MYSTERY OF THE RED WOLF (the unwanted princess)

LIAR OR LOVER

CHAPTER THREE

(ALPHA KING RYDER'S POV)

The next morning, I stood on the balcony, looking out over the kingdom. Below, the pack was cheering. Ryan Kales was back, and currently he was being praised as the hero and the werewolves from all circles were escorting him to the King's court. He was smiling triumph fully. I sighed angrily and picked up my coat for the court.

As soon as I entered, they all bowed, Ryan was kneeling in front of the throne.

“Greetings your Majesty,” the greeting echoed through the room. Echo, Carter and Riverstax sat on either side of me.

"Rise," I commanded, and the court began. I ignored Ryan and turned to the other Betas.

They all stated their cases and I handled all of them slowly. The court consisted of the Betas, Gammas, the Beta wives, and the head warriors.

I listened to each one patiently, prioritizing the urgent ones, deliberately ignoring Ryan's attempts to attract my attention. I could feel questioning eyes on me. It was no secret that I favored Ryan, mainly because of his engagement to Lyka. Making him kneel for so long, especially after a victory, seemed like an insult. Maybe that is what I was doing. I was intentionally insulting him.

The cases were over, yet I intentionally kept Ryan kneeling. He had insisted a dumb blonde named Natasha represent his Circle in court instead of his mother. So I let her talk about her morning conflict with a maid who kept challenging her. She kept going on and on about useless things. I could see the anger in his eyes as he watched her useless complaints. He kept kneeling and I smiled internally as I watched him. I really imagined myself dismissing the court without addressing him, but thinking about Lyka's sad face, I controlled myself.

“Beta Ryan Seth Kales, welcome back.” I finally addressed him. Ryan's eyes flashed up to mine, burning with anger, before he masked it with a smile as he bowed again, perhaps remembering who was in power. It seems he hated me, but that's okay. The feeling was mutual.

“Thank you, your highness,” he replied, his voice low.

“I have heard about your achievements to the werewolf society. That was a tough war.” I commented sarcastically. We both knew he would never admit it was the red wolf and the girl in the mask that had helped him win.

“Indeed your highness, but we fought hard to protect the Werewolf community,” he said proudly. Gefahr sneered in my head.

“It's only fair I reward you, though I have been thinking of what I should do about the fact that you saved yourself and left an entire army and defenseless pack to die,” I said sarcastically.

He looked shocked. “We….,” he stammered. “We had no choice, your Majesty, we were overpowered by the vampires.”

“Is that so,” I stood up from my throne and moved closer to him, his eyes widened as I leaned in. “Or is it because you would be dead if it wasn't for a certain red wolf?” He gasped, surprised I knew the details of the war despite his fake report. The fool had run away, and failed to notice I had joined Lyka on the battlefield.

“Your highness, I can explain.” He stood up in panic. The hall went silent, everyone waiting, to see if I could finally punish him for his never-ending list of crimes.

I clapped, facing the court now. “There is really no need for an explanation, it is self-explanatory. I just expected a detailed report from you, and I am truly disappointed in you,” I said, my voice cold and dismissive.

“However,” I continued, turning my back to him, “You saved us from the vampires, so you owe me a reward.”

Ryan breathed a sigh of relief as he returned to a kneeling position, bowing five times to thank me. “Thank you, Your Highness. Thank you, I would wish...” he began his request immediately, his eyes shining with greed.

“Calm down, Ryan. I truly know what you desire, so it is granted,” I said, giving him a smile that didn't reach my eyes.

“Really, Your Majesty? Thank you so much!” He bowed happily, thinking he had won.

“Of course, you have begged me so many times to marry my sister, but I always declined since you two are not mates. But seeing your devotion to her on the battlefield, and how she became a doctor just so she could follow you to war and take care of you... even I must admit I am truly moved,” I continued. I watched his smile drop with every word I spoke.

“You have proposed to Lyka four times, and each time I convinced her to wait longer for her mate. But if you are willing, I will accept your proposal this time. What do you say, Beta Ryan Kale? Are you happy with my reward?” I asked. I knew he wanted to marry Lyka, but he didn't want to use this reward for it. He felt it was a waste of a request when he believed he could get her to marry him for free.

He stood up and bowed, his face tense. “Thank you, Your Majesty. I am sure Princess Lyka Aleen Kingston will be overjoyed by this news.”

“Very well. If you have any other requests, make them now. I will do my best to satisfy them,” I taunted him, knowing he wouldn’t dare ask for more in front of the court.

His jaw tightened, but he bowed again. “No, Your Highness. That is my greatest wish.”

I clapped my hands, and the attendants rolled in the gifts. I pointed to them one by one until I finally pulled out a small bottle. “This is my blood from the heart. It will strengthen your wolf forever. Do your best to protect my sister,” I commanded.

I saw his eyes turn bright at the mention of my blood. Ryan had a weak wolf and had spent years relying on potions. Lyka went to great lengths to get for him. Recently, he had consulted a witch who told him my heart blood could cure him completely. He had been trying to get Lyka to convince me to agree to this ridiculous request, and I had always denied it. This was his greatest wish.

“Thank you, Your Highness,” he bowed, and this time he was sincere. His head touched the marble floor. “I will not let you down.”

“Take good care of Lyka. That is all I ask,” I said, my voice turning into a threat.

The court bowed in unison. “Thank you, Your Majesty!” They all chorused at once.

I turned to my Betas. “Beta Riverstax, ensure that all warriors who participated in this war are rewarded greatly. Compensate the families who lost loved ones and ensure they are settled properly in the Beta houses. Inform the school to cater to the children’s needs, and find the widows jobs within our pack businesses.”

“Yes, Your Majesty,” Riverstax bowed. He was my most efficient Beta. While Echo handled business and mechanics in the human world, and Carter handled the other Alphas and security, Riverstax handled the heart of the pack. I couldn't trust Ryan fully with anything, only if Rahoul was alive.

The court bowed once again to thank me. I stood up and walked out, ending the session. I needed a drink. I had just officially handed over the woman I love to another man.