CHAPTER 55

CHAPTER 55
ALPHA QUEEN VESPA

I jolted awake, gasping for air, sweat beading along my hairline. The same nightmare. His face, voice, and memories I couldn't outrun no matter how many territories I conquered.

Beside me, Ryker slept peacefully, his chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm. Ryker had been loyal to me. Five years of unwavering devotion had earned him a place few occupied: someone I trusted. Ryker had been promoted and rewarded handsomely. He held a remarkable position at the council, even though he never wanted anything to do with pack politics after Alpha Bryan's death. Probably his way of staying loyal to his former beta, even in his death. But after some time... he began to loosen up. 

I slipped from beneath the silk sheets, my movements silent from years of practice. The cool floor against my bare feet anchored me to reality as I gathered my discarded clothes.

Ryker stirred. "Vespa?" His voice was heavy with sleep. "Everything alright?"

"Go back to sleep," I whispered, pulling my shirt over my head. "Family meeting in the morning. I need to prepare."

He nodded, eyes already drifting closed. No questions, no demands— another reason we worked well together.

The corridors of my residence were silent as I made my way through them, guards nodding respectfully as I passed. Outside, the first hints of dawn painted the sky in muted purples and blues.

Nineteen packs. Nineteen victories. And still not enough.

My residence stood as testament to how far I'd come— once the modest Alpha house I'd inherited with my first conquest, now expanded and transformed into a palace worthy of the Northern Queen. Where drab colours and utilitarian design once dominated, vibrant blues and silvers now reigned. The east wing, my most recent addition, boasted floor-to-ceiling windows that overlooked the mountains of my territory.

I trailed my fingers along the marble balustrade as I descended the grand staircase. Servants appeared immediately, bowing their heads as they asked about breakfast preparations and the day's schedule.

"Not now," I said, waving them off. "I'll bathe first."

Hot water enveloped me, washing away the lingering unease of my dream. As steam clouded the bathroom, I sank deeper, letting my mind drift to the day ahead. Council meetings, territorial disputes, and training sessions with the elite guards. The routine of power.

But today would be different. Today, I'd make time for something I rarely allow myself.

\---

The private family quarters sat nestled in a protected corner of the compound— a haven of normalcy I'd created away from the politics and posturing of Alpha life. Here, the furniture was chosen for comfort rather than intimidation, the rooms designed for connection rather than command.

As I pushed open the door, warmth and laughter spilt out. My father looked up first, his weathered face breaking into a smile that creased the corners of his eyes. 

"The Queen graces us with her presence," he teased, rising to embrace me.

My siblings, Luna and Leo, abandoned their breakfast to crowd around me, their enthusiasm unchanged by my position. Suzie and Jew remained at the table, but their faces brightened as I entered.

"What's the occasion?" Suzie called out, a piece of toast halfway to her mouth. "You usually don't surface from your royal duties until midday."

I settled into an empty chair, stealing a piece of fruit from Leo's plate. "Can't I spend time with my family without an interrogation?"

"You?" Suzie's eyebrows shot up, her fork freezing mid-air. "Being nice without an ulterior motive? Since when?"

"There's no catch," I laughed, reaching for the coffee pot. "Just needed a break from being Alpha Queen for a few hours."

Suzie's eyes narrowed, lips pursed skeptically. "No way. There's always a catch with you. What is it this time? Need us to entertain some diplomats? Host another pack leader?"

I shook my head, pouring myself a cup. "Seriously, there's nothing. We've all been busy lately, and I wanted to catch up." 

"She's telling the truth," Luna chimed in, her intuition as sharp as ever. "Look at her eyes—she's exhausted."

I shot her a warning glance. My sister always saw too much.

"Are you okay?" my father asked quietly, concern etching lines around his mouth.

I avoided his gaze, focusing instead on buttering a piece of bread. "They're nothing."

"You don't look too good," Leo pressed, his usual playfulness replaced with worry. "Is it because of—"

"Let's not ruin breakfast with talk of the past," I interrupted, forcing a smile. "Tell me about your new training regimen instead."

Leo hesitated, then launched into a detailed explanation of combat techniques he was learning from the older pack members. The tension eased as conversation shifted to lighter topics— Luna's experiments with healing herbs, Suzie's latest romantic conquest, Jew's expansion of our trading network.

"As Alpha Queen ruling over nineteen whole packs in the Northern territories," Jew said, raising her glass in a mock toast, "we are honoured to always have you sharing our table."

Her exaggerated formality broke the last of the tension, and laughter rippled around the table. For a second, my thoughts flashed back to my victory. I had kept close watch on Arlo's pack and pursued his victory with mine, but still never met up. 

My father watched us with quiet pride. "It's good to see you all enjoying each other's company," he said, his deep voice carrying the gentle authority as the head of the family. "Let's make the most of our time together."

We all knew how precious these moments were. Islands of normalcy in the sea of responsibilities that came with ruling the Northern territories.

The peaceful moment was shattered as the door flew open. My beta burst in, his usual composed demeanour fractured. His jaw was clenched tight, a muscle twitching beneath his right eye.

"I've been looking for you everywhere since morning," he said, breathless. 

His gaze darted to my family members before returning to me, clearly uncomfortable with the audience.

I straightened in my chair, instantly alert. "What's the problem?"

Without a word, he crossed the room and handed me an envelope bearing a wax seal I recognised immediately. The crest of the Eastern territories. Arlo's crest.

The room fell silent as I broke the seal, unfolding the heavy parchment within. The invitation was elegant, formal. The annual summons to the celestial conjunction celebration. But unlike previous years, this hadn't come through diplomatic channels.

A personal invitation. After five years of rejection.

My fingers tightened around the paper, crinkling its edges. Why couldn't he just give up? Why did he persist in reaching out year after year, despite my silence?

For a dangerous moment, I considered what might happen if I attended. Would I be strong enough to face him now? Would the sight of him still twist something painful inside me? Or would I finally be ready to enact the revenge I'd been planning for all these years?

A chill ran down my spine, raising goosebumps along my arms.

"Bad news?" my father asked, breaking the silence.

I folded the invitation carefully, tucking it into my pocket. "Nothing I can't handle," I replied, but the tremor in my voice betrayed me.

Luna reached across the table, her fingers brushing mine. "You don't have to face everything alone, you know."

I withdrew my hand. "Some battles can only be fought by one person. I think we should go back to our food." 

I didn't like the sudden change in atmosphere. I turned to Ray, and he bowed before me and walked away. I tried to restore the cheerful atmosphere around the table. But one thought consumed me: nineteen packs against twenty-one.

Soon, Arlo. Soon we'll be equals.

'But what if I eventually show up at this year's conjunction?'