stare out into the forest.
" I refuse to be him" I spit out.
"You are not. And will never be. You are ten times better than he ever was. In time you will know what to do, Son." She touches my cheek forcing me to look at her. "Despite everything, you are my greatest achievement." She smiles, drops her hand and walks out, leaving me alone with my thoughts.