The Luna, before any questions could even be asked, immediately called for a guard and instructed them to bring me a dress.
"Darly, go and greet the King. He is your brother-in-law, after all." As expected, she practically pushed Darly toward the King.
"Akeem, go with your brother. I will join you two shortly," Alpha Edward said, and Akeem almost followed Darly when the Luna, whose name I didn't know, since she preferred I addressed her simply as Luna, held him back.
"Mom?" Akeem looked confused, but the Luna didn't budge.
"What do you think you're doing, woman?" Alpha Edward questioned, a hint of anger in his tone.
"You can't go out there. You're the second child, let your brother have his moment," she said, still holding onto Akeem's arm.
"Woman. Let him go." The Alpha title had clearly created a rift between the Luna and Alpha; he usually addressed her as the love of his life.
"Darly is the elder, he should be the Alpha," she answered, in the same firm tone.
"And I told you he's not fit to take over. He's slept with half the pack, which is not right for a leader. Selene can't bless us with him as the leader."
"Well, he's the elder and stronger, so I say he takes what's rightfully his."
"You know what, Mom? I'm not going to see the King. I'm going to my room. Just please let my arm go," Akeem pleaded, as the Luna seemed to be hurting him now.
"If you don't let my son go right this minute, I'll—"
"You'll what? Punish me? Your Luna?" She challenged, finally freeing Akeem's arm. He quickly rushed out, rubbing where she had held him. I remained on the floor, covering myself but listening closely.
"I'm still the Alpha."
"And I'm the Luna. Come on, get up and put that on." She instructed as the guards returned with a gown. "I wonder what you were about to do to this poor soul," she said, helping me into the gown, which was a bit too big on me.
"Oh, save your lies. Is it not you who have always accused her just so I could punish her?"
"But you've always known I was lying, so why did you punish her still?" Wow. The Alpha and Luna were literally arguing in my face.
"You insisted. Besides, it's not me that's kissing up to her now just because she turned out to be the King's mate?"
"Exactly, Edward. King. Darly's wife is the King's wife's sister. You know what that means, right?"
"Oh… kill me." Alpha Edward shook it off.
"I would be delighted, but unfortunately, I have to make my son Alpha, so—my King?" She quickly bowed as the King walked in. I did too, and so did Alpha Edward.
"We didn't expect your presence, my King," Alpha Edward said. He didn't respond, and I felt Rhea get uneasy, making my head hurt.
'Stop, please.'
'I can't help it when our mate is near,' she said, sounding excited.
'He might be here to kill us! Can you please calm down?' I said, even as my own hands started shaking. His scent hit me—so strong and impossible to ignore.
"Heads up," he ordered, and I slowly looked up, as did the Luna. "Thalia." He came toward me, and the Luna moved, walking toward Alpha Edward, and, as if rehearsed, Alpha Edward wrapped his hands around her.
"My King, I can see you show interest in my advisor," Alpha Edward said.
"She's your advisor?" He suddenly seemed interested in speaking to them, but now he was standing in front of me.
"Oh, she's good. Trust me, she's solved every problem I've had in this pack. It's actually quite shocking, considering she is an ome—"
"I wouldn't finish that if I were you," the King warned. Alpha Edward nervously chuckled and apologized, almost speaking again, but stopped as the King raised his hand.
"We shall give you some privacy, my King. Come on, dear," the Luna said, and they almost walked away when he stopped them.
"Would you like to go for a walk with me?" he asked me. I nodded almost immediately, afraid that hesitation might cost me—or worse, that he might order a punishment.
"I would be delighted, my King," I said, and he gave me a small smile before offering his hand. I took it, and he led me out.
We walked through the hallway, with royal guards following behind us. He was still holding my hand, electricity sparking here and there, but that wasn't important as I held my breath, while Rhea spun in excitement.
'Oh my God, oh my God!' Goddess, if there was any way to shut this wolf up, I would have. She was making me more anxious.
We walked to the grounds until we reached a bench. He asked if I wanted to sit, and it was like he knew I did; my legs were shaking, so I immediately nodded and sat.
"How did you sleep?" he asked gently, and I nervously bit my bottom lip. What was going on? Honestly, this was the Alpha King, the ruthless ruler of them all.
Yes, previous kings had been ruthless. Some were said to have unusual powers beyond just werewolves. But him… he was terrifying. What was his game?
"I slept well, my King," I answered, aware I'd taken a moment to respond, but maybe that was enough.
"Good. So… what's your favorite color?" he asked, out of the blue.
"I… my King, I…" I hesitated, afraid that saying the wrong color might upset him.
"It's alright. I must get going. Let me take you back inside." He stood, offering his hand again, which I took. He led us back inside, walking slowly at my pace.
"My King." We returned to find the Luna and Alpha Edward in the living area.
"May I have a word with you?" he asked. The Luna nodded, as did Alpha Edward, and then Darly and Akeem joined. "Heads up," he said as Akeem and Darly bowed. It was tradition since they had just joined the room.
"Yes, my King. We can step into my office," Alpha Edward answered.
"That won't be necessary. I hear your elder son wants to join the Regional Alpha community?"
"Yes, but I was thinking the younger one also joins."
"It's only for leaders."
"I haven't yet decided who takes over."
"Alpha Darly will take over," the King answered. "My second wife thinks he's a great choice," he added—and of course she did. That was the deal she made. That was why her awkward sister, Luna Freya, was now married.
"Then Darly it is, my King," Alpha Edward agreed, and the Luna smiled.
"Good. Alright, other than that, I would like to start courting my mate." It didn't sound like he was asking permission. It was like he was declaring it—and everyone's jaw dropped. I froze.
Court me?