The Alpha Kings Fairy Princess

Chapter 8

Lucian’s POV

It’s been almost 3 weeks since I left my pack and no sign of my mate in any of the packs I’ve visited so far. I’m getting ready to head down to the party Red Dawn organized for our last night in their pack. So far, the introductory tour has been a success and I’m happy with most packs on our tour and how they’re running.

There are a few we’ve noted to keep an eye on, smaller were-wolf only packs, heeding to the old ways. To the rest, I’ve offered some ideas, additional funding in small amounts, and gave a few decrees along the way but all in all, these packs are in order, my father did a great job. Now, if only I could find my mate.

All our meetings have concluded with Red Dawn. The Coven was seeking permission to sign a trade agreement with the Royal Pack. They are in possession of several healing herbs, the knowledge to propagate them, barrier spells, and protection charms, as well as the knowledge to imbue certain properties in other objects like jewelry or clothing.

They wanted to work primarily with our healers at the Royal Pack and have access to their library. I couldn’t deny their request so long as the high priestess agreed that their elder’s provide training to some of our coven members at the royal pack. They have old world knowledge and gifts we don’t. If we can help each other, it’s in our best interest.

As I enter the backyard of the packhouse, I am greeted with a very well decorated set up. Off to the left side is a decent sized dance floor and a band playing a light melody. Tables and tents filled with food, lounge areas, and two bars sit at the back side, lining the fence that surrounds the Olympic sized pool. Omegas wander among the crowd with drinks and appetizer platters for the guests.

Pack members are mingling, my caravan intertwined. Two of my warriors found their mates the first day here so I sent word back home to have two replacements sent out so that my newly mated warriors could return home with their mates and have time to get to know each other. We depart for Blue Ridge once the replacements arrive tomorrow morning.

As the night wears on, I’m approached by Beta Zach about a possible courtship with his daughter. She is of Alpha and Beta blood, her mother being the third born of a neighboring Alpha. She is well educated, proper but with some spunk. I met and danced with her out of courtesy and while she is sweet and is visually stunning, she’s not my mate. I respectfully declined and explained, all parties involved seemed to understand and take no offense. I like it when it works that way, I wished her luck in finding her mate and returned to mingling among the crowd.

Growing up I was used to arranged marriages happening within the noble houses my family was involved with given our status but it was never something I wanted for myself. My parents were fated, I want what they had. The way they looked at each other never changed growing up, in fact I feel like their love only grew as the years passed by.

They set the best example of a perfect mate-ship, as well as ruling as equals, until my father’s death. My younger sister, Lacy, and I never questioned their love for each other or us. They never let their title get in the way of being who we needed them to be, all the while showing us what a true mate bond should be like. A love like they held for each other, if I could be so lucky to find that, I’ll never let it go.

As I’m wandering around the party having casual side conversations my attention is being pulled towards the forest surrounding the pack. Reminding me, slightly, of the forest from my dreams, only it’s not the same. I look back at the party and scan the crowd, spotting the Alpha. Just the man I’m looking for. I finish the drink in my hand and immediately replace it with another whisky as a waiter passes with another full tray.

Making my way through the crowd I stop once I reach my intended destination.

“Alpha Raymond! Mind if I pick your brain for a moment?” I asked the greying Alpha, shaking his hand as I arrived.

He’s much older than I am, so my hope is he knows the areas of the next few packs better than me.

“Of course, your majesty. Ask me anything.” The Alpha responds cordially.

“Have you ever heard of a forest so dense, with a canopy so thick you can’t tell if it’s night or day once you reach a certain depth?” I asked the Alpha my very specific question. His eyebrow raises.

“You’re talking about the Dark Forest, otherwise known as the Moors.”

My eyebrows raise at this information, I’ve heard of the Moors before. I nod to the Alpha to continue.

“That’s in Crescent Moon’s territory. It surrounds the entire southern half of their pack and reaches the coast. Technically it all belongs to Crescent Moon, but their territory maps show otherwise. It’s the only pack that’s been able to take root in that part of the territories for hundreds of years. They’re the only pack that borders it and the rest of the land surrounding it is neutral territory. They have few issues with rogues, the pack lives relatively in peace. Your father had a tight bond with their Alpha I believe. You’ve heard the stories of the forest, I presume?” Alpha Raymond asks.

“I have, according to legend the dark fairy, Queen Mab, put a curse on the forest to prevent the takeover of their realm after the great war.”

I recall the basic lesson from the story taught to all supernatural creatures following the war. The Alpha chuckles slightly and I raise a brow.

“You’re only half right, my boy. Queen Mab is not a dark fairy, but the mother of all fairies. She’s, essentially, their Moon Goddess. Long ago, she put a shadow curse over the forest to protect the entrance to Lira. As you know, the Fae are the reason we were able to win against the dark forces that threatened our world hundreds of years ago. Unfortunately, they were almost wiped out.

When the dust settled, they returned to their realm. Creating one portal between their realm and ours. Queen Mab was so concerned they would be hunted to extinction for their powers by the few dark Fae that remained. She wanted her people to have a chance to rebuild their population, so she placed a shadow curse on the land, no light may enter, portals to dead ends, hoping to deter anyone from discovering the entrance to their realm.

She did it to protect her people after her people helped to protect all of us, almost to their end. It was necessary for their survival;

they weren’t safe in our world for a very long time.” Alpha Raymond explains a part of the story I had never been told before.

“How do you know this?”

“Our pack is in possession of one volume of an ancient text that talks about the time before, during and immediately after the war with the Dark Fairy King. We believe it was written by a scribe for the Queen.”

Keeping my face stoic, “Interesting. Could I borrow this text, Alpha? I will treat it with the utmost delicacy until I can return it to you.”

“Of course and please, keep it. It is my gift to you, my king.”

Alpha Raymonds eyes glaze over, and he sends out a mind link. A few moments later I am approached by a pack elder carrying a worn leather satchel.

“Take great care of this volume, your majesty. It is the only copy and one of four in a set.”

My eyes grow wide.

“Do you know the location of the other three?”

I can tell by her face already that she does not.

“I do not, however, there is a prophecy held within these volumes. Tale of a powerful hybrid. If you find the other volumes, study them carefully. What I have translated from this volume does not speak of her much, only that she will come. Among each volume is a codex to help you transcribe the texts. May you have better luck than I have.”

I mull over the information before responding.

“Thank you for the history lesson, Alpha, and this. It is greatly appreciated.”

I nod to Alpha Raymond and prepare to excuse myself.

“Why ask about that particular forest, your majesty?” The Alpha asks as I start to step away.

“I saw it in a dream.” Is all I say before I excuse myself from the party, thanking the pack members on my way to my room.

‘Crescent Moon.’ Axle huffs. ‘Go, now!’

‘Not yet. Business first. We’ll get there. I just need you to be patient, we have duties first and we know she’s out there, she’s not going anywhere.’ I remind him.

Crescent Moon is my last and longest stop. If she’s there, I’ll find her. I have to.

For now, I get myself ready to sleep, we head to the next pack tomorrow.

I’m woken up the next morning by the sound of knocking at my door. My Beta calls from the other side.

“Rise and shine, Alpha!” Derek sings as he swings my bedroom door open.

“So much for privacy. What if I had a female in here?” I snap.

Derek stops dead in his tracks, stares at me and starts to laugh hysterically, slapping his thighs as he slams himself down into the lounger in the room.

“That’s funny! I knew you still had a sense of humor. You, with a strange female in your bed. The man that has turned down how many courtship proposals from prospective families?”

“127 since father passed.” I state flatly, throwing my pillow over my face for a moment.

“ONE-HUNDRED AND TWENTY-SEVEN!? Holy s**t dude! I just meant on this tour. Christ, anyway. Jules called, packs running smooth. Jace hasn’t burned anything down. Training is going well. Arthur and Peter will be here in about an hour and then we can head to Blue Ridge. We should arrive shortly after 1. Everyone here is ready to go. William and Rusty left with their mates at dawn, I gave them the go-ahead last night after you went to bed. Breakfast is ready in 15.” Derek rattled off his list as I started to pull my clothes together for a quick shower.

“I’ll be down in ten.” I shouted over my shoulder as I head to the bathroom.

Ten minutes later I’m walking down towards the dining hall. Breakfast goes as per usual, and we all bid our farewells shortly after, Arthur and Peter arriving exactly on schedule. Derek hands them each a prepacked meal for breakfast, thanks to Luna Katherine’s kindness. I thank the Alpha and Luna for their hospitality and my crew load up into the cars. Derek and I are alone in my personal vehicle so we can discuss pack matters in private as needed. We usually just bullshit, and I prefer to drive myself when possible.

As soon as our caravan is headed towards Blue Ridge, I turn the volume down on the radio in the car and Derek sits up taking the hint that I want to talk.

“My mate is in Crescent Moon.” I dropped the bomb on my Beta and best friend.

“Well, why the f**k are we going to Blue Ridge then?” Derek questions, knowing I’ve been searching for years.

“It’s not time yet.”

“What the f**k is that supposed to mean?”

I just laugh and turn the music back up. Derek rolls his eye and settles into his seat, scrolling on his cell phone.

‘See you soon, Mate.’ Axle growls as we continue our way down the road, thinking of how we will have our mate with us soon.