Mated To Rival Kings

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

Valen's POV

You know, parties are usually my thing. I love anything that loosens inhibitions and actually looks like fun. I like loud music, strong drinks, and the kind of energy that makes your wolf want to howl at the ceiling. But as I looked around at the wolves milling about, trying to maintain stiff social interactions, my vibe died immediately. I knew this couldn’t be a raving party, but what was this bleak mess?

The Alphas were standing around like they had sticks shoved up their spines. They didn't have to act so stuck up just to prove they were strict and domineering. Power should be felt, not performed like a bad stage play.

I looked around for my companions. Darian and Raven had already gone in different directions. I spotted Raven across the room where she was surrounded by a group of female Alphas. They seemed quite taken with her, leaning in and discussing something in low, hushed tones. Knowing female Alphas, it was probably something about men or lineage—things I definitely did not want to know.

Then, I caught Darian’s scent. To me, Darian always smelled like the forest after a heavy rain; clean, misty, and annoying. I turned to see what he was up to. He was standing in a circle of high-ranking Alphas, and right beside him was his unpleasant-as-f**k second cousin, Storm. Just looking at that one-eyed prick made my skin crawl.

I shifted my gaze to my own side of the hall. My Alphas were loitering around, looking uncomfortable. They kept glancing at me, but they were wary of approaching first. Goddess, when did I let it get that bad? Am I really that terrifying to my own people?

Actually, don’t answer that.

I went to lean against a marble pillar, trying to look approachable, or at least less likely to snap a neck. I caught the eye of one of my Alphas and waved him over. That seemed to be the signal the others were waiting for. They began to shuffle toward me in a group. Maddox joined them, looking as professional as ever. I was still going to give him a good beating for his stunt at the border, but I’d save that for a day when we didn't have to look "united".

One of them spoke first. It was the Alpha of the Vorex pack. I couldn't exactly remember his first name, mostly because I didn't care to. "King Valen, how have you been?"

I smirked, letting a bit of my canine teeth show. "I didn’t know you cared this much, Vorex."

I didn't like this particular aged Alpha. He had been close with my father and was one of those snakes who encouraged the old man to do the wrong things. Vorex gave me a greasy smile. "Ah, young King, you know I do."

I felt Ash growl in the back of my throat. I straightened up, letting my height and my dominance flare out until the Alphas around me visibly flinched. I curled my upper lip. "Call me 'young King' one more time and see what happens."

Vorex’s eyes darted around subtly, searching for an escape, then he bowed his head. "I didn’t mean anything by it, King Valen."

I decided to ignore him for now. As much as I wasn't a good person by most standards, I aspired to be a good King. I needed to focus. I had to discuss strategies to keep the North running while I was stuck in this neutral mansion.

I looked toward Maddox, my ginger-haired assistant Alpha. "Tell me, how many packs do we currently have operational?"

Maddox pulled a binder out of thin air and flipped through it with insane speed. "Thirty-two, sire."

I nodded. "And how many zones?"

"Six," Maddox replied.

I looked at the Alphas standing in front of me. I counted five, excluding Maddox. Each of the zonal Alphas was responsible for a specific number of packs to ensure order and structure. "So, where is the last one?"

Just then, a kid came hurrying over, his face turning bright red when he realized all eyes were on him. The boy couldn't be more than nineteen. He bowed low, his voice trembling slightly. "My King."

"What pack?" I demanded.

"Donari," the boy said.

Ah. The Donari Alpha was the head of the North-East zone. I remembered a report coming in a few weeks ago that the previous Alpha Donari had died in a skirmish. I eyed the boy, who was busy adjusting his trousers as if he’d just returned from the bathroom. So this was the new Alpha? He looked like he still needed his mother to do his laundry.

I decided not to give him a hard time. I was seventeen myself when I became the Alpha King, and while I could certainly be better, I’d done fairly well so far.

I started pacing in front of them, my boots clicking on the polished floor. "I have to be away from the Kingdom for an indefinite amount of time. This is not a reason to be unruly or lax." I stopped and looked each of them in the eye. "You know what I do to unruly subordinates. I do not deal with you rigidly, and I don't demand perfect order. All I ask is that you keep the borders safe and the people happy."

I turned back to Maddox. "How many human settlements are currently on our lands?"

Maddox checked his binder again. "Twenty-six settlements, sire. All together, almost five thousand humans."

I nodded, my expression hardening. "Do not oppress the humans in a show of strength or superiority. They are under our protection, not our slaves. Each of you must train a small group of elite wolves who will rotate and patrol the woods every night until I return. Is that clear?"

A chorus of "Yes, Alpha Valen" rang out.

Then, one of them raised a hand. It was Alpha Forrest. "I have a question, your majesty."

"Speak," I said.

"I think the issue of the Queen is important," Forrest said, shifting his weight. "That’s another thing causing unrest. Members of the packs have been speculating amongst themselves who will complete the mating with the Omega. They worry that if it’s not you, you might go... pardon me, mad."

I felt the heat rising in my chest. I was already seething. I knew it was a reasonable concern because the moon madness was a real threat for a King without a mate, but when did reason ever make sense to me?

I stepped directly into the man’s personal space, towering over him. "How about you do well to caution your wolves? Gossiping is a bad habit, Forrest."

Maddox cleared his throat loudly, giving me that annoying "calm down" look. I let out a quiet sigh and stepped back.

"The matter of the Queen is not that urgent," I said, my voice tight. "I am still young and don't absolutely need a Queen yet. About the mate choice... whatever happens, I’ll try to keep my wits about me."

My throat burned with the lie. If I lost Raven, my wits would be the furthest thing from me. I’d probably tear the world apart before the madness even had a chance to set in.

Suddenly, a scent hit me. It was a toxic scent lingering in the air. It was familiar, but I couldn't quite place it.

I looked toward the long row of drinks near the center of the hall. The scent was coming from there.

"Excuse me," I told my Alphas, not waiting for a response.

I walked toward the drink station, my pace quickening. Darian was already there. He was reaching for a tall glass of dark red wine, his fingers closing around the stem. He looked distracted, probably thinking about some boring Southern trade law.

I moved with a burst of speed. Just as Darian raised the glass to his lips, I reached out and clamped my hand around his wrist, jerking his arm down.

Darian snapped his head toward me, his amber eyes flashing with anger. "What the f**k do you think you’re doing, Valen?"

I ignored his outburst. I kept my grip firm on his wrist, pulling the glass closer to my own nose. I didn't even have to get that close. The bitter, almond-like sting hit my nostrils instantly.

I was right. Poison.