Chapter 54

ALPHA KING ARLO

Five Years Later

I stood in front of the mirror, adjusting the lapels of my tailored suit. The crown insignia pinned to my chest caught the light—a reminder of everything I'd accomplished. Twenty-one packs now answered me. The entire Eastern territories united under a single ruler: the Alpha King.

From six packs to twenty-one in five years. Just five years.

A crash outside my door broke my concentration, followed by the patter of small feet and childish laughter.

"Father! Father!"

The door burst open and Ajax tumbled in, dark hair wild and eyes— my eyes sparkling with mischief. At four years old, he already carried himself with the confidence of an alpha's son.

"I caught a frog in the garden! Come see!" He tugged at my sleeve, oblivious to the importance of the council meeting awaiting me.

I felt the smile forming before I could stop it. "Not now, Ajax." I gently removed his hand from my sleeve, crouching to meet his gaze. "I have a meeting with the council. Important alpha business."

His face fell instantly, bottom lip jutting out. "You always have important alpha business."

The accusation stung more than I cared to admit. "Why don't you go play with your mother? I'll find you after my meeting."

Ajax kicked at the carpet, clearly dissatisfied with this solution, but nodded reluctantly. "Promise?"

"An alpha keeps his word," I said, ruffling his hair.

As he trudged toward the door, I caught myself staring at the shape of his face. So like Calantha's. Five years ago, one moment of weakness, one embrace after conquering the Silvermoon Pack had led to drinks, conversation, and the lowering of barriers I normally kept fortified.

One night. That was all it took to change everything.

But Ajax wasn't a mistake. He was my heir, my blood. Even if what existed between his mother and me remained... complicated.

A sharp knock interrupted my thoughts. Victor entered, my trusted assistant since I became alpha.

"Your briefcase, Alpha King." He handed me the leather portfolio containing the day's agenda.

"Thank you." I straightened my shoulders, slipping back into the role of ruler. "The elders are punctual today?"

"All assembled and waiting, sir."

We stepped into the corridor, Victor falling into step beside me. The hallway stretched before us, staff and pack members bowing their heads respectfully as we passed.

Halfway to the council chambers, I caught a familiar scent. Jasmine and vanilla. Calantha appeared around the corner, Ajax's hand in hers. She wore a simple blue dress, her dark hair falling past her shoulders. Our eyes met for a fraction of a second.

No words. No acknowledgement. Just the briefest look before we both turned our attention elsewhere. We passed like satellites in distant zones connected yet perpetually apart.

Ajax looked between us, confusion clouding his young features. He never understood why his parents, who lived under the same roof, behaved like polite strangers.

When they disappeared around the corner, Victor cleared his throat discreetly. "The council is expecting you, sir."

I nodded, pushing thoughts of Calantha aside. "Let's get going."

\---

The council chamber fell silent as I entered. Twelve elders representing the original major packs rose from their seats, bowing their heads in deference.

"Be seated," I commanded, taking my place at the head of the table.

The oldest among them, opened the proceedings.

"Alpha King Arlo, we've been reviewing the preparations for the celestial conjunction next month."

I nodded. The celestial conjunction—a rare alignment of stars that occurred once every year, was both a spiritual event and a political opportunity. Packs from across territories would gather to celebrate, forming alliances and strengthening bonds.

"The guest list requires your final approval," Elder Sophia added, sliding a document toward me.

I scanned the names, noting leaders from the South, West, and even representatives from overseas packs. My finger paused on a blank space near the end.

"Add Alpha Queen Vespa of the Northern Territories," I instructed.

Elder Marta, always the most outspoken, leaned forward with a frown.

"Alpha King, with all due respect, why do we continue this pretence every year? She's declined every invitation since that first conjunction five years ago. It's become a ritual— sending her an invitation she ignores."

Several other elders nodded in agreement.

I set the list down, meeting his gaze steadily.

"I want to maintain a channel of communication, no matter how small." My tone left no room for argument. "Invite her nonetheless."

He studied me with knowing eyes.

"The Northern Queen has expanded her territory significantly. Sixteen packs now, if our intelligence is correct."

"Nineteen," I corrected, surprising myself with how closely I'd been tracking her progress. "She claimed the Frost Ridge Pack last month."

The council exchanged glances, but no one dared comment on my knowledge of Vespa's conquests.

The meeting continued, discussing border security, trade negotiations, and upcoming celebrations. But my mind kept drifting back to Vespa.

Five years ago, she'd attended the conjunction celebration as the leader of two packs. An impressive achievement.

I recalled how she left that morning. I knew that something had changed. Maybe I was wrong to not have tried to find out what while it was still early. I was foolish.

Every year since, my invitation has gone unanswered.

What happened that night? What did I say or do?

I remembered her fierce determination, the fire in her eyes when she spoke of her ambitions. Even then, I recognized something in her that mirrored my own hunger for power.

"Alpha King?" Victor's voice pulled me from my thoughts.

The council was staring at me, waiting for a response to a question I hadn't heard.

"Forgive me," I said, straightening in my chair. "Please repeat that."

Elder Sophia cleared her throat. "We were discussing security arrangements, given the number of powerful alphas in attendance."

I nodded, forcing myself to focus. "Double the guards. I want no incidents this year."

As the meeting adjourned, I remained seated, watching the elders file out. Victor lingered by the door, awaiting further instructions.

"Send the invitation to Alpha Queen Vespa personally," I told him. "Not through the standard diplomatic channels."

He hesitated. "May I include a personal message from you, sir?"

The question caught me off guard. What would I even say? What could possibly bridge the chasm that had formed between us?

"No," I decided finally. "Just the invitation."

As Victor departed, I found myself alone with thoughts of the Northern Queen. I'd seen her potential from the beginning—watched her rise from two packs to nineteen with ruthless efficiency.

Almost my equal now.

The thought brought an unexpected smile to my lips. In a world where few could match my ambition, Vespa had become a worthy adversary. Perhaps that's why her continued absence bothered me more than I cared to admit.

I rose from my chair, gazing out the window toward the northern horizon. Somewhere out there, she was building her own empire, parallel to mine.

Will you come this time, Vespa? Or will you make me wait another year for answers?