The Wolf King's Second Chance Mate

The Contest

After dinner, Lyria sat in Aertis’s room, gossiping and snacking while they continued to work on decor for the wedding. 

“And the mate ceremony will be so beautiful,” Aertis was telling her, “because we are going to do it just at dusk and my father has ordered these special new lanterns that can be specifically made to get brighter slowly over time. So it will start out in dusky natural light and slowly the flames of the lanterns will get brighter as the sun goes down!”

“That does sound beautiful,” Lyria replied. 

“Of course, some of our Omegas will have to operate them,” Aertis added breezily, “but they’re still so much easier and prettier than candles.”

Lyria flinched slightly at the casual mention of Omega labor during the mate ceremony. Aertis was far more open-minded and kind than her father or Alpha Windmere, but sometimes she was thoughtless about Omegas in a way that only someone who has never had to work at all can be. A mate ceremony was meant to be a celebration for all. No one should have to work during it. At least, so says the Voice of the Goddess, the ancient books written by the first wolves who communed directly with their creator. But now, many Alphas and Betas took some liberties with that command, and Omegas were often drafted into working during important pack events. 

Lyria didn’t comment on it, smiling rigidly down into her lap until Aertis changed the subject. 

“We need to go pick out a dress!” She trilled. 

“You want me to go with you?” Lyria asked. She wasn’t exactly known for her fashion sense. 

“Of course, you’re my best friend. And you can get ideas for your own wedding! Green is such a lovely color on you, especially with your big brown eyes,” Aertis said. 

Lyria shrugged. She had long since given up protesting that she didn’t think she would ever find a mate, and she wasn’t sure she wanted one. Aertis just didn’t believe her, and never had. 

 Just then, there was a loud bang of wood on stone as the front door was thrown open. The noise shook the house as Aertis and Lyria both skittered to their feet. 

They didn’t have to wait long for an answer, as soon the thunderous voice of Beta Delune echoed through the house. 

“Where is that Moonglow girl?” He shouted. Lyria and Aertis exchanged looks of confusion as they listened to Aertis’s father’s footsteps pounding up the stairs. Only moments later he burst into the room, and, with his characteristic scowl, he stared around until he saw Lyria. 

“You,” he snapped, “Warrior Moonglow! Lord Alpha Windmere has been looking for you. He sent Omegas to your house to summon you and they couldn’t find you,” he growled. 

Lyria and Aertis exchanged a look and then Lyria said, in a hesitant voice, “apologies Beta Delune, your wife invited me to dinner. I was helping Aertis prepare for the wedding.”

“Well you need to report to the packhouse immediately,” he said. “I’ll escort you.” His tone would brook no opposition, and he swept out of the room without any hesitation. Behind him, Aertis gave Lyria a little nod, as Lyria stood up and meekly left the room. 

She followed him out of the Delune home and through the streets of Glennin, the town she had lived in all her life. But now, following along in the wake of the Beta, the town has a gloomy and ominous air that she had never felt before. 

It was past sunset and the town was only lit by occasional gas lamps along the packed dirt streets. 

As they approached the packhouse, Lyria was surprised to see the lights on on the first floor, which largely housed meeting spaces and Omega’s quarters, as well as some living space for the Alpha and his family. The candles that illuminated the first floor were usually put out by now, Lyria thought as she glanced into the dark sky. At the very least the front chambers, used for official business, were usually dark by now, even when the family living quarters were still in use. 

As they approached the front doors, Lyria still trailing behind Beta Delune, she was even more surprised to find that the doors opened before they reached them. They were expecting her. 

The large stone entry to the manor home was familiar to Lyria, but she had only rarely ventured far beyond it. The center of the room was taken up by a large, cascading double staircase. A thick black carpet lined the stairs. To one side was the entrance to a large ballroom and banquet hall, used only for official functions and ceremonies. To the left was a long hallway, which was lined with portraits of former Alphas. She’d never been up the stairs, mostly restricted to the Alpha’s family and their attendants, and she’d only been to the left hand meeting rooms and packhouse offices on a handful of occasions. But that was the direction Beta Delune turned, so Lyria plunged after him without hesitation. Beta Delune turned almost immediately into what Lyria recognized as the Alpha’s study. She had never been inside. Only very highly ranked wolves and very, very unfortunate wolves ever saw the inside of that room. The door was open. Lyria hesitated just before turning inside and gulped, then let out a slow, soft breath. 

When she turned the corner she saw Alpha Windmere seated at the head of a long table. A large and ornate desk stood behind him with no one sitting at it. Beta Delune took his seat to the right of Alpha Windmere. To the Alpha’s left was a man that Lyria had never seen before. Based on his lush, elaborate clothing, she assumed he was from the capital city, Cyrrillest. At the other end of the table sat Gamma Greyson. They all stared, serious and silent, at her as she timidly crossed the room to take a seat. She sat herself as close to the door as possible. For a moment, she just looked frantically around the room, trying and failing to appear calm.

Alpha Windmere leered at her, shooting angry glances at the Moonglow seated by the door. She dropped into a chair at the far end of the table, signifying her social status in doing so. 

“So, Lyria Moonglow.” Said Alpha Windmere, “I have good news,” he said in a voice that, to Lyria, did not forecast good news at all.

“You’ve been selected for a spot in a kingdom-wide competition. In two days, you’ll be going to Cyrrillest.” 

Lyria stared at him, not processing. She had never left the pack territory before, Alpha Windmere had never allowed it. Why would he allow her to go to the capital of Wolfblood Kingdom?