The Alpha Fell First

The alpha's summon

Morning came early in the castle kitchens.

Long before the sun appeared over the eastern hills, the fires were already burning, pots were clattering, and the sharp scent of onions, herbs, roasted meat, and freshly baked bread filled the wide stone room.

The kitchen was one of the busiest places in the castle.

It was also one of the few places where people still spoke freely.

Not about the Alpha, of course.

But there was laughter.

Arguments over recipes.

Complaints about long hours.

And sometimes, when the head cook wasn't looking, stolen pieces of fruit.

The head chef had made the kitchen her home.

Elena stood at one of the long wooden tables, carefully grinding a mixture of herbs with a stone mortar.

"More rosemary."

The head cook's voice came from behind her.

Elena didn't turn.

"There's already enough."

"Enough for ordinary people."

She smiled faintly.

"And the Alpha isn't ordinary."

The old woman stopped beside her.

"Exactly."

Elena added another pinch of rosemary.

The head cook watched her hands.

"Not too much."

"I know."

"You always say that."

"And I'm always right."

The older woman gave her a look.

Elena finally laughed.

"Fine. Almost always."

She returned her attention to the mortar.

She had worked in the castle kitchens for three years.

She knew which vegetables arrived on which days, which servants preferred their meals heavily seasoned, which warriors wanted extra meat after returning from patrol, and which members of the council complained about everything placed in front of them.

She knew how long bread needed to remain in the oven.

She knew which herbs could calm an upset stomach.

She knew which spices could ruin an entire pot if added too early.

Cooking was one of the few things in her life that made sense.

There were rules.

Measurements.

If something went wrong, she could usually find the reason.

She wiped her hands against her apron and looked toward the large kitchen windows.

The castle courtyard was beginning to brighten.

Guards were changing shifts.

Servants were already moving through the corridors.

Horses were being led toward the stables.

The castle was waking.

And somewhere above them, Alpha Kael was probably already awake.

Elena had never spoken to him.

She had seen him, of course.

Everyone had.

No one could live in the castle and remain unaware of the man who ruled it.

He was impossible to ignore.

Whenever Kael walked through the castle, conversations died.

People straightened.

Guards became more alert.

Servants lowered their heads.

Even the council members who disagreed with him knew better than to mistake disagreement for equality.

Elena had heard stories about him all her life.

Some said he was heartless.

Some said he had no fear.

Others said the deaths of his father and twin brother had changed him so completely that the man he became was barely recognizable.

Elena didn't know which stories were true.

She had never cared enough to find out.

She had enough problems of her own.

"Elena."

She turned.

One of the younger kitchen maids stood beside her.

"What?"

The girl leaned closer.

"Did you hear?"

"Hear what?"

"The beta came to the west wing last night."

Elena shrugged.

"So?"

"He took another maid."

Elena returned to cutting the vegetables.

"That happens."

The girl stared at her.

"You aren't curious?"

"No."

"Not even a little?"

Elena looked at her.

"I enjoy being alive."

The girl covered her mouth to stop herself from laughing.

"You're impossible."

"I've been told."

The older kitchen maid beside them shook her head.

"Enough gossip. Work."

They immediately returned to their duties.

But Elena couldn't help thinking about what the girl had said.

Everyone knew what happened when the Alpha's beta came looking for a maid.

Elena had never imagined that the rules would concern her.

She was a kitchen maid.

She had no reason to believe the Alpha even knew her name.

She preferred it that way.

---

Across the castle, Kael sat at the head of the council table.

A map of the northern territory was spread before him.

Several markers had been placed along the border.

His Beta stood on his right.

Three council members sat opposite him.

"The northern patrol reports movement beyond the river," one of them said.

Kael studied the map.

"How many?"

"Too early to tell."

"Then find out."

The council member cleared his throat.

"We could send another unit."

"No."

The man blinked.

"No?"

Kael lifted his eyes.

"If they're watching us, doubling the patrol will tell them we're nervous."

"We aren't nervous."

"I know."

Kael's finger tapped once against the map.

"Which is why we won't behave like we are."

Silence.

His Beta leaned forward.

"I'll send two scouts."

"Three."

"Three?"

"One will be noticed."

Kael looked at him.

"Two can disappear."

His Beta understood immediately.

"Three scouts."

"Good."

Another council member cleared his throat.

"There is also the matter of the southern pack."

Kael leaned back.

"What about them?"

"They've requested another meeting regarding the trade agreement."

"They already had their meeting."

"They weren't satisfied.

Kael's expression hardened.

"They don't have to be."

The council members exchanged glances.

Kael had never been particularly interested in pleasing other Alphas.

He protected his pack.

Fed his people.

Maintained his borders.

Kept his warriors trained.

And made sure anyone who threatened them understood exactly what it would cost.

That was his responsibility.

"Alpha."

Kael looked toward the council secretary.

"The treasury report.

The man pushed several documents forward.

Kael read through them without speaking.

Food supplies were stable.

Weapons needed replacing.

The winter stores were sufficient.

Two villages needed repairs after recent storms.

He gave instructions on each matter quickly.

"Send grain to the eastern village."

"The stores are—"

"Enough."

"Yes, Alpha."

"Replace the damaged roofs before winter."

"Yes."

"And double the guard around the western boundary."

His Beta frowned.

"Because of the northern movement?"

"Because I don't like surprises."

No one argued.

That was another thing the council had learned.

Kael didn't need to raise his voice to command a room.

His presence did it for him.

The meeting continued for another hour.

By the time it ended, Kael had settled disputes, approved patrol routes, rejected two requests from neighboring packs, and ordered repairs for one of the villages.

He stood.

The council rose immediately

"You are dismissed."

They bowed and left.

His Beta remained.

Kael gathered the papers.

"What?"

The Beta smiled slightly.

"You've been in a particularly unpleasant mood today."

Kael looked at him.

"I am always unpleasant."

"True."

Kael gave him a cold stare.

His Beta wisely stopped smiling.

---

By afternoon, Elena had barely sat down.

The kitchen was preparing meals for the council and several visiting warriors

She moved between the tables carrying bowls, checking sauces, and helping prepare the evening dishes.

The head cook eventually caught her by the wrist.

"Eat."

"I'm busy."

"Eat."I'm not hungry."

"You've been saying that since morning."

Elena sighed.

The woman pushed a small plate toward her.

"Five minutes."

Elena gave in.

She sat on a wooden stool and began eating.

For those few minutes, the kitchen seemed peaceful.

Then footsteps approached.

Everyone looked toward the doorway.

It was Seraphine.

The Alpha's betrothed entered with two attendants behind her.

The entire kitchen became quieter.

Seraphine's gaze moved over the room.

"I need to speak with the head cook."

The older woman stepped forward.

"My lady."

"I want a private meal prepared for tonight."

"Of course."

Seraphine's eyes drifted toward the tables.

Elena lowered her gaze and continued eating.

Seraphine didn't notice her for more than a second.

"Make sure the meal is sent to the Alpha's private dining room."

The head cook bowed.

"Yes, my lady."

Seraphine turned and left.

Elena watched her disappear.

One of the younger maids whispered,"She's beautiful."

Elena shrugged.

"She's the future Luna."

"And the Alpha's favorite?"

Elena looked at her.

"Don't ask me."

She returned to her work.

She didn't know that Seraphine had already made another decision.

---

That evening, Seraphine waited outside Kael's study.

When he finally emerged, she stepped into his path.

"Kael."

He stopped.

"What?"

"I want to spend tonight with you."

His expression didn't change.

"You know what my nights are like."

"I know."

"And?"

"I am your betrothed."

Kael stared at her.

She stepped closer.

"I don't ask often."

That was true.

Seraphine knew about the women who entered his chambers.

But sometimes she wanted to remind herself that she was different.

That she wasn't merely another woman summoned for a night.

That she was the woman who would eventually stand beside him before the entire pack.

Kael exhaled slowly.

He wasn't interested.

He had work remaining.

But refusing her would create an unnecessary argument.

"Fine."

A small smile touched Seraphine's lips.

"Thank you."

She wanted to give him a slight kiss before he abruptly moved back and gave her a cold glare

Kael walked away.

Later that night, Seraphine entered his chambers.

She made an effort by wearing a lacy red lingerie that left nothing hidden.

Kael allowed it.

He responded because he had agreed.

But his mind remained elsewhere.

There was no tenderness between them.

No sudden realization that his betrothed was the woman he had always wanted.

She walked seductively towards him, and yes, she was beautiful!

She walked carefully and got to the bed

"I'll give you utmost pleasure, my Alpha'

He merely stared at her but when his shorts were down and she began skillfully sucking him off, he became aroused. She held his dixk and places her tongue at the tip, curling it around the girthy member. She licked her way down the shaft and his balls. He was aroused but wanted her to leave. He stood up and aggressively removed his dixk from her mouth

"Get on the bed"

She didn't just climb, she spread her legs widely and the view to the alpha was pleasant but he didn't feel free to do his will.

He got over her and pushed his hardness already oozing precum into her. She maoned loudly. The alpha kept increasing his pace and eventually, he came.

He collapsed on the bed beside her and ordered her to leave. She wanted to beg him to let her stay the night but his eyes told a different story.

When the night ended, Kael was relieved to be alone again.

Seraphine left believing she had reclaimed some part of his attention.

She was wrong.

Kael felt nothing different.

.

---

The next evening, Elena was in the kitchens again.

She stood over a pot, tasting the sauce before adding another small amount of seasoning.

"Too much?"

The head cook tasted it.

She paused.

"Perfect."

Elena smiled.

"I told you."

"Don't become arrogant."

"I would never."

"You already are."

Elena laughed.

She turned back toward the stove.

Then the kitchen doors opened.

The laughter stopped.

The beta stepped inside.

Everyone recognized him

The kitchen suddenly felt much smaller.

He looked around.

His eyes passed over several women.

Then stopped.

"Elena.

Her hand froze.

For a moment, she thought she had heard wrong.

She looked behind herself.

There was no one there.

He repeated her name.

"Elena."

She slowly turned toward him.

"Yes?"

His expression remained unreadable.

He took one step forward.

"The Alpha has requested you.Silence fell over the kitchen.

The spoon in Elena's hand slipped slightly.

Her heart began beating faster.

Someone beside her whispered her name.

Elena looked at the beta

Then at the head cook.

The older woman's face had changed.

There was no teasing now.

She felt bad for Elena as she had taken her as a daughter.

Elena swallowed.

"Me?"

The beta nodded

"Yes."

He stepped aside and waited.

Elena stared at him for another moment.

She had spent years watching other women disappear down those corridors.

She had never imagined she would be one of them.

But the Alpha had called for her.

And no one kept Alpha Kael waiting.

Elena slowly untied her apron.

Then she followed the guard out of the kitchen.

Not knowing what to expect from the meeting with the alpha