Winter Wolves

Chapter Five

As I sat down, I couldn't help but blurt out, "You're the man who was wearing the sheep mask at the party, aren't you?"

The king's smile widened, and he nodded. "Yes, that was me. I apologize for deceiving you, but sometimes I like to be myself when given the chance."

"You don't look like any of the description we have heard about the King either."

His laugh filled the room and my stomach danced at it's command. "Yes, that is also on purpose. It makes it harder to be attacked if the number of people who know what I really look like is limited."

I frowned, confusion clouding my thoughts. "But who was the man on stage then?"

"That was actually my gamma, who is also my cousin," the king explained. "We look similar enough that we switch places from time to time. It's a way for me to experience life without the constant scrutiny of being king."

I stared at him, trying to process this revelation. I wonder how often they do that. "So, no one knows about this?"

The king's expression grew serious. "No one can know about this. I must use an alpha command to ensure your silence. I hope you both understand." I gave him a slight nod and his voice took on a commanding tone, and I felt an overwhelming compulsion to obey. "You will never speak of this to anyone."

I nodded, feeling the weight of his command settle over me. "I understand."

The king's demeanor softened once more. "Thank you, Evelyn. Now, let's discuss the Luna contest and what it means for you."

I took a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves. "Your Majesty, I am truly grateful for this opportunity, but I think there might have been a mistake. I'm not sure I'm the right person for this."

The king chuckled softly, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "There has been no mistake, Evelyn. Whether you like it or not, you are of royal blood."

I stared at him, my mind racing. "What do you mean?"

He leaned back in his chair, his expression thoughtful. "Your mother was, in fact, a duchess. She gave up her title to live a simpler life with her mate. You, Evelyn, are of royal blood. I usually send the "

The revelation hit me like a ton of bricks. My mother had never mentioned anything about being a duchess. I felt a mix of shock and disbelief. "I had no idea," I whispered.

The king nodded. "I understand this is a lot to take in, but it is the truth. You have every right to participate in the Luna contest, and I believe you have the potential to do great things."

I glanced at Maxine, who was staring at me with wide eyes. She looked just as shocked as I felt. "This is... unbelievable," I said, my voice trembling.

The king's expression softened. "Evelyn, I will not force you to compete. However, if you agree, you will be the champion of my beta. I cannot choose you myself because it would put a huge target on your back, but I want to get to know you better."

I felt a whirlwind of emotions swirling inside me. This was an incredible opportunity, but the weight of the decision was overwhelming. "Your Majesty, may I have some time to think about it?" I asked, my voice trembling.

The king nodded, his gaze understanding. "Of course, Evelyn. Take all the time you need. I understand this is a significant decision."

He continued, "If you accept my offer, you will bring great rewards back to your pack, the Strawberry Moon Pack. Your participation in the Luna contest will bring honor and resources to your pack. Additionally, you can have Maxine join you at court as a member of your court and serve as your handmaiden throughout the competition."

I glanced at Maxine, who was practically bouncing with excitement. Her eyes were wide with anticipation, and I could see the hope and encouragement in her expression. "Eve, this is an amazing opportunity. We can do this together," she said, her voice filled with enthusiasm.

I took a deep breath, trying to steady my racing thoughts. The idea of bringing honor and resources to my pack was tempting, and having Maxine by my side would make the journey less daunting. But the fear of failure and the weight of my newfound heritage still lingered in my mind.

"Thank you, Your Majesty," I said finally. "I will take some time to think about it and give you my answer soon."

The king smiled warmly. "I appreciate your thoughtfulness, Evelyn. I have faith in you, and I believe you will make the right decision. I can not publicly say you are my choice, but just so you are aware you are my choice. I get this feeling when I am near you that I haven't felt around anyone else, and I would like to explore that."

I gave him the best smile I could muster at the moment because I felt the same way. "I will think about it, your highness."

His warm smile met mine, "please call me Alaric." He stood up, and I stood up to meet him. His hands gently took mine and his lips brushed my knuckles ever so slightly. "If you will excuse me, I have some business to attend to. My Beta will be in shortly to go over what this will entail."

As Alaric left the room, I felt a strange mix of emotions. The connection I felt with him was undeniable, but the weight of the decision still loomed over me. I glanced at Maxine, who was practically buzzing with excitement.

Before I could say anything, the door opened, and a tall, striking woman walked in. She exuded confidence and authority, and I could see Maxine's eyes widen with admiration.

"Good morning, Evelyn. I'm Beta Lyra," she said, her voice smooth and commanding. "I understand you have some questions about the Luna contest."

Maxine's gaze never left Lyra, and I could practically feel the heat of her interest. "Yes, we do," I replied, trying to focus on the matter at hand.

Lyra nodded and took a seat across from us. "First, let me explain the care package that will be provided to your pack, the Strawberry Moon Pack, if you choose to participate. The king has arranged for a grand celebration to be held in your honor, complete with royal riches and a year's supply of royal berry wine made in one of the king's castles."

I couldn't help but feel a sense of pride at the thought of bringing such rewards to my pack. "That sounds incredible," I said, my voice filled with awe.

Lyra continued, "Additionally, you will have Maxine by your side as a member of your court and your handmaiden throughout the competition. This will ensure you have the support you need during the contest." Her eyes lingered on Max as she spoke. "You will also be provided with a new wardrobe as there will be a lot of traveling during the year as you meet with other packs. There is also a compensation package for your time, since you will not be allowed to work while you are here."

"This almost sounds too good to be true." Max said exactly what I had been thinking.

"I assure you it is not. This will be no easy task. You will be up against twelve other competitors. Each of them will want the crown and will do anything and everything to secure it. Not everyone will walk away from this competition unscathed. As your backer for this event, I will be responsible for making all your arrangements and protection." The way Lyra talked about this competition made it sound far more serious than I had thought.

"Is there a chance I could die?" I wanted this to be a fun experience for Max and I but now I am not sure that I want this at all.

Lyra nodded her head, yes. "However, I will do everything in my power to make sure that doesn't happen. It is important you have people you can trust in your court."

As we left the meeting, I couldn't help but feel a mix of excitement and apprehension. This was a turning point in my life, and I knew that whatever decision I made would shape my future in ways I couldn't yet imagine. With Maxine's unwavering support and the king's encouragement, I felt a flicker of hope that maybe, just maybe, I could rise to the challenge and embrace my true potential.