Bride Of All packs

The Alpha Heir

Aurelian Veyr did not look like some who had traveled several hours to ask for a woman's hand.

He looked like some claiming a kingdom.

Elnira studied him from across the ancestral hall.

His white hair fell nicely around his face as it contrasted sharply to the black uniform he wore.

Silver embroidery ran along his collar and shoulders, forming the crest of the Alpha family.

A crowned wolf.

The same symbol that had once appeared in Wolfsrein history books for generations.

His posture was perfectly straight.

His expression was calm.

Too calm.

Elnira immediately disliked him.

She wasn't sure of why exactly.

Perhaps it was the way he looked at her.

Not like some strange, not even like a potential wife.

Like he was examining something that already belongs to him.

Aurelian's pale eyes glanced over her before settling back on her face.

"Elnira Wolfsrein."

She raised an eyebrow.

"You know my name."

"Everyone knows your name."

"That sounds unfortunate."

The corner of his mouth moved.

"Perhaps."

Her father cleared his throat.

"Aurelian, you arrived earlier than expected."

"I prefer arriving before expectations."

Elnira almost rolled her eyes.

In fact, she almost did so.

Her mother stood.

"Welcome to Wolfsrein Manor, Lord Veyr."

Aurelian inclined his head.

"Lady Wolfsrein."

He then looked back towards Elnira.

"Congratulations on your twentieth birthday."

"Thank you."

"I brought something for you."

Elnira blinked.

"You did?"

Aurelian gestured to one of the guards standing outside.

The man entered carrying a long black box before setting it on the table.

Elnira came cautiously before stopping.

"Should I be worried?"

Aurelian's expression never changed.

"Only if you dislike gifts."

She opened the box, revealing a silver necklace.

A small white stone hung at the center, framed with delicate metalwork shaped like wolf claws.

It was actually beautiful.

Elnira didn't want to admit that.

Her mother stepped closer.

"The stone..."

"Moon quartz," Aurelian said. "Found in the northern mountains."

Elnira touched the necklace, not removing it from the box.

"Why give me this?"

"Because I was told I would be meeting my future mate."

Her fingers stopped.

The room grew silent.

Elnira slowly looked up.

"Future mate?"

Aurelian met her eyes.

"That is why I am here."

There was no hesitation in his voice.

No uncertainty.

No embarrassment.

Elnira closed the box.

"You're very confident."

"I have no reason not to be."

"As well as what makes you think I would choose you?"

Aurelian's expression changed slightly.

For the first time, it almost seemed like some human within his expression.

Interst.

"Because I intend to give you a reason."

Elnira folded her arms.

"That sounds like a challenge."

"Perhaps it is."

Her father appeared between they two to stop any further conversation.

"The formal introductions will take place tonight."

Aurelian nodded.

"I understand."

"The other families have not yet arrived."

"I know."

Elnira looked at him.

"You know?"

"The Alpha family receives information quickly."

"That sounds suspiciously like spying."

"Information is not spying."

"Depends on how you obtained it."

Aurelian smiled.

"You're exactly how they described you."

Elnira narrowed her eyes.

"And what did you, describe?"

"Stubborn."

She stare at him.

"Who told you that?"

"Your father."

Elnira turned toward her father.

He appeared to be rather uninterested to where is currently focused in the fireplace.

"Traitor."

Her father coughed.

Aurelian's smile only grew.

It somehow irritated her even more.

---

By the time the sunset appeared, Wolfsrein Manor had been transformed.

Hundreds of candles illuminated the halls.

Servants bustled between rooms, preparing the evening feast.

Guards stood at every entry.

The arrival of an Alpha heir was no small affair, but it was one of politics, of which Elnira had come to understand it all too well now.

She stood before her mirror, Mira adjusting the final piece of jewelry around her neck.

"You look beautiful," Mira said.

Elnira stared at herself in the mirror.

Her dress was a deep blue with silver embroidery down her sleeves and waist.

"I look like someone prepared for execution."

Mira laughed softly.

"Lady Elnira."

"What?"

"You should not say such things."

"Why not?"

"Because people are listening."

Elnira looked toward the door.

Her two guards stood there.

She sighed.

"Of course they are."

Mira lowered her voice.

"Is he handsome?"

Elnira looked at her through the mirror.

"Who?"

"The Alpha heir."

"You saw him."

"From a distance."

Elnira hesitated.

Aurelian was handsome, an annoyance. There was something weirdness about the way he held himself that was almost unnatural.

"He's tolerable."

Mira grinned.

"That's not what I asked."

Elnira turned around.

"I don't like him."

"You've known him for several hours."

"Exactly."

Mira laughed before another bell rang from downstairs.

It was the first of those having dinner guests.

Elnira breathed.

Tonight wasn't going to be much of a start.

---

The dining hall was crowded as Elnira entered.

The Alpha delegation occupied one side of the enormous table, with Aurelian sitting in the center.

Several of their older family members surrounded him as they engaged in hushed conversation.

As soon as she entered, the conversation stopped.

All eyes were on her.

She hated this.

She made her way to her seat nonetheless.

Aurelian stood.

Everyone did the same.

Elnira looked around.

"Do you all do this every time I enter a room?"

One of the older Alpha men smiled.

"It is respect."

"Then you can sit."

They did.

Aurelian stayed standing until she was settled before returning to his seat.

As dinner began, conversation was strangely formal between all of them.

Trade agreements, territory boundaries, reports of werewolf population, political alliances.

Elnira simply listened.

Then one of the eldest Alpha spoke.

"The covenant has always prospered from an Alpha-Wolfsrein union."

Elnira placed her fork down.

"Has it?"

The man looked at her.

"Of course."

"Then perhaps you can explain why."

He smiled.

"The Alpha family possesses the strength to protect the Wolfsrein dynasty."

Elnira leaned back in her chair.

"And what makes you thinks Wolfsrein needs protection"?

Silence.

Aurelian looked at her.

The elder's smile disappeared.

"We are just discussing tradition."

"Tradition seems to be everyone's favorite word tonight."

Aurelian spoke before the elder could respond.

"The Alpha family does not intend to force your choice."

Elnira looked at him.

"Really?"

"Really."

"Then why did you bring an army?"

Several individuals gave a glance toward the windows.

Elnira had noticed them earlier. Dozens of Alpha warriors surrounded the estate.

Aurelian did not refute his claim.

"Because I am the heir of the Alpha family."

"That's not an answer."

"It is the only one you need."

Elnira's eyes narrowed.

Aurelian leaned slightly closer to her.

"The world outside of these walls is changing, Elnira."

His voice was quieter now.

"The old balance is weakening."

She frowned.

"What does that mean?"

Before he could respond, a strange type of energy passed through the room.

Elnira almost stopped there.

Her heartbeat change.

Something was wrong.

The werewolves surrounding the table became unnaturally still.

Even the heads all turned simultaneously toward the entrance of the manor.

Elnira felt it as well.

A presence, powerful powerful and ancient, unknown.

Aurelian's eyes narrowed.

One of the Alpha warriors ran into the dining hall.

"My lord."

Aurelian stood.

"What happened?"

"The northern gates."

The warrior swallowed.

"Another delegate has arrived."

Elnira's heart sank.

"Which family?"

The warrior looked at her.

"The Omegas."

Aurelian's jaw tightened.

Outside, another set of bells began to ring.

Elnira slowly stood.

The game had finally begun, and judging by Aurelian's expression, he already had an enemy.