Alpha King Of The Heavens (Heavenly Alphas Book One)

When It Rains It Pours

LEO’S POV:

As we said goodbye to the royals and my new friends, the time came to where I would finally begin my job as King. I watched all of the cars pull out as the sun rose. The dawn of a new reign.

Dad broke me out of my concentration. “It is nice to know that you made new friends. These will be friends you will cherish all your life. Don’t ever forget these bonds.”

I smiled a little. “I know Dad. I don’t plan on it.”

Mom laughed. “Deryn, stop lecturing him. Why don’t we go home and relax a bit while he settles into his new role?” She suggested as she kissed me on the head.

“Ugh. Mom.” I said as I over dramatically wiped the kiss off my head.

She laughed. “Oh, hush. King or not, you are never too old for a mother’s love.”

I laughed and rolled my eyes as Dad ruffled my hair. “I suppose you are right. If you need anything, you know how to find us.” Dad said as they walked and got in their car.

I watched them drive away as I fixed my now messed up hair. I walked inside to find Liekos waiting for me with the same worried expression he wore last night.

“Liekos, why look so concerned?” I said watching his every move.

He gave me a troubled look. “Shall we go into the conference room? Important matters need your attention.”

“This is my first day as King, Liekos. Are you sure this isn’t a matter that can wait?” I looked at him pleadingly as I tried to read the situation.

“Alpha, I already jeopardized the whole situation by not mentioning it last night. I do not think it wise to continue to let it sit.” He explained, the worry in his voice beginning to show.

I nodded. “Very well then. Lead the way Liekos.”

He turned and I followed him into the conference room where I came face to face with one other that I knew. The royal adviser, Tyros, who has served my family since Lycansbane received its first King all those years ago.

I nodded to him. “Tyros, it is good to see you.”

“Likewise, my King.” He smiled running his fingers through his short graying hair. His brown eyes scanning over some paperwork in front of him.

I sat down at the head of the table and watched their faces as everyone sat quietly. The only sound in the room was Tyros flipping through the paperwork. I decided to be the first to break the silence. “So, what is this matter of urgency?”

Almost immediately Tyros put the papers down and folded his hands on the table. “The kingdom of Primordial seems to be causing trouble.”

“Primordial? You mean the kingdom of elementals?” I asked as I leaned back in the chair. “What kind of trouble could they be causing already?”

“They have threatened war, my king,” Tyros said as a grim expression crossed his face.

“War? We are allies. They can’t just break the treaty without warning.” I said a bit baffled. My first day on the throne…and I have already entered an era of war. How?

“It seems they are under the impression that we broke the terms of our alliance first,” Tyros explained.

“How have we broken the alliance? We have done everything to keep it.” Confusion clouded my mind as I tried to assess what I could do to fix this before a war approached our very own doorstep.

“It seems that one of the terms of said alliance was that you would be married to the princess. Princess Adria is her name. It seems, according to them, you were supposed to have wed before you assumed the position on the throne.” He said watching me.

I looked at him confused and outraged. “If I were arranged to be married, Mom and Dad would have informed me of this! I demand to see the contract!” My head began to spin. This had to be some sort of mix up. Some kind of mistake. There was no way Mom or Dad would sell my happiness for an alliance. Would they?

“Actually, my King, I was just reviewing the contract. I highlighted the marriage section for you. It seems they were right.” He said handing me the papers quickly.

I quickly skimmed over them until I found the section I was looking for. I read it aloud hoping it wouldn’t sound as real as it did. “On the eve of Princess Adria’s 17th birthday, Prince Leo will take her hand in marriage.” I looked over the date quickly. “That was supposed to have been a week ago.” I ran my hand through my hair quickly. “A week before my 18th birthday…and the day of my coronation.” I looked desperately for a loop hold. Maybe this part hadn’t been signed. Typically every agreement in the contract had to be signed. Maybe this part wasn’t. I felt my heartache as I stared at Dad’s signature written clear as day at the bottom of the page.

Tyros looked at me as he spoke cautiously. “How do we proceed? What should we tell them?”

I stand quickly. “I need to speak with Dad. Get him for me.” I said harshly. He sat staring at me for a moment. “Now!” My voice roared through the room as I felt my eyes change. I was desperately trying to keep my wolf at bay. But he wasn’t wanting to stay down. He felt betrayed and outrage. I didn’t blame him.

He quickly rose from his seat and ran out of the room. Liekos had remained quiet the whole time watching my every movement. It seemed he decided not to be quiet any longer as he broke his own silence. “Alpha, calm yourself. We need to think about this rationally.”

I turned my gaze to him quickly. He flinched back into his seat just a bit. “Do not ever tell me to calm down Liekos.” I snapped. “It isn’t you that may be forced into a loveless marriage for an alliance we didn’t need!”

“Alpha, may I speak freely?” He asked choosing to be safe rather than saying something stupid.

“For now, mind your f*****g tongue,” I growled.

He nodded. “Very well then, Alpha.”

I took a deep breath. My eyes phasing back. “Forgive me. It just caught me off guard I suppose.”

He smiled. “It caught us all by surprise. You have every right to be upset.”

I sighed. “What is it you needed to say?”

He looked at me. “A war with such strong supernaturals as the elementals will not leave us unscathed. Even if we were to win by some sort of miracle, the number of casualties on our side alone. Not counting the casualties on theirs. Innocents would be killed in such a dangerous battle. Is your happiness alone greater then the lives of your people? I guess this is a pick your poison situation.”

I stared at him in thought. I tried to keep my patience but it was wearing thin. But…I knew he was right. “That doesn’t change how I feel. But…you are right. I do need to get to the bottom of this though.” I still couldn’t shake this feeling. Why didn’t they tell me this?

It couldn’t have been more than a few moments before Dad walked in a bit concerned. He noted the papers laying out on the table and took a seat. “Ah, I see. You finally found out huh?”

I looked at him a bit baffled by how relaxed he seemed. “How could you not tell me?”

He smiled. “I didn’t think it mattered. I never thought you would find out.”

“How could I not find out if they are willing to start a war over a breach of contract? Now I have to pick up the pieces and try to salvage this.” I said trying so hard to keep my tone even.

He looked at me as confusion consumed him. “What do you mean starting a war?”

“Dad.” I groaned. “That’s what happens when a contract has been breached.”

He looked at me becoming even more confused. “No, that’s impossible. Your mother and I had come to a different solution so that you wouldn’t have to marry her. They agreed to it.”

I looked at him hopeful. “Is there any documentation of the change to the contract?”

Dad looked at me sorrowful. “No, it was verbal.”

“Dad!” I said in disbelief. “Than how do you know he agreed?” I took a deep breath.

“”I…well…I am so sorry, Leo. We had planned to make a written contract of the new agreement You had just turned 1 and Princess Adria had just been born. But Primordial had entered a civil war. I can’t remember what that war was over, but regardless, everyone got a bit distracted…I guess the contract was never prepared.”

I looked at him confused. “What does this mean?”

He smiled apologetically. “Primordial doesn’t start wars for no reason, and they are honest and loyal above all else. But since the new contract wasn’t prepared nor signed, it seems we have to go by the old contract…considering it is already past the date.”

I felt my whole world shake as it seemed to be crashing down. The hopes of finding my mate had dwindled to nothing. My heartfelt shattered as if an earthquake rumbled inside of my shattering every piece. “D…but…” I couldn’t seem to form a sentence. It seemed that I was raised on a lie. A castle built on sand.

He looked at me with a pained expression. “I am so sorry son. I never meant for any of this to happen. No one is perfect. I just…didn’t mean for my imperfections to affect you in such a way.”

It wasn’t Dad’s apology that brought me back to reality, but Tyros’s words. “As King, it is your decision on how we proceed. But we do need a decision. The lives of many could be at stake. Those stakes grow every second we wait.”

“I have no choice. My hand has been forced.” I said staring at Dad. “I will marry Princess Adria. Please let the King of Primordial know I will be leaving tomorrow and will arrive there soon. Explain the situation to him.” I heard my voice break as I spoke the order. “Now, if everyone wouldn’t mind, I really would like to be alone for a bit.”

Without saying a word, they allowed me that simple request and all got up and left instantly. I sat there, my chest feeling really tight. As if my whole world was caving in. The first day on the throne and I already feel like I have been forced to my knees over something as simple as not finding my mate. The only thing that could be worse than this would be if I found my mate…and couldn’t be with her. Was this just a cruel joke being played by the moon goddess? Would she really be this cruel to someone who was offered to her as an infant.

I fought back tears as I gripped the arms to my chair. I tried to shake the disrespectful thoughts from my mind. Surely she wouldn’t choose to make my life this miserable. I have been loyal. I will forever be loyal. And if this was the path she had chosen…there must be a reason. But my heart didn’t want to follow a blind path. I sighed in frustration. I needed to follow the path she laid, there is a reason behind everything she does if I keep faith and trust. I wiped my eyes quickly. The last thing I wanted was for anyone to see the newly crowned King shed a tear.

I stood up and walked out of the conference room. In just a short matter of time, I would have a Queen. I would marry Princess Adria to save the lives of the majority that would be killed defending my choice. My people came first. That is the kind of King I wanted to be. The kind of King I would be…even if it killed me.