Chapter 31
Alpha Jack
The wind howls past my ears as I run in wolf form. It takes four hours, but I don’t stop once. I race through forests, leap over rivers, and dodge trees with barely a sound. When I reach a secluded area behind tall hedges, I shift into human form, pulling on the fresh clothes I stashed in a bag.
My chest heaves, rising and falling like a wild animal finally caged, as I think about why I’m here. All I need to do is get in, speak to the Alpha King, and get the hell back to Kali.
The palace looms before me—a towering beast of stone and gold, carved into the side of the mountain as if the gods themselves placed it there. It exudes power and old wealth. The kind of place that commands silence and respect just by its very existence.
Carriages of every color line the long stretch of gravel–at least a dozen of them, each polished to a gleam, bearing the crests of various packs. Alphas from all over have gathered here. Each one is desperate to impress the king and his precious daughter.
I could have taken a carriage like the rest of them. But that would’ve taken the entire day. And I don’t have that kind of time–not when Kali’s all alone, probably overthinking everything I said, maybe even planning to leave.
I came here to fix a mistake.
That’s it.
Sure, becoming the Alpha King’s son–in–law sounds like a dream–power, influence, a straight path to the throne. But all of that means shit without her.
Kali is my mate. My fated one. The moon goddess doesn’t make mistakes. She chose her for me for a reason, and I’ll be damned fool if I turn my back on that bond for a shiny title and a cold marriage. And I’m no fool.
I stride toward the entrance. The guards take one look at me and bow, stepping aside without a word. As they should. They know who I am.
The moment I step inside, I’m hit with the scent of polished floors, burning incense, and an overwhelming sense of pride–a pride so thick it makes lesser
men feel small.
The grand hall is massive—marble floors to ceiling, thick red banners bearing the royal crest hanging down, and gold accents glinting in the torchlight.
At the far end, a raised platform holds three massive thrones. The one in the middle–crafted from black iron and etched with moons and wolves–can only belong to the Alpha King. His presence radiates authority, just as it always has.
He’s sitting on it now, radiating authority like he was born in that seat. Tall, silver–haired, and broad–shouldered, his face is carved from stone. His emerald eyes scan the room like a predator, and even from here, I feel the weight of his gaze.
To his right, another chair sits empty–reserved for his Luna and mate. To his left, on the smaller throne, sits his only surviving daughter.
She’s perched on the throne like she’s already queen, legs crossed, chin in her hand, her dark red gown clinging to her curves like it was painted on. Long black hair falls in waves down her back, her lips full and glossed, her nails blood red as she lazily flicks them against the chair’s arm. She’s beautiful in a venomous way–dangerous, sharp, and fully aware of it.
The line of alphas stretches nearly to the door, each one waiting their turn to impress her. But I don’t care about long ass lines. I walk right past them.
“Hey–get back in line!” one of the alphas snaps.
I turn and lock eyes with him, my glare silent but deadly. He shuts up immediately.
Silence follows me as I stride past the others, heading straight for the front and center of the hall. I don’t break my pace. I bow slightly, giving the Alpha King a respectful nod, my fists clenched behind my back.
“Your Majesty,” I begin, my tone firm yet respectful as he inclines his head. “There’s been a misunderstanding-”
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“EEEEEK!”
A high–pitched squeal slices through the room.
“What the “I lift my head just in time to see the Alpha King’s daughter leap off her throne and charge down the steps like a woman possessed.
The next thing I know, she’s barreling toward me, her perfume so overpowering it makes my nose twitch–too strong, like roses dipped in alcohol.
“What the fuck–“I barely manage before she presses her chest against mine–literally throwing herself onto me as if I’m some prize she’s just won.
“Oh. My. God.” She clutches my arms and gazes up at me with wide, glittering eyes as though I’m carved from the heavens. “Daddy!” she screams breathlessly, turning toward the Alpha King with wild excitement in her eyes. “He’s the one! This is the man I want! He’s strong and manly, gods, look at that jawline! He’s rugged. He’s gorgeous!”
I blink, stunned.
Did this chick just-
The entire room falls into dead silence, every Alpha glaring daggers at me, while the Alpha King raises a curious brow.
“I want him to be my mate,” she announces proudly, clinging tighter to my arm. “And your future son–in–law. Make the arrangements, Daddy.”
She bats her lashes at me as though I’m already hers. Her dress clings to her curves in a way she clearly wants me to notice, and she’s practically drooling all over my shirt.
“I’m Princess Celestia,” she purrs, trailing her fingers along my chest. “And you’re going to look so good standing next to me when I’m crowned Luna Queen.”
“Lady Celestia,” I say through gritted teeth, trying to pry her off me without breaking protocol–or her wrist. “There’s been a misunderstanding.”
“No misunderstanding,” she interrupts, giggling. “It’s fate. Fate just walked in. And he’s hot.”
“I am not-”
“I felt it the moment I saw you. The others were boring. Wimps. But you-” Her eyes sparkle. “You’re a man.”
I came here to clear up a misunderstanding, but now I’m trapped in the middle of a royal disaster–with a possessive princess on one arm, a deadly king on the throne, and a mate back home who owns my soul.
And right now?
I’d give anything to be back in Kali’s arms… if only she accepts me.
I grit my teeth and glance up at the Alpha King, whose stoic expression hasn’t changed one bit. He watches us with unreadable eyes, fingers steepled -under his chin.
“I came here to clear things up, not to get involved in some royal mating circus,” I say, this time more to the king than to the girl clinging to me like a lovesick leech. “I already have a mate. A fated one.”
Celestia gasps like I just told her I was married to a goat.
“No,” she whispers, shaking her head dramatically. “You can’t! I saw you first. You must be mistaken. I mean—look at us! We fit!”
I look her dead in the eyes, voice calm but cold. “I’m not mistaken.”
She steps back, her lip trembling, eyes wide with disbelief. Her whole body shakes with the kind of fury that signals a spoiled royal tantrum is coming.
I turn my attention back to the Alpha King.
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“With all due respect, I came to tell you I am not a candidate. My mother acted without my permission. I have a mate. And I will not dishonor that bond.”
The king stares at me, long and hard. His face remains unreadable. Then, he rises slowly from his throne.
“Well,” he says, voice deep and commanding, “this just got interesting.”
And I know, right then, that this isn’t over. Not even close.
