Duchess Jenna

What?” Regan lunged to his feet in fury. Moonbeam pack was one of the packs he hated the most and has vowed to take down first when he becomes Alpha.

“What sort of wish is that? That is totally against my plan to destroy Moonbeam pack!” ” He roared, seething with rage.

“Alpha, it is what your father wanted. I'm sure he had his reasons” one of the Elders assured.

“Be damned with what he wanted, this is totally against my plan of conquest!” He barked in retort.

“No,” he shook his head, “I’m not doing it.” He affirmed.

“Alpha, I would not advise you to discard this as it isn't just a disrespect to the late Alpha, but also a sin in the eyes of the Moon Goddess.” One of the Elders quickly chipped in.

Regan paced to and fro, he couldn't contain the rage in him. He couldn't believe his father would do something like this. He was sure the dead man had deliberately made this wish because he was well aware of his belligerent attitudes. He was trying to prevent him from waging war against the Moonbeam pack.

“Get out! All of you!” He roared, causing everyone to exit the courtroom immediately. All except his beta.

“My father never saw things from my perspective. He believed what we needed was peace with other packs. But that's a lie as there would inevitably be one war or the other in the future. Only a powerful pack ruled by a powerful Alpha can bring them all together. Only if all packs are ruled by a single ruler can there be forever peace.” He grumbled.

His beta gazed at him from his seat before standing up to meet him.

“If you ask for my opinion, I think you should get a wife from that pack.” His beta said. Regan turned a confused look to him.

“You too?”

“Listen to me, Moonbeam pack is just as formidable as our pack. Going into war against them would give you no advantage, but with them as allies, you would be able to conquer more packs at a faster rate. You can even backstab Moonbeam pack when their trust is yours.” He said assertively.

Regan lowered his head in thought. His beta was right, going against that pack first would be stupid. Why hadn't he thought of that before?

“You're right, Estan. But marriage to another person apart from Kiya hasn't been on my agenda.....” Regan said.

“Just think of it as the first step of your conquest.” Estan replied and soon left the courtroom.

Regan watched as he retreated only for him to spot Jenna at the entrance.

He sighed, returning to his seat. He wondered why she was still in the castle. After he had conquered a village and made her the Duchess there, he had expected her to get busy and be off his tail.

But Duchess Jenna wouldn't be swayed by Regan's attempt to push her away.

She made her way to Regan's side and placed her hands on his shoulders.

“You should relax, Alpha.” She said in a musical voice. Her fingers dug into Regan's shoulder muscles, easing him of his tension. The latter heaved a sigh in response.

“How can I? Being an Alpha is more difficult than I imagined.” He said in a low voice.

Lowering her fingers down to Regan's chest, Jenna whispered to him. “Perhaps I can help ease the stress, what do you say?”

Regan chuckled. He was well aware of many women's uncontrollable desire to please him, to be in his bed. The Duchess's feeble attempts, diversely, only amused him.

“I will like to be left alone.” He said flatly, bringing a stop to Jenna's hand movements.

“Are…are you sure …”

“Yes, Duchess I'm sure. And shouldn't you be making sure a prisoner is well tortured.” He turned around in his chair, pinning her down with his dangerous, yet captivating stare.

Her lips twitched and he enjoyed watching her try to maintain her composure.

“I’ll be on my way, Alpha,” she said with a smile. “But if you need anything, I'm always available for you.” She bowed before walking out of the courtroom. The intentional swaying of her hips was not to be unnoticed.

Right at the entrance, just after Jenna walked out, a servant walked in. The Alpha cursed under his breath, couldn't he just be left alone for once?

“Forgive me, Alpha.”

“What is it?” Regan asked impatiently.

Handing him a scroll, the servant said, “A message from Alpha Johan of Moonbeam pack.” Regan's eyes widened in bewilderment.

****

Duchess Jenna approached the guards that were whisking away Kiya. “Leave her.” She said in a tone of dominance and the guards obliged.

She grabbed Kiya's arm and pulled her into a dark corridor.

“I told you I won't allow anything to be done to you.” Jenna remarked. Kiya nodded.

“Do you think I have made a terrible mistake?” The princess in distress asked, looking worried.

“No, you haven't. What you did is what's best for you.” Jenna interjected quickly.

“But…but where will I go from here?”

“A nearby village,” Jenna smiled. “You’ll be better off there since you would still be under my protection.” She explained and Kiya nodded again.

“Thank you for your help, Duchess.” Kiya said in appreciation.

“I can't just sit around while I watch another woman being forced into something that would cost her happiness.” Jenna said with a warm smile, patting Kiya's shoulder.

“Now, you need to leave as soon as possible before anyone sees you again.” She muttered while glancing around cautiously.

Kiya was handed to a guard while Jenna watched as they retreated. A cunning smile played on her lips. Kiya was foolish to believe her benevolent act was for Kiya's benefit.

“I can't afford to allow anyone stand in my way of claiming the Alpha as mine.” She mumbled before adjusting her robes.

As she walked back to the hallway, a smallish servant wheezed at her, gaining her attention.

“What is it?” She asked in a whisper. If one of her spies in the castle called her, she was sure it was for important news.

“The Alpha just read his father's dying decree. He is to marry a princess from Moonbeam pack.” The servant announced. Jenna's jaws fell. Did she hear well?

With a stern gaze, she asked, “Are you certain?”

“As certain as I should be Duchess.”

Jenna angrily dismissed the servant. Her hands balled up into fists as rage boiled in her chest. This was solely detrimental to her plans. It was a great setback for her in claiming the Alpha. Why would Alpha Arthur make such a decree?

Jenna turned around, changing destination as a brilliant plan formed in her mind. Determination and anger evident in her steps.