Sold as the Alpha King’s Breeder

What would Theo say or do if he was here? He would be as baffled as I was, but he most likely would

come up with a plan shortly after the initial shock.

How I wish I could bounce ideas off him, or even just have him give me a hug. That would be enough

to get me back on the right track to figure out my action plans...

Then it struck me. Since when had I grown so accustomed to having him near me? Now that I was

away from him, I didn't feel whole.

I missed him terribly.

But I needed to be stronger. My pack was under threat and I needed to sort it out before Luther and

Maggie got their claws into them.

***

♦Theo*

When we approached a pack that was rumored to be building a rebellion, Jake and I came up against a

strong line of defense right at their territory border.

"It’s like they were expecting us," Jake muttered.

Fortunately, I'd brought a group of men along.

"Let's try to talk them down, first," I said. I motioned to the guards to spread out so we didn't look so

intimidating and threatening while approaching the warriors.

Jake stayed beside me and I made my way to the front of the line on my own.

"Who here is in charge?" Jake asked on my behalf.

One of the warriors stepped forward. "We know who you are, King Theo, and you aren't welcome here.

Our pack answers to Luther and Luther alone.'

"We’re not here to fight. We're here to talk to Alpha David,' Jake said.

"He won't see you! He doesn't trust you. Luther said not to let you talk or you'll kill us all!"

"Luther was wrong,’ I announced, "There is no need for blood. You have my word. Again, I'm not here

to fight!’

"The royal court is known to fucking break promises. You're going to have to fight. Men, attack!'

The warriors grouped into formation and launched themselves at us.

"Get ready!’ I shouted over my shoulder at my warriors.

I headed straight into the attack. The first warrior I encountered, I grabbed him by the throat and tripped

him with my foot. I slammed him into the ground, growling. Two more closed in on me. I reached out

and punched them both in the stomachs, knocking them off their feet.

"Don't kill anyone. Just incapacitate them and round them up. I don't want any deaths today,' I ordered

as Jake and my men moved in.

I didn't want to start my reign as king with the slaughter of anyone who opposed me. It would make

everyone think I was just like my father.

"Yes, Your Majesty,' my men chorused.

It didn't take long to finish knocking out my opponents. Their wrists were quickly bound and they were

pulled off to the side.

"Let's go see this Alpha David," I muttered.

We went into the pack territory and straight to the pack house. I noticed how a lot of the pack members

ran into their houses. I could hear worried whispers and doors locking.

When we rounded a corner there was a woman clutching a baby to her breast. She shrieked when she

saw me and backed up. She tripped and fell over.

"Get away from me! You're going to kill me, just like all the others,' she wailed, burying her face in the

bundle in her arms.

I sniffed and walked past her. "Jake, make sure she's alright. Get her whatever medical treatment she

needs forthat fall,' I ordered.

Jake nodded and went to the woman. She seemed willing, at least, to let him tend to her. I wasn't there

to massacre anyone, especially not a defenseless woman and her child.

We got to the pack house, and I went right inside to face Alpha David of Bluvally. He was ready for me,

his entire armed guard standing around him and his family.

"You're not welcome here!" he cried when I walked in.

"Alpha David," I paced in the room slowly and found myself a comfortable chair to sit down on. Then I

gestured to David to also take a seat as well as I continued, "As a pack under my rule, I am not only

welcome but I am obligated to ensure you have everything you need."

I folded my hands and raised an eyebrow, looking into his eyes.

"Well... you're not wanted. We don't recognize you as our king, we recognize Luther,' he said, tilting his

chin up. 'I know you killed the shifters I sent to the border.'

"They are unharmed," I assured him, 'and are outside waiting for you."

The Alpha gaped at me. He looked at his own guards who were looking around like they were lost and

didn't know who to believe.

"Luther said you'd come here and kill us if we didn't obey you,’ David said. He stood up and walked

through his wall of guards. "What do you want?"

"I'm here to put all your doubts to rest," I said, smiling humorlessly. 'I've been hearing rumors about

rebellions against the crown and disloyalty to my father. It is my mission to prove I am not my father."

"And what, you think that will make us bend the knee to you?' he snarled, throwing his arms out to the

sides.

"Bend the knee or don't, it is no worry of mine. You can follow Luther, and I'll even allow you to keep

your pack land. However,' I smirked, "if you choose to recognize a different leader, I'll have no choice

but see you as an enemy, at which point, your pack will no longer be allowed to travel or trade freely in

my lands. As far as I remember, your pack has plenty of gold, but relies heavily on other packs for food

and medical supplies?'

"You can’t do that!' David argued.

"Of course, I can. I'm not going to force you to follow me, but I'm not going to allow disloyal packs to

cause potential safety issues for the rest of the kingdom. While I'll leave your pack alone as I promised,

you'll also be monitored heavily for security reasons.’

I paused for a second and continued, 'Of course, you always have the option to collect your belongings

and leave my kingdom peacefully and settle in another place. Luther, if he is such a benevolent and

great leader, should have plenty of space in his own land for his followers.’

"This pack territory has been in my family for generations! That's... that's unfair!' David protested.

I leaned closer to him and stared him right in the eye. 'Alpha David, then tell me what is fair? I could've

killed most of your warriors and ordered you to obey me, or expel your entire pack by force, but I chose

not to. In my opinion, I'm being more than fair."

"Are you threatening me?" David said, shaking his head. His shoulders sagged.

"No. I'm here to offer peace. Oh, one last thing,' I added, "While I don't like to kill, it doesn't mean that

I'm afraid to. I'll give you time and freedom to make your choice, but my generosity can only go so far."

The Alpha's eyes widened and he swallowed audibly, taking a step back.

After another moment, he went down on one knee in front of me. The rest of his family and guards did

the same.

"I swear by the Moon Goddess that we remain loyal to the sovereignty of the Dark King and all the

protection and prosperity he provides," David said.

I put my hand on his head and nodded.

"Very well. Rise. You remain under my protection and can stay on your pack territory," I said. 'I will have

my officials here to finalize this oath."

Without more words, I headed outside while others helped wrap up things here.

Jake followed me outside. 'Alpha, are you alright?*

"I’m fine,' I muttered, shaking my head.

"You kind of rushed through that. He didn't give a very good promise of loyalty," Jake pointed out. "Are

you worried about Ciana?'

I admitted that I was distracted. Seeing that woman earlier made me think of the most precious person

in my heart and I wanted to know she was okay.

"I wonder what she's doing. I should go see her," I muttered.

Jake's eyes bulged and his tone was hurried, "Alpha! Please reconsider it! We barely settled down

here, and we have three more packs to go. You can’t-'

I raised a hand to interrupt him and sighed, 'I know. I wasn't really going to. Any news from Greg or

Sherry?"

Jake shook his head and then added, 'Alpha, no news is good news.