The Silver Wolf

The Alpha King's Throne

TANNER POV

Ever since Leith and his mate went missing and their disappearances were being announced, everyone has been on edge. The council is aware of the familial tie between Adalaina and Leith. They called a few days ago saying that if neither turns up soon, she will be asked to take over as queen, and me being her mate, as king.

We've been looking around here in various places since this is the last place Leith was. They are nowhere to be found. He rogues have to be involved somehow. Why else would they have stopped attacking? I know a lot of this would be easier if Laina participated in the pack work like she used to. She just doesn't care anymore. Maybe it was all an act. A knock on the door broke me from my thoughts.

"Come in." I call out. In walks Ashlee and Damien.

"Dustin is on the way up." Damien says as he sits down, pulling Ashlee into his lap. I really wish that I could have that. Maybe the bond between me and my mate just isn't as strong. Dustin's entrance snaps me out of my daze. He locks the door behind him and then sits next to Damien and Ashlee. I've learned he isn't a man of many words. He mostly observes. Hopefully, it'll prove a useful thing in the future.

"What's this about?" I lean back in the chair and cross my arms over my chest. The three look at one another.

"That is NOT Laina." Says Dustin.

"Then who is it?" I ask. I'm getting annoyed with their insistence that that is not who we can see. Whoever it is, if not Laina, has a damn good likeness.

"I don't know, but that's not her." Ashlee pipes up.

"Look, it has to be her. She was gone, and now she's back. Who knows what those rogues did to her. She hasn't said a single thing about what happened. She's probably just trying to cope with what happened. And now, with her brother missing, it's a lot." Dustin stands up. The anger rolling off of him is different compared to his normal, calm, indifferent self.

"Look here, Tanner. I don't give a damn about your title or who you think you are. That woman, whoever she is, is not Laina. There are a few of us who know what her wolf looks like, and she refuses to shift. Something she has never done around Damien, Ashlee, and I. She was never the one to lock herself in her room and leave the pack work to someone else. You're so blinded by her that you've failed to recognize that there's something off about her and your mate bond. Now, if you don't mind, I'm going to find my luna." He storms out of the room, slamming the door behind him.

Before any of us could react, the phone began to ring. I answered and placed it on speaker. I then lean forward and place my head in my hands. I know our bond isn't strong like most bonds would be, especially after mating and marking, but we still have a lot going on and a lot to learn about each other.

"Alpha Tanner? Are you there?" I realize I haven't said a word since answering the phone.

"Yes, I'm here, sorry about that."

"No need to apologize Alph, you have a lot going on. This is councilman Neves. I hate to add to your plate. We, as a council, have decided we can't leave the throne empty any longer. We need you and Adalaina to come and your place as alpha king and queen. Can you be here in two days?" I sigh and run my hand down my face.

"I don't see why not. I'll inform my mate so she can pack. Thank you for informing me. I'll see you soon."

The line disconnects, and I look up towards the two left in my office. They both stand and give a small, unsure bow.

"Alpha King Tanner." Damien says while reaching for his mates hand before they walk out.

I head up to the room to find Laina lying in bed on her phone.

"Hi, my love." I say as I climb in bed next to her. She sets her phone down and turns towards me.

"What's wrong?" Her brows furrow as she studies my face.

"We got a call from the council a few minutes ago. They need us to be at the castle in two days to be crowned king and queen." She looks at me, and after accepting that I'm serious, she jumps up from bed. She squeals in excitement as she starts to run around the room, grabbing a suitcase and her clothes to begin packing. "What are you doing?" I ask, watching her move around. She stops and looks at me.

"We need to pack. It's the end of the day, so really, we only have tonight and tomorrow morning to pack. Come one, get up, you need to pack." She goes back to her earlier activities.

"Why do you seem so excited to be crowned queen?"

"It's not that. I just haven't been to the castle in a very long time. I'm excited to see it again."

I stand up and begin to pack. I texted Damien and Dustin to let them know to pack because we're heading out in the early afternoon tomorrow.