Dagen's POV
I stood on the balcony, enjoying the cool evening breeze that offered a brief respite from the day’s tensions. The sky was painted with hues of orange and purple, a serene contrast to the turmoil within me. My peace was abruptly shattered by the appearance of Alpha George in the distance, walking towards me with that proud gait of his. My morning which was fairly good was now successfully ruined by his presence that was as unwelcome as he was unexpected.
“Dagen,” he greeted, his tone laced with an arrogance that set my teeth on edge. "I see you are enjoying a fine evening by yourself. Sitting pretty in this courtyard and admiring the hues of the sky. The moon goddess is a wonderful creator, is she not?"
"I was enjoying my evening in solitude until a certain person interrupted that."
"Still, it is a privilege."
"Not when you are standing in my front, disturbing the serenity and beauty life has to offer."
"The beauty life has to offer?"
"Of course."
"You say that with so much confidence," Alpha George smirked
"Of course I do."
"What if you had all these privileges taken away from you?" Alpha George asked. "You hate my presence here. You hate that I am standing in front of you and disturbing the peace you had staring at the sunset. What if because of where I am standing you do not have your kingdom any more? Not just your kingdom— you are not left with anything good in life. The fancy clothing, a hundred thousand servants, horses... You are reduced to nothing. Stripped to your very last because I am here, standing in front of you."
"I do love being realistic," I sighed giving him a smirk. "Standing in front of me does nothing. I could have my guards remove you."
"Why have you not done that the moment you sighted me approaching you?"
"Do not beat around the bush, tell me why you are here George."
"The council of elders is standing in my front, disturbing my view of the sunset just like I am doing to you."
"I thought you said you had nothing to hide?" I raised my brows, a smile appearing on my face.
"Of course, I do not, but they are preventing me from exercising my full authority as an alpha." He said, moving closer. “These investigations are pointless. They’ll reveal nothing. It’s been four years, and nothing has changed.”
I turned to face him, my gaze cold and unyielding. “The fact that you’re here means something has changed. It means we’re close to uncovering the truth.”
Alpha George said nothing but shrugged.
"You are here to offer me a settlement. You would not have to do that if you have nothing to hide," I said, standing up and squaring my shoulders at him. "There is no settlement George, get lost!"
Alpha George’s smirk was infuriating. “Think about what you want, Dagen. Without my help, you’ll be forced to abdicate your throne.”
“You are talking nonsense,” I retorted, my patience wearing thin.
"But you and I both know it. The curse... The sand in the upside of the hourglass of life is running out. Dagen, the curse will make you want that settlement."
"You are speaking nonsense."
"Oh, am I?" His eyes narrowed. “Why are you looking for Regina?”
A surge of anger coursed through me, and I closed the distance between us in a heartbeat, my hand wrapping around his throat. “You dare speak her name!” I snarled.
As he struggled for breath, he managed to rasp out, “Killing me won’t find Regina.”
Reluctantly, I released my grip, watching as he gasped for air, his smug demeanor momentarily replaced by fear
"Regina is your only hope. She is the only one who can break the curse and keep your throne," Alpha George grinned. "Think of what will happen if you do not find Regina on time. The council gave you five years and that is almost over Dagen. Would you let the son of your backstabbing uncle sit on the throne you fought to keep?"
"George," I said in a warning tone.
"Tyler? That is his name is it not? You would watch your people now run to him as king. Tyler son of Lord Terry. Tyler whose father killed your parents? The boy whose father is a traitor."
"His father being a traitor does not mean he is one."
"You want to play such a card right now Dagen?" Alpha George asked, shaking his head. "I must admit I am disappointed."
I said nothing.
"We both know that you hate him and even if you do not see him as a traitor, you are never going to watch him sit on that throne your father had. You know he is not fit to even be a king and will ruin your kingdom to the very last brick."
"George, leave. Do not force me to use the guards on you, it is not befitting for an Alpha."
"Well, I guess the two of us shall not be alpha's much longer," he smirked.
"Leave now."
"This is a win-win situation for both of us," he continued. "We could both be stripped of our titles as Alpha."
"I am not interested in any settlement you have to offer," I said firmly. "I believe I have made that clear."
"You are not interested in any settlement because you have not heard my offer."
"Alpha George, this would be the last time I would ask you to leave. Do not let me bring my guards into this."
"Does it bother you that much? Or rather, do I bother you that much?" He asked raising his eyebrows. "You know I am right. So just listen to me."
I gave a sigh, rolling my eyes. Alpha George was really getting on my nerves more than usual.
“Listen to me, Dagen,” he said, rubbing his throat and holding my shoulder. “Convince the Council of Elders to drop the investigations about me and I’ll give you Regina.”