Chapter 250

Chapter 250
Conrad POV 

My mum is recovering well after the attack. She kept sneaking into the kitchen to cook for us. In the end, I ordered some Omegas to do a deep clean of her kitchen and ordered a brand new top-of-the-line oven while getting rid of the old one. It wouldn't be delivered for two days, so that should stop her until after the ceremony. 

I'm getting ready for the first of many meetings to re-establish the council and boundaries with the Alphas. Also, signing new alliance treaties to cover more comprehensive rights for werewolves. 

I stare at my reflection in the mirror, assessing and remembering. The first time I did this, I was terrified. I felt so much weight on my shoulders from the bloodline running through my veins, the pressure to make up for hundreds of years of oppression from my ancestors. The crown on my head felt more like thorns than power.

Now though. 

I truly felt like the Alpha King. No more compromises. No more wavering. I lifted the crown I often refused to wear and placed it on my head, and it felt right. 

"Now that is an Alpha King with purpose and determination. One who knows his power". 

I smile and turn to see Arthur leaning against the door. 

I let out a small chuckle. "Well, I've had training this time, and more backup". 

I pause for a moment and look at Arthur in a fine suit, wearing the Crown Regent Moonstone pin I had made. Nothing like the weary, tired man I saw nearly a year ago at his old pack. 

I ask him, "What about you, Duke Crown Regent? You ready for this old man?" 

He laughs, and his hand goes to the pin. "Yeah, well, never thought I would be doing this. Never thought I would have all this". 

I fake a dramatic gasp. "Don't tell me you're changing your mind about running away and finding Lewana and Omega's husband". 

He smirks at me. "I decided to wait until the pups are born. If they cause as much trouble as you do, I might have to wait a few years in case we need the soldiers to manage them". 

We both laugh at the idea until a comfortable silence settles in the room. 

Arthur just smiled at me. "I'm proud of you. Now let's go show the Alphas what you can really do". 

I walk over and rest my forehead against his, our greatest sign of respect and family, as I hold his shoulder and he holds mine. 

"Let's go, old man". 

We walk into the meeting and catch up with Liam in the hallway. We have left the pack in the hands of the training Betas, so we can see how they manage with us occupied, and Liam can't get out of this meeting.

He is already whining. "Do I really have to spend all day doing this?" 

Arthur responds before I do, "Mary made a batch of cookies in her house this morning. If you don't stop complaining, I'll eat the entire batch". 

Liam squints suspiciously. "My Mary wouldn't let you". 

Arthur grins back. "Try me, kiddo". 

I clap both on the shoulder, and we walk in. 

We discuss items for hours. New election plans. How the council will run. Valerie specializes in role and consideration for additional roles. Issues within the packs present that need addressing. Identifying main goals for the next 12 months. Felt nothing like the other meetings. This one was productive. 

We get through everything on the agenda, and by the end of day two, we start discussing the new alliance agreements, and I start explaining the changes. 

"All the previous agreements of the alliance still stand, but we have added standards. The main one is that any wolf who feels unsafe in a pack can seek refuge in another pack without being defined as a rogue. If an Alpha can not hold the trust of his pack, then he doesn't deserve to be an Alpha". 

Alpha Leroy smiles and speaks up. "I am assuming this is so no other wolf goes through what Luna Queen went through". 

"Not just her. My mother, Mary, went through the same thing years before.  When she was expelled from your pack by your father, she was deemed a rogue by your pack. She eventually found safety with false paper records in Beta Liam's pack that stated she left to find work. She told us this after the incident with Hector. I'm sure there are more examples of wolves trying to survive when they should be protected". 

Arthur added to my point. "She-wolves and pups in particular". 

I can sense the unease in the room, but this point is not negotiable. 

An Alpha from the East speaks up. "There has to be a limit to this. How will we keep our packs safe from feral wolves if they have been away from our kind for too long? What if someone is exiled because of crimes against the pack and then commits those crimes against others? What if they have decided to become a rogue and fight against the crown? That would put you and your family at risk". 

I can stop the small laugh that escapes and the grin on my face. "Any wolf that thinks they can outmatch my mate will be bitterly disappointed. I have a feeling that when the pups are born, she will be even more formidable. As for all of your other concerns. All crimes will be investigated under new protocols. If someone has decided to go against the crown, that is their choice, and they will be a rogue. As for feral wolves, they will be assessed by my mate before being cast out. You have the night to think about it. Meeting adjourned". 

I walk out without glancing back. Arthur claps me on the back without saying a word and then leaves to spend the evening with Mary. Liam heads upstairs to Michelle, and I try to track down my mate. I was about to open the living room door, thinking she would be in here, but paused when I heard an Omega calling to her from the entrance way.