The Alpha and His Queen

f i v e

I stretch sleepily eliciting a soft yawn while I double checked my bag for my visit to the new Alpha. We had to leave early if we wanted to make it there before the time expected of us. It was custom to surprise any new Alpha with our extremely early arrival. 

It’s three in the morning and my body isn't fully functioning yet. My nose was stuffy, my eyes were heavy and my face just felt numb from crying the entire night. I suppose it’s my fault. I should have checked what was packed for me earlier but what happened with Kaleb still haunted my bones. I haven’t seen him since what happened.

A quiet knock on my door makes me yawn tiredly for the nth time. “Come in.” 

“Are you ready, my little princess?” My father asks, entering my room with a plate of breakfast.

I nod, scratching my eyes. “Yes.”

He smiles and enters my room, handing over the plate of food filled with bacon and sausage. “Are you nervous? It’s your first time to leave the Capital.” 

“A little.” I admit sheepishly. “Mostly I’m excited.” 

“Good. Just remember what I told you. You’re there to represent the Royal family. Observe the area and the new Alpha. You’re the Princess. The future Queen. Show them who you are.” My father instructs and takes my finished packed bags from my hands. “Let’s go. Kyle is waiting outside.”

We exit the castle to see three large black cars outside. Guards flocked the surrounding area. They bowed low when they saw us. My father had his head held high, shoulder relaxed yet his presence commanding and his expression neutral. He was so clearly the King without even trying. 

Amongst the guards that were to accompany us to Russia was Kyle. My father’s best friend and Beta. It was painful to look at Kyle because Kaleb was very similar to him. He had his father’s stocky build and they shared the same expression. They even carried themselves the same way. Identical almost. The only difference was that Kaleb had his mother’s gorgeousness. The breathless beauty that made him popular across the lands. 

Grinning with his arms crossed, Kyle leaned against the black SUV. Much like Kaleb, they ignored the freezing weather and wore a very thin shirt, opting to regulate their body temperature like a true werewolf. “Good morning to our favorite Princess.”

In comparison, I’m packed with layers. My thermal unders, my usual turtleneck sweater, pants, boots and a thick padded coat. The maids in charge of my appearance helped with my light makeup and hair. It was an official Royal Council visit and I had to be presentable. I walk up to hug Kyle, having not seen him for some time. He’s been out most of the days investigating the recent rogue attacks. “I’m the only princess.” 

Kyle’s expression turns playful and in that moment he looked so much like Kaleb that pain shoots up to my heart. “Doesn’t change the fact that you’re still my favorite. Ready for a fun filled trip?”

“Yes!” I exclaim the same time my father says,

“No.” The frown on my father’s face was deep and chiding. “None of your ‘fun’ escapades when you’re bringing my daughter.”

Kyle merely shrugs his shoulders and opens the door for me. “Sure, sure. Whatever you say, Luca.” 

“Your words are reassuring.” My father remarks, not believing his Beta one bit. “Do keep her safe and make sure I’m updated regularly.”

With one last fleeting look to the guards who my father gave a stern glare of warning to— no doubt he already reminded and threatened them about my protection, he leaned down to press a kiss against my hair. I know he didn’t like that I was traveling without him but as a rule by the council that couldn’t be overlooked, two of the Royal bloodlines must not travel together for safety reasons. 

“Take care and as much as I don’t want to say this because I’m supposed to be your strict father, you should have fun. It’s not everyday we get to leave the capital and enjoy ourselves. Make the most of it.” He says in a low voice, the words heavy with meaning. I don’t think he and my mother have taken a break since the day I was born. With father governing over the entire werewolf kingdom and mother tasked with healing everyone in a time of riots and attacks, there was just never time for themselves. 

Kyle ushers me inside the car and slides in with me. He lowers the windows to give my dad a wave when we hear him talking to our entourage.

“Do not leave her side.” My father snaps warningly at the guards. He turns to Kyle, eyes filled with worry. “Call me for anything. I’ll come if needed.” 

The car starts after that. Several emotions come crashing on me when I watch my father disappear from view and the grand castle sitting atop the mountain become but a spec in the distance. We would first drive to town where a private plane would be waiting for us. From there, we would fly to Russia.

I was excited to go but also terrified that I won’t be able to represent the family well. There’s also the haunting heartache and despair every time my mind wanders to Kaleb which unfortunately happens constantly. It’s been hours of finding out about his mate and I still couldn’t wrap my head around the fact that my best friend— the one I’ve loved all my life and was considered to be mine— wasn’t mine anymore. 

I forced myself to not think about it. Today wasn’t about Kaleb or I. There was work to be done. 

The drive to the town near the castle is a short one. We use the roads built through the woods made and used by werewolves to travel through and from different packs. The roads were made a few years ago and can be found all over the country. It’s considered to be neutral ground for any to use. Werewolves caught outside the roads are considered hostile and a trespasser.

As we board the private plane, Kyle and I sit beside each other at the back. The guards filter in next, occupying the remaining seats. It’s only been a few minutes into the flight but already Kyle is sleeping with his mouth wide open. Loud earth shattering snores come out from him as he takes what could be his first rest in a few days. As Beta, Kyle handles a lot of things and most of them are outside the castle and territory. 

All of it for the love of the Kingdom and his loyalty to his King. 

I admire Kyle and my father’s relationship a lot. They trust and rely on each other on a completely different level. It was one of the reasons why originally everyone encouraged Kaleb and I’s close bond. It was adamant that we worked well together too. I suppose… it went a little over that. No one really anticipated we would be this close and that we would be this possessive of each other. 

As I busy myself with recounting what I know with the Russian pack, Kyle stirs from his sleep and elicits a loud yawn. He takes a moment to himself before looking at me. “Alright, it’s not my place to say this but since we’ve left the capital, Kaleb has contacted me countlessly asking about you. And, as I can feel your phone’s vibrations every few seconds, he’s tried to reach you about fifteen hundred times. What’s wrong? You two never fight.”

Regretting that I didn’t put my phone on silent, I gave Kyle an apologetic smile. “We fight-“

“You argue but never fight.” Kyle corrected, as he knew Kaleb and I perfectly. “I’ve watched you two grow up. Since you’ve been born you’ve never done anything apart. Now tell me what is it? Is it about going on the trip without him? Is it him? You want me to give him a beat down?”

I was tempted to agree. “No. It’s nothing.”

He gave me a quelling look. “It’s obviously not nothing.”

There was no use in lying now. “We… we can handle it.”

“I know you can. I just thought you might need a little push in the right direction.” Kyle says with a small smile and an encouraging pat on my back. “So tell me, what did my obnoxious son do?”

Despite everything, I didn’t want Kaleb to get into any trouble. “Give him a little credit. You’ll never know it could be my fault.”

He snorted. “I’m sure it is.” 

“Kyle…” My brain races for a way to say what’s been on my mind. If there was anyone who could ever answer the questions that I want answered— it would be Kaleb’s father.

“Yes?” Kyle patiently says.

“What was it like imprinting on Kat?” Why I was asking this when I knew Kaleb was back at home with his mate… made me feel dirty. 

He paused for a very long time. “Is this about… that?”

I shake my head, picking up the meaning to his question and the suspicious look he gave. Many thought Kaleb had already imprinted on me before waiting for me to turn eighteen. “No. I’m just curious. You were really young when you chose her.”

Kyle thought about it for a long time, choosing his words wisely. “Well, I made the decision to imprint on Kat before I met my mate.” 

The whole thing about mates was that it’s the Moon Goddess’ gift to her beloved creations and to choose something that isn’t destined— such as imprinting-- is considered wrong and vile. “And why did you?”

“I love her. She loves me. We worked well.” He says simply like it was the easiest thing in the world to go against our nature as werewolves.

“What if you did meet your mate?” I continue to push because that was the question wasn’t it? Kaleb met his. Three years ago. And no one knew. He kept it to himself. Pain pricked at my heart.

Kyle shrugs. “It’s something I don’t think about.”

I hate to be the one to push this subject on him. I’m sure plenty of people question Kyle and Kat regarding their imprint but I just needed more. “Would you have felt the same if you had met your mate before imprinting on Kat?” 

“Well, I can’t say for sure but I like to think I’d still choose Kat. Love is love, little Lucy.” He cooed, using my made up nickname. “No matter what the form. Be it from destiny or your own free will.”

The words ‘love is love’ rang through my head like an incessant bong. “Oh…”

Kyle took one look at my pained expression and he sighs. “I feel like I should tell you this but it’s different for everyone. We knew the risks and we embraced it. So far it has done us well. We’re both happy.”

I sucked in a breath. “I just… I don’t know.”

Another long pause before Kyle seemed to make a complicated decision with himself. “Take this with a grain of salt and never say this to your father. I’m already in a lot of trouble for talking about this.”

“Trouble?” I ask.

He nodded, lowering his voice. “Your father is not a believer of imprints because he almost lost your mother to it.”

I knew that well. In fact, the entire kingdom knew of the battle between brothers to have my mom. “Yet you believe love is love.”

“Love is love.” He confirmed without hesitation. “It doesn’t matter where it comes from as long as you feel it.”

“Okay.” I whisper, doubting if Kyle’s wisdom made it easy or worse.

Kyle pats my head, a comforting smile in place. “Sometimes your soulmate doesn’t mean your happy ever after.”

I let that sink in until we arrive in the land of harsh winters and fleeting daylight, where there is only snow and ice for miles and miles. I gawked at it from the window, my worries for the first time vanishing in the back of my head as I stare out of the window.

We were at my wonderland. 

A snowy, cold wonderland of my dreams.

When Kyle and I get out of the plane, the chill hits me like nothing else. It was so cold that I felt my eyeballs start to frost, my cheeks sting and I was loving every second of it. Kyle calls for a thicker coat for me and a guard brings it over as they escort us to an awaiting SUV similar to the one we used back at home. 

“We had our men sent here early. Just to be safe.” Kyle explains as we get into the car. “They already prepared everything for us.”

I nod, looking out once more and notice how thick the snow is. We were far from any of the big Russian cities but rather near the mountain ranges. I’ve never seen anything so peaceful.The wide expanse of glacier lakes are also frozen and perfect for ice skating. Through the heated car, I could still feel the cold weather. 

Kyle takes a thick folder from the driver who didn’t come from our group and starts rifling through the papers. He makes a few disapproving sounds before looking up at me. “I’ll let you handle this visit. You already know what to do. I won’t get in your way.” 

“You won’t join the ceremony?” I ask, repressing any emotion from showing on my face.

“I’ll watch from afar. This is your time.” He says encouragingly. 

The moment we enter the pack’s land, I take notice of the pack patrol that fumbles at the sight of us. It was obvious they didn’t anticipate we would be this early.

Hidden by thick trees and mist, my eyes welcome the sight of a beautiful town. It’s nothing like the capital kingdom with the grand castle and modern stone buildings of the village. Instead, we pass through a large whimsical winter town with chimneys and charming wooden looking establishments. 

My memory automatically produces information on the pack. It is one of the largest packs in existence with over three thousand battle ready wolves. The last Alpha was an old man who ran the pack peacefully. Alek Volkov doesn’t have the best reputation like his predecessor. There wasn’t much data on him except for the fact that he’s nothing like a traditional Alpha.

Suddenly, my door is being opened by one of the guards and I suck in a breath. The chill hits me first, giving me a momentary excitement. Forcing my face to become emotionless, I exit the car with Kyle staying inside. Two guards stand stiffly to my side, looking around cautiously. 

My eyes focus on a large wooden structure that was most likely the pack house. I look to the other side and see the Alpha’s mansion not too far away. 

I would be staying there. 

Alek Volkov’s people who are in various states of dress scramble to their positions in front of the pack house. They didn’t have that much time to prepare for my unexpected early arrival.

I watch them closely. Many gape at the sight of me but force their expressions to become more serious. They didn’t know I was the one that was coming. They might have thought it was Kyle or my father. 

The higher ranking officials of the pack form a straight line in front of me. I immediately spot the Third in Command. He was the most ready looking. The only one to keep his position after Alek Volkov became Alpha. Typically, whoever wins the position gets to choose his officials to lead with him. 

He bows low. “Greetings, Princess- er, Your Highness. We hope your journey was pleasant.” 

I smile nodding my head in his direction. “Apologies, we thought there would be traffic.” 

The Third in Command laughs humorously knowing well there is never traffic in the werewolf roads. “I understand completely. The Alpha will be arriving shortly.” 

I look around noticing several heads peeking through the pack house with wide eyes and open mouths. It wasn’t everyday a young member of the capital would come to visit. Most especially a Royal and a Princess. 

Suddenly, we hear a heavy set of feet approaching my entourage. I don’t turn to meet him knowing that it’s proper for the Alpha to approach and speak first. I repress myself to suck in a breath when he finally makes it to my peripheral. 

Alek Volkov is a broad shouldered, breathtakingly handsome man. He’s extremely well built bordering on being too large. He has a mess of short light hair that looked so silky smooth and a contrasting marble grey eyes that seemed to glimmer. Alek Volkov’s high and prominent cheek bones were heart stopping along with his strong jaw. My eyes wandered to his full pinkish lips, perfect olive skin and the curve of his nose. He looked dangerous… like a sinner and he was proud to be one. A manifestation of trouble walking on earth. 

But then why did he look so good?

Possibly made of pure muscle, Alek Volkov stood proud and commanding. He had the most astounding aura and carried himself well for such a new Alpha. As if… he was born to be one. Much like the rest of his men, he was dressed for the cold weather in a thick furry coat covering him.

I notice a stick of a lit cigarette between his fingers. There were also dark tattoos etched across his knuckles. 

When Alek Volkov finally looked at me, he did a quick double take before our eyes locked and the entire world fades. It was like hearing and seeing from underwater, muddled and blurry, with Alek Volkov being the only thing clear.

Alek Volkov moved towards me before any of us could think, his actions more instinctual and primal than carefully thought out or intentional. His close proximity along with his darkened eyes that bore into mine made me lose my mind. He glanced away momentarily in both surprise and hesitation, only for his dark molten eyes to return again as if drawn magnetically to mine. 

With him so close, I took the deepest of breaths and savored the smell of the wilderness on him… manly and musk. There was a scent I couldn’t quite place but it was lovely and comforting nonetheless. I breathed deeply through my nose and noticed there was something else too; the earthy smell of new parchment, the sweetness of grass and endless days spent outside in the cold. He smelled like winter, my winter, like freshly fallen snow and something both unfathomable and comforting. Something like a dark stormy night with a small fire, the cool winter wind and a comfortable book in my hand. 

It itched a rash that I didn’t know was even there but could also not soothe. 

The tension was so palpable I could touch it. 

Oh no.

What is happening?