CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER EIGHT

A miracle or a trap?

KING RONAN 

“The rogues have struck again, my King.” Alpha Vance of the Ironclaw Pack grunted.

I barely looked at him. These weekly meetings were a waste of time. I was certain that they invented problems half the time to get more funding. There was a ridiculous competition between the eight packs, or so Silas said. I was beginning to believe him. 

“Rogues?” Alpha Calloway of the Moonveil Pack scoffed. “Do you really need the King’s help handling small rogues? You cannot handle them on your own?” 

“I have tried handling them, but they are persistent.” Vance glared at him. 

“Persistent? Or you’re incompetent.” Calloway mocked. 

“How come I have never caught a glimpse of these infamous rogues?” Alpha Montgomery of the Ravenstorm Pack demanded. His Pack was closest to Ironclaw. “You have been crying about rogues that might as well not exist.” 

“Pick your words carefully. Will I lie to the King?” Vance seethed, leaning forward. 

“You do have a history of lying to get more supplies for your Pack.” Montgomery pointed out. “What is it you want now? More soldiers? More supplies? More food? Have the imaginary rogues stolen it all?” 

Everyone laughed, and I glanced at Silas, who frowned. He looked as unimpressed as I was. I had been right. This meeting was a waste of time. I shouldn’t have to show my face for this nonsense, but I had missed the last two meetings, and he thought something good might come from today’s meeting. He was eating his words. 

“Why don’t you bring us proof of these ravagers?” Mikeal, my Uncle, spoke up, and my gaze flickered to him. 

He was the only family I had left. He bore a stark resemblance to my father. His presence on the council was more functional than decorative. When I took over the entire kingdom, I asked him to pick whatever Pack he wanted, but he chose to stay here with me in the Capital. I would never admit it out loud, but I was grateful he chose to stay. 

“Proof?” Vance frowned. 

“Proof, Vance. Capture one of them. Lay a trap for them. Do whatever you must. Half the council do not believe your claims, so prove it to us that these rogues are real. In the meantime, I’ll send twenty more soldiers with you, but that will be all until we get something more concrete. You cannot hoard everything.” Silas decided, tone sharp. 

Vance glanced at me, an ugly expression on his face. “This is not a democracy, King. You do not need half the council to help. Your word is law. We are your people, and we are being attacked.” 

“Every pack has enough resources to fight off ordinary rogue raids. Prove it is more than a pack issue, and I will intervene.” I leaned back in my seat and glanced away from him.

“Yes, King.” He murmured, sombre, but my mind had drifted to the woman down the hall. 

Solana. 

“My King,” Alpha Langley of Shadowridge, her Pack, smiled at me. “Celebrations are in order.” 

“Yes, your little breeder survived the night.” Alpha Donovan of Silverpine nodded. 

“It is a miracle.” Montgomery agreed. “But do you think she is the best option? We have the annual pack celebration in less than a week, and I think it will be the perfect time to present my daughter. You remember her? Elizabeth. She just turned one and twenty. She is beautiful, of royal blood, and has childbearing hips. She will be a better fit than a flighty omega.” 

“My daughter, Mirabel, is four and twenty. Unlike Elizabeth, she is mature enough to stand by your side, able to carry as many children as you want.” Alpha Ashford of Nightshade cut in sharply. “You know how fertile my wife is. We have seven children, so you do not have to worry about children. Mirabel will give you as many as you want.” 

Flighty omega. 

My wolf shifted in me, and heat climbed up my neck in waves. 

There was nothing flighty about Solana. She took me twice when no one had been able to take me once. She stood in this same hall and told me no. She challenged me. I could still taste her cunt on my tongue. 

“My daughter –”

“Quiet.” I snapped, and my words cut through the ramblings. 

“Out, all of you. The meeting is over.”

They knew better than to fuck with me. They got up and left, dragging their feet. I gritted my teeth until pain shot up my jaw.

They had hidden their daughters from me, gossiped about my curses behind my back, called me all sorts of names, and now that something had changed, they wanted to plant their daughter by my side? They could all burn in hell for all I cared. 

I got up and walked to the large window, with my hands behind my back. 

“You should not take their words to heart.” Silas remained. 

I didn’t.

“There is something about Solana that isn’t right, something … strange.” I turned to him, brows furrowed. 

“Strange? This is a miracle, Ronan. Shouldn’t you embrace it rather than trying to figure it out?” He suggested. 

“No.” I shook my head. “Send for her parents. I want to see them first thing tomorrow morning.” 

“As you wish.” He nodded and asked. “You should visit her chambers tonight. This is a chance, Ronan.” 

It wasn’t a chance. It wasn’t a miracle. It was a trap, and I wouldn’t allow myself to be swept away in her thighs. There was something about her, and I would figure it out before my time ran out.