They plot against me.  

Chapter One

Kai's POV

“What’s that supposed to mean?” I glared at the elders. The council Chambers was gravely quiet. None of them could look me in the eye, but I was baffled that they could plot behind my back. They even had the guts to utter such words in my presence.

I paced the length of the room. Ever since I became Alpha, these elders have been on my neck. Problems after problems have been arising. The things I have had to endure to keep my throne.

Suddenly, an old elder cleared his throat. He looked up, his chin tipped up in defiance.

"An alpha without a strong bloodline is an alpha on borrowed time," the old man said, his voice like gravel. "If you want to keep your title, bring us a mate. “The other elders murmured in agreement.

This must be a joke

I haven't ruled for two years, and they are already requesting a mate.

I inhaled slowly, suppressing the growl rising in my throat. I first went to take a seat in my chair, at the head of the long Mahogany table.

As I stared at each of them, I drummed my fingers against the armrest of my chair. I couldn't kill 10 elders at once. Nah. That will get me summoned by the alpha's council and the moon goddess’s messenger. I could get a curse.

I shook my head. I don't want to be like all those alphas that went berserk looking for a cure for their curse. I just got into this. I need this throne.

The elders began to look up. Brave now isn't it?

They thought they held authority here. That they could dictate my future.

They were wrong

I just can't wait to pull the rug from under their feet. Another coughed. I recognize him from the alpha choosing game. Elder Felix.

"You grow complacent, Kai,” Elder Felix spoke first, his voice brittle with age. "A pack without a Luna is a pack without stability. Without an heir. Without a future."

I locked my gaze on him. It was sharp and unyielding. "My pack is the strongest it’s ever been," I said in gritted teeth.

"And yet, the pack doubts you," he countered, voice steady but not fearless. "You took this seat. You’ve ruled well. But bloodlines matter. Legacy matters."

Who made you spokesperson for the pack? I glared at him. Leaning forward, the chair squeaked under my weight. "Say what you mean, old man.” The air shifted. I felt their hesitation, the flicker of unease in their expressions. I fought the urge to smirk.

Scared?

"You must take a mate," another elder said quickly. "Not just any mate. A first-generation wolf."

“What?” I snapped.

“You heard us,” Elder Felix spoke, throwing his face away. “And our decision is final.”

My hands curl into fists under the table.

Memories I have fought hard to forget came floating into my brain. It was just my brother and I We were poor.

Dirt poor. Begging on the street, but we were content. I believed as long as we had each other, we were good. Until one morning, we were sleeping, some rogues came to the slum and took some boys. Asher was one of them.

Watching him kick and cry for help made me feel useless. What sort of brother was I when I couldn't save my little brother? For days, I mourned Asher. Rogues were ruthless. They killed without mercy. But hope came when I heard Asher was still alive. I wiped my tears and began to look for him, but it was useless. I couldn't do anything. Who was I? I couldn't command the rogues to bring back my brother like some people with influence who had their loved ones taken away.

My only chance was getting power, and to do that, I needed to be connected.

That was when I met Vanessa and began to work for her father. She loved me, but I wanted the power I could get as a son-in-law to an elder. Her father.

One month before our wedding, the alpha was found dead in his chambers. He had no heir. So, an alpha choosing competition was set. I saw that as my only opportunity to get the ultimate power. I left her and everybody.

I did everything I could, and now I'm sitting on the throne. My sweat was worth it. I looked at the elders and ground my teeth. Only to have a bunch of old men dictate to me what my next date will be?

Never.

"Must it be a she-wolf from that clan?" I gritted my teeth.

"Yes," elder Felix eyed me. I nodded quietly.

First-generation werewolves were nearly extinct. Hard to find. Even harder to claim. They were born of pure blood, untouched by human ancestry. And the elders knew it. They were killed during the first and only werewolf war.

I rubbed a hand under my chin.

This wasn’t about securing my leadership. This was a test. A challenge. A way to remind me that, despite my strength, they still held power over me.

I let the silence stretch. Then, I smirked.

"You think I can’t find one?" My voice was calm, controlled.

Elder Abram’s throat bobbed as he swallowed. No one said a word. Irritation filled me. It hurt so much I couldn't wait to claw my hands into their heads and fling it across the room.

Fine. They won this time. The war. But not the battle.

"Dismissed," I said coldly.

They scurried out quickly out of the council chamber. I rolled my eyes. Like I could kill them now. Though I badly wanted to.

"Michael” I muttered.

"Yes, your Highness, "he walked into the council Chambers. With how fast he came, I think he was standing outside. "What do they want this time Highness?”

I sighed deeply. “These old men always find a way to piss me off "I said. “They want me to pick a mate, "Michael nodded.

"They have a point, though. A mate is important, but not needed at the moment. In the next 6 months we will organize a mate choosing ceremony for you."

I scoffed. "Not possible.”

"Why? “He wrinkled his eyebrows.

"They want a mate in a month and not just any she-wolf," I gritted my teeth. “They want a first-generation she-wolf."

"What!"

"Yep," I rolled my eyes.

"That's impossible, your highness, aren't they all dead?"

I raised an eyebrow. “You sure?"

"I did a Census last year... I saw no one," Michael said.

I ran a hand over my hair, nodding. “Then this was a plan to dethrone me."

Michael nodded. “I think so too, your highness."

I stood up and walked to the window. Watching the guards during a training. "I need you to check again."

"Huh?"

I snapped my eyes to Michael. I gritted my teeth. "Find me a first-generation she wolf, I don't care if she's as hideous as an Ogre, I'll go, mark, mate, and marry her."

Michael bowed. “Yes, your highness," and so he left.

2 Weeks later, there was still no sign of a first-generation she-wolf. The elders were grumbling. It was uncomfortable to have meetings with them now. So one day I called Michael to my room and began to update him on recent dealings.

"Are you leaving?" He asked.

"Something like that."

Michael nodded. I knew he wanted to ask where I was going.

"I'm not running away." There was a ghost smile on Michael's face. “I’m going to the human side for some unfinished business."

He nodded." Okay, your highness," I looked down at the papers in front of me.

"Now is your chance to prove yourself," he nodded eagerly. Do well to keep me updated on my mate.”

"Yes, your highness."

And so I left my pack. In hopes of a miracle. In hopes of a mate.

On the human side, there was a pile of work waiting for my attention. I dived straight into it. Burying myself 6 feet.

The nights were long. Filled with paperwork and phone calls. But no matter how eager I was to face it, nothing prepared me for what I was to face.

The moment I walked into my hotel suite, I heard a sound. It was like the voice of a person. I wrinkled an eyebrow. It was followed by the sound of shattering glass. I froze.

I knew instantly I was not alone.