Beyond A King

Not my mate.

I should have known something like this would happen. Elder Stephan had been trying to bring me down since I had arrived and now looking at his face he thought he had me backed into a corner.

“ Who is this young woman Stephan? Elder Miles asked, another one of stephans lackies. Feigning confusion that clearly wasn’t there. He knew exactly who Maddison was.

Without giving Stephan a chance to explain I stood with my head held high “ gentlemen this is Maddison Gardner my former fated mate” I explained gasps and whispers filled the large room echoing off its high ceilings. Most of them were genuinely shocked, some were trying not to laugh but it was Alisha who worried me, her face like thunder she was ready to kill. When I had confessed who I was to her in silver moon, I also told her the story of Maddison, how she had betrayed me and broken my belief in the mate bond. if she hadn’t been in Mitchell’s lap still she would already be on Maddison.

“ former fated mate, what is the meaning of this” this time it was council elder James that spoke, without the dramatics of leaving his chair. I liked him; he was a man of honour. He respected our laws and didn’t abuse his power. If I could convince him of the truth he would shut the whole thing down.

I‘m sure Stephan and the elders had some elaborate scheme to make me look foolish but I wasn’t in the mood for the theatrics especially if the others acting was as bad as elder miles. Before elder Stephan could speak I do. “ It seems that the royal elders are trying to make a mockery of my good word, since I agreed to take my fated mate as my queen” I said calmly giving nothing away to how angry I was.

“ I can only assume he meant to back me into a corner so I would be forced to mate with Miss Gardner to keep that word but I will not” I held elder Stephen's gaze as everyone murmured around us. Elder stephans smile didn’t waver.

“ So you will not keep your word my king?” he asked, not breaking eye contact. Oh he was still going for it.

“ I will keep my word” I stated enjoying how his eyes widened.

“ but I will not be taking Miss Gardner as my queen” I looked over at Madison for the first time since she had walked in. She now stood close to elder Stephan.

it had been almost ten years since I’d laid eyes on her. In all the years since not once had I been tempted to check in on her. I assumed she would find some unsuspecting alpha to trap but not once had I checked. When I walked away from her that day I promised myself I would never look back.

She had changed of course, her face had lost its youth and there were signs of slight crows feet around her eyes. She was still beautiful, wearing a royal blue dress similar to that of the one my mother wore in the oil painting my father had commissioned when she was carrying me.

The painting still hung in the entrance so it was the first thing anyone saw when they entered the palace, elder Stephan had tried to remove it - for my mural to hang there he had said, I flipped out demanding it be brought back and would hang there till I took my last breath.

The outfit was clearly designed to show her as a queen, the dress was something I knew she would never in a million years have worn when she was with me. She used to favour shorts and cowboy boots. At the time I couldn’t have found it sexier but now I was being awoken to the lies.

She had been playing the part of a small town Texas cowgirl, sweet innocent and no idea about the world outside her pack.

Everything she had done, even her image had been to lure me in and make me believe she was the woman I wanted.

I realised too late that I had never really known the true madison. Was I meeting her for the first time? She still seemed to be playing a part.

Her hair had been cut short into a more sleek bob that suited her, when we had been together, It had hung down her back in wild curls she could never seem to tame, I remember how it used to anger her trying.

I also remember it being flipped over her shoulder as her eyes found mine that day I had caught her with her lover.

How she clutched my credit card to her chest instead of trying to stop me leaving.

How she enjoyed hurting me when she uttered her acceptance of my rejection.

I remembered it all.

I had been so in love with her. Just a naive pup with dreams of what the mate bond should be. I had expected a little nostalgia if I was ever to face her again.

Now looking into her hazel eyes, not a flicker of emotion in them I realised I felt nothing.

The mate bond was long gone and now all that remained was the truth. Maddison Gardner was a title chaser.

“ firstly miss Gardner and I had a mutual rejection several years ago…” I began and madison opened her mouth to interrupt no doubt she would claim I forced her rejection.

“ if Miss Gardner wishes to dispute this claim she will be held accountable for the laws she broke during our mating” I said before she could spout whatever nonsense she was about to say.

Maddison frowned not understanding my meaning.

“ What laws broken?” she asked bitterly, seemed she still had her short temper. Her Texas accent wasn’t as authentic as when we had been together either. Yet more lies.

I turned away from her to address elder James “ I rejected Miss Gardner several years ago because she betrayed the mate bond by taking a lover” gasps and grumbles emitted the room and I watched as Madison's cheeks flushed in embarrassment, “ h..h..he’s… he’s lying” she attempted without any conviction in her words.

I ignored her and continued “ she seduced another alpha in exchange to become his Luna, unaware of my title at the time” I declared giving away no hint as to my own feelings, elder Stephan looked surprised, clearly unaware of that little detail.

Everyone seemed to be waiting on a response to my actuation but it was obvious from the way elder Stephan was now glaring at Maddison he had been caught in a lie that we would not be getting anything else from him no he now needed to save face with the other leaders and would throw Maddison under the bus at the first opportunity.

“ How dare you disrespect our king in such a way” he roared at Maddison who didn’t realise her only ally was turning in her.

Elder Stephan stepped away from her and her cheeks turned even more red. Elder stephans plan had failed, this must have been what alpha Montgomery was speaking of before the summit. Elder Stephan meant to get me in line by any means necessary and if he couldn’t control me the next best thing would be to have control over the queen.

it probably didn’t have anything to do with accepting madison, no, this was to force my hand so I would take vanessa.

They thought they had me in a trap. Well they were wrong. I held in my smile before turning to the table and giving my attention to the man who'd been avoiding making eye contact with me since he sat down.

“ Alpha Tucker” I gestured to the man and all eyes fell on him “ you can offer further insight, can you not? ” I looked towards the defeated man who had once embodied the arrogant cowboy that had stolen my mate from me with empty promises. Wondering how he ever thought he could live so large and not pay for his misdeeds.

I may not have given my ex mate my time after the rejection but I had made a point to keep tabs on alpha Tucker after he destroyed my life.

I’ll admit at first it was out of torture to myself to see if he had mated Maddison but it seems he had only been out to use her. I had been filled with so much anger back then and it had brought me joy to see even Maddison hadn’t seen his deception coming.

Thankfully the goddess had some mercy left for me, Alpha Tucker’s fortune soon fell short after that day. His fated mate that he once declared not good enough, rejected him shortly after he returned to Texas.

The girl left his pack only to find her second chance mate in alpha Derek of the ice mountain pack - who ironically had been sat opposite alpha tucker the entire summit, a smug smile plastered on his face, with Luna Cinthia curled up in his lap. I couldn't say I blamed him. He had accepted his fated mate without hesitation as it should be.

I waited to see if the man would lie or tell the truth, honestly it could go either way but I didn’t see him foolish enough to cross me a second time, the jagged scar across his face leading to the patch that adorned his right eye was now a constant reminder every time he looked in the mirror.

I was just a boy back then and knew nothing about the world, yet I had given him a permanent reminder of what happens when you cross me. Now I was king and had the power to destroy him. I wouldn’t. I would never hurt his pack for something he had done but the fear was there and that was enough.

Something crossed between us indicating he understood. He wasn’t in a position to have an enemy like me but at the same time it was his choice I wouldn’t force him with my alpha command.

With a deep sigh and no arrogance in sight the Texan spilled his guts “ miss Gardner was originally from my pack in Texas, we were lovers and I agreed to make her my Luna but only if she got an education” he didn’t look up Suddenly the table in front was so interesting.

“ During that time away she met her mate however she found him to be lacking in title” there was a chorus of laughter for a few moments.

“ HE DIDN’T TELL ME HE WAS THE FUTURE KING!!” Maddison shreeked, seemingly finding her voice.

“ he was under no obligation to reveal his title young lady” the Fae queen pointed out, and I nodded at her in gratitude. It was the first time I’d seen the woman take the meeting seriously. Madison dipped her head and silenced again.

“ Alpha Tucker continue” she ordered looking towards him but his eyes were fixed longingly at Luna cinthia who had her mates full attention as his large hand stroked over her slightly round belly.

His jaw clicked and he shook his head trying to compose himself the pain in his eyes for everyone to see, it was obvious he was a man full of regret “ I went to New York to break things off with Maddison because I found my fated mate” he then glanced towards alpha derek and Luna cinthia again, the two finally looked at him then Luna cinthia looked pained and alpha Derek pulled her closer, sensing her pain through their bond.

Alpha Derek looked towards Alpha Tucker with clear hate in his eyes, obviously his mate had already told him the rest of the story. I couldn’t say I blamed his anger. I'd wanted to destroy Alisha’s fated mate when I learned how he had used her and she wasn’t even my mate.

Luna Cinthia sensined her mate on the brink of attack, wrapped alpha derek's large hands around her placing them back onto her growing bump and began tracing the lines on the tattoos that trailed up his arm until he looked at her. The alpha went from a beast on the brink of murder to a soft puppy looking at his mate with all the love and admiration he held for her.

The room was silent again waiting for alpha Tucker to finish but it seemed he had reached his limit whilst watching the couple's affectionate display. so I finished it for him “ I was returning home one day when I felt a crippling pain in my chest, I had no idea what it was and thought my mate was in danger, so I ran home only to find her and Alpha Tucker having s*x” I recalled that day remembering the pain as if I could still feel it clawing at my insides.

I vowed I would never feel that pain again.

“ it was after learning that miss Gardner was only interested in a meal ticket that I broke our bond because I felt that such values would not make for a good queen” it was the truth and I knew it was something the elders wouldn’t dispute, arm candy they could deal with but a queen who was knowingly destructive going in was something they would never tolerate.

“ she can still….” Stephan began before he was interrupted by alpha James.

“ that’s enough Stephan I think we’ve entertained this enough, the girl has no claim here” he glanced at Madison who looked to elder Stephan for help. It was all falling away and she yet again put all her faith in a man who would drop her the second he could.

Elder Stephan ignored her and stepped towards the others “ there is another…”

“ his highness has expressed he does not wish to take a chosen mate, I think we can respect our kings wishes” elder James nodded towards me and I was grateful for his intervention.

“ his highness may yet be granted a second chance mate” another said, those words made my blood run cold and for a second I couldn’t breathe. Tell them. Ace demand but I wouldn’t. They would not rest until she was found if I told them I had already been given a second chance.

I nodded to the elders in agreement but I was anything but.

Alisha's gaze caught mine as I sat back down. Her sadness for me was crippling I’d never said the words out loud to her but the woman always seemed to have a sixth sense. She knew what I was hiding and she didn’t agree with my silence but thankfully she wouldn’t reveal my secret.

I already had my second chance mate.

“ ladies and gentleman if there is nothing else I think this is probably a good time to end the meeting” I announced glaring at a sheepish looking elder Stephan who was trying to put some distance between himself and an embarrassed Maddison.

He knew he had gone too far with his little show that had once again amounted to nothing. He knew there would be repercussions for this latest escapade and he was damn right but I would let him sweat for a bit first.

For now I needed to let Ace lose and run. All this talk of Maddison was dragging up old wounds for us both and Ace was feeling particularly emotional. Maddison’s wolf had never agreed with what she had done to us, it had been hard on her and Ace, they were torn apart by something Maddison had done. I couldn’t help but feel bad that I hadn’t consulted Ace when rejecting madison.

No apologise Lucas, the human would never have stayed fateful even if she had known about our title. Ace said, I knew it was true but still I should have considered him before rejecting her but I had been so angry.

Besides, we have a new mate now. I shook my head. I wouldn't even acknowledge his mind set right now.

Had the reminders of what Maddison did to us not been enough of a deterrent from any future mate. Apparently not.

People began standing and exiting the room quietly mumbling. There were a few chuckles and one of the vampire leaders, who up until now had remained silent said to his second “ shifters are always so entertaining' '. He chuckled and the other male replied “ and to think you thought this meeting would be boring” they both laughed as they walked away.

Great, we were one big joke thanks to the elders.

I turned towards them glaring. Elder James and the other council members in attendance were already leaving, elder James rebuffed stephans attempts to engage conversation, he was probably trying to do damage control and I was greatful the council would not make things easy for Stephan either.

I would deal with him later and if Maddison knew what was good for her she would be long gone by the time I came back from my run. She was still standing in the same spot aimlessly looking for an ally when her gaze fell on me. I turned my back on her and began storming to the door at the far end. Not willing to engage with anyone else right now. I was too angry.

“ your majesty” I turned to realise ronaldo had followed me.

“ don’t you have anything better to do than follow me around Ron?” I snapped feeling bad that I had done that, Ronaldo didn’t deserve my anger he was a good man and had always been loyal.

“ I just wanted to say I’m sorry for what happened to you with your mate, I had no idea” I looked at him bewildered I would have thought he would have known. He was always close to my parents when I was growing up.

“ it doesn’t matter Ron I’m not the nieve kid I once was, the mate bond is a joke and I want no part of it” I stated hearing Ace whine in my head.

Ronoldo looked pained by my statement “ don’t say that, no one deserves a real mate more than you, I pray to the goddess you get a second chance so you can experience for yourself how beautiful the mate bond can be” I chuckled dryly, Ronoldo was an old romantic when it came to the mate bond, while my father and his closest pals had been off with any female with a pulse. Uncle Ron had waited for the day he met his mate and he was rewarded for his patience with his mate Martha; she was everything a man could want in a mate. Kind, loving and most of all loyal.

“ for my sake I hope not, I want nothing to do with the mate bond”

Ronoldo grasped me on the shoulder “ I know you may feel that way now but don’t lose hope” I sighed knowing his opinion wouldn’t change but neither would mine and I didn’t want to argue with him. He was the closest person I had to family now and he had done more for my parents than anyone knew.

“ Thank you uncle Ron, I am grateful for your guidance and support, I’m going to go for a run, unless it’s urgent I don’t want to be disturbed” he nodded in understanding I knew he meant well but it was easy for him he had been happily mated to Martha for many years, they were the kind of mates that gave the rest of us reason to dream and he only wanted the same for me but I had seen the darker side of being mated and it wasn’t something I wanted to revisit.

Besides what chance did I have of having a real mate now anyway, every she- wolf in the kingdom would be after me for the title I could give them.

Mate will love us for the man we are.

Oh like the last one did you mean? I hated beeing so harsh with him he was suffering more than me, he hadn’t been betrayed by his mate he had just been forced along for the ride but he was still entertaining childish fantasies that a mate would love you unconditionally. How could he still believe in the mate bond after everything we had already learnt.

As soon as I was outside I stripped out if my suit and took off shifting as I went. We ran for a long time before Ace began hounding me about our second chance mate, and we should at least meet her before we make any judgments.

Ace enough, I don’t care about the plans the goddess has, she can leave me out of them.

I refuse to put my faith in the mate bond again. I'm so over letting others decide my fate, I was now the alpha of Ravenwood pack and king of werewolves. I needed to focus on my kingdom and not some stupid she wolf that would probably be just like Maddison and break our heart all over again.

Tyler pov

Pain radiates through my body as I stumbled through the rubble trying to remember what had happened.

A noise of rubble moving came next to me and I saw movement coming from under something that used to be a table. I recognised the male as alpha Derek his long white hair was always very distinctive. “ hold on” I stumbled moving debris out of the way to assist the alpha. “ I’ll be there in a sec”.

The alpha was covered in cuts most looked superficial but there was a nasty looking gash on his head where something had struck him. I was sure his wounds were not life threatening but he looked dazed so there was probably confusion. “Cinthia!” He yelled, I assumed he was calling for his Luna. I looked around and saw a heavily pregnant female hunched over sobbing. I immediately abandoned the rubble and limped towards her.

“ Are you alright?” I asked but the Luna only sobbed. She clutched my arms unable to hold her own weight and I helped her to sit. She looked over my shoulder crying for her mate “ Derek! The pup..m..my waters…broke…too soon” she whimpered and my eyes widened in shock. The explosion must have brought on her labour, this place was a war zone bodies and debury were everywhere not acceptable for a pup to be born at all.

I didn’t leave the lunas side as I heard her mate scramble behind me practically pushing me aside to get to her “ my love it will be alright let’s get you to the hospital” he stroked her hair which seemed to sooth her distress.

She nodded until she saw the extent of her mates injuries and her eyes widened in fear, the alpha was covered in blood and he was visibly swaying “ Derek your injured you can’t carry me” the Luna shook her head.

“ our pup can not wait” he protested trying to lift her but swayed once again almost falling, they were both about to fall at any moment, medics were on the scene but they were all busy helping others and we were on the far side of the room they wouldn't be getting to us any time soon and I couldn’t carry them both.

“ I can help” I heard a deep male rumble, recognising apha Tucker, his thick Texas accent was easy to identify, he seemed to have little injuries and could definitely help.

“ Get away from my mate” Alpha Derek shouted trying to pull his mate behind him but swayed again. I was confused as to why he was acting this way when it hit me, Luna Cynthia had been alpha Tucker's first mate years ago. Now I understood why he didn’t want the Alpha near his Luna.

Luna Cynthia how ever was the voice of reason,“ Derek please we must get help for you and the pup” she urged, touching his arm gently.

“ mine!” He growled, pulling her closer to him.

She smiled reaching up to cup his face “ yes love I am yours and only yours” after a few moments alpha Derek reluctantly allowed alpha Tucker to scoop the Luna into his arms and carry her towards the entrance, though Alpha Derek was holding his Luna’s hand the entire time.

I wanted to help but I had to check if my family were ok, my memory was foggy after being knocked out, there were scorch marks on my chest that were healing slowly. I must have been hit when the blast went off.

I watched in disappear as my father, the strongest man I knew crumbled to the ground in a heartbreaking sob as he scooped up the body of my sister and held her to his chest.