BOUND TO MY RUTHLESS ALPHA

Chapter 4

Remi walked as fast as she could out of the kitchen as the other maids watched her, gossiping.

"I'm so sorry, Remi." Aileen said, placing a hand on Remi's shoulder that prompted her to stop.

"Don't ever be. " Remi said without looking at Aileen before she closed her eyes painfully and continued walking again. She needed nobody's pity.

She didn't crave pity but rescue - to be whisked away from this oppressive existence to a sanctuary where she could be embraced for who she was. Yet, it was painfully clear that such a haven was nothing more than a distant fantasy, for who would ever accept a frail, hunchbacked, and weak-hearted, dying soul like hers?

She ran off to the library, the place where she found a different kind of solace, buried in the wisdom of books and the solitude of good words....

****

"Thane, what is the update on the Clans in Shadowglade?" Wulfric asked Thane as they ate.

Shadowglade was the name of the massive forestry, where most of the werewolves clan and packs lived in Shadowfell. While Wulfric was the Commander General of the Shadowfell Wolven Army which officially answered primarily to the Shadowfell King, King Maric, his first son Thane was the Lieutenant General of the Army: also known as second in command to the Commander.

Shadowglade was known to all as the City of the Wolves.

In the realm of Shadowlands, where the sun dipped into the horizon and painted the sky with hues of crimson and gold, the city of Shadowglade stood as a beacon of freedom for the lupine creatures. Known to all as Shadowglade- The City of the Wolves, this sanctuary allowed the werewolves of the Shadowfell and every nearrby city state to live in harmony with their human counterparts, bound by their own ancient pack laws and traditions.

As the day surrendered to the night, the wolves of Shadowglade were free to shed their human guises and roam the streets and even hunt, in their true form as wolves under the silvery glow of the moon. However, this liberty came with a caveat: they were forbidden from revealing their true nature within the sprawling metropolis of Shadowfell, the dominant city that cast its shadow over Shadowglade

Over the centuries, this edict had driven werewolves from far and wide, all over the Shadowlands to seek refuge in Shadowglade, where they could live openly as citizens, their dual lives woven into the fabric of the city. Though they dwelled in the shadow of Shadowfell, they were subject to the rule of King Maric, the human monarch who governed the entire realm of Shadowlands with an iron fist. Yet, in Shadowglade, the wolves had forged a fragile peace, one that allowed them to thrive in secret, their howls echoing through the night, a haunting serenade to the city that was their home.

This Shadowglade land was protected and governed by the Alpha Lupercus and his pack Lupercus under the delegation of the King Maric.

"They are well. The city thrives. But there have been complaints of little upstarts here and there, Father."

"What do you mean little upstarts?"

"Rebels." Thane said and swallowed a fat piece of meat hard as he looked up to meet his father's threatening gaze.

"And why am I just hearing of this?"

"I was going to tell you after I had taken care of them all, Father. I was going to bring them to your feet and that of King Maric for treason, but I wanted to find out the reason for such treachery first."

"And what did you learn?" Wulfric wait. It was as though he was preparing for burst out. And he was, but everyone was prepared for it.

"Some... some packs are defective..."

Wulfric dropped his cutlery. "What?"

"Mark and Lucas, they told me that some packs are looking to sever their allegiance with King Maric and the King Pack. I have set some traps in place, and we plan to successfully capture some rebels tonight at the first light of the moon."

Wulfric grumbled. "I can understand some petty grudge against King Maric. It is common. But against me? I am the King of the wolves!!! I am Alpha of every wolven in Shadowfell and Shadowglade. I rule the King Pack!" Wulfric's hands moulded into a fist as he hit the table.

"Then show them." Boris' voice suddenly piqued, every one's suddenly moving to him.

"I...hear rumours too. The Clans are defecting because there is a new king. Thane is supposed to know this, except he is keeping it from you."

"Don't be stupid, Boris." Thane said.

"There is a rebel, King, Father. And he wants your place. Your throne. They believe that you have lost the strength of the wolves and now kiss the feet of King Maric. Of humans. They do not want you as their king anymore. " Boris said, and Wulfric wiped his mouth with a handkerchief and stood up from the table. Nyla immediately stood up as well, following behind him.

"Father -"

"Shut up, Thane. Ready my Warhunds and Gammas. Take them with you, and bring me the heads of some rebel wolves." He said, looking Thane in the eyes. "Don't ever disappoint me again. "

"Yes, Father." Thane said and began to leave, flanked by his two guards, Mark and Lucas.

"Dantina, you will accompany us to Moonsalem. Now."

"Moonsalem? What business do I have there, Father?" Dantina said with fear in her voice, knowing that it was now her time. She had overheard her father speaking with Nyla some days ago about some wedding arrangements with the Lycan Duke. She had hoped to the goddess that it wasn't her, even though her heart knew otherwise.

She was the only Luna that was fair to look upon on the Lupercus family.

But today will tell.