Chapter 5: THE ALPHA KING'S MATE

"I don't want a mate."

The words slipped past my lips, heavy and sharp, echoing against the towering pillars of the Alpha King's palace.

Two royal guards stepped into my path, their spears crossing before my chest. "You have no authority or invitation to enter the royal court, female," the guard on the left barked. "Unmated Alphas with weak borders and unstable pack lines are not granted private audiences with His Majesty. Turn around and leave before we forcibly remove you from the palace grounds."

"I am Alpha Liora of Silver Fang, and I demand an audience regarding an outdated, unjust pack law!" I argued fiercely, tilting my chin high to meet his arrogant glare without wavering. "The High Council is using ancient regulations to strip my pack's sovereignty, and only the Alpha King holds the supreme power to overturn their corrupt demands."

The guards scoffed, exchanging amused, mocking glances as if I were nothing more than a delusional child throwing a desperate tantrum. "The King does not waste his precious time listening to the endless whining of minor pack leaders. Return to your territory, little girl, before your weak borders crumble completely while you stand here begging."

I clenched my trembling fists tightly at my sides, my silver eyes flashing in pure, cold rage as I prepared to force my way through their spears. But before another word could leave my mouth, the massive black doors swinged open.

A suffocating pressure suddenly flooded the grand entrance hall.

Zayden, the Alpha King, emerged slowly from the darkness, jagged silver scars stretched across his broad and hard jawline.

He walked past his bowed warriors as if they were invisible, his deep amber eyes locking onto me with an intensity that made my heart hammer wildly against my ribs.

My white wolf let out a loud, eager howl inside my mind, clawing at my consciousness as she recognized the absolute dominant male standing right before us. I stumbled back half a step, gasping for air as the sheer weight of our connection threatened to crush my resolve.

"A white wolf..." Zayden murmured, his deep voice rumbling low in his chest, "I thought your rare divine bloodline perished a hundred years ago."

"I did not come here to discuss my bloodline, Your Majesty," I stammered out, struggling to pull my scattered thoughts together while fighting the intense pull of the bond. "I came to request a legal extension on the High Council's seven-day mating deadline."

Zayden studied my flushed face for a long moment, a slow, dangerous smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "I have a far better proposition for you, Alpha Liora. I will sign a formal royal contract publicly declaring you as my recognized mate for seven days."

I blinked rapidly in sheer disbelief, my jaw dropping slightly at his outrageous declaration. "A... a contract? Why on earth would the Alpha King offer such a massive political favor to a complete stranger?"

"Because rogue attacks are escalating along your northern borders, dangerously close to my royal territory," Zayden explained smoothly, taking a slow step closer until his shadow completely swallowed mine. "A temporary alliance protects my kingdom's security while giving you total sovereign immunity against the council. At the end of seven days, we cancel the contract and separate with no permanent mark or obligation."

It was a brilliant, flawless solution that would instantly crush the council's corrupt trap and keep Silver Fang completely safe under my absolute command. Yet after suffering through Aldric's deceitful marriage, the terrifying thought of binding myself to another powerful Alpha filled my throat with bitter ashes.

"I don't want a mate," I said firmly, glaring up into his dark eyes, "I will not become another male's political pawn just to secure my rightful birthright."

"I am offering you a practical shield, Liora, not demanding your surrender or your heart," Zayden countered calmly, extending his hand toward me. "Take my hand, accept the contract, and keep your pack."

I stared at his open palm, my mind racing wildly as I weighed the massive risk against the total destruction of my family's legacy.

Before I could reach out to touch his skin, the palace doors burst open with a loud, violent crash that echoed across the stone hall.

Aldric stood in the doorway, his clothes torn and stained with rogue blood.

"What is the meaning of this, Liora?!" Aldric demanded in a harsh, ragged growl, striding forward with his sharp claws half-extended in blind fury. "Why are you standing in the royal palace holding hands with him?!"

"Watch your tongue in my hall, Alpha," Zayden warned, stepping in front of me, "Alpha Liora is here as my honored guest, and she has just agreed to enter a royal mating bond under my direct protection."

Aldric stopped dead in his tracks. He stared at Zayden with a mixture of raw betrayal, intense shock, and uncontrollable rage that left me completely stunned.

I looked back and forth between the two men, my mind spinning in utter confusion as I tried to process the intense, deeply personal animosity radiating between them.

This was far beyond a simple political rivalry over border territory or pack dominance.

Zayden tightens his hold on Liora's hand, pulling her body flush against his hard side while looking directly at Aldric's trembling form.

"You're late, little brother. Your former bride has already chosen me."

Liora's blood runs cold as the horrific realization crashes over her soul.

The Alpha King is Aldric's brother.