The Alpha King's Redemption

3;Everything has changed

“Congratulations on your coronation, King Rowan.”

The glare I got sent my way had me chuckling slightly, despite my heart feeling too heavy. I’d barely managed to get through the event filled day with the way my heart hurt from letting Mom’s words sink in.

No matter how much I try to deny it, I know she’s right. I have to give up. I just haven’t figured out how.

It doesn’t help that I can’t avoid him even if I have to. I tried to do so for the rest of the day, but judging from how he seeks me out amidst the pack dinner, I know he must’ve noticed it.

“Why have you been avoiding me?” He inquired instead, unbothered by the wolves scattered around us as the dinner was in full swing.

I looked over his shoulder, noticing a few prominent Alphas glancing our way. “Don’t you need to be with the Alphas or something?” I met his gaze. “I think they’re waiting for you.”

“They can wait. You come first.” He waved away, without a second thought. His gaze didn’t even falter away from me when he responded, his eyes bore into mine, as if trying to unravel me.

I swallowed thickly, feeling like a deer caught in headlights. “How can I be of help to you then, King Rowan?”

“Stop that.” He warned, no doubt referring to the second name, He’s always hated it for some reason, so, it became my thing. “And don’t play smart with me, Sof. Answer my question. Why are you avoiding me?” He pressed, unwilling to let me out of this one.

He didn’t use his Alpha tone that would force him to answer, and, his normal tone wasn’t any better. There’s this powerful aura that now follows him which makes it impossible for any wolf to fight against.

I looked down, almost as if there’s a force that compelled me to do so. “I was just giving you space.” My voice was low, as I chose the best response to not give myself away.

I could feel him step closer, then his hand reached out to lightly tilt my chin up. “Eyes up here, Sof. You never have to lower yourself in front of me, am I clear?” His tone was stern, leaving no place for arguments.

My breath hitched, a darn circus show taking place in my tummy. Tell me, how can I move on from him when he does things like to me please? How?

I took in a sharp breath, darting my tongue out to sweep it across my lower lip. His eyes followed the actions, his orbs darkening for a second, and I’d be lying if I say it didn’t do things to me.

I nodded, not trusting my vocal cords in the slightest. With the way my mind is a mess at the moment, I wouldn’t trust myself to not do something stupid.

His eyes flicked up to meet mine again, this time, a few shades darker. “Words, Sof.”

I swallowed thickly. “Yes, King Rowan.”

His glare returned.

My lips slanted upwards slightly. “King Ares.”

His hold around my chin tightened slightly, as he voiced out in a low tone. “Try again, Sof.” He must’ve known I was up to something, because he added. “And you dare not try me again.”

“Yes…” I didn’t miss that glare. “…Ares.”

He smiled, thought it was a small one—a mere tilt of his lips that disappeared a second later. “There’s my girl.” He stepped back, not before taking my wrist and lightly pulling me away.

“Wait…Ares.” I called out, looking around to see a few eyes on us. It didn’t sit right with me. “Where are we going? You can’t just leave like that.”

“I can, and I will.” He responded, before turning around to meet my gaze. “You owe me an explanation for avoiding me today, you know. I’m not letting you go till I get it.”

I swallowed thickly, my eyes dilating.

What am I supposed to do now?

--

Wolves don’t get intoxicated easily, but upon having my sixth fairy dust champagne, I was starting to get tipsy.

I don’t drink, but with Ares, I need all the strength I can get. I can’t think clearly around him no matter how hard I try to, and it's not particularly helping when he’s staring at me with those eyes that makes me want to throw away any rational thought I have aside and act on impulse.

There are so many thoughts in my mind, and not so good ones.

If I thought I had eyes for Ares before, then my whole mind and sanity is leaned towards him that night. He seemed different, in a good way. I’ve been seeing him everyday for nearly the whole of my nineteen years, and yet, those years stand nothing against any light I’ve seen him before as he did then.

Perhaps, ,its because of the position he has at tainted, but there’s this aura that follows him around that screamed attention. He spoke with grace, and every act is his has my stomach churning.

I found myself breathing out softly as I watched him interact with an Alpha that managed to pull him away shortly after we’ve escaped the ballroom.

I recognize the Alpha as one of the leaders of the Seven Packs, Night Shadow Pack I think. His pack is the third when it comes to land, and affluence.

Perks of growing up in the royal family is having more knowledge on the werewolf world than normal wolves do. There were times I accompanied Ares to his tutoring classes despite some of his instructors not particularly fond of it.

The Royal Ethics classes and History is handled by the oldest wolves in the Castle, the ones with quite a lot of influence as well as they chair important seats in the Royal Council. So, they have this mindset where they aren’t fond a young she-wolf accompanying the future Alpha King to classes meant only for him.

Ares didn’t seem to mind though. In fact, he dragged me there on most cases because he said, and I quote, “we are supposed to go through everything together. For better or for worse, remember? Let’s suffer together as well.”

Truth be told, I find it boring. And on most cases, I ended up dozing off in his shoulder or on the nearest available couch, regardless of the instructor’s glare I could sense even in my dreams.

I couldn’t be chased out regardless, because Mom and Dad always take our side, telling the instructor to let us be. Because of that, there are certain information that has imprinted itself in my mind without me having to put much effort.

I could tell from the look on that Alpha’s face that he was talking pack business with Ares whom only gave him short responses. All I could focus on were his actions, every little one of it. From the way he tipped his head every once in a while, to the stance that screams regality.

He had changed out of the outfit had on for the coronation, and is now donning a dark royal blue suit that complimented his skin tone, and sea blue eyes. Blue has always been his color, and I may or not have been the one who picked out that suit for him.

When I did, I had a feeling it’ll look on him but not that good. Not good enough to make my insides churn in ways it’s never done before.

And when he turned around, his blue eyes that seemed to illuminate in the night meeting my dull, hazel ones, my breath hitched, my grip around the champagne flute tightening.