The Hybrid Luna birthright

Chapter 10

Brail’s POV

"Do you have any final contributions regarding the trade agreement with the Southern territories?" Father asked as he closed the heavy ledger on the table.

"No, Father, the terms seem favorable and I believe the council has covered every angle necessary for our economy," I replied while gathering the stack of documents in front of me.

The meeting was adjourned, and the council members began to shuffle out of the room. I stood up to follow them, but the Beta, Trad’s father, stepped into my path with a scowl etched deep into his face.

"Where is Trad?" he demanded. "He missed the entire session on grain tariffs, and this is the third since you both got back."

"Yes, where is the boy?" Father joined us, crossing his arms over his chest. "I expected him to present the security report today."

"He is at the northern border inspecting the new guard rotations because we received a tip about potential rogues in the area," I lied smoothly, looking directly into my father's eyes. "He wanted to handle it personally to ensure the safety of the pack before bringing it to the council."

The Beta huffed, clearly annoyed but pacified by the excuse. "At least he is doing something useful, though he should have sent a messenger."

"I will remind him of protocol next time," I assured them, bowing my head slightly before turning to leave the chamber.

I walked straight to my office, tossed the documents onto my desk, and sank into the chair. My mind was already exhausted from the political maneuvering, and covering for Trad was becoming a full-time job.

The door opened without a knock, and Trad strolled in, looking entirely too pleased with himself for a man who had just shirked his duties.

"Is this how you are going to rule beside me?" I asked, picking up a pen just to have something to hold. "Is this the Beta you are going to be one day?"

"What are you talking about?" Trad asked, dropping into the chair opposite me with a lazy grin.

"You need to focus, Trad," I snapped. "Both of our fathers were there, and I had to make up a silly excuse about you hunting rogues at the northern border just to keep the Beta from dragging you out of bed."

"Thanks for covering for me, brother," Trad chuckled, seemingly unbothered by the risk I had taken. "But honestly, it was worth it."

"Worth missing a council meeting?" I questioned. "What could possibly be worth the wrath of the Alpha?"

"I had the time of my life last night, Brail," he said, leaning forward with a gleam in his eyes. "I am not talking about something casual or a quick toss in the sheets, I am talking about premium fun."

I dropped the pen on the desk and stared at him. "What are you even doing, Trad?"

"There is a place I found," he whispered, lowering his voice as if the walls were listening. "It is a house full of intelligent courtesans who give premium entertainment."

"And they also..." I trailed off, not sure I wanted to know the rest.

"They talk, Brail," he interrupted, his excitement kept growing. "They actually talk about philosophy and history and things that matter."

I looked at him blankly. "You skipped work to talk?"

Trad stood up and walked around the desk to stand next to me. "I met this beautiful she-wolf, her name is Lianca. She is smart, very intelligent, and she challenges me."

"In just a night?" I asked, confused. "You met her once and you are already singing her praises?"

"Yeah, in just a night," he confirmed. "I was walking out of the castle after the welcoming ceremony, and I met her. We started with a conversation about the architecture of the Great Hall, and just like that, we clicked."

"Click," I laughed, shaking my head. "Just like that."

"Just like that," he insisted. "She took me to her part of the pack, this hidden district where she and so many other ladies entertain premium men."

"How do you know she is a courtesan?" I asked, skeptical of this sudden romance.

"Because she told me," Trad replied. "And you wouldn't believe who else I saw there. Elder Jarek and Elder Miko were sitting in the corner sipping wine."

"The Elders?" I asked, my eyes widening. "The ones who lecture us on morality every single day?"

"The very same," Trad grinned. "It is a paradise, Brail."

"So, did you have s*x?" I asked, trying to get to the bottom of his infatuation.

Trad looked away, a soft smile played on his lips. "It wasn't about that. It was like I had seen the one, Brail. She gets me."

"You are lucky," I teased, leaning back in my chair. "Falling in love with a smart courtesan while I am betrothed to a Speaker who only knows how to screech."

Trad burst out laughing. "Princess Davita does have a pair of lungs on her."

"She is a nightmare," I admitted, laughing along with him.

"You need a break," Trad said, his expression turning serious. "You need to see this place."

"I can't just leave," I argued, though the idea was tempting.

"I am showing you the place tonight," Trad promised. "We will sneak out, and you will see that there is more to this pack than just rules and screaming princesses."

"Fine," I agreed, a reckless feeling took over. "But if we get caught, I am telling them you dragged me."

"Deal," Trad said, heading for the door. "Be ready at midnight."

I watched him leave, feeling a strange anticipation building in my chest, unaware if the night was going to change everything I thought I knew about my kingdom.

“How does Trad always get so lucky with women?” I thought to myself, playing with the royal seal in front of me.

This might be my opportunity, too. Perhaps I could find my perfect mate and reject Davita. “Only if I had the guts,” I mused.