Allegiance vs. Alliance

Allegiance vs. Alliance
“We’re moving the meeting up,” Malakai asserted as he barged into his father’s chambers.

“What’s the rush, son?” The King inquired nonchalantly, as a seamstress measured him for a new suit.

“I haven’t received any letters from Amani in two days. I need to go back and make sure everything is okay.”

“Well, that’s what being mated to an Alpha is all about. Priorities first, right?” The King remarked. “Besides, if something was wrong, you’d surely sense it now that she’s marked.”

“That’s the thing,” Malakai explained. “We don’t have a link.”

“Hmm… interesting,” the King mused.

“I still want this meeting moved up,” Malakai insisted. “All of the Alphas are arriving tomorrow; we’ll have the meeting then.”

“Very well,” the King conceded. “As soon as all the Alphas arrive, we’ll proceed with the meeting.”

“Good,” Malakai declared. “Right after the meeting, I’m out of here.”

The King smiled and gave an agreeable nod. “Of course, my son… as you wish.”

Malakai observed his father closely for a moment, unable to believe that this was the same man he’d dealt with since his mother’s death. A part of him wondered if this was all a show, but he knew his father better than anyone. The King was always vocal about everything that displeased him.

Malakai left the room without another word, and the moment he did, a treacherous grin spread across the King’s face. The news of Amani’s lack of correspondence filled him with glee, for it could only mean one thing: his plan had worked.

He knew she couldn’t be dead, as Malakai would have felt the pain of their severed bond. At the very least, she was enduring a slow, agonizing death, which delighted him even more. He was curious why Malakai didn’t sense anything from her and why they had no link, but he dismissed it, concluding that nothing about that damn She-Alpha was traditional. He decided it wasn’t worth his attention.

Soon, Malakai would return to Bloodmoon to find his mate either dead or on her way out, and by then, the King would have had poor Terrance executed for the murder of their future Queen and her entire pack.
———

Meanwhile, back in Bloodmoon, Amani, Darius, and Archer were training everyone cleared for battle. Amani paced the training fields in her wolf form, her eyes sharp as she watched the scrimmages. It was common for Lycans to begin physical training once they obtained their wolf, but Amani never had that opportunity. 

Fortunately for her, she had always paid close attention to her father’s combat strategy lessons. It was one subject that truly intrigued her, and it would be her ace up her sleeve in this war.

“What are you two doing here?!” Amani demanded, halting and examining two familiar wolves who now bowed in submission.

Steven and Daniela had snuck onto the training field despite Amani’s clear orders that they would not be fighting in the war.

“You are disobeying your Alpha!” She growled, towering over them in her formidable wolf form.

“Alpha, please…” Daniela pleaded. “We want to fight…”

“Absolutely not!” Amani snapped, cutting her off sharply.

“Alpha…” Steven interjected. “We know you still blame yourself for Penelope’s death, but we all know who is really responsible. We’re just as angry and fed up as everyone else. We want to fight for Penelope… for Bloodmoon.”

“I know we are just a couple of lowly omegas,” Daniela added, “but we are of age, in good health, and willing to fight alongside everyone here. Please let us join you in battle, My Alpha.”

Amani contemplated their plea for a moment as they both bowed respectfully, awaiting her final decision. She looked around, examining her army, who had all stopped what they were doing to watch the scene unfold.

“I want all of the omegas to listen to me, particularly those of you from Blackclaw,” Amani commanded. “I want you to put it out of your minds right now that you are lowly, insignificant, weak, and futile. You have been brainwashed to believe those things because, in reality, you were all a threat.”

A stir erupted among the crowd of former Blackclaw omegas, many laughing at the thought of being seen as a threat to anyone with Beta and Alpha blood.

“It’s true,” she continued. “You never needed me to free you from slavery. You were fully capable of freeing yourselves, but you were conditioned to believe you were powerless. The truth is, together, you hold more power than you think. Two of you have the strength of one Beta. Three of you, the strength of an Alpha. Four or more of you… and you’re unstoppable. It’s about fighting smart, fighting together—that’s how we’re going to win this war. I want all of the omegas to train in groups of four. Learn your group, know your group, because in battle, you will fight as one.”

Amani turned her attention to Darius and Archer. “Find Steven and Daniela two of your most skilled omegas and pair them up. Their group will stand directly behind their Alpha in battle at all times.”

“Yes, Alpha,” Darius and Archer replied in unison. Daniela and Steven both expressed their gratitude to Amani for giving them a chance to fight for their pack.

“You two are to stay behind me no matter what, do you understand me?” Amani commanded, her tone leaving no room for negotiation.

“Yes, Alpha,” they agreed enthusiastically.

“Alpha!” Andrew called out as he rode in on Midnight. “You have visitors—rogues who claim they want to join Bloodmoon in battle.”

Amani nodded in her wolf form, acknowledging his report. Darius volunteered to accompany her while Archer continued the drills. After Amani and Darius shifted back to their natural forms and dressed, they headed to the border with Andrew. 

As they approached, one rogue in particular caught Amani’s eye. It was Kaleb, the rogue who had tried to help her cross the river into the Rogue Lands. He stood there waiting with his gang and an older gentleman that Amani had never seen before.

“I recognize you,” Amani remarked. “You tried to help me cross the border.”

“We still regret failing you so miserably,” Kaleb replied with a smirk, “but it looks like you found your own way out.”

“Yes, I did,” Amani replied, amusedly. “My Beta in waiting informs me that you’re aware of my plans to go to war with the Royal Kingdom. I’m quite disturbed that such information has left the confines of my territory.”

Amani scanned her guards’ faces, her anger rising at the thought of a traitor among them.

“I sent them word,” Darius confessed.

“You, Darius?” Amani asked, shocked. “Without consulting me first?”

“I apologize, Alpha,” Darius explained. “I know time is of the essence, and I wasn’t sure if they would even consider my request.”

“Why wouldn’t we?” The older gentleman finally spoke. “We’ve been dying to invade the Royal Kingdom for ages. I want the King’s head on a platter just as much as the rest of you.”

“Then we can count on your alliance?” Darius asked.

“Hold on a moment!” Amani interjected. “I never agreed to an alliance. If you want to fight alongside Bloodmoon, you must join Bloodmoon and pledge your allegiance to me… as your Alpha.”

The older gentleman smiled admirably at Amani. “Apologies, Alpha Amani, but we submit to no Alpha. It would be wise for you to accept our alliance. I have significant influence in the Rogue Lands and can greatly strengthen your army.”

“I will not fight with an army I cannot mind-link with,” Amani declared. “It gets messy, and I refuse to put my pack at risk. Those are my conditions. If you don’t like them, then I don’t need you. Good day.”

Amani turned on her heel and started back toward her horse, only to be halted by the sound of applause. She turned around to see the older gentleman clapping appreciatively.

“Are you mocking me?” Amani said in a challenging tone.

“Oh, no,” the man said, raising his hands in a gesture of defense. “I am genuinely honored to meet the heir of thee Alpha Saul Constantine. You are indeed his daughter. He once tried to persuade me to pledge my allegiance to him, to remain here in Bloodmoon, and perhaps I should have. But after an Alpha failed both my sister and me, I lost faith in Alphas altogether. Yet, I always believed your father was different, and I see that same integrity in you—plus so much more. Perhaps, you’re the Alpha we’ve been waiting for. We know what you’ve been trying to do for us rogues. You actually give a shit, and I’m sorry the King used your compassion against you. I will rally an army and pledge our allegiance to you on one condition: you must give us your word that, once this war is over, those who wish to leave the pack can do so without repercussions.”

The older gentleman extended his hand as if to seal the agreement, and Amani paused, considering the offer.

Amani finally relented and shook his hand. “You have my word, Mr…”

“The name is Rush, and you’ve already met my son, Kaleb,” he replied.

“Rush?” Amani mused aloud. “My mother had a brother named Rush.”

“And I had a sister named Selene,” Rush responded, his words strained with emotion.

Amani smiled at the curious coincidence, but then her eyes widened as the realization sank in.

Kaleb extended his hand to Amani for a formal introduction. “It’s a pleasure to officially meet you… cousin.”