Chapter 1- King's Problem

Chapter 1

King Alfred III’s POV

“Majesty, you have only two daughters.  Your mate has been gone 15 years.  I think it is time you found a new, young mate to give you sons,” my Beta, Theodore, offers. 

Long ago, mates were fated.  But we, werewolves, mistreated the gift.  High born Alphas rejected low born gems.  Classism took over and the goddess withdrew her favor. 

I look around the dimly lit room.  A room so dim only I can make out their faces.  I am the Werewolf King, my power out ranks the seven wolves in this den. 

I wanted this room to be intimidating. Stone walls, the sounds of dipping water, a humid heavy scent.  And the lights, they look like torches but are really LED.  I insist any who enter wear warrior armor.  If anyone looked in it would appear we are Cosplaying Medieval Times.  But is really 2045 and I am just sick of six of these men.  Making their lives more difficult is my greatest pleasure. 

I tolerate my Beta best.  He at least makes me laugh often.  Right now he is all business but I can see the smirk on his face.  He knows what I am about to say, I think he wants popcorn for what the Elders are about to do.

“My daughters are 25 years old.  We will hold a Mate Ball.  Invite all the unmated Alphas close to their age.  Five years on either side.  Let them chose a mate.  The first daughter to give me a grandson will be Queen, her Alpha will be King, and their son will be my heir.”

I make the declaration firmly and everyone whispers until I slam my fist on the stone table making all of them jump.  Old fools that they are. 

“Yes Majesty,” The six answer. 

Theodore pouts not getting his show. 

“Dismissed all of you,” I stand and they hurry out.  Theodore and I start the short walk back to my office, shedding our armor as we walk.  Omega hurry behind us to pick it up.  I will reward them all with a cash bonus tonight at dinner.

“Majesty, are you sure you want your daughters to have so much power over the world of werewolves.  Rachel might chose someone strong but Renee.  She will be charmed by a pretty face and who knows what will happen then,” Theodore says as we walk.

“All of your daughters have mates.  Who do you purpose to marry me?” I ask, only half joking.

“Fred, I am insulted, but since you asked,” He smiles as he closes my office door and sits provocatively on my desk.  “Marry me.  Let’s see if we can have a son together.”

“Do you have internal parts I am unaware of?” I ask, looking at him trying to look sexy. 

He is a 40 year old man who in his prime was hot as hell, now has the start of a Dad Bod.  Thankfully he has his pick of Sons in law to replace him when the years catch up to him. 

“No, and Carolyn would kill us both,” we start laughing again. 

“Oh, what a fight that would be.  Carolyn walks in on us.  You on all fours, me behind you, in and out.  Who do you think she punches first?” I ask, still chuckling.

“Frist of all, it will be you on all fours,” Theodore jokes and I laugh out loud. 

“You forget I am the King of Werewolves.  You take, I give,” I sit up straighter, making him laugh. 

“What are you two boys laughing at?” Carolyn, Theodore’s mate, walks in without knocking. 

“Darling, tell us,” Theodore asks through his laughing.  “If you walked in on us in bed, who gets the first punch?”

Carolyn doesn’t hesitate.  “Are you there willingly or unwillingly?”

“Willingly,” I say.  "He just proposed to me.”

Carolyn sighs and shakes her head.  “My Darling Mate, you would get the first punch in the face.  And I would hope to catch you both at the moment of climax so as to ruin that sensation for you both, forever.”

Now all three of us are laughing. 

“How could you possibly cheat on a woman like that?” I ask my Beta through my laughter.

“I heard your degree,” Carolyn says, making us stop laughing.  “Are you sure you want to put Renee through this?  Rachel fine, but Renee?  She is so young, innocent, even at 25.  Rachel is more than capable.  Let Rachel bare the burden.  Name Rachel heir and whoever mates with her becomes the King Consort.  The world will be fine.”

I shake my head.  “I was given twins with different strengths.  I believe in them both.  I won’t sacrifice one for the other.”

“Plus, think of how much fun they will have in the baby race,” Theodore chuckles again. 

“Has Renee even had sex yet?” Carolyn looks concerned.  “Rachel is well experienced….”

“Don’t,” I cut her off.  “Knowing your daughters are having sex is very different than KNOWING they are.”

Carolyn rolls her eyes.  “Rachel has a warrior in her room right now.  I don’t think they are playing Canasta.”

“Does anyone play Canasta anymore?” Theodore asks her.

“You will be playing Canasta alone if you don’t get serious real fast,” Carolyn snaps.

“Hey, I was serious through the whole meeting with the councilors.  I have earned the right to be silly.”

I chuckle at my best friend.

I know my daughters.  Renee is at the Pup Daycare teaching four year olds their numbers and letters.  She has spent maybe a third of her allowance.  The rest she gave to the widow and orphan fund of a small pack under a fake name.  She is gentle kind and sweet. 

On the other side is her twin sister, Rachel.  I don’t need a trick to tell them apart.  They are fraternal.  Rachel is likely entertaining a warrior, possibly her second of the day.  I assigned all females to her once and she refused to talk to me until she got her old favorites back. 

What I also know is both my daughters have intelligence beyond what most wolves see.  I have no fear laying this into their hands.  Both will choose good Alphas. 

When I call my girls to tell them about this Renee, of course, appears within minutes. 

“Hello, Father,” Renee’s sweet light voice flutters in with grace.  “I heard the decree.  Why do you want me to marry some Alpha and move away?  Who will take care of you in your last years?”

“Servants,” I answer and shake my head.  “You should not be a nun to take care of your father.  You need to live your life.”

“I can live my life and take care of you too,” she smiles at me.  The same smile as her mother. 

Renee is my small framed one.  She might be 5 foot 6.  Her long brown hair is pulled into a messy bun and she is in a gray and white sweatsuit that she works in.  She looks comfortable but I notice she has food or spit up on her. 

Rachel walks in wearing a dress that looks painted onto her curves.  Her hair is light brown and curled, she is clearly wearing make-up.  She is wearing heels that look like 6 inch toothpicks.  Her mother would not approve.

“Rachel,” I state with a huff.  “You look like a street walker.”

“Daddy, don’t be ridiculous.  This is couture.  No way a street walker could afford it,” Rachel’s laugh gets on my nerves. 

“You both have heard the degree?” They nod at me.  “Carolyn will be approving your dresses for the Mating Ball.  So be good.”

Renee sighs and Rachel laughs. 

“Daddy, who all are inviting?” Rachel asks, trying to sound innocent and sweet. 

I roll my eyes.  “Every unmated Alpha between the ages of 20 and 30.”

Rachel scoffs.  “Why not 25 to 35?”

I look at Renee.  She might fare better with a younger Alpha.  Someone who can learn to be gentle. 

Rachel saw where I was looking and giggled.  “Oh, of course, that makes sense.”

She turns and walks away.  Renee meets my eyes. 

“I can handle it, Dad.  I can handle being an Alpha’s wife,” she squares her shoulders.  “I just want to be loved.  That’s it.  Just loved.”

I nod and she leaves too. 

I look again at the picture of their mother.  Just loved.