Reclaim

Chapter 3

Althea was fuming from her encounter with Kane as she briskly walked through the council on a mission to get to the Blue Moon pack to track the scent of her mate. Kane had made it plain that he wanted to be King and not for the first time. He had tried to be charming, to woo Althea over the years, well as charming as a brute can be that takes what he wants. Althea was used to Kane's remarks and him assuming she'd give into him eventually with his strength, ambition, and good looks usually she'd roll her eyes and say something clever or witty but today she could hardly contain her anger. Anger at her father, at Kane, at the council for denying her the right to ascend to the throne without a mate, forcing her to have a man by her side as if she were not competent on her own as if she had not trained, studied, and devoted her life to learning how to become a good and fair ruler on her own merit. It's not that Althea did not want a mate, she did eventually want to have a mate and children of her own a family full of love and joy that she never had growing up to raise her children to be kind, intelligent, talented, and competent future rulers but she cared more than anything about being a good Queen. Althea felt the weight of the responsibility and was determined to make things better for everyone to change things after her father made this a world of darkness, oppression and poverty for most while the few nobles lived in luxury especially in the royal pack. Althea hated the world they lived in what things had become for werewolves in this realm. She was told before of how werewolves lived freely, happily, equally, with enough wealth for all free to pursue what they desired that is until her father become king. She thought back to her mate, yes she wanted to find him but not because she needed him to ascend the throne. She wondered for the first time if, now that she knew she had a mate, that maybe she'd finally feel a connection with someone that she wasn't alone anymore that just maybe the moon goddess paired her with someone that was strong, kind and intelligent that would be a good ruler and she'd feel like someone was on her team for once but if he was not Althea was certain she'd rule alone she would not let this new old rule deter her from becoming a good Queen and changing things she would not be controlled by men. Althea had never thought of herself as alone she always thought of herself as independent and had always focused on learning, reading, and expanding her mind. She never had many close friends and never had a boyfriend. When she was 18 she had gone to a few balls and parties and would steal a few kisses when she was giddy with champagne giggling with the other girls her age as they excitedly hoped to meet their mates and dared each other to dance with and kiss the cute boys. Althea had done as her friends had but didn't understand the hype of kissing she found it to be awkward and not nearly as magical or exciting as it was made out to be in books or as her friends made it sound. As the years passed Althea found that she preferred the quiet of her study and her books than the false promises of the world around her.

Still walking through the palace to get outside, Althea was shaken out of her thoughts when a strong hand gripped her upper arm from behind and pulled her to stop. She whirled around and came face to face with Kane. "What now?" she barked as she yanked her arm from his strong grip. He smirked while his eyes greedily took in the sight of her, "The King would have a word with you," he paused waiting for Althea to respond but she stood there hautely in her blue dress and Kane felt pulled to be nearer to her. He stood closer toe to toe a hairsbreadth away looking down at her beauty feeling the warmth of her body and vanilla scent invade his senses. She did not move just stared back up at him fire burning behind her eyes staring him down as though she could not be intimidated. He leaned in closer still, his lips brushing against her ear, "It's not too late to chose me" he breathed huskily. Althea stood silent and still as stone the fire in her gaze unwavering if looks could kill, she would never give in to Kane. Kane stood back the smirk on his face returning with a cocky chuckle as he began walking towards the King's study. 

"Enter", the King growled as Althea and Kane neared the door of his study even in their human form werewolves have excellent hearing. Althea tried her best to ignore Kane's smirk and stare while she approached the King stoically. "Althea," the King sneered "It has come to my attention that you must chose a mate by the last full moon of this year or forfeit your claim to the throne." Althea's hands balled into fists at her side her nails digging into her palms as she tried to maintain her composer as she spoke, "But Your Majesty as your only heir if I forfeit who will ascend the throne, you can't live forever," she mocked. "That is not your concern. I am the King you will do well to remember that before you question me or I'll see to it that you will never see the light of day again," the King stood angrily fists slammed onto his desk. Althea had watched her father as a child beat her mother, the Queen, into submission and silence confined to her room she'd seen his violent side and she knew his threats were not idle she needed to cool her temper and play his game until she could beat him at it and become Queen herself. She knew he would not make this easy, he could never control her when she became Queen and she knew he would try to stop her. Althea bowed her head, "My apologies Your Majesty." The king turned around looking out the window and Althea glanced at Kane out of the corner of her eye he caught her glance and smirked once again. "Kane has asked for your hand in marriage," Althea waited with bated breath, please Goddess no, she thought. "But I've decided to allow you the chance to find your fated mate or to chose for yourself if the Moon Goddess did not grant you a fated mate. There will be a ball here at the palace at the next full moon all unmated males and females aged 18-30 are to attend. If you chose a mate it must be an Alpha or a Beta from any of the packs, though I believe Kane to be a good match for you. Althea, if you don't get mated this year you forfeit your crown and that is final. Go now."