Claimed by the Ruthless Alpha Prince

Chapter19

Kael’s POV

I’m silent, bored out of my mind. If it weren’t for the mystery surrounding the missing female shifter, I wouldn’t tolerate this gathering. But somebody here knows something. I’m certain of it.

“And your tracking abilities! Papa says you’re legendary. I bet you could find anyone, anywhere.” Her eyes sparkle with what she probably thinks is charming admiration but is only exasperating. “It must be thrilling, using those skills to serve the crown.”

I take a bite of lamb to avoid responding. Her renewed persistence grates my nerves like sandpaper.

“I’ve been thinking about what you said earlier,” Harper continues, her hand moving closer to mine on the table with deliberate intent. “About duty and responsibility. I completely understand the weight of such things. It takes a special kind of person to handle that pressure, don’t you think?”

She’s trying a different approach now: attempting to position herself as someone who understands the burdens of leadership. Her determination is becoming more aggressive.

“Your Highness,” Blackwood interjects from my other side, “Harper plays the harp beautifully. Perhaps after dinner she could perform for you?”

“That won’t be necessary.” Desperate to redirect this conversation, I gesture toward a woman at one of the lower tables. “Who is that?”

Alpha Blackwood follows my gaze, and his expression tightens almost imperceptibly.

“That’s Daciana. Beta Leroy’s niece. She’s one of our warriors.”

Daciana. Now I have a name for the person I saw watching Elara’s cottage a few hours ago.

Harper’s smile doesn’t waver, but I catch the flash of annoyance in her eyes at having my attention diverted.

“Oh, but I’d love to perform! Music has always been such a passion of mine. Everyone says I have the voice of an angel. I’ve been practicing a special piece just for tonight.”

She leans even closer, her voice dropping to what she probably thinks is an intimate whisper.

“You know, I’ve always believed that the right partnership can make even the strongest person stronger. Two people working together toward a common goal, supporting each other through the challenges of leadership...”

Her persistence is like water torture—constant, relentless, wearing away at my patience drop by drop.

“I’ve always dreamed of traveling,” Harper continues when I don’t respond, her voice taking on a breathy quality that makes me want to roll my eyes. “Seeing the capital, experiencing court life. I imagine it must be wonderful to have someone by your side who understands the pressures of leading.”

I set down my fork and turn to face her directly.

“Speaking of leadership responsibilities, we should discuss the cross-mating decree.”

Both Harper and her father immediately perk up, hope flickering in their eyes. Harper’s smile becomes positively radiant, as if she thinks this is finally her moment of triumph.

“Yes!” Harper exclaims. “I mean, of course, Your Highness. Whatever you need to know.”

“Since your pack failed to deliver its strongest female as commanded, you’ll most likely need to send a replacement.”

Blackwood’s expression shifts to confusion.

“A replacement?”

“The decree called for each pack’s most powerful female. Elara’s running away doesn’t absolve Silver Stone of its obligations.” I let my gaze move between father and daughter, noting how Harper’s confident expression is starting to crack. I don’t feel guilty for the lie. “You claim Harper is your strongest healer now. That makes her the obvious choice.”

The color drains from Harper’s face so quickly, I think she might faint. All that renewed confidence evaporates in an instant.

“Wh–what do you mean?”

“I mean you’ll be sent to Blue Crest territory to fulfill the original agreement. Alpha Darius is expecting a bride, after all.”

“No!” Alpha Blackwood shoots to his feet, his chair scraping loudly against the floor. The entire hall falls silent, all eyes turning toward our table. “Absolutely not! My daughter is not going to those savages!”

“Savages?” I raise an eyebrow. “That’s an interesting way to describe an allied pack.”

“You know what I mean,” he says desperately, seemingly oblivious to the fact that half his pack is now listening to every word. “They’ll hurt her, torture her for information about our pack’s defenses. She’s too valuable to waste on those monsters!”

“Papa!” Harper gasps, her face going white with horror as she stares at her father. “You said I wouldn’t have to! You promised me I wouldn’t have to go! You said if Elara—”

“Shut up, Harper!” Blackwood’s voice is as sharp as whiplash, and all around the hall, pack members lean forward, suddenly very interested in this family drama playing out before them.

“Yet, you had no problem sending Elara to the same fate.”

The silence that follows my remark is deafening. Every pack member in the hall seems to be holding their breath, and I can smell the fear radiating from Alpha Blackwood. In my peripheral vision, I notice Daciana has gone completely still, her face pale.

“That... was different,” Blackwood finally manages, his voice barely above a whisper.

“How?”

“Elara was...” He struggles to find words that won’t damn him further, acutely aware of his audience. “She was an orphan. Nobody liked her. She had no family, no connections.”

The casual dismissal of a person’s worth based on their lack of family ties turns my stomach. I’ve dealt with enough political maneuvering to recognize when someone is being treated as disposable, but this barefaced admission disgusts me.

“Your most powerful healer was expendable because she was an orphan?”

Alpha Blackwood realizes too late how his words sounded.

“That’s not what I meant—”

“It’s exactly what you meant.” I stand slowly, my movement deliberate and threatening. “Someone from the royal family will reach out to discuss the next steps regarding your pack’s obligation to the crown.”

“Please!” Harper throws herself forward, grabbing at my arm with the same desperate persistence she has shown all evening, now stripped of any pretense. “Your Highness, I could be so much more valuable to you as your mate! I could give you strong heirs, help you rule—”