Chapter 52

The Alpha’s have arrived.

I can feel their presence in the great hall. They’re pissed, unsurprisingly. Luckily for me, they don’t have a choice.

I sit at what once was my father’s office, behind his desk. For the most part, I’d been going through all the files. Mostly the classified ones. I read through the information of almost all the spies; my father had many.

“Why are the Alpha’s gathering here. Didn’t Jaxson say to gather them at the warrior pack?” Elias questions. An exhausted sigh escapes my lips.

“Because it’s been a long time since these Alpha’s have come together like this. Most of them hate each other. I can feel their bloodlust through my bonds. Telling them to drop it won’t end well – there is too much bad blood.”

I can’t have them gather their packs in one place and expect them to sit quietly. It’s best to start with the Alpha’s first before asking them to assemble their forces to the warrior pack. “Hmm, I understand. But you should go in there before someone dies. We wouldn’t want another war on our hands.”

I guess Elias makes a point.

“Can you watch over Theia?” Elias tilts his head slightly, his golden gaze burning through mine.

“You don’t want me to come along?” He asks.

“Of course I do, but… if I’m going to be a leader, I cannot hide behind anyone. And because I’m a woman, I need to show those Alphas my strength. That is the only way they’ll fight with me,” I explain, turning to the door, but Elias snatches my wrist.

His smile burns through my defences like once before, and I accept it. “I’m proud of you, Valerie. No one will ever understand the hardships you have faced better than you, but I see now you no longer hate them or yourself.”

“I’m sorry I disappointed you. Before…” Elias cuts me off, shaking his head.

“No, you did not disappoint me. I guess I just wanted this world to change because I know it can. I became angry at the possibility we may all die before that happens. But the Qusayr are right. We are hopeless without hope.”

I nod respectfully. Opening the doors, Henry stands beside it. I take the lead, and Henry follows confidently behind me. “Alpha Q…” Henry starts behind me, but I cut him off.

“You can call me Valerie, Henry,” I tell him.

“I’m sorry, I can’t do that. My wolf won’t allow it, and neither do I,” I stop and so does he. My eyes clash with him, but he has trouble maintaining eye contact.

“You called Valak by his name - most of you did,” I drawl, confused.

“That is because our wolves never respected him. They followed out of obligation to the Moon Goddess,” I didn’t know that, but I guess that is why my father never argued with the subject. Earning a wolf’s loyalty takes a lot more work than simply having power.

I wonder what I did to earn it?

“Hmm, okay. Let’s continue, Beta,” Henry smiles, and I turn on my heel to continue. The guards slam the doors open; all heads snap to me.

None bother to bow or show their respect. The testosterone in here is suffocating. These men are much older than me and far more experienced. Right now, I lack the experience and knowledge that comes with my title.

Under normal circumstances, my father was supposed to prepare me to become Queen. I’m basically a pup amongst these men, but it doesn’t unnerve me.

Alpha Dane slams his fist down on the table before I can take my seat at the head of it. “I demand to know the reason for this meeting. My Luna is pregnant, and my pack is vulnerable. You better have a good reason for this, girl.”

Suddenly, it’s like I didn’t even need that training or experience. My anger rose to its highest degree. I hear Henry growl in discontent, his wolf fighting to show this Alpha his place before me.

But I don’t need his help.

I raise my hand, calming Henry before he can make any sudden movements. My eyes glare into Alpha Dane. An insufferable wave of dominance hangs over the room. Each of these wolves - No! Alpha’s - cowers and submit, falling off their chairs and present me their necks.

“Who do you think I am… Alpha?” I ask, my voice flat. I step before Dane, his body shaking as his wolf fights to the surface to show its neck to me. “Answer me!” I practically demand.

He stays silent, afraid to answer. “I am your superior, as I am your Queen. The next time you raise your voice to me, growl at me, call me anything other than my title, I will be taking yours before you can even decide to blink,” I promise and simmer down on the power of domination I was projecting onto him.

“The same applies to you all! We are no longer in the Era of the ancient war. Times change Alpha’s, it’s about time we catch up,” I snap, for all their ears. Turning, I glide over to my seat at the head of the table and sit down.

They all keep their heads low, their knees on the ground. I wait a long, insufferable minute and say, “you may take your seats.”

No one wastes their time doing exactly that. “First, I’ll introduce myself. I am Valerie Carson, Alpha Queen. Selene gave me her blessing, and I challenged my father. Now here we are.… if anyone has a problem following a woman, speak freely."

Several men raise their hands - Beta’s too. I’m shocked some didn’t see it as a big deal. Still, those were only a few, mostly the young generation of Alphas. Including an old man at the far back who seems satisfied.

I break the barrier that hides my scent, allowing my power and domination to hang over them all like a dark cloud. Alpha’s tense and shake in their seats as my mouth twists into a wicked smirk, and I drawl.

“You can either deal with it or challenge me. Your move, *Gentlemen.*”