The Alpha and His Queen

t h r e e

“Chin up. En Pointe.” Kat, Kaleb’s mother who also happens to be my dance teacher since I was in diapers, instructs me. “You might have passed your combat and political training but I still haven’t given you the go ahead for dancing.” 

“I doubt I’ll ever be given the go ahead in dancing, Kat.” I teased, lifting my leg up to my head and making sure I put my chin up. 

“Lucy,” Kat called me by the nickname she and her husband Kyle have given me. It was a combination of my parents' names. Luca and Lacey. Lucy. She said it worked well because I was the product of two equally amazing people. “There’s no doubt that you’re a beautiful dancer but if you want to beat the world champions— Plié there- yes perfect, now Relevé… Sauté.”  

I let out a laugh but continued the sequence while making sure every single muscle on my body moved correctly. Dance is an art form. A disciple of the body. More so than many people want to admit, it’s also like combat. The movements and steps are all calculated and agile. Ready to pounce. “I’m not joining the world championship.”  

“You should still work like you are.” She chastised with a wiggle of her finger. “I heard you’re going to Russia.” 

I spun in place on one leg, seeing the approval in Kat’s eyes. “Yes. My first assignment.” 

Kat whistled, grinning like a madwoman. “Lucky. The men are absolutely gorgeous there. Big. Strong. Muscular.” 

“Looks like you want to go.” I joked, performing another jump.

 “I do.” She teased, perfectly done eyebrows going up and down. “In all seriousness, are you excited?” 

I hesitated in speaking my thoughts but allowed myself to open up to her. Kat has been with me since I was born, raised me like her own. She’d never judge me for speaking my mind. “I’m a little worried. It’s my first time leaving the capital and without my parents too.” 

Kat cracked a smile. “I think that’s for the best. The best trips are the ones without your parents.” 

“You think so?” I say, unable to help my own smile from appearing.

“I know so. From experience.” She winked, calling me over and handing me a towel. “If Luca came, he’d have you by his side for the entirety of the trip. You’d never enjoy it but with Kyle, he’ll spoil you a little bit. Let you run off with a hot Russian man for the night.”

I didn’t think about that at all. “Yeah?”

“Absolutely. I’ll make sure of it.” Kat’s eyes practically sparkled. “Tell me, is Kaleb treating you well? That boy isn’t giving you a hard time is he?”

“Oh, he’s perfect. As always.” I woke up with an empty bed before my alarm went off. Kaleb had long since been awake before I was this morning. He always had earlier days, patrolling and making sure everyone was covering the necessary ground required. After so many rogue attacks and riots threatening the kingdom over the years, we couldn’t be too careful. The days of peace within the werewolf kingdom were over. The packs are all restless and the rogues are even more aggravated. In the earlier days, killing them all off was the easy solution but now with my mom as Queen, she’s forced my dad to end the bloodshed and find a peaceful answer.

 So far, there hasn’t been.

 These visits with the packs are the only thing holding everything together as it reminded them of the power of the royal family and that we still exist. I’m not quite sure how this new revolution began. For a very long time, the packs were at peace and allowed most rogues to wander as long as it wasn’t in their territory. Now, packs are fighting each other, rogues are trying to usurp Alphas and many are trying to oust my family from the throne. 

 “Difficult times but it’ll be better.” Kat reassures, giving my cheek a tender caress. “I believe you and Kaleb will do great things. And that my dear Lucy is destined. More so than other things.” 

 Destined. That was another thing completely. 

I knew from a very young age that Kaleb and I are meant to lead. It has been whispered in my ear since the day I was born. Princess. Future Queen. The one to hold everything together. I’m constantly told my father is tired and that my turn is coming up. There was so much pressure that loomed. It didn’t help that overnight, the kingdom felt like it was breaking into a million pieces. 

 The only bright side of it was Kaleb. My Beta. We’d do it together. We promised each other as much. 

 Looking down at her watch, Kat waves me away. “Alright, that’s it for today. I’ll let you out early. Go ahead and get ready for your trip. Kiss many boys.”

 A gasp leaves my lips. “Kat!” 

She shrugs, a mischievous smile playing at her ruby red lips. “This is as good a time as any to do those things, Lucy. Soon you’ll have a man demanding you only kiss him.”  

I didn't tell Kat that her son had already demanded such things a few years ago.  

With a quick goodbye to my dance instructor, I make my way back to the deeper part of the castle. I pass by several of the help who are running back and forth through the halls as well as other werewolves walking about. They all bow when they see me.  

“Princess.” 

“Your Highness.”

 I give them all a warm smile and continue on my way. I should be going to my room and fixing things for the trip but the snow outside was calling to me. Actually, it was the perfect kind of day to spend it with Kaleb. He wasn’t a big fan of the winter season but he makes an exemption for me.

 Turning the other way around, I head for the public training ground where most of the werewolves in the kingdom train. Kaleb spends most of his time there. He says he likes to keep his body moving at all times but I know the real reason: building a reputation. Kaleb is making a name for himself by challenging anyone willing to go against him in a fight.

 As I’ve heard from the giggling and blushing maids, he’s never lost once. 

Such a celebrity. 

Excitedly, I walk faster. The training grounds are located at the lower levels of the castle. It’s this wide open space that could easily train a couple hundred or so werewolves at the same time. When I open the doors to the grounds, a slight breeze of the cool winter air greets me along with the bright sun. An armada of werewolves in both human and wolf form are sparring and doing forms with instructors in front shouting commands. I looked around, staring into the crowd and looking for the molten chocolate eyes of my Beta while waving at the few people that noticed my arrival. 

Even without looking at the entirety of the place, I somehow knew Kaleb wasn’t here. 

Strange.

“Congratulations on perfecting all your lessons, Princess.” One of the instructors said, a proud smile was plastered across his face. 

I incline my head forward. “Thank you. Have you seen Kaleb?”

The instructor pointed to the woodlands. “He left a few minutes before you arrived. Must have gone to look for you.”  

I furrow my eyebrows in confusion. Why would Kaleb look for me in the woods when he knows I’m training with his mom at this time? Did he forget or was he doing another quick patrol before my class ended? 

The instructor mistakes my confusion for sadness and he quickly reassures me. “You’ll catch up to him. He hasn’t left that long ago.”  

With a grateful pat on his back, I say my goodbyes. “Okay. Thank you again.” 

Heading to where the instructor pointed, I trudge through the thick snow. My feet sank with each step that I took but I enjoyed it. The down winds blew harsher now. I suck in a few lungfuls, feeling the chill in my chest as I take my time. My thin long sleeve was doing nothing to keep me warm but again I didn’t mind it. 

Deciding to surprise Kaleb, I do my best to keep quiet. Kaleb with all his glory of being the best fighter was not as attuned to his senses and I would often surprise him.  

My ears pick up Kaleb’s voice like a light in a dark tunnel and I can’t help but grin. 

Bingo. Got you.  

I creep quietly forward, relying on my amazing prowess but really it was the fact that the winds were loud and that it blew south, down wind and away from my direction for him to be able to pick up my scent. I peek behind a tree, grinning and ready to shove at Kaleb only to find that he’s not alone. Bare chested and clearly coming straight from his training, he stared down at a girl I’ve never seen before. She’s pretty with big green eyes and perfect strawberry blonde hair. They were standing a good distance away until the girl stepped closer, hand reaching for him. Kaleb’s expression turned pained as he took several deep breaths.

My confusion quickly turned into frustration. Kaleb wasn’t the type to entertain girls, he often stirred clear of them. So why wasn’t he moving away from her? 

“I told you not to approach me.” He weakly whispered, his words a mere smoky breath in the cold winds.

The girl sniffled, wiping at her nose and the tears that spilled. “But how… why?”

 What was happening? Who is she? Did Kaleb… have a secret girlfriend? A torrent of even more negative emotions flooded my senses like wildfire. Above all of them though was sorrow. I had no claim over Kaleb. He’s allowed… my chest felt heavy just thinking about it. 

He’s mine. He’s supposed to be mine. 

Finally to my relief, Kaleb took a step back. He pushed himself to a frosty tree, eyes sharp. “We’ve talked about this. I have other priorities.”

The distraught in the girl’s face is impalpable and I pitied her despite recognizing the ugly yet prominent emotion that goes through me: jealousy. The selfish part of me wanted to scream out my possession for Kaleb. That he was mine. My Beta. My partner. My best friend. 

Mine. 

“Other priorities?” The girl cried out in anguish. “Priorities other than your mate?”

My entire world froze. 

Mate.

She said mate. Kaleb had a mate. I was too shocked and horrified to react or think or breathe. My mind was still working overtime just wrapping itself around the fact that my Beta who spoke of how we were going to be mates… already had one. 

And the worst part? He never told me.