AGAIN MY HEART: Her Alphas Regret

AN OPPORTUNITY

AESIR

The chatter in the throne room died down as soon as I walked in, eyes scanning the hall to look at the faces of everyone who had gathered, awaiting my presence.

I walked to the dais, taking my seat on the carved obsidian throne that marked me as their Alpha King. The silence in the room was louder than any room I’ve ever been in. Their eyes followed my every move—some lowered when I glanced their way, and others boldly fixed on me, carrying expectations, defiance, hatred and calculations. I was used to it all. I have had to endure those looks right from the moment I took the throne as a teenager.

The weight of their gaze stopped bothering me a long time ago, and their expectations were nothing but noise that added no value to this court.

“Your Highness.” They all bowed as expected, their gazes lowered.

“Sit, and let’s get this over with.” I waved my hand in the air, knowing the majority of them were already dying to speak. They’ve been waiting for this for years, waiting for the day they get to corner me with no option for me to back out, so I’m guessing this would be fun.

“Your Highness, if this subject may speak.” The Minister of Rites proposed.

“Speak, Edrin.” He nodded, clearing his throat as he stood up.

“It is to the knowledge of this court that, during the recent alliance meeting, the Federation raised a suggestion, which Your Highness adamantly turned down. We…”

“Get to the point, Edrin," I cut him off. I wasn’t surprised that word had already got to them before I made it back from the Alliance meeting. I had barely made it past the gates of the capital when my secretary told me the court officials had called a meeting.

Edrin nodded, clearing his throat as he unfolded a parchment sealed with crimson wax. I rolled my eyes as I caught the insignia on it. Of course, the federation just had to be dramatic because they couldn’t take no for an answer.

“Due to His Highness's outright refusal of certain topics of discussion. The Federation has issued a formal directive. One that requires immediate consideration by the court as it concerns the matter of succession and the place where this kingdom stands in the alliance.”

A few murmurs rose in the court after what Edrin read, as if they weren’t already aware of its contents. I was so damn sure that was what they had been gossiping about before I walked in. Yet they acted as if it were news to them.

“There is more, isn’t there?” I asked because the way he held the parchment indicated that he wasn’t done.

“The Federation,” he said carefully, “has expressed concern regarding the stability of your reign in the absence of a bonded mate and a confirmed heir. And they believe that without a clear line of succession, your kingdom may become… vulnerable. Both internally and externally.”

I nodded. “And they’ve issued an ultimatum, haven’t they? Because that’s on par with the federation. They are always quick to issue sanctions and ultimatums if things aren’t going their way.”

I thought I was clear enough in the meeting yesterday that I had no plans of taking a Luna Bride, let alone one that was arranged by the werewolf federation. Those scums who gather in that parliament think they know better than everyone and that they can decide who stays and who leaves. I already knew what their threats would be, and I wasn’t a tad worried about pulling out of the alliance. So this was, albeit, entertaining.

“If steps are not taken to secure the royal bloodline within a reasonable timeframe,” Edrin continued, “the kingdom will be suspended from the Federation. Trade sanctions will be placed on Eitbjorn. The federation will have no other choice but to withdraw its military, which would cut the kingdom off from the network binding the werewolf territories together.”

I wasn’t surprised by the threats. This was typical of them. It was how the federation controlled the kingdoms and packs under the alliance. The threat of abandonment and isolation—it didn’t take long for most kingdoms to lose political influence once they had been thrown out by the federation. I wasn’t scared of that happening, though. Eitbjorn had enough political power without the federation’s influence, and I didn’t need their trade routes either.

“And you all expect me to do as they suggest, don't you? Take a bride?”

Their nods were expected. Of course, they do. They’ve been hounding me about it for a decade and more.

“I’m curious. What exactly makes you all think I’ll do what the federation wants?” I asked, my gaze panning through their faces.

“Getting suspended from the alliance…” Minister Halvek began.

“You think I fear losing a seat at the federation? You think I fear their sanctions and threats enough to bend to their whim?” The irritation in my voice wasn’t amiss, as it was quite appalling that any of them could conceive the notion that I would simply cower because of some measly threats.

Minister Halvek avoided my eyes as I’d expected. The elder had no spine when it came to the matters of this court. I’d give it to him because there have been times when he has proved useful.

“Of course, we don’t expect you to fear the sanctions. But going against the federation is going to invite unnecessary pressure and a lot of problems that we wouldn’t need to deal with in the first place,” General Rauth said, his gaze unblinking.

I leaned into my throne. “So you think Eitbjorn cannot stand the wrath of the federation?”

“That’s not what I mean, but we cannot afford a war on our hands…”

“Why can we not?” I asked, cutting off his sentence. “Eitbjorn has long existed before the federation. This kingdom has fought in battles and won every war. When werewolves were barbarians who roamed like animals, my forefathers led Eitbjorn into wars that we won. They claimed lands and the heads of kings. Do you think me a feeble king that I would lose a war if it were brought to my doorstep, Rauth?”

The general sighed in the way he usually does when he’s gearing up to antagonise me. “This is not about your Pride…”

I stared at him as the words left his mouth. “Do you want to repeat that, Rauth?” I asked in a voice I knew sent chills down his spine.

He shifted uncomfortably in his seat, the bravado in his posture leaving him for a few seconds. “Apologies, your highness. This subject meant no disrespect.”

“I would hope so.”

“This subject is simply concerned with the betterment of the kingdom. We can afford to leave the federation, and we can win wars. Granted, no one would dare to bring war to our doorstep anytime soon. Still, refusing to do as the federation says bears a grave cost. We have to consider the progress of Eitbjorn as a kingdom. Trade is the pillar of this kingdom’s economy. And if the federation decides to cut us off from their trading routes.”

“Eitbjorn has its own trading routes, successful trading routes, the federation's sanctions wouldn’t do sh!t. We can still trade freely. Half the kingdoms in the alliance depend on Eitbjorn for goods and produce. Our political standing wouldn’t collapse overnight simply because the federation turns its back on us. So why do I have to do what they say?”

“The kingdom would survive; his highness would remain victorious on the throne. Commerce would thrive, although we would lose alliances. I am certain Eitbjorn could still win wars without any of those alliances…" The minister of civil affairs began.

“But your highness, as time passes, more kingdoms will become bolder, and more territories will think they have a chance to take a bite at us because we are a lone territory, and even if we win all those wars, the pressure will keep coming. Aside from that, what about the people of Eitbjorn? The citizens you vowed to protect and lead?”

I frowned at the Minister of Civil Affairs. “What about them, Norman?”

“I would hope your highness is aware of how packs become ostracised without the federation behind them. Yes, the kingdom would still stand, but the people of Eitbjorn would be the ones to suffer. They would be treated as enemies outside the borders of this kingdom. On trade routes, while other kingdoms might depend on him for various supplies, it doesn’t mean they have to play nice. If the king insists on being stubborn.”

“You think this is stubbornness?” I asked with a low snarl.

Norman bowed his head, even though the pride on his shoulders remained. “I’m just saying, your highness. I know Your Highness has his pride as Alpha King, which no one in this court would expect less. But making an enemy of the alliance over something so trivial, his highness the late king was one of the founding bodies of the federation. Do you think your father would approve of you dismantling something he built…”

The growl that came out of me reverberated through the entire hall, causing the pillars to shake in their place and the roof to rattle in fear. “You dare bring my father into this?”

“Forgive me, your highness. I did not mean to upset the throne. I simply wanted to make his highness understand…”

“I know what your intentions are, Norman. You do not fool me with your meek words and your polite bow.” I snarled to shut him up.

“Perhaps, if this subject may speak…” Seraphine, the minister of war's voice, cut through the tension in the room.

“Go ahead, let’s hear what you also have to say.”

“I understand His Highness' reluctance on the matter of the federation. The alliance is known to use certain things as leverage to get what they want, and I understand why the king feels skeptical. However, I believe we can avoid upsetting the federation, and the king could take a bride of his own choice without accepting the pick of the federation.” Seraphine finished, and I couldn’t help but chuckle at her words because I knew where this was headed.

“And what might you suggest?”

“There are many eligible nobles within our own kingdom,” she continued. “Omegas of strong lineage, raised within our customs, loyal to our crown. Eitbjorn has a long-standing tradition where omegas are brought to the palace to serve the king until he finds a suitable match. We could go back to our roots and do this the traditional way.”

Of course, that would be her suggestion, and from all the nods and murmurs of approval she was getting, I knew it had been planned for the conversation to end with this. They knew I wouldn’t budge when it came to the federation. In fact, they were counting on it so they could come up with this suggestion.

My eyes scanned the room. And I knew a handful of them were eager to send their daughters my way. They’ve been trying for over a decade now, offering their omegas even before most of them came of age. Somehow, they are convinced that if one of them can tie me to their bloodline, they’ll have control over how I rule my court.

I laughed, then snorted. “And what if I simply do not want a bride? What if I enjoy being alone? Would you all force one on me? Because it seems to me that you are all desperate, albeit too eager to throw your omegas at me.”

“Your Highness,” Vassi, the minister of foreign affairs, began. “If I may. Your highness is well within his rights to refuse to take a bride, now or forever. As the king, no one in this court can force such a decision on you. However,” he paused, his eyes meeting mine briefly.

“Go on, Vassi, I’d like to hear what you have to say.”

“Perhaps your highness could see this as an opportunity.”

“An opportunity?” I asked.

“Yes, an opportunity, not an obligation. An Alpha King without his Luna Queen invites uncertainty. And this is not to demean your highness reign in the past decades, as you have led this kingdom through many great achievements and improvements. However, a throne doesn’t merely survive on the great deeds of a king who sits on it but on the assurance of an heir to keep the seat occupied and to continue the great work of his father when the time comes. This is an opportunity for the king to secure his reign and to ensure stability not just within your court, but outside it as well. All the federation needs is merely a demonstration that the throne is anchored. What you do with your bride afterwards does not concern them. If your highness can look at the situation from this perspective, perhaps…”

I didn’t need to think over what Vassi said because I knew he had a point. My court wasn’t the most stable. There are many here who would jump at the chance to take me out so they could sit themselves on the throne. The same Alphas who killed my parents still occupied this court, their true faces unknown. They thought putting me on the throne would give them leverage, and they’d have the kingdom in the palm of their hands, but that didn’t work out for them.

So I could see his point, besides being an heir. It would be pointless to fight for the throne and my father’s legacy and then let it fall into the hands of one of these stinky bloodlines.

“Fine. I will take a bride.”

Their faces lit up as if I had just handed them the keys to the kingdom.

“That is great, your highness, I will make preparations.”

“Vassi, remind me of the name of the kingdom the federation proposed?” I asked, cutting off the ramblings of Lady Seraphine.

“The kingdom of Xenyre.”

“Xenyre?” It was a kingdom across the sea. “Last I remembered, they don’t have a princess.”

“They do your highness, although the princess isn’t known to the public. But Xenyre has a princess heir, and if your highness agrees…”

“Fine, send the federation my words. I will agree to their stupid betrothal. And this court is dismissed.”