The Substitute Alpha

Chapter One Moon Celestial Pack Zevar POV The moon hung low and heavy in the sky, its pale light spilling through the tall windows like a silent witness. The curtains swayed gently with the night breeze, brushing against the walls in a slow, restless rhythm. Everything felt… too quiet. Too calm. The door creaked open. I didn’t need to turn. I already knew. “Kaelion.” Before I could say anything else, his arms wrapped around me—tight, almost desperate. For a moment, I froze. That wasn’t like him. Slowly, I returned the embrace, my brows knitting together. “How was the service?” I asked quietly. He pulled away, running a hand through his hair as frustration flashed across his face. “It was hell,” he muttered, dropping into the chair like his body could barely carry itself. “I swear, I almost died out there.” I watched him carefully. Five years. It was only supposed to be two. “They don’t care who I am, Zevar,” he continued, his voice sharper now. “Alpha’s brother or not—it means nothing to them.” A small smile tugged at my lips, but it didn’t reach my eyes. Maybe… that was a good thing. “The Alpha stress is showing,” he added, a teasing edge slipping into his tone. This time, I let out a soft chuckle. “I love you, brother,” I said, more seriously now. “You’re making the royal family proud. I’m proud of you.” He looked at me then—really looked—and something in his expression softened. But only for a second. “Have you been drinking?” he asked, narrowing his eyes. “You’re acting… off.” Wolves don’t get drunk. Which meant he could already tell something was wrong. Good. “I have something to tell you.” The words felt heavier than they should. I stepped closer. He immediately leaned back, raising his hands like I was about to attack him. “Please,” he said quickly, almost tired. “Don’t ask me for any favor. Not tonight.” That… stung more than I expected. But I smiled anyway. Ignoring the tightness in my chest, I pulled out the documents and handed them to him. He stared at them, then at me. “What is this, Zevar?” His voice had changed. I kept my tone calm. “You can read it. I’ll explain.” Silence stretched as his eyes moved across the page. Slowly… his expression darkened. “The peace alignment I’ve been working on,” I began, trying to keep my voice steady, “it’s finally happening. We’re joining forces with the Lunar Veil Pack. Building one army. One future.” I forced a small smile. “And I chose you to lead part of it.” The papers slipped from his hands. Then— They hit me. “No.” The word wasn’t loud. But it carried weight. “I’m not going,” he said, standing abruptly. His chair scraped harshly against the floor. “Anywhere but there.” My chest tightened. “Kaelion—” “No!” he snapped, his eyes blazing now. “Do you even hear yourself? The Lunar Veil Pack? That place is a graveyard pretending to be a kingdom!” His breathing grew uneven. “They don’t use technology, Zevar. No cars. No electricity. Nothing. It’s like going backwards.” I clenched my jaw. Who told him that? “They chose a different way of life,” I said, more firmly now. “That doesn’t make them weak.” “It makes them dangerous,” he shot back. The room fell silent. But the silence wasn’t empty. It was breaking. “I’m not going,” he repeated, quieter this time—but stronger. “You can send anyone else. Not me.” Something inside me cracked. “You don’t have a choice.” The words slipped out before I could stop them. And the moment they did… I knew I had lost him. His expression changed. Not anger. Not frustration. Something worse. Hurt. “So that’s it?” he asked softly. “You’re not asking me as my brother.” A pause. “You’re ordering me… as Alpha.” I said nothing. Because there was nothing I could say. He let out a hollow laugh, shaking his head. “Five years out there,” he murmured. “Fighting. Bleeding. Surviving.” His eyes met mine again. “And this is what I come back to?” Guilt clawed at my chest, but I forced myself to stand still. To be Alpha. Not brother. He scoffed under his breath and turned away. “I’m not doing this, Zevar.” And with that— He walked out. The door slammed shut behind him. The sound echoed longer than it should have. I stood there, unmoving. --- Kaelion POV I stepped out of the palace, and immediately the guards lowered their heads. “My prince.” Their voices echoed around me, respectful as always, but today it only annoyed me. I clenched my jaw tightly. What did Zevar think this was? Just because he was Alpha now didn’t mean he owned my life. Five years. Five whole years in military service. Five years of blood, battles, sleepless nights, and scars that still burned whenever winter came. And yet the moment I returned home, my own brother looked at me like I was a burden. Not even a hug. Not even a “I missed you.” I laughed bitterly under my breath and kicked the side of my car in frustration. Pain shot through my leg instantly. “Damn it—” I grabbed my foot, glaring at the car like it had offended me personally. “Still as hot-headed as ever.” I froze slightly at the familiar voice. Smith. Zevar’s right-hand Beta stood nearby with his usual calm expression, though the pity in his eyes irritated me more than anything else. The old man had definitely come to lecture me. “How are you doing, Prince Kaelion?” he asked carefully. I looked away. “What do you want?” “The Alpha sent me.” Of course he did. Smith sighed before continuing. “You disrespected the Alpha in front of the guards. You raised your voice at the leader of the Celestial Moon Pack.” His words felt cold. Formal. Like I was some stranger, I am the Alpha brother I also deserve some respect. “The Alpha is willing to forgive you… if you join tomorrow’s delegation to the Lunar Veil Pack.” A smirk tugged at my lips. “In your dreams.” Smith’s face hardened slightly. “Then you will face the consequences of your actions. From today onward, your royal privileges will be stripped.” For a moment, I stared at him. Then I laughed. Not because it was funny. Because somehow… it hurt less that way.I was never regarded as a royal I have not even enjoyed special royal care , To hell with royal privileges. “I don’t care.” But even I could hear how forced my voice sounded. “And your royal payments will also be reduced,” Smith continued. “You will earn like every ordinary wolf now.” That one landed. Hard.There is no way I can survive that. Because Zevar knew exactly where to hit. My pride. I looked away quickly before the old man could notice the flicker of pain in my eyes. So this was what I meant to my brother now. A problem to punish. Not family. Not blood. Just another wolf beneath his authority. My fingers tightened against the car door. Then slowly, I exhaled. “Bring the papers.” Smith blinked. “What?” “I said bring the damn papers,” I muttered. “If this stupid peace mission matters that much, then I’ll go.” Relief crossed his face as he handed me the documents. I signed them quickly. The ink barely dried before palace maids approached me nervously. “The Queen Mother wishes to see you.” I shut my eyes briefly. Of course. I couldn’t even leave the palace in peace.I can't even enjoy this my last day .