Chapter 3: The Alpha King’s Favor

Serena Blackwood’s notorious arrogance wasn’t born overnight; it was bred by the three most powerful wolves in the kingdom.

The first was her grandfather, Alpha Magnus of the Northern border. If Serena wanted the stars from the sky or the reflection of the moon on the water, Magnus would find a way to tear them down for her.

The second was the Mother of the Nation, Luna Queen Eleanor. She held Serena in her palm like a fragile pup, terrified she might break. When Serena was small, the Luna Queen herself had hand-fed her every meal.

The third, and perhaps the most significant enabler, was the Alpha King himself, Alaric.

If anyone wondered why Serena dared to walk with her nose so high, defying every law of the pack, it was because the Alpha King stood behind her like a towering mountain. Whenever the Council Elders came to complain about her behavior, King Alaric would silence them with lavish rewards and heavy glares.

It had taken a catastrophic mistake three years ago to finally get her exiled from The Royal Capital. Yet, barely three years later, these three powerful elders had conspired to bring her back.

They claimed it was a reward for Alpha Magnus’s military victories, but everyone knew it was just an excuse to silence Beta Prime Marcus.

As the carriage curtains parted, Serena opened her eyes to see Alpha Magnus watching her, his rugged face softening with overwhelming affection.

"Grandfather?"

Tears instantly welled in the old Alpha’s eyes. "My little pup! Did you miss your grandfather?"

"Grandfather!"

Serena didn't wait for the footman. She leaped from the carriage with the agility of a young wolf, launching herself straight into Magnus’s open arms.

The hardened warrior nearly wept on the spot. It had been five long years since he had returned to the Capital.

A deep, commanding cough interrupted their reunion. The air shimmered slightly with the suppressed aura of the Alpha King.

"It is good that you have returned, Magnus," King Alaric said, his tone laced with a hint of jealousy. "You and Serena have been apart for years. It is right for family to reunite."

He cast a resentful glance at Serena. *She sees her blood grandfather and forgets her Royal Grandfather? Ungrateful pup!*

Hearing the King’s voice, Serena pulled away from Magnus and approached the throne. The scent of royal sandalwood and power washed over her.

"Royal Grandfather," she curtsied, her voice dripping with sweetness. "Serena has returned. For three years, I have missed you terribly. I hope you and the Luna Queen have been eating well and keeping your strength up."

She looked so obedient, so unlike the hellion she truly was.

A satisfied smile broke across King Alaric’s face. *Look at that! My darling granddaughter, my sweet little wolf! The moment she returns, she worries about my health. Who else is this thoughtful? Certainly not those old fossils in the Council who only know how to raise my blood pressure.*

Still, he tried to maintain a stern expression. "I thought once you saw your real grandfather, you’d toss this old King to the back of your mind."

Serena beamed, her eyes crinkling. "Impossible. Serena thinks of Royal Grandfather and Royal Grandmother every single day."

Two sentences, and the Alpha King was grinning like a fool.

However, out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Beta Prime Marcus. The Beta’s face was dark, his scent sour with suppressed rage. The King cleared his throat and wiped the smile from his face.

"Do you know your errors after three years?" Alaric asked, his voice booming for the audience.

Serena immediately lowered her head, the picture of submission. "Serena knows her wrongs. For three years, I have reflected on my sins. I deserve death for causing Royal Grandfather such worry. In the Silent Abbey, I prayed to the Moon Goddess daily for your health. Even if I had to stay in the Abbey forever, I would have had no complaints."

This was exactly why the King doted on her. Her mouth was dipped in honey. Her attitude was terrifyingly perfect.

Alpha Magnus had been guarding the borders for years, so Serena had essentially grown up at the King’s knee. In the Royal Pack, where blood ties were often cold and political, the King craved genuine affection. He had poured all his warmth into this little rascal.

The ministers suspected that if Serena hadn’t been caught red-handed trying to kill someone three years ago, the King would have swept the whole thing under the rug.

"To realize one's errors is the greatest virtue," King Alaric declared, nodding sagely. "Since you have repented and served your punishment, go home and be filial to Alpha Magnus. He has guarded our lands tirelessly. You two should enjoy some family time."

He then turned his gaze to the fuming Beta Prime. "And later, prepare a generous gift and go apologize to Miss Marcus. She will forgive you. The Beta Prime’s daughter is known for her virtue and kindness—unlike you, you uneducated little wildling!"

Beta Prime Marcus clenched his jaw so hard his teeth nearly cracked. *Does His Majesty take me for a fool? Does he think I’m not a person?* The bias was so obvious it was practically crossing the border! *He thinks I can’t hear that this lecture is actually for my benefit?*

He couldn't voice this treason, but he couldn't force a smile either.

Serena turned to him, a smile playing on her lips that was perhaps a little *too* sweet. "Yes, Royal Grandfather. I will prepare a heavy gift and visit personally to... apologize to Miss Marcus."

As she looked at the Beta Prime, her eyes didn't hold a shred of remorse. Instead, they danced with mockery, provocation, and a casual disregard that made Marcus’s wolf hackles rise.

"Beta Prime Marcus, what do you think?" she asked.

Marcus’s expression was grim. "I obey His Majesty’s command."

His daughter had nearly died, and the King was letting Serena off with a slap on the wrist. The Alpha King was clearly getting old and senile.

"Good. That settles it for today," King Alaric announced. "Alpha Magnus, stay. The rest of you, dismissed."

"We obey," the court chorused.

Beta Prime Marcus flicked his sleeves and stormed out, his anger leaving a bitter trail in the air.

Once the hall cleared, Serena dropped the act. She stretched her arms and groaned, her joints popping.

Alpha Magnus rolled his eyes and marched up to the King, snorting. "You claim to treat my granddaughter like your own! Was that Silent Abbey a place for a wolf of her standing? Look at her! My poor pup is nothing but skin and bones!"

King Alaric’s eyes bulged. "You ungrateful old wolf! I treat Serena like my own heart and liver! I treat her a thousand times better than you do!"

"Pah!" Magnus scoffed. "If the border wasn't so harsh, do you think I’d leave her with you? I would have taken her with me ages ago."

The King stood up, his aura flaring. "Hey! Are you looking for a fight, old man?"

"Oh, stop it. You’re both ancient. Why is your temper still so hot?" Serena sighed, pouring tea for the two most powerful men in the kingdom as if they were bickering children.

The King, still riled up, smacked the back of Serena’s head. "You little brat! You have the nerve to speak? You threw a girl into a frozen lake! You didn't even have the sense to do it secretly. Do you care nothing for your reputation?"

Serena rubbed her head and grinned. "Royal Grandfather, I believe in being open and honest. Besides... what reputation?"

The King looked like he wanted to strangle her.

Magnus growled, stepping between them. "Why did you hit her? Do you think she’s yours to discipline?"

"Of course she is!" Alaric shot back. "I raised her! She still calls you Grandfather, so you should be thanking me!"

"Don't flatter yourself," Magnus spat. "If anyone raised her, it was the Luna Queen. Serena, let’s go. We’re going home."

"No!" The King blocked them. "My old woman has been waiting for hours. If you take the girl, how do I explain it to the Queen?"

Serena stepped in before claws came out. She moved behind Magnus and began massaging his shoulders. "Grandfather, I’ll spend today with the Royal Grandmother. Tomorrow, I’ll come back to the estate and spend all my time with you!"

Magnus eyed the King suspiciously. "Really?"

The King huffed. "Do you think I’d hold the brat hostage?"

"Who knows with you," Magnus muttered.

"You petty old wolf," Alaric scoffed. "When you return to the border, Serena will have plenty of time to keep me company. Who wants to fight with you?"

Serena gave a thumbs up. "Royal Grandfather is broad-minded!"

Magnus frowned. "And me?"

Serena immediately turned to him. "You are magnificent and generous!"

"That’s better."

King Alaric chuckled. "Alright, you little flatterer. Go see the Queen. Your grandfather and I have pack business to discuss. If you’re late, she’ll come here and scold us all."

"Serena takes her leave," she chirped, turning toward the Queen’s chambers, the Pepper Hall.

She walked through the winding corridors of the palace. As she rounded a corner near the garden, the sound of voices made her pause. Her enhanced hearing picked up her name instantly.

"Alpha Patrick," a high-pitched, coquettish voice whined. "Serena Blackwood is back. What if she begs the King to grant you two a Mating Decree? You know how it is—the King denies her nothing. What if he actually agrees?"

Another voice, sharp and gossipy, chimed in. "It was because of your engagement to Miss Marcus that she went crazy three years ago! She threw Miss Marcus into the lake and nearly killed her. The poor girl is still bedridden and weak from the cold!"

The air went silent for a few seconds.

Then, a voice smooth as polished jade, yet cold as winter, drifted to Serena’s ears.

"I would never accept a mate with a heart as venomous as a snake's."