Chapter 2

**Dominicus Volkov's POV**

"The Alpha of the Southern Alpine Forests has sent a gift, Your Majesty."

Kale, my Beta, stood before my desk with a stack of letters in his hand.

"As a token of gratitude for your assistance in defeating the Resistance Front, he has also sent thirty-two thousand gold bullions and signed a lifetime treaty, pledging twenty thousand warriors every year to defend our northern borders."

I stared at him blankly.

To be honest, he looked just as bored as I felt.

He barely managed to suppress a yawn.

As Alpha King, gifts arrived at my palace every single day.

Some came with genuine gratitude.

Most came with conditions.

"In his letter, Alpha Fin also wrote..." Kale cleared his throat before reading aloud. "'I hope the gift is to your liking. It's the best of the best. You don't know what you're missing until you've had a taste of it.'"

That finally caught my attention.

Resting my chin against my palm, I cocked an eyebrow.

Kale stopped reading.

He knew me too well.

Fin was a pathetic excuse for an Alpha. I had little interest in receiving anything from him.

But...

I was curious about the riddle.

I raised an eyebrow.

Kale sighed, already understanding.

His eyes glazed over for a brief second as he mind-linked someone.

A moment later, the office doors opened.

Two royal guards stepped inside before bowing deeply.

Then...

Walking gracefully between them...

Came the so-called gift.

A woman.

Long blonde hair cascaded over her shoulders like spun gold. A crimson dress hugged every curve of her body, leaving very little to the imagination. A daring slit climbed high along one leg, revealing smooth skin with every measured step she took.

Her sapphire-blue eyes settled on me.

She smiled.

Slowly adjusting the ribbon tied around her waist, she stood a little straighter, as though presenting herself.

A gift.

Of course.

"Greetings, Alpha King."

She dipped into a graceful curtsy.

"It will be my pleasure to serve you."

"Just tell me how I may be of service."

Kale looked between the woman and me.

I simply sighed and ran a hand through my hair.

Picking up the empty crystal glass from my desk, I held it out toward Kale.

He immediately understood.

"Right away, Your Majesty."

He poured another drink into the glass before placing the bottle back on the tray.

I gave a small flick of my fingers.

A silent command.

Leave.

The guards bowed once more before turning toward the door.

As everyone prepared to leave, the woman nervously adjusted the neckline of her dress, attempting to cover what was already impossible to hide.

For the first time since entering...

Her confident smile faltered.

Of course.

Everyone feared my aura.

She wasn't the first.

She certainly wouldn't be the last.

I'd watched hardened generals tremble beneath my gaze.

I'd seen grown men piss their pants on meeting me.

Compared to them...

She was merely a frightened woman trying very hard not to show it.

The office door clicked shut.

Silence settled between us.

She looked at me through lowered lashes, waiting patiently for my next command.

I leaned back in my chair, resting my boots on the edge of the desk.

The endless wars.

The bloodshed.

The politics.

It all became painfully monotonous after a while.

Perhaps...

A little entertainment wouldn't hurt.

"What's your name, beautiful?"

"Rose..."

She swallowed.

"Y-Your Majesty."

I lazily swirled the amber liquid inside my glass.

"So..."

My voice was calm.

Almost bored.

"Why are you here, Rose?"

"To..."

She hesitated.

"...give you a pleasant evening, Your Majesty."

"To help you... relax."

A slow smirk tugged at the corner of my lips. I raised my glass slightly in her direction.

"Then..."

I took an unhurried sip.

"Let's begin."