Chapter 59 The Escort Debate
Fernando sat behind the heavy oak desk in his private study, maps and reports spread before him like pieces on a war board. The room smelled of ink and polished leather, the only light coming from a single candle and the fire crackling in the hearth. He had spent the morning reviewing border reports, but his mind kept drifting to Alberto. The bond hummed quietly in his chest, a constant reminder of the man who had become his anchor.
He looked up as the door opened. Darius entered first, followed by Samael. Both men carried the weight of their positions in the set of their shoulders, Darius with his usual measured calm and Samael with a barely contained energy.
Fernando leaned back in his chair. "Sit. We need to talk."
Darius took the chair opposite the desk. Samael remained standing, arms crossed.
Fernando folded his hands. "I will be attending the Alphas' meeting in the neutral lands next week. The council of southern and northern leaders has requested my presence to discuss the remaining rogue threats and alliance terms."
Darius nodded. "We expected that. The escort will be ready."
Fernando continued. "Alberto will be coming with me. He will serve as head escort."
Darius's expression did not change, but his voice carried a note of protest. "Alpha, with respect, Alberto is not yet fully integrated with the elite guard units. His role as keeper is vital, but—"
Samael interrupted with a snort. "Are you two planning your honeymoon already?"
Fernando shot him a glare sharp enough to cut stone. "Watch your tongue, gamma."
Samael raised both hands in mock surrender, but his eyes danced with amusement. "Just asking."
Darius cleared his throat. "As I was saying, I will need to check Alberto's stance with the elite wolves before I can allow him to lead the escort. The Alphas' meeting is no place for untested—"
Fernando cut him off. "I am the Alpha. I make the call. Alberto comes as head escort."
Darius leaned forward. "And we are the beta and gamma of this pack. Head of the soldiers. The ones who swore on our lives to keep you safe. We cannot send you into a meeting of Alphas with an escort whose loyalty and skill have not been proven in their eyes."
Samael nodded. "He is right. The other Alphas will test the escort. If Alberto falters, they will see weakness."
Fernando's jaw tightened. "He will not falter."
Darius met his gaze steadily. "You are certain because he is your mate. But the elite guard answers to us. They need to trust him to protect you."
Fernando stood, placing both palms on the desk. "I do not care what they need to trust. I trust him. That is enough."
Samael stepped closer. "Then pray his strength wins over the soldiers. Because if they challenge him and he loses, the escort falls apart."
Fernando's voice dropped to a dangerous quiet. "He will not lose."
Darius sighed. "We will prepare him. Extra drills. Pair him with the best. But if the elite guard refuses—"
"They will not refuse," Fernando said. "Because I command it."
Samael grinned. "And because they are terrified of you."
Darius shot Samael a look. "This is serious."
Samael shrugged. "I know. But the Alpha has spoken."
Fernando sat again. "Inform Alberto. He begins training with the elite escort tomorrow."
Darius rose. "It will be done."
Samael followed him to the door. "Try not to scare the boy too much."
Outside the study, in the corridor, Darius rounded on Samael the moment the door closed.
"You almost got us both skinned in there," Darius said. "Standing up to Fernando like that."
Samael leaned against the wall. "I just let them do what they want. We cannot stop Alberto. The bond is too strong. Fernando will have his way."
Darius rubbed his temple. "The elite guard will test him hard."
Samael nodded. "And he will pass. Or he will not. Either way, the Alpha gets what he wants."
Darius glanced back at the study door. "We keep him safe. That is our oath."
Samael pushed off the wall. "Then we train the boy until he can hold his own. Starting tomorrow."
They walked down the corridor together, the weight of their roles pressing on them.
Samael stood in the center of the elite training yard, a separate enclosed space reserved for the pack's most skilled warriors. The ground was packed harder here, scarred from countless brutal sessions. Weapon racks lined the walls, holding real steel instead of wooden practice blades. The air carried the sharp scent of oil and leather. Twenty elite members gathered in a semicircle around him, their faces a mix of curiosity and wariness.
Samael raised his voice to carry over the wind. "Listen up. Tomorrow we hold spar matches. Real weapons. First to draw blood three times wins. No holding back."
A murmur rippled through the group.
Samael continued. "Your opponent is Alberto."
The murmur turned to outright laughter.
Kael, a broad veteran with a scar across his cheek, stepped forward. "Alberto? The forest keeper? The one the Alpha, beta, and gamma all favor?"
Lena, sharp-eyed and quick, joined in. "Does he think because he tamed some trees and sleeps in the slave quarters he is our superior now?"
Bram snorted. "He can face us? The boy has no wolf most days. We will cut him to ribbons."
Rorik crossed his arms. "This is a joke, right? He gets special treatment because the Alpha likes him."
Elise shook her head. "He will bleed out in the first minute."
Joran laughed loudest. "Let him come. I will give him his three blood draws on my blade alone."
Silas nodded. "He is not elite. He is not even full wolf. Why waste our time?"
The laughter grew bolder, voices overlapping.
Samael let it run for a moment, then raised a hand. The yard quieted.
"You laugh now," Samael said. "Tomorrow you fight. And you fight to win."
Kael smirked. "We will win easy."
Darius stepped from the shadows near the gate, his presence cutting the laughter short.
"Enough," Darius said, voice calm but carrying the weight of authority. "You are elite. Act like it. Do not pass your boundary. Alberto earned his place. You will give him the respect of a fair fight."
The elites straightened, laughter dying.
Darius scanned them. "Dismissed. Prepare for tomorrow."
The group dispersed, murmurs quieter now but still laced with doubt.
Darius turned to Alberto, who had stood silent at the edge throughout.
"Come here," Darius said.
Alberto approached, posture straight despite the lingering ache from recent nights.
Darius studied him. "You heard them."
Alberto nodded. "I did."
"They will not hold back," Darius said. "Real blades. Blood. Three draws. You ready?"
Alberto met his gaze. "I have to be."
Darius placed a hand on his shoulder. "Then be prepared for tomorrow's matches. Train tonight if you need. Rest if you need. But show them why the Alpha chose you."
Alberto exhaled slowly. "I will."
Darius squeezed once and left.
Alberto remained in the yard long after, staring at the weapon racks, steel glinting in the fading light.
The challenge awaited.