Alpha's Regret: Rejected Luna Becomes The Prize

Chapter 03

~KAEL~

The council chamber fell silent the moment I stepped through the towering oak doors. Every Alpha in the room rose to their feet, lowering their heads a little,

"Alpha King Kael."

Their voices echoed through the stone chamber before fading out. I nodded and walked to the seat at the head of the table.

"Sit."

They obeyed at once. Each of them ruled a powerful pack across the Northern Territories; each had earned their wolves' respect and the right to lead. And every one of them had sworn allegiance to a single throne which used to belong to my father but was now mine.

It had been barely a week since he was buried, and the responsibilities of the packs had multiplied past anything I had expected.

I opened the folder in front of me. “Let's begin.”

Alpha Rowan of Black Ridge stood first. "Another rogue attack along the western border. Four warriors were injured escorting merchant caravans through the mountain pass."

"Any deaths?"

He shook his head. "None."

"Double the night watch for two weeks. If they come back, capture them and turn them into prisoners."

"It will be done, Alpha King."

Another Alpha rose next. "The dispute between Silver Creek and Stonefang has worsened. Seven wolves were injured in the last fight."

I set the report aside. "They're fighting over land that barely feeds either pack. Send both Alphas a summons; they'll settle it before me in three days."

"Yes, Alpha King."

The rest of the morning went the same way, and by midday, one of the Alphas raised a final matter. "The Eastern Territories Alpha King is gravely ill. Our informants believe it's worsening and succession may come sooner than anyone expected."

"The first prince should inherit," someone said.

"That's what everyone believes," another replied, "But there's a prophecy which named the second son the future Alpha King. Although he has no interest in ruling, I heard his strength is captivating.”

"Whether he wants it or not is irrelevant," Rowan cut in. "The Moon Goddess has already spoken." He looked at me. "If the prophecy comes to pass, stronger ties with the Eastern Territories would benefit us greatly. An alliance between the two strongest kingdoms would reshape the werewolf continent."

I closed the file with a bored look. "The succession of another kingdom isn't our concern. We'll only discuss an alliance further after the old Alpha King dies, and any of his sons takes over.”

No one challenged it, and the discussion ended there.

The hall emptied slowly, Alphas breaking into small groups over maps or drifting toward the dining hall. I closed the last file in front of me and stood.

"Alpha King," Rowan called. "Will you be joining us?"

"Shortly."

He nodded and left with the others. I rubbed the bridge of my nose once the room had cleared and rose to my feet. Council meetings drained the mind more than the body ever did.

By the time I reached the dining hall, lunch was already laid out. I sat, half-listening to the conversation around me and picked at the plate without much appetite. My eyes landed on the peas, and before I'd thought about it, I'd already pushed every one of them to the edge of the plate.

I stopped mid-motion with a completely lost appetite now, and pushed back my chair, standing on my feet,

"I'll be back."

I crossed the courtyard to the waiting SUV where the driver straightened at the sight of me,

"Alpha King."

I opened the rear door. The lunchbox sat untouched where I'd left it that morning, then I untied the cloth wrapped around it, and the smell of herbs hit me first, grilled chicken, herb butter rice, roasted vegetables.

It was nothing extravagant, but arranged with a certain care that I noticed immediately. There were carrots, green beans, but no peas.

Three years, and yet she noticed something that small. I picked up the fork before I even decided to, and although the food had gone cold, it really didn't matter to me. Every bite had my tongue wanting even more of it, and by the time I looked down again, the lunchbox was empty

"She cooked this herself," I said to myself quietly, and wasn't sure why the thought stayed with me. No one had done something that small and thoughtful for me in a long time. I closed the lid and set it back on the seat instead of handing it off.

"I'll keep it."

The driver blinked, then nodded. "Yes, Alpha King."

The rest of the meeting with the Alphas passed without incident, and I was simply exhausted.

The hall was almost empty, except for one Alpha still seated,

“Alpha Kael…”

I raised my head to Rowan, watching him stand on his feet,

“You really should consider an alliance with the East territory. They're becoming stronger by the day and acquiring even more wealth. One day, we're going to need them.”

“We're strong on our own, Rowan. If I see the need to in the future, then I will. For now, there are other important matters I'm looking into.”

“Yes, Alpha, I understand.”

He walked away, and I rubbed my temples, groaning silently.

For now, it was dangerous to form an alliance when the position of the next Alpha King between two brothers wasn't certain yet, and it was better not to make any intention known yet. I knew Axel, the sick Alpha King's first son. I had met him once or twice in the past, but he was a cunning man. He'd do anything for the throne, even without earning it or whether the prophecy wanted him to be the next after his father or not.

On the other hand, I had never met his younger brother, whom the prophecy had named Alpha King after his father from birth, and I wanted no part in this fight.

It was time to retire for the night.

I rose to my feet and walked away, heading to my chamber. Once I settled in, my stomach grumbled a little. Damn it! I didn't know I had such an appetite until I ate Seraphina's meal, and it had me craving even more.

Damn it! All through the rest of the meeting, she was in my mind and I couldn't help it.

My phone buzzed, and I picked it up to see a message from Celeste.

~Baby, meet me tomorrow at the healing house by 12. I have a surprise for you, and it's something you're going to love.”

I read the message twice. Celeste rarely went near that place. She hated that place until a few days ago, when she requested to have it.

~Okay, I'll be there.~

I texted back and turned off my phone before a part of me that wanted to hear from Seraphina could win. As I stared at the ceiling, I suddenly realized it was so freaking hard not to think about Seraphina tonight, and I had no idea why.