Chapter 5

LUCIUS POV

“What?” Mathias’s eyes widen. “A concubine?”

“Is an Alpha not entitled to one?” I ask calmly.

Silence sweeps through the hall, and from the corner of my eye, I catch Violet’s expression. Her jaw is tight, her face twisted with fury she’s failing to hide. I almost smile. She truly believed that a few carefully chosen words last night were enough to earn my trust.

How little she knows.

I am already aware of everything she and Adrian have been plotting behind my back. To me, trust does not come easily, not even from the woman who made me Alpha. And love? That can never be on the table, not when Celeste is carrying my child.

Unlike Violet, Celeste never bought into the accusations against my mother. She was the only one in the entire pack who ever looked at me and didn’t hesitate to embrace me.

Once a year is over, Violet will step down as Luna, and Celeste will take her place.

The elders’ voices rise in the hall, dragging my attention back.

I frown. “Why don’t you say what’s really on your mind?”

“I believe they don’t agree with your request,” Violet cuts in, turning fully to face me with anger in his eyes. “And neither do I.”

“It wasn’t a request,” I reply. “As your Alpha, I don’t make requests.”

“It’s only been a day since your coronation,” Mathias cuts in, not bothering to hide the disgust on his face. “This is meant to be your honeymoon week so bringing up a concubine in front of the Luna is deeply disrespectful.”

“Would it have been better if I did it behind her back?” I arch a brow and their expressions shift with disapproval tightening into open displeasure. “I found out this morning that my girlfriend is carrying my child. I won’t turn my back on her. Or would you prefer I abandon her and my child?”

“There are other ways to handle this,” Mathias says. “She could live comfortably with her family, without being brought into the estate you share with the Luna. Don’t forget, she is the one who bestowed the title of Alpha on you.”

My fingers tighten against the arm of the chair. “She will not live outside this estate with my child and that is final.” I turn my gaze to Violet. Her face has gone red, anger barely contained beneath the poise she’s clinging to. “I suggest you learn to accept her and see to her well-being.”

Her jaw ticks before she pushes to her feet. And then she looks down at me with spite, then gathers her dress and storms out of the hall. I follow her retreating back with my eyes while the elders exchange looks filled with distaste…no hatred, quietly confirming where their loyalties lie: with her and Adrian.

Maybe they should have stopped me when they had the chance. If they had, I wouldn’t be standing here now, forced into taking a concubine… when marrying Celeste outright would have been far simpler.

I am already doing her a disservice by naming her a concubine, a title most would find degrading, if not outright insulting.

Once Violet leaves the hall, Mathias steps forward, closing the distance until he stands directly before me. His voice drops, meant for my ears alone. “It would not be in your best interest to bring another woman into this estate while the Luna resides here. Many Alphas have died for far less.”

My lips curl slowly. “Is that a threat?”

“I am the chief elder of this pack,” he responds. “And whether you like it or not, power still rests in the hands of the elders. We stand behind Violet and Adrian, not you.” His gaze hardens. “Your choices will determine how long you remain Alpha.”

I chuckle, and the sound clearly catches him off guard. He must have expected fear or expected me to shrink because of his warning.

He isn’t wrong about one thing: the elders often steer the pack, their approval shaping the will of the Alpha. Plus an elder cannot be executed lightly because it takes a grave offense and he has to be caught red handed.

Mathias knows this. That knowledge is what fuels his confidence, what makes him bold enough to stand here and threaten me.

I lean forward, lowering my voice so only he can hear. “Mathias,” I murmur, a faint smile tugging at my lips, “you will die before I do. Remember that.”

**********************

As Alpha, I get to pick my Beta. It’s a big deal because whoever you choose can make or break you. But I already know who I want.

“You’ve broken a thousand rules already,” Seth says, sipping his wine. “And now you want to make me Beta? Those elders are going to have your head.”

I snort. “Exactly why I need you watching my back.”

Seth isn’t nobility and usually, a Beta comes from a Beta or Delta family. This is another thing the elders would hate me for.

“Well,” he says, grinning, “who am I to say no?”

He takes another sip, eyes narrowing. “What about Violet? How’d she react to Celeste?”

I sigh. “She walked out of the meeting and I haven’t seen her since. But, yeah… she’s not happy about it.”

Seth shakes his head. “How’d you manage to knock Celeste up? Or… was it planned?”

“No,” I admit. “She said she was on the pills, so I trusted her.”

“Hmmm,” He mutters, rubbing his jaw. “How long has she known?”

“She’s two months gone,” I say and he raises an eyebrow. “I know what you’re thinking, but she only found out yesterday. She’s not the type to plan this, and she didn’t even want to come here. I had to convince her.”

“Violet won’t take it easy on her,” he says. “Just so you know.”

“I won’t let her hurt Celeste,” I reply. I know Violet’s temper and how fast it snaps, how ugly it can get. And if she so much as lays a hand on the woman carrying my child, there won’t be any coming back from it.

Silence stretches between us for a few seconds. Then Seth straightens in his seat.

“Have you figured out why Violet made you Alpha?” he asks.

“No,” I say, honestly. “And it doesn’t sit right with me.” A guard steps forward to refill my glass, and I watch the wine pour. “I don’t believe a word she said last night. Violet is planning something…something that stretches over a year, something she thinks she can win.”

I take a sip. “There’s no way she’d give up her position on the off chance I’d fall for her. Whatever game she’s playing, I plan to ruin it.”

Seth smirks. “Well,” he says, lifting his glass slightly, “you can count me in.”

I nod, leaning back in my seat. That’s when another guard hurries toward me and bows low.

“Alpha,” he says, “Celeste has arrived with her mother.”