Surprise Visit

2830 Words
The day had finally come for Iyani to visit her mate’s pack. Despite the buzz of anticipation among her warriors, she remained unimpressed. Her expectations for the visit were low, and her confidence in Alpha Allen’s ability to redeem himself even lower. His behavior during their first encounter had been nothing short of disastrous. Maybe everyone else is right, she thought grimly as she adjusted her plain summer dress. Maybe my first impression was wrong. But if it wasn’t, this will be his last chance. The mate bond hummed faintly in the back of her mind, a persistent reminder of the connection she shared with Allen. Shantee, her wolf, longed for him, but Iyani refused to let the bond override her standards. She wouldn’t settle for anything less than respect and partnership. Her parents’ words echoed in her memory: “The goddess does not make mistakes. I hope they’re right about this alpha.” At least one good thing might come from this visit: Trimni, her general and head of her personal guard, would have the chance to meet her mate. Iyani suspected Trimni had hidden her scent during their last encounter, a decision likely rooted in residual insecurities from her Omega origins. Trimni had proven herself time and time again, rising through the ranks with skill and determination. If her mate couldn’t appreciate the extraordinary wolf she had become, he didn’t deserve her. Iyani was prepared to support Trimni through the pain of rejection if necessary, even praying to the goddess for a second-chance mate should the first one falter. Iyani’s squad for the day was small but formidable. Her top twelve warriors accompanied her, along with her best friends Breona and Trimni. King Ezuna, her grandfather, would bring his royal guards, ensuring they were well-protected. The rest of Iyani’s warriors were given time to explore and enjoy their surroundings, many experiencing the United States for the first time. Though they were disappointed to miss the action, Iyani knew they deserved the break. Meeting her grandfather in the hotel lobby, they climbed into the sleek limo that would take them to King Jesse’s border. Iyani’s plan was straightforward: she, Breona, and Trimni would enter first, blending in with the pack’s members while maintaining a low profile. “I want to observe how the pack operates without the influence of my royal status,” she had explained earlier. Her warriors would follow at a distance, while two, Jesa and Mari, would infiltrate the pack territory to assess its defenses. King Jesse had been briefed on her plan, and she trusted his discretion. Her warriors had been ordered to subdue but not kill any sentinels they encountered. Despite the tension of the mission, Iyani wasn’t worried; her warriors had already proven their superiority during her first meeting with Allen. As the convoy approached the pack’s border, Iyani turned to her warriors. “Okay, ladies. This is it. Trimni, Breona, and I will enter first. Jesa and Mari, begin your infiltration and meet us at the packhouse. The rest of you stay within sight but remain unobtrusive. Let’s not give the alpha any chances to repeat his previous mistakes.” The warriors nodded, their resolve evident as they moved into their designated formation. Meeting King Jesse and King Ezuna at the gate, Iyani briefed them on the plan. King Jesse, ever the diplomat, linked with the sentinel to notify Allen of a visiting group—but withheld their identities. As Jesa and Mari melted into the shadows, Iyani couldn’t help but admire their precision. Had she not known to expect it, she might have missed their departure entirely. Glancing at her friends, she smirked. They all checked their watches, silently timing how long it would take the infiltrators to reach the packhouse. The walk through the pack’s territory was uneventful at first. Pack members greeted them warmly, their curiosity piqued by the strangers’ accents. Iyani kept her answers vague, claiming they were vacationing and wished to pay respects to the local alpha. The response was overwhelmingly positive, and by the time they reached the packhouse, a small crowd had gathered. Allen and his beta stood at the entrance, their postures tense but composed. As Iyani, Breona, and Trimni approached, she linked to Trimni. “Release your scent. It’s time.” Trimni hesitated briefly before complying. Iyani saw her friend stiffen, then relax as the subtle shift in the air signaled her mate’s recognition. The moment their scents mingled, both Allen and his beta exclaimed, “Mate!” Allen’s eyes locked on Iyani as his beta, Justice, crossed to Trimni, pulling her into a firm embrace. They began whispering to each other, their connection immediate and genuine. Iyani’s heart swelled with happiness for her friend. She turned to Justice, her tone ice-cold as she linked with him. “Beta Justice, you’d better treat her right, or I will kill you slowly. I’ll cut you long, deep, and continuously with my sharpest silver blade.” Justice’s face paled slightly, and he inclined his head respectfully. “You have my word, Princess. She is already my world. A blessing from the goddess herself. I will treasure her always.” Now that is how a mate is supposed to act, Iyani thought, satisfaction warming her chest. When she turned her attention back to Allen, however, her amusement faded. He was just standing there, staring at her. “Well, mate,” she drawled, crossing her arms. “Are you going to greet me, or just stare at me all day?” Allen blinked, his lips quirking into a small, uncertain smile. “I’m just surprised you’re here. I was starting to lose hope you’d ever speak to me again.” Iyani’s eyes narrowed. “You can thank my grandfather, King Jesse, and Breona for this. If it were up to me, I wouldn’t have given you a second thought. They convinced me to give you one more chance. So don’t f**k it up.” A murmur rippled through the crowd at her bold tone, but Iyani didn’t care. Let them stare. They’d better get used to it. Allen’s expression shifted, a flicker of determination replacing his hesitation. “Thank you,” he said quietly. “For giving me another chance. Can we talk inside? Somewhere private?” Before Iyani could respond, a commotion erupted behind them. The crowd parted, and a disheveled she-wolf stormed forward, her eyes wild with rage. “What the hell is going on, Allen? Who is this common w***e holding your hand?” Allen’s jaw tightened, and his voice dropped to a lethal growl. “Call my mate a w***e again, and I’ll make you regret it. You’re the only w***e here.” The she-wolf’s face twisted with fury. “I’m an alpha’s daughter! What can she possibly offer you?” Iyani stepped forward, her gaze icy. “Do you measure your worth by your father’s rank? Because from the stench of you, it’s clear you don’t value yourself. I smell several males on you so I would say your value isn’t very high” “Yes b***h and your mate is one of them. So enjoy my sloppy seconds.” “Trash is as trash dose. You can keep your trash.” Iyani scoffed looking at Allen, The she-wolf slapped her, but Iyani moved faster, slamming her to the ground with effortless strength. The crowd gasped as Iyani pinned the she-wolf, her voice cold and steady. “The next time you touch me, you’d better pray to the goddess for mercy, because I won’t show you any.” Allen stepped forward, his gaze locked on Iyani with a mix of awe and respect. “Let’s go inside,” he said softly, extending his hand. Iyani hesitated, then took it. Maybe this second impression won’t be so bad after all. Diana stepped in front of Allen and Iyani trying to stop them from leaving together. Allen stopped her before she could speak again. "That is enough!" Allen's voice thundered across the clearing. "I told you that if I saw you again, I would kill you. You've done enough. Get out of my sight." The she-wolf took a step closer, defiant and desperate. "No, Allen, you can’t do this to me. I am supposed to be your Luna," she pleaded, her voice trembling with conviction. "I refuse to give you up. I’ll fight for you if I have to. She’s just a common wolf. I’m an Alpha wolf! I can lead by your side and bring connections to one of the largest packs in the country. What can she do for you?" Iyani stood silent, her gaze steady. She tilted her head slightly, watching the other woman crumble under her own words. How desperate she sounds, Iyani thought. Do wolves in this country mate for political gain instead of waiting for their fated mate? “Who do you think I am?” Iyani finally asked, her tone sharp as a blade. “Who you are doesn’t matter to me!" the she-wolf snapped. "You’re some trash trying to steal Allen from me, but I’m not having it.” Without hesitation, she walked up to Iyani and slapped her. Iyani didn’t flinch. Her hand shot out, grabbing the she-wolf by the arm. In one fluid motion, she slammed her to the ground. Around them, the warriors held their positions, stunned by the sheer speed of the altercation. Everything had happened so fast that no one had time to react. Iyani crouched low, her voice a lethal whisper as she spoke. "Let me make one thing deadly clear to you. I could kill you in less than thirty seconds for what you just did, and no one could stop me. But since you don’t know who I am, I’ll let that pass. Try me again, and you’d better pray to the goddess for mercy, because I won’t show you any." The she-wolf spat at her, fury burning in her eyes. "Who are you to compare yourself to the goddess? You’re just trash! I’ll tell my father you put your hands on me. He’ll make you pay." Iyani straightened, a mocking laugh escaping her lips. "I bow to no one but my grandfather. Call your father. He means nothing to me. I am a future queen. There’s no one greater than me here, and if your father upholds your foolishness, I’ll make sure he’s no longer an Alpha." “By whose authority?” a voice from the crowd challenged. “By my own authority," Iyani declared. The crowd murmured in response, the tension rising. A young male stepped forward, his voice loud and accusing. "Alpha Blackwell, are you going to let this stranger talk to my sister that way?" "Make me stop if you can," Iyani retorted. The male charged at her full force. Iyani sidestepped him effortlessly, delivering a precise kick to his side. The blow sent him flying. As his companions moved to intervene, Iyani raised a hand, signaling her warriors. In unison, they discarded their cloaks and fell into combat stances. The tension shifted palpably as Allen’s seasoned warriors stepped back, unwilling to face the fury of Iyani’s forces. That left the young male and his warriors isolated. “I wouldn’t do this if I were you,” Allen warned the aggressor. “You might allow this stranger to disrespect our authority, but I won’t. I’ll teach her a lesson about laying hands on an Alpha heir,” the young male snarled, signaling his warriors to attack. In less than thirty seconds, Iyani’s warriors subdued the intruders. Iyani herself pinned the young Alpha heir to the ground. As she prepared to speak, a commanding voice interrupted. "Why is it," a deep voice boomed, "that every time my granddaughter visits your kingdom, she’s attacked?" King Oweni stepped into view, his presence sending a ripple of fear through the gathered wolves. "Is this how royalty is treated here? Either you address this disrespect, or I’ll have my men wipe out their entire pack." The crowd gasped. The Alpha heir lay frozen beneath Iyani, his wide eyes darting to Allen, who merely shrugged. “I told you to back down, but you didn’t listen. This is all on you,” Allen said, his voice devoid of sympathy. King Oweni turned his piercing gaze on Alpha Blackwell. "And you? You allowed your guest to be attacked in your territory? I’m beginning to doubt your ability to protect my granddaughter. Perhaps this arrangement isn’t worth pursuing." “With all due respect, King Oweni, Iyani doesn’t need my protection," Allen said. "She would’ve been angrier with me if I’d stepped in." King Oweni’s lips twitched into a rare smile. "You’ve got a point there, son. It seems you’ve learned something about my stubborn granddaughter, unlike your Beta." All eyes turned to Beta Justice, who lay sprawled on the ground, Trimni standing victorious over him. Through their pack link, Iyani demanded an explanation. “This Beta thought he could block me from protecting my princess," Trimni growled. "Does he not know who I am?" "Beta Justice," Iyani called out, her voice cutting through the murmurs. "Do you realize that Trimni is my general and will be my Royal Gamma when I take the throne? No one is deadlier than my general, my Beta, or myself. You’d do well to control your misplaced protectiveness." Justice could only gape at her, clearly unaccustomed to such dominance from a female wolf. A voice broke the silence. "Wait a minute. Are you... Princess Iyani?" Iyani rolled her eyes. "Took you long enough to figure it out." The Alpha heir stammered, "Forgive me, Your Highness. I meant no disrespect. It was an honor being laid out by you." “What, so everyone is choosing her because she is a princess. Allen is mine!” Diana yelled. Iyani sighed in exasperation. "Ugh. Not this again." She turned to Allen, waiting to see how he would handle the she-wolf, who still lingered, fuming. Allen didn’t disappoint. "She is my mate," he declared, his voice cold. "You are nothing to me. You were a stress release, nothing more. Now leave my territory before I make you regret staying." The she-wolf’s gaze burned with hatred as she spat, "This isn’t over." Iyani let out a laugh, the sound sharp and unforgiving. "Do you think mating me makes you a king, Allen? In my country, succession is by blood, not mating. At best, you’d become my consort. If your ambition is the crown, you’ll be disappointed." Allen’s response was soft but firm. "I want only you, Iyani. Titles mean nothing to me." As Iyani handled Diana and the alpha heir, Trimni stood to the side, her eyes flicking across the crowd, assessing every potential threat. Justice, despite himself, watched her. She wasn’t just a wolf; she was precision, danger, and grace wrapped into one. He found himself both impressed and slightly unnerved. “Enjoying the view?” Trimni’s voice was low, barely above a growl, as she caught him staring. Justice straightened, masking his reaction with a smirk. "Just making sure you don’t need backup, General." Trimni snorted, her stance relaxing just a fraction. "Backup? From you? Please." Justice grinned despite himself. "You don’t think I could handle myself?" "Not against me," Trimni replied, her tone smug. She glanced at him sideways, her gaze assessing. "You’ve got the build, though. Decent reflexes, maybe. But you’d be on the ground in ten seconds." "Ten seconds? That’s generous," Justice shot back, leaning against a nearby tree. "I’d say five." Trimni blinked, surprised by his quick retort. Then, to his relief, she chuckled. "At least you’ve got a sense of humor. That’s rare among Betas. Most of them are all chest-pounding and no brain." "Well, I’m not most Betas," Justice said, his grin widening. "I can laugh and throw down when needed. Multitalented, you could say." Trimni raised an eyebrow, her lips quirking into a small, reluctant smile. "We’ll see about that. Maybe after this mess, I’ll let you prove it." Justice’s expression softened slightly, and he leaned closer, lowering his voice. "For what it’s worth, you’ve got my respect, General. You didn’t even flinch when Iyani gave that order earlier. Not many could stay so steady." Trimni tilted her head, studying him for a moment. "It’s not about flinching. It’s about trust. I trust my princess to handle herself. And I trust my team to handle what she can’t." Justice nodded, his gaze steady. "Good philosophy. Maybe I’ll get to learn more about it sometime—if you’re not too busy throwing me to the ground." Trimni rolled her eyes but didn’t look away. "Careful, Beta. You’re starting to sound charming. I don’t do charming." "Noted," Justice said, his grin teasing. "But you didn’t say you don’t like it." Trimni didn’t dignify that with a response, but the slight twitch of her lips was enough to tell him he might’ve scored a point.
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