The Alpha King's Unwanted Mate

Chapters 9

Varlok's POV

Gad broke the silence after a brief pause. "Well, I wasn't aware of this, Alpha King. But can I know more about her behavior when she caused the scene?"

"It would take forever to recount everything Harla told me about the whole scene, Gad," I muttered.

I stood with a worried sigh and noticed the confusion on his face.

"But her actions, as reported, go against our pack's values. She even double-crossed Elena and disrupted my command to the deta," I concluded, expecting him to already understand.

Gad quickly slid off the huge stone he was sitting on, knelt in front of me, and grabbed my legs.

"Alpha King, trust me. It isn't as serious as you may think. As the Gamma of this pack, my children would never be the ones to go against you. Anyone who crosses you also earns my wrath. I'll handle Mila's case. It's just a small family issue," Gad said, rushing his words.

He knew that when I was troubled, my thoughts could easily turn into harsh decrees. I didn't blame him, so I decided to take the matter a little more lightly.

“You better handle the case smartly. I won't tolerate transgressions even from your bloodline. I'll rather uphold the rules of our pack,” I bellowed while still standing.

I sensed some relief from his body’s gestures as he breathed out, “yes.”

We both walked into the field to join Harla, who had been watching over the detas during training. Gad took over while Harla and I stood farther away, observing everything.

The training lasted until sunset before everyone started heading home.

I walked home with Harla beside me. He didn't ask what Gad had said. I guessed he expected me to bring it up first.

When I got home, I went straight to Elena.

"Hey, girl. Prepare for tomorrow's mating run. You'll be going with me," I whispered as I squatted in front of her.

The look on her face was full of questions. I stopped her before she could speak.

"Don't overthink it. No questions. Just do as I say," I said before walking away from her room.

Elena's POV

It was just dawn when Mother came into my room. Pale morning light slipped through the small window, casting long shadows across the floor. The air still carried the coolness of the night, and the pack house had not yet become as noisy as it usually did. Everything felt strangely calm, almost as if the day itself was waiting for something important to happen.

"Elena, my daughter! I came to tell you to get ready. You'll be coming to the market with me soon, and we'll be doing other things together today," Mother said.

She gave me a forced smile.

"We need to leave early so we can return early. We'll prepare Varlok's favorite meal as soon as we get back. Okay?"

I didn't show any expression. I nodded and quietly whispered "yes.”

"Aren't you happy about that?" she asked.

"I'm happy, Mother,” I replied smoothly.

She lingered for a moment, as though she wanted to say something else. Her eyes searched my face carefully before she finally turned and walked away. I watched her leave, wondering if she was hiding the same fear that refused to leave my own heart.

I actually loved the warmth I was getting from Mother. But at the same time, I didn't want to get too excited. I wanted to be sure everything was truly changing for me and that everyone would treat me the same way Mother did.

For so many years, hope had only ended in disappointment. Every time I believed things would get better, reality reminded me of my place. That was why I forced myself to stay calm. If I expected nothing, then nothing could break me.

Though she never said all this was because of today's mating run, I already knew, and I was sure she expected me to know too.

The thought alone made my stomach tighten. My mind drifted back to everything that had happened in the past few days. It still felt unreal that my life had changed so quickly. Sometimes I wondered if I would suddenly wake up and discover it had all been another cruel dream.

With mixed feelings, I began getting myself ready. I went into my room's shower, cleaned up, and finished everything else. The cool water running over my body eased some of the tension inside me. I washed slowly, trying to clear my thoughts, but they kept returning to Varlok and everything was waiting for me after today.

Maybe my experience outside would be different because I was going out with Mother.

I carefully dried myself before putting on a clean dress. It wasn't expensive or decorated with beautiful embroidery, but it was neat enough. After brushing my hair, I looked at my reflection for a brief second. The girl staring back at me still looked uncertain. Nothing about her seemed worthy of becoming a Luna.

By the time Mother came out of her room, I was already waiting in the lounge. She carried a bamboo basket and a leather bag, then placed them on the table. I picked them up, and we headed outside. We left the morning omega shifters, who were busy cleaning, at home.

The familiar sounds of sweeping and quiet conversations echoed behind us as we walked away. Some of the servants briefly looked in our direction before returning to their work. None of them spoke to me, but I noticed a few curious glances following us.

The head cook hurried toward us as soon as we stepped outside.

"Your Highness, Luna," she greeted as always, but this time she slightly lowered her head.

I was stunned and struggled not to show it. She was the only person here who saw me differently. I didn't know how she could believe in me so much, even when I wasn't sure about my own future. She was one of the reasons I managed to keep hoping.

Every time she addressed me that way, it sounded less like a joke and more like a promise. I didn't know what made her so certain, but her confidence always planted a tiny seed of courage inside me. Even on the darkest days, those simple words reminded me that perhaps my story wasn't over yet.

She turned to Mother, and they started discussing the market and the things they needed to buy. From the recipes she mentioned, I guessed she was suggesting ingredients. Mother listened carefully, occasionally nodding before adding a few more items to the list in her mind.

I quietly stood beside them, holding the basket and leather bag while listening without interrupting. Their conversation almost sounded normal, like any ordinary family preparing for a meal. For a few peaceful moments, I forgot everything waiting for me later.

We usually shopped at a market near our town. The place was almost like a city and was mostly populated by humans.

The road leading there was one I had walked many times before, though never under these circumstances. The morning breeze brushed against my face, carrying the scent of damp earth, fresh leaves, and distant cooking fires. Humans moved about their daily lives without realizing that wolves walked among them.

Then I spotted two wolves. I recognized them by their scents. They looked at me before quickly avoiding my gaze. I remembered they were the same two wolves who had whispered one morning while I was walking with our pack's detas.

"She's the new Luna Varlok will kill soon."

Those cruel words echoed inside my mind as clearly as the day I first heard them. Back then, they had left me terrified. Even now, remembering them sent a chill through my body.

I wasn't sure why they reacted that way today. I could only guess it was because they never expected Mother to bring me to the market with her. To them, it probably looked like an act of kindness. I didn't see it that way because, in the end, Varlok was the one who had the final say.