A puppet king - Varyn(pov)

Ever since I learned that Sereyna’s mother joined hands with Vaelor’s mother to murder my father—to bury the truth of the grandmothers they slaughtered that night—I can no longer name what I feel when I look at her.

It twists. Sharp. Constant.

Hatred.

Or pity.

She is my true mate.our bond is undeniably strong.

And I reject her.

Once she takes the Luna’s place—the title she wants so desperately—nothing will stop her from killing me as well.

Kade watches me, his gaze heavy with things he isn’t saying.

“Kade,” I say. “You’re my Beta. Speak.”

“What if she truly loves you?”

I scoff. “You speak as if you’ve forgotten how loudly Vaelor’s mother’s love for my father was praised. She was adored. Revered.”

“My mother?” An unremarkable Luna. Chosen only to secure his throne.”

“And yet,” I say, my voice hardening, “that same beloved murdered him.”

Something feral stirs. I want to drag Vaelor’s mother back from death and kill her again. After that, Sereyna’s mother would not escape me.

“Alpha,” Kade says carefully, “if you wanted her dead, why didn’t you take vengeance when the Council demanded it?”

“I do want her dead,” I snap. “But Sereyna—”

I stop.

“For her sake,” Because if I act, her entire family is executed as traitors.”

Everybody.

Including my own blood.

My fist slams into the glass table.

It shatters.

Pain slices up my arm. Blood slicks my hand.

Kade doesn’t move.

“You’ve been breaking things since Sereyna’s exile,” he says. “Are you certain you’ll accept a new mate?”

“Yes.“ Her father has sworn allegiance. The Mountain Wolf chief has no reason to try to kill me—unlike Sereyna’s tribe.”

“I’ll call a physician,” Kade says, turning away.

If I told him how badly I want Sereyna as my Luna—how deeply that truth frightens me—he would stop seeing me as strong. I cannot afford that.

The its twisted and cruel:

Sereyna’s tribe lives because she is not my Luna.

The moment she becomes one, the Council gains authority to execute her—and her family.

So I will accept Morwen.

I will find a way to love her.

As for the Luna of the female-ruled tribe—

Sereyna’s mother—

I will kill her.

And finally avenge my father.

The door cracks open.

I look up. “Where is the physician?”

“The royal physician is with your mate-to-be,” Kade says. “Morwen.”

The thought settles like lead.

I have never been so unwilling to lie with a woman.

“Tonight?” I ask.

“Yes. You will consummate and mark her.”

I hadn’t even known she was in the West Castle. “Why so fast?”

“The Council has concluded.”

“They decide my union without me?”

“Hold still,” Kade says, taking my hand. “I’ll tend to this.”

He picks glass from my skin with tweezers.

Is this what being Alpha is for?

“Don’t make a fuss,” he mutter. “It’s just another night. Just sex.” Like with serenya!

“What?” I snap.

“Don’t ever say her name like that,” I warn, striking him before I think.

He stumbles back, blood on his lip.

“You marked her,” he says. “I know it. If you’re lying to the Council, don’t lie to me.”

“Accept it,” he adds. “You love her. Stop pretending.”

“Shut up, Kade.” My voice shakes with fury. “I love her. And so what?”

“Then fight for her.”

“No.”

“Why?”

“Because her mother killed my father.”

Silence.

“I’m a man,” I say finally. “And this is politics. I will sleep with Morwen tonight. That is final.”

Kade wipes the blood from his mouth. I regret the strike immediately—but regret is useless.

“I don’t know what it is about you,” serenya , “But I have not been right since you left.”

“I’ll be in my chamber,” I say. “ i can’t apologize “The Alpha does not bend to his Beta.”

“Have a great sex ,” Kade says. “She’s already waiting in your bed.”

I shut the door.

I am not sure I can have an erection right now .

“Of course” I scream back to Kade

May your union produce many sons

I Startle, raising my head to the elders heads bow , leaving the council room .

This old wolfs

Imagine them smiling after concluding my union without me

Had I known they where here I would have remained at my Beta’s

I hear the said mate is in the castle already?

I say with all displeasure

Yes Alpha you have made a great choice, elder in charge of supply say with a wide fang .

You brought this mate! You all suggested this union

How is it that I have made a choice my elder ? I say with a wide grin!

They all chuckle

The heart of the king is buried in his people and the heart of his people is buried in the council , you have made a good choice mighty Alpha , another elder speak with a bow

I see clearly that they mock me.

What can I do , they have me where it’s delicate the most

I moved without another word.

Have a perfect communion Alpha

They chatter behind me .

And I have never heard just an annoying command .