CHAPTER 3: THE KING OF ALL

The training grounds of the Alpha King’s palace were already alive before sunrise.

Steel clashed against steel. Boots scraped against gravel. Warriors moved in formation, sweat dripping down their backs despite the cool morning air.

And in the center of it all stood Alpha King Lucien.

Tall. Still. Watching.

He didn’t need to shout to be heard. His presence alone was enough to silence a room.

The warriors feared battle.

But they feared him more.

Lucien’s silver-gray eyes scanned every movement with sharp precision. Nothing escaped him not even a weak grip, not a misplaced step, not a moment of hesitation.

“Again,” he said calmly.

One of the warriors stepped forward. He was strong, broad-shouldered, but nervous. That nervousness showed in his stance.

He attacked.

Lucien dodged easily.

“Your footing is wrong,” Lucien said flatly. “You lean before you strike.”

The warrior swallowed. “Yes, my King.”

“Again.”

The warrior tried. Harder this time.

Still wrong.

Lucien disarmed him within seconds and sent him to the ground.

“You expose your left side,” Lucien corrected. “I’ve told you this.”

The other warriors continued training, but their attention was clearly on them.

The warrior stood again, hands trembling slightly. “I will correct it.”

“Again.”

He attacked.

Wrong.

Lucien’s jaw tightened.

“I corrected you three times.”

The warrior froze. “My King, please—”

Lucien moved so fast it barely registered.

A sharp crack echoed through the training grounds.

The warrior’s body dropped lifelessly to the ground.

Silence.

Heavy and suffocating.

Lucien looked down at the corpse without emotion.

“Those who cannot correct their mistakes after being corrected,” he said calmly, “do not deserve to stand beside me.”

No one moved.

“No weakness. No repeated errors. If you are corrected and choose not to improve, you are useless.”

His eyes lifted to the remaining warriors.

“And I do not tolerate useless warriors.”

A wave of fear spread through the training ground.

Some lowered their heads. Some straightened immediately.

Lucien stepped back.

“Continue training,” he ordered. “Unless you wish to join him.”

The sound of swords clashing resumed instantly sharper, faster, desperate.

Lucien turned and walked away.

Behind him followed two people who were not afraid of him atleast not in the same way.

Austin, his Beta. Calm, calculative.

And Peter, his Gamma. Quiet. Deadly. Observant.

They followed a few steps behind him as he entered the palace.

Servants along the hallway immediately bowed, eyes lowered. No one dared look directly at him.

Lucien did not acknowledge them.

“Austin. Peter,” he said without stopping.

“Yes, my King,” they answered together.

“Wait in my study. I will join you after I freshen up.”

They nodded and turned toward his office.

Lucien continued toward his private chambers.

Inside, the atmosphere shifted.

The room was spacious, dark wood and tall windows letting in soft morning light. Everything was organized. Clean. Controlled.

Just the way he liked it.

He removed his training jacket and stepped into the shower, letting the hot water wash away the scent of blood and sweat.

He did not regret what he had done.

He had warned the warrior.

Correction was mercy.

Repeated failure was choice.

And Lucien had no patience for those who chose weakness.

Still, as he stood under the water, something unsettled flickered inside him.

Brief. Distant.

Like a bond snapping somewhere far away.

His wolf stirred.

Lucien frowned slightly.

Strange.

But the feeling disappeared just as quickly.

He dressed in dark fitted trousers and a black shirt, sleeves rolled neatly to his forearms.

A knock came at the door.

“Enter.”

Head Maid Mary stepped in first, her posture respectful. Behind her were three young servants carrying a breakfast tray.

“Good morning, Your Majesty,” Mary greeted softly.

Lucien gave a small nod and sat near the window.

The servants placed the tray carefully on the table. None of them dared meet his eyes. Their hands were steady.

They feared him.

Everyone did.

Lucien began eating in silence.

The room remained quiet except for the soft clink of cutlery.

The three servants stepped outside once everything was set, leaving only Mary inside.

When he finished, he placed the fork down calmly.

Mary knocked gently, signaling the others to return. They entered quickly, collected the tray, bowed, and left without a word.

Mary remained.

Lucien noticed the slight hesitation in her breathing.

“Yes?” he asked.

“My King… I bring a message.”

“From?”

“From your parents.”

Lucien’s expression didn’t change, but his attention sharpened.

“They request your presence at the second mansion,” she continued carefully. “They said they have something important to discuss.”

The second mansion.

That meant this was serious.

Lucien leaned back slightly in his chair.

“Inform them,” he said evenly, “that I will join them for dinner.”

Mary nodded.

“After I finish what is currently on my table.”

“Yes, my King.”

She bowed and left the room.

Lucien stood slowly.

His parents did not summon him without purpose.

And that strange flicker from earlier that distant pull returned for just a second.

His wolf shifted restlessly.

Lucien ignored it.

Whatever this was, he would face it the same way he faced everything else.

With control.

He stepped out of his chamber and made his way toward his study.

Where Austin and Peter were waiting.