Mated To Rival Kings

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

Raven's POV

"Have a seat, Raven," Elder Fabian said, his voice as dry as old parchment.

I didn't like the way they were all staring at me. I walked over to the corner, dumped my new library books in a pile, and sat down in the small space beside Darian. The tension in the room was so thick I felt like I could reach out and snap it.

Elder Fabian looked between the three of us, his expression calm. "How have you all been?"

Valen let out a low, irritated grunt that served as his response. Darian, ever the diplomat, gave a polite nod. "Good, Elder. We are adjusting."

I didn't bother to answer. I just wanted them to get to the point. Why were they sitting in our lounge looking like they were about to tell us some bad news?

Elder Matilda, whose blind-looking eyes still unnerved me, turned her head toward me. "And the bond, child? Is it still the same? No shifts? No leaning toward one side or the other?"

"It’s the same," I said quietly. I could feel both Darian and Valen stiffen beside me at the mention of it.

Elder Fabian interjected before the silence could get too awkward. "We came to inform you of a gathering. There will be a ball held here at the mansion in two days. It has come to our notice that the high-ranking wolves and Alphas from both territories are becoming restless with this current setup. There is unease in the smaller packs. Some are even reporting rogue threats near the borders."

He paused, letting the weight of the news sink in. "The ball is a chance to address these issues publicly. We need to come up with a working defense strategy while both Kings are still residing here at the neutral mansion. It will show a united front."

I looked at him cautiously. "Has a solution been found yet? For... us? For the three-way bond?"

Elder Fabian’s face went solemn, and he slowly shook his head. The disappointment hit me in the gut. I looked down at my hands, feeling that familiar sense of dread.

"You will be here for at most two months," he added, his voice slightly more gentle. "By then, the stars and the ancient texts will have given us an answer. We will know what to do."

With that vague promise, the Elders stood up and filed out of the room, leaving a heavy silence behind them. As soon as the door clicked shut, both Kings turned to me at once.

"Are you okay?" Darian asked, his hand hovering near my shoulder. "Why are you out of bed? You were burning up this morning."

"I feel better," I promised him, looking between them. "I just wanted to get some books from the library. The fever is gone, I swear."

Darian nodded, seemingly satisfied, but Valen didn't say anything. He reclined backward against the sofa, a distant, clouded look on his face. He looked like he was miles away, lost in some dark thought.

"Valen?" I asked softly. "Are you fine?"

He snapped back to reality, offering me a tight, forced smile. "Yes. Just thinking about these rogue threats. My people don't handle 'waiting' very well."

********

The next two days passed quickly. The mansion, which had been relatively quiet, suddenly became a hive of motion. Servants were polishing floors, hanging banners, and preparing massive amounts of food.

The Kings worked tirelessly. Darian spent hours at his desk, his brow furrowed as he drafted defense plans for the Southern borders. Valen was no different, though his work involved more shouting and pacing.

I spent most of my time reading the books I’d grabbed. I tried to find any mention of the strange book I’d seen in the dusty corner of the library, but none of my history texts mentioned vanishing literature. I began to wonder if I really had just been hallucinating from the fever.

To break the monotony, we decided to run in the forest surrounding the mansion. Darian’s wolf was magnificent—a sleek, dark beast that moved with a lethal grace. Valen’s wolf was a massive, ash-brown monster with shoulders so broad he looked like he could knock down trees just by walking past them. I felt tiny compared to them, a small reddish speck darting between two giants.

At one point, while we were resting in a clearing, they both approached me. Simultaneously, they began to lick over my fur, grooming me with a possessive intensity. It felt ticklish and warm, and I ended up rolling onto my back, yipping and trying to escape their giant tongues.

Stop it! I laughed in my mind.

Eva, my wolf, was absolutely loving it. Shut up girl, this is great! she howled, her tail wagging so hard it was hitting the grass. More!

Even during these peaceful moments, the animosity was never far away. On the second afternoon, an argument broke out in the lounge over the seating arrangements for the ball.

"The Northern Alphas will not sit at the secondary tables like common soldiers, Darian!" Valen roared, slamming a hand onto the map.

"It’s a matter of what works, Valen!" Darian snapped back, his eyes glowing amber. "If we put everyone in the main hall, there won't be room to breathe, let alone discuss strategy."

"Then move your Southerners to the gardens! My men value hierarchy!"

They went back and forth for twenty minutes until I finally stood up and slammed my book shut. "If you two don't stop, I’m going to the ball with the gardener and leaving you both here!"

They both froze, looking at me with wide eyes. The silence that followed was hilarious. Eventually, they reached a compromise involving a circular table setup, and the rest of the evening went peacefully.

********

The evening before the ball, a seamstress arrived to take our final measurements. She delivered the clothes just as the sun was setting.

The gown she brought for me was unlike anything I had ever seen. It was a deep, midnight blue that seemed to shimmer like the night sky when I moved. The bodice was fitted, with intricate silver embroidery that looked like frost creeping across the fabric. It had long, sheer sleeves and a skirt that flowed around my legs like water. For the first time in my life, I didn't feel like a runt Omega. I felt like someone important.

By the time night fell, the mansion was packed. I could hear the sounds of horses, cars, and heavy footsteps from the courtyard. Alphas and Betas from across the lands were arriving, their scents mingling into a potent, overwhelming mix of dominance.

The girl I’d met in the library, Rowina, came to my room to help me get ready. She was chatterbox, telling me all about her sister’s mate while she pinned my hair up into a loose, elegant style. She applied a bit of makeup, just enough to make my eyes look brighter and my lips a soft rose color.

"You look stunning, my lady," Rowina whispered, stepping back to admire her work. "Truly. The Kings won't know what hit them."

"I just hope I don't trip over the hem," I muttered, looking at myself in the full-length mirror.

I took a deep breath, trying to steady my racing heart. This wasn't just a party, it was a debut. The whole world was going to see the girl who was mated to two Kings.

I thanked Rowina and walked toward the door. My hands were shaking slightly as I turned the handle. When I stepped out into the lounge, I stopped dead in my tracks.

Both Kings were already there, waiting for me.

Darian was dressed in a formal Southern military suit, all white and gold, looking like a prince from a fairy tale. Valen was in a dark, structured Northern tunic with fur lining the shoulders and heavy silver clasps. They both looked powerful, strong, and incredibly handsome.

As I stepped into the room, they both turned. The conversation they were having died instantly. Valen’s jaw actually dropped a fraction, and Darian’s eyes darkened with an intensity that made my knees weak.