No Time for Brides

Cassian

‘Alpha, he wants to parley with you.’

My Beta’s voice shoots through my head in the mind-link just as I make the final blow to the brown wolf in front of me, sinking my fangs into his neck. The taste of copper drips from my tongue, and I survey the battlefield.

It is true, the Mountain-King Alpha’s army is backing off, though my people continue to chase after those who try to escape their immediate fights.

‘Hold.’ I command in the community mind-link.

Immediately, my warriors stop their aggressions, stepping back to form a line, waiting.

‘Where is he?’ I ask Turgan.

He runs up beside me, his black fur shimmering with the moisture of fresh blood. ‘Over the east hill ahead,’ he answers. ‘Shall I come along?’

‘Aye.’

He follows as I sprint up the hill, along with my footservant, who remains in human form far behind me, holding my bag.

As expected, King Cobour awaits our discussion in human form, sitting in a gem-studded throne under a woven tent.

‘He has a lust for wealth,’ I remark to Turgan.

‘Quite,’ is his only response.

My Beta and I shift, the footservant handing us pairs of pants to slip into as we approach.

“Sea-King Alpha Cassian,” the enemy king greets me.

“Cobour.” I refuse him the formal title, knowing its absence will bite.

My tactic is awarded with a low groan escaping his lips. He knows my army has the advantage, so he doesn’t dare correct me. “I would like to find a way to end this conflict.”

“As would I,” I agree. “Unfortunately, this battle is not of my making.”

He grimaces, knowing he was wrong to ever dare step foot in my kingdom. “I had hoped to negotiate.”

“Your company will leave my lands in its entirety, never to return,” I say simply. “These are my terms.”

He betrays his disappointment in his eyes. “Perhaps we could discuss fishing rights in your northwest quadrant.”

“You know well we will do no such thing,” I insist. “Those who come at my kingdom with violence instead of negotiation get no part in the spoils of my land.”

He pauses for a moment and inhales slowly. “I’ll take my leave, then.”

“Yes, you will.”

I stand firm while he calls to his troops, who ascend the hill toward their camps, shifted back to human form, their expressions deflated.

“Take your dead with you,” I add over my shoulder as I walk away, expecting no answer.

“I’ll leave it to you to see that he does as he’s told,” I tell Turgan when we return to my army. To the community mind-link, I add, ‘Let us go home. These fools waste our time.’

Turgan walks with me for a few steps before leaving. “Shall I arrange a scout of the southern lands?”

“Aye,” I reply. “This asshole kept us busy while other more pressing matters are closer to home. Cobour is a joke next to Assanan.” I stop and look at him. “What count do you have of the Forest-King Alpha’s troops?”

“It’s difficult to calculate given their stealth,” he tells me. “But I am estimating high and reinforcing our ranks to meet the challenge.”

“Excellent.” I blow out an exhale forcefully. “Keep me informed. I think it’s best I get back to the castle.”

“We’ll break camp and be back this evening,” he says. “I trust Helmswood to tell me if Cobour and his army stick around.”

“If they do, they die.”

“Aye,” he answers.

Without another word, I shift, the power of my white wolf urging me into a swift run. The exhilaration of freedom quickens my steps, the cool salt air breeze rushing through my fur as I race to my castle.

I arrive refreshed, and another footservant greets me at the castle gates. “Congratulations on your victory, Your Majesty.”

I snort as I shift, accepting the clothes from the man. “How did you get such swift news?”

“Your return is news enough,” he says with a smirk.

I’m still chuckling as I step into the castle, intending to go straight to my quarters. But my mother interrupts my plans.

“Cassian,” she calls from a side hallway. “Are you back from the battle?”

“I am, Mother,” I say gently, turning to her.

She smiles, the lines around her mouth more pronounced than I remember them. “I’m delighted to see that,” she says. “I hope you taught those awful mountain people a lesson.”

“I did,” I confirm, a light smirk on my lips. “Mother, did you need me for something?” She is getting more forgetful with her frail health and advanced age.

“I-I was hoping you’d consider bringing the girl to your chambers,” she says quickly.

“Girl?” It takes me a beat to recall her foolish idea of accepting the offer of the human bride, an idea I neither wanted nor needed. “Ah, the human princess. Mother, I will not take a wife, much less a human one.”

“I don’t expect you to make her your Luna,” she argues. “I would just like to hold grandchildren in my arms long before I die. You’ve denied all the eligible ladies in the court, so I have lost hope. However, it’s a fact that even a human can bear shifter children to royal wolves, so this union could work.”

“Do not speak of dying,” I order her. “And I do not wish to waste my time on a human female when my future heir will come from a pure shifter union, as my father’s did.”

Her face brightens, but I shake my head.

“And such is a fate I am not willing to partake in for many years to come,” I remind her.

“Very well.” Her features sink into her face. At first, I think she’s just frowning, but it’s soon clear that half her face is frozen.

‘Come immediately!’ I command the healer in the direct mind-link, catching my mother as she begins to fall to the ground. ‘My mother has had another attack!’

The servants around us jump into action, fetching water and warm towels, but I pick her up myself, carrying her to the nearest sofa.

“Mother,” I say softly.

She tries to smile, but her face will not allow it. The healer rushes in carrying her bag of herbs and remedies, directing the servants to assist. I stand back, waiting as my mother’s color slowly returns.

‘This one occurred suddenly,’ I tell the healer privately.

‘Yes, Your Majesty,’ she agrees. ‘She’s been under a lot of strain lately, and it’s taxing her mind.’

‘What can be done?’

‘All we can do is help her relax,’ she explains. ‘Whatever she needs or wants, just do it. Tell her whatever you know she wants to hear. It is for her own good.’

‘Of course.’

After several moments, my mother sits up straight.

“Don’t rush it,” I warn her.

“I’m fine, Cassian.”

A servant offers her a cup of water. She takes a sip, closing her eyes to get her bearings. It’s clear she has recovered.

“I need to go, Mother,” I tell her. “I expect trouble from Assanan soon.”

“And the girl?” She looks at me hopefully.

“I truly don’t have time for this, Mother,” I argue.

But she looks at me again, her eyes dripping with hope. “Could you at least get the girl out of the dungeon?”

“She’s there for her own protection.”

“Are you telling me my son, the Sea-King Alpha, cannot protect the inhabitants of his own castle if they’re not in a cage?” she asks, knowing full well it will rile me.

Just do whatever she needs or wants for her own good. No doubt, the healer’s words are wise.

“Ready a room in your wing,” I tell her.

She claps her hands happily.

“But don’t expect me to be anywhere near the human girl,” I add. “I have a war to fight.”

“Of course,” she says, her tone suspiciously sweet.

I walk away, rushing toward my quarters to prepare my next move before the Forest-King Alpha makes his move.

Does she really expect me to take a human bride?

I don’t have time for this shit.