The Hidden Luna's Two Alpha Princes

Chapter Six.

What felt like hours later, the party was finally coming to an end. I had mostly been in my seat all night, aside from the times Artemis dragged me out to dance, but despite it all, I felt happy. This was a chance for me to really change mine and Aunt Maddie's lives.

We would finally be able to move out of our shabby little cabin, and get her the care she needs. My thoughts were broken up as Aunt Maddie approached me.

"Come, dear, it is time," she said in a lowered tone.

I frantically scanned the room for Artemis, but she was no where in sight. With a sigh of defeat, I linked my arm in hers, and we made our way to the spiral stair case. I supported most of Aunt Maddie's weight as we made our way slowly up the stairs. When we finally got to the top, we had to take a seat for her to catch her breath.

Just after she sat down, the double doors at the end of the hall were thrown open and Gina was making her way toward us.

"I hope no one saw you come up. Get in here, in case people start snooping their way up here," she commanded while looking at her perfect nail polish.

Aunt Maddie rose, taking me with her and we stepped into the King's office. It was a large, well cared for room with dark wooden walls and a large window on one side. There were bookshelves on either side of the large wooden desk in the middle of the room and two chairs were placed in front of it.

That's where we were to sit, I presumed. I glanced around and saw the Queen and Jackie and Jamie lounging lazily on soft white couches near a roaring fireplace.

"Sit," the King's voice boomed. We did as we were told. He turned his chair so he was facing us and linked his fingers together. He leaned forward and said,

"Do you have any idea why I've called you here today, Indigo?"

"No, your majesty. I am not aware of why," I replied with my eyes trained on my hands.

"As you know from your studies at the academy, our kingdom is one of the largest in all of werewolf history, rivaled only by the DarkBlood kingdom."

I glanced up, the question clear in my eyes.

"DarkBlood and Moonlight have had an uneasy alliance for many generations, but regardless, their savage ways seem to get the best of them. They have some demands that they want met in order to keep the alliance active and not delve our packs into war," he continued.

"I do know this from my studies, but what does this have to do with me? What kind of demands are they making?" I asked.

He smirked at me. "DarkBlood has demanded my first born daughter, the heir of this kingdom, as a trade for continuing our alliance. You, Indigo, are to fulfill that role. They believe you will be the mate to one of the princes."

I couldn't breathe. I was shocked. I was being traded? Just like that? Just as my life seemed to be looking up in this pack? Aunt Maddie shifted beside me.

"And what if she is not one of their mates?" she asked.

My father waved his hand. "Then they are free to do whatever they please with her. If she manages to earn their respect, they may keep her alive. Or they may send her off. Or kill her. In any case, its not my problem anymore. You're set to leave. Tonight," he said while looking at me.

I felt like I had been punched in the gut. Not only was he sending me off, he didn't actually care what happened to me.

"Wait, I'm a secret heir. No one knows of my lineage. How will you explain my absence to the pack while your other daughters are still here?" I grit through my teeth.

"Simple. The pack does not know of this. Beta Alexander and my family are the only ones who know anything, and they have been sworn to secrecy. We'll just make a cover story up for why you left. No one will care much either way," he said dismissively. The pain I was feeling was beginning to burn into rage.

How dare he?

"I can't believe you," I spat at him.

He growled in response. "You better watch your tone. Did you not just proclaim you would do anything to keep this pack safe?"

He had me there.

"This is how you're going to do it. What becomes of you after that is none of my concern." I could hear Gina mutter a snicker from the back of the room.

"And what about Aunt Maddie? And Artemis? What happens to them?"

"Artemis will remain a warrior, and Maddie shall live with the Henley's from now on. Maybe they can find some use for her."

A growl escaped my lips. I couldn't help it. I had spent too long trying to protect Aunt Maddie to have her disrespected right in front of me. He growled back.

"This is not up for negotiation. Now, go say your goodbyes and pack your things. You are to leave in an hour." With that, he stood from his seat and opened the doors for us, indicating that this conversation was over.

I grit my teeth and stood, then helped Aunt Maddie out of the room and down the stairs. Artemis was waiting for us at the bottom.

"What happened?" she asked.

"Pull the car around, I'll explain on the way home. We don't have a lot of time," I whispered back to her. She nodded.

We made our way to the front and waited a few minutes for Artemis. When she finally pulled up, I helped Aunt Maddie in, then took a seat in the back. I leaned my head against the cool window and closed my eyes.

How did things come to this?