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8

COLD MOON PACK***

Kade, Steele's trusted beta sat across from him, his eyes searching the Alpha's face for any hint of his current feeling.

"The rumors are true." Steele prince said at last, his voice heavy with the weight of his words. "She is returning, after all these years."

Kade leaned forward, his brow concern evident on his face.

"But, my Alpha, is that wise?

The Lycan sighed, his expression darkening. He's thinking of the perfect response, but nothing seems right in his eyes.

"I know it was not wise. But I saw an opportunity, and I seized it." He admitted.

His beta shifted in his seat, his eyes widening with surprise. What was the Lycan saying?

"You mean...you lied to the Lycan king of the Blue Moon Pack?" he asked, barely able to believe his own words. "You told them that the Storm Moon Pack was in need of assistance, simply to lure her back here?"

At his question, Steele nodded, his gaze cast downward. He was at the crossroad, without a choice than to do what he did.

His beta's concern deepened, his brow creasing with worry. "Alpha, what will happen if your mother discovers the truth?" he asked, leaning forward in his chair, not so sure if this was worth the risk. He knew how the Alpha has been ever since Alexia but... he just doesn't think going this far was worth it.

"You know how she feels about her. She will not be pleased if she discovers the deception."

The Alpha clenched his jaw, his gaze flicking up to meet the Beta's. He want to so much chatise him but wouldn't want to chase him away instead. At the moment, he happen to be his only confidant.

"I am aware. But I will not let her chase my mate away again. She is mine, and I will not lose her a second time." He said,

The beta nodded, sensing the determination in his Alpha's voice. Nevertheless, his concern remained, his mind unsettling as he considered the potential outcomes.

"Alpha. What if the Lycan king of the Storm Moon Pack discovers the truth? He will be furious that you deceived him. It could endanger the alliance between our packs." He looked not so sure.

By then, Steele's expression hardened, his eyes narrowing as he considered the beta's words.

"I will handle the Lycan king," he said, the edge of his words cutting in sharply.

The Beta rose from his seat, shaking his head slightly as he moved to pour the Alpha a drink. He handed the glass to him and watched as he took a sip, the tasty liquid sliding down his throat.

Steele set the glass down, his gaze fixed on the flickering candle. The beta cleared his throat, his voice barely above a whisper. Steele grunted lowly, knowing Kade was about to start again.

"Alpha, you must consider the other matter," Even though he was scared to continue as the Alpha's glare only intensified, he spoke. "You know that she is barren. How will you explain to your people that your chosen mate cannot provide you with an heir?"

For a second, Steele looked away then later turned his gaze to the beta, his expression unreadable to Kade. For a long moment, he said nothing, letting the silence stretch between them like a taut thread. If confusion was a person, they're would be no looking further.

At last, he spoke, his voice barely more than a whisper.

"I will tell them nothing." He said.

"They will know only that she is my chosen mate, my queen, and that her place is by my side."

"The people will not accept a queen who cannot bear an heir." Kade choose his words with care after some hesitation.

The Beta shifted in his seat, his hand clenching into a fist. Just thinking about the situation makes him want to yank at his hair.

"They will see her as weak, as unworthy of the throne," He continued, his voice rising slightly. "And if they believe she has deceived you, they may turn against her, or even you."

Just like that, Steele's jaw tightened, his eyes narrowing in anger.

"They will accept her," He growled, his voice low and dangerous. "Or they will answer to me."

He turned his gaze back to the candle, his expression hardened.

"Let them come for her." He muttered, his voice unyielding.

Beta Kade's heart raced as he considered the prince's words. He knew the Alpha King would not back down, not when it came to his mate. But he also knew the dangers that awaited them if the Alpha continued down this path.

"Your highness..." he began.

"I beg you to reconsider. The people are already restless, and this will only add fuel to the fire. You must think of the kingdom, of your duty to your people."

The Alpha's gaze remained fixed on the candle, his features still and cold. It's always that way whenever it came to Alexia. He knows deep down for her, he's already a lost cause.

Ever since she came into his life, he was done for. That night... that night she vomited on him was the exact moment his life changed.

He ought to hate her... hate her for making him go through troubles just to find.

He was supposed to see her unworthy of him but the situation was the other way around.

"My duty is to my mate. She is the only one who matters. I will not abandon her, not again." He was determined, and no one could tell him otherwise.

He turned his gaze to Kade, his eyes burning with intensity into his forehead.

"She is the one I want. Do you think I was dumb and just wasted my many precious years on her search? She is the only one who sees me for who I truly am. And if they cannot see that, if they cannot accept her, then they are not worthy of my kingdom." His words hung in the air, heavy with conviction, that Kade would never take.

The Beta sighed, his shoulders slumping in defeat. He knew there was no swaying the Alpha when his mind was set. With a heavy heart, he reached for the communicator on Steele's desk, his hand shook terribly.

"I will send word to the council. They will be waiting for us in the morning." Kade resigned.

Steele nodded, his expression unchanged, finally getting what he wanted.

"Good, I will be ready." He answered, rising from his seat.

As Beta Kade watched him depart the room, he could not help but wonder if this was the beginning of the end.

As Steele stepped out of his study, his shoulders tensed as he made his way down the corridor. He could hear his mother's voice from the opposite end of the hall, her laughter echoing off the stone walls.

He quickened his pace, hoping to avoid detection, but the click of his boots against the stone floor betrayed his presence, causing him to inaudibly curse.

His mother turned, her eyes sharpening when she saw her son.

"There you are. I had wondered where you had gone off to." She walked over to him.

"I was simply taking care of some matters in my study." He lied, thought it was exactly the truth. Matters regarding Alexia.

"Is that so? I had assumed that you would be here, helping to prepare for our guests." She asked and stated, stepping closer to him with narrowing eyes.

Steele simply shook his head. "I am not needed for that. My time is better spent handling matters of state."

The queen's smile faded, and her tone grew more pointed.

"Perhaps you would have more time for such matters if you weren't wasting it on a female who cannot provide you with an heir." She said, making sure to leave her voice with her disapproval. What was it he saw in her?

Before Alexia, it'd take her long to figure him out but ever since she came into her son's life, he became so easy to read that it just pissed her off.

The prince's jaw tightened, his eyes flickering with anger.

"I have already made my decision." he said with a low growl.

"A foolish decision. One that will only bring ruin to our pack." She stepped back and countered.

"Your people will not accept her. And without an heir, our line will end. Is that what you want?" She asked him, a brow raised in the air questioningly.

"It is not about what I want. It is about what is right. She is my mate, my chosen partner, and I will not turn my back on her. Ever." He snapped, desperate.

Luna Celeste shook her head, her expression hardening the more defiance her son pulled.

Somehow, she wondered if this was the same Steele she had knew.

"You are too blinded by your emotions to see the truth. If you refuse to find another female, I will take matters into my own hands. The pack will have an heir, even if you are too weak to provide one." She spat.

He recoiled, her statement the one thing that slashed the last shred of his patience.

"You will not," he growled, stepping closer to his mother. "You will not harm her!"

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