The Alpha Killed My Husband

18| Stolen Moments

The sun is about to melt into the ocean. I stare at it with a small smile playing on my lips. My mind is completely at ease.

It feels as if after an eternity, I have felt the emotion…happiness. I run my hands over the arms and hug myself, cherishing the moment till it lasts.

The beautiful sleeveless dress wasn’t a wise choice for the night with the chilly wave around. It does not help with the coldness but it makes me feel beautiful and confident.

It matches Rudransh’s shirt. Turmeric yellow with patches of red and shimmering golden at the hem, it falls a couple of inches above my knees. Its round neck does not reveal too much at the same time it does not cover too much.

I have matched it with a pair of gold earrings. A little dab of make to conceal blemishes, a stroke of eyeliner, and a thick layer of lip gloss later, I was ready for the night out with Rudransh.

We have nothing under our sleeve, Sarva. How can you enjoy the testing times, you psycho b***h? Nagini appears out of nowhere. Her hisses are as pathetic as she is. I do not fail to notice the force it is taking on her behalf to not lose her mind and take over. It has to take a strong gust of ego to accept the truth—that we are in.

I avoid her snarky remark and close my eyes to feel the vibes.

I think Alpha is suspicious of your identity. Remember the look on his face, and so is that old wolf, Tarifa. Even she was frozen when you denied feasting on her awful octopus curry. She continues rumbling her observations while my eyes involuntarily settle on a wolf couple walking past me.

Their fingers were intertwined as they walked side by side without a care in the world. I longingly observe how the wolf helps his pregnant mate walk over the sand, and how he feeds her with little delicacies. He is enjoying her blushes, the glow on her face, and the feel of her touch.

So, this is what care feels like! To be with the one you love? My subconscious questions. Unfortunately, I do not have an answer to it. Maybe, it is a thing exclusive to the wolves or it could be owing to her pregnancy.

Will Rudransh take care of me the same way if he ends up impregnating me? Another doubt starts to surface to me.

WHAT????? Nagini pounces hard on the head, almost slapping me in the face. I stumble at the picky noise, clutching the side of my head.

This time, I cannot ignore her.

Pregnant? s*x? d**k in p***y? Semen in ovary? Eeww! What the hell, Sarva? I am shaken out of the reverie with a jolt.

My mind forms some incoherent sentences in a feeble attempt to defend myself. It reminds me of how furious Rudransh was when I'd rejected his advances last night.

He wanted to mate with me after…after earning a nomination in the race for the throne and to celebrate the anniversary.

He was beyond the moon when I read aloud the Gazette as if he was already crowned.

Ronit, if not less, was equally confident. I can still remember every sentence, every comma, and every full stop of the two-page letter.

The Official Gazette Of Cape Comorin

EXTRAORDINARY

PART-II OF Section 45

Published By Authority

No. 55, Head Of The State, Parliament of Cape Comorin,

Ministry of Parliament and Administration

April 3, 2022

The following Scheme for the election of the New Head of the State has received the Assent of the Alpha King and the majority of his council. It is hereby published for the general information—

The New Alpha Kings and Luna Queen shall be crowned on the third week after two months (i.e on 20th June of 2022) from the date of the Notification after a careful evaluation of the couple’s performance in all of the following categories by a selection committee specially formed for such effect, namely—

Intellect: An Alpha King and his Luna have to be a person of sound mind with rational decision-making capabilities. He along with his Luna has to conform to the adherence of intellectual requirements for the designation.

For evaluation: A preliminary round examination shall be conducted fortnight hence. (On 28th April 2022)

Only the top ten couples on merit shall be eligible for round two.

Physical Abilities: Round two requires an Alpha and Luna at peak of their health to manage the stress and fatigue of supreme administrations. When it comes to the supreme authorities, physical strength must not be overlooked.

For Evaluation: A Physical Ability competition shall be organized by the Joint Secretary and Field Marshal of the Armed Forces of Cape Comorin, a week after the announcement of first-round results. (5th May 2022)

Only the top eight couples shall be eligible to proceed further.

Skills: Alpha King and Luna Queen have frequent interaction with the world while in the office. Top bodies look upon them to present the views and opinions of millions.

Cape Comorin chairs various international organizations which will be presided by the ex-officio of the Head of the State and his mate.

Thereby, fluent debate, communication skills, and an influencing personality are essential for a powerful presentation.

For Evaluation: An in-house discussion will be scheduled with the jury of the Supreme Court, Central Bank, and the Economic forum’s official, along with the selected Alphas and representatives of the lower-economic backgrounds.

The Committee will shortlist five couples in this round.

Inner Strength: One who cannot connect with oneself cannot connect with the rest of the world. In this round, the candidates shall be asked to draft an essay in about 50000 words highlighting not only their strengths and weaknesses as a ruler and individuals. They shall be asked to draft a special section completely dedicated to their mates.

It is to analyze the understanding between the couple and their observation skills.

The Draft shall be voted by the general public on 30 ground points. The top five universities' alumni shall grant further 20 ground points. The remaining 50 shall be awarded by the present Alpha King, Atharva, and Luna Queen, Laxmi.

Three couples shall compete in the final round.

Team Work: Life is similar to sailing a wrecked raft in an angry sea. One cannot succeed while carrying the heavy baggage of conflicting relationships on the shoulder.

A cordial relationship with Alpha and His Luna becomes essential in testing times. This round shall be completely dedicated to the healthy bond between the further ruling couples.

For Evaluation: It shall be revealed on the day itself alongside the other details about the jury and group points.

Provided that the position is crucial and seeks high professionalism alongside deep involvement and an unmatchable passion to serve the country.

Considering the weight of the decisions, evaluation standards shall be set high and rigorous. The jury shall be exposed to three-sixty degree appraisal of each candidate at all levels. However, Privacy standards shall be kept intact.

Provided further that no offense, grave or otherwise, during or post evaluation, involving moral turpitude, shall be entertained. The candidate shall be declared ineligible with immediate effect.

Candidates are advised to prepare accordingly. For further clarification, please read the annexures attached therewith.

Before the commencement of the evaluation, if an alpha wants to declare vacation, he shall be permitted. However, once the merits are prepared, none shall be allowed to withdraw or leave the country.

May Moon Goddess bless all of us!

K. Y. BHANDARKAR,

Secy, to the Govt. of Cape Comorin

There was a deafening silence after it. The Alpha brothers, their betas were in deep thought. Maybe, they were taking in all the information. The staff had stopped working too. No one bothered with it for everyone was dipping into their LA-LA land.

However one thing was certain on my part,

I will have to participate as Alpha Rudransh’s Luna with equal fever. It was mentioned in every single line of the gazette that he could not participate without me.

No Alpha could without their mates.

In fact, it will be a joint evaluation. Our points will be considered in aggregate and set off against each other’s flaws. The design was simple—the couple shall shoulder responsibilities. They will represent each other together, like a couple must in ordinary life.

On a deeper note, it reflects the wolves’ policy over she-wolf empowerment. It is explicitly clear that the Luna wouldn’t only be an arm candy but a true ruler beside her Alpha.

The wolves are less talk and more action. Nagini concluded thoughtfully. My opinions were aligned.

The Luna Queen will assist in cabinet matters, chair the international body, and represent her gender on every platform.

She will be the voice of over a million she-wolves and female serpents who would look upon her to bring the change, to break the patriarch and stereotype. She wouldn’t have to seek power because she will be the power.

Luna Queen, Sarvayoni. Nagini whispered. In my heart, I’d admired the sound of it.

It was far better than the previous, Queen Sarvayoni where I was the queen for the sake of it with no power at all.

I was never asked to chair the council meetings with Maharaj Vachaspati. He never sought out my advice in the matters that concerned me or the females. It was always their ruling while I and other females read, danced, or painted the days away in our luxurious chambers.

I was never entrusted with responsibilities. Maybe, they never trusted my caliber to begin with. Throughout my life, I have been looked upon by the dominating males in the serpent society. They never considered me worthy of the ruling, framing policies, or debating on the decisions, and then they called the wolves narrowminded and dominant.

Ironic!

Now when I examine the wolves’ system, I can clearly see the flaws we have had.

No wonder, they are the superpower! I nibble on my lower lips. As much as I’d rejoiced the idea of the ruling, it dangles a sword of revelation right above my head.

Preliminary exams, I can take. I can study hard and ask Rudransh, Tarifa, Lucy, or even Beta Shantanu to help me. But physical abilities?

I cannot go against the natural law. Wolves are stronger than us when it comes to physical attributes. They are fast, powerful, mighty, and courageous. They do not crawl but run. They do not hiss but howl. They do not spit venom, they chew.

‘Let’s go, Aary. I have checked everything. They are ready to serve us. Just the two of us!’ Rudransh announces, wrapping his heavy arm around my shoulder, shaking me off. ‘I am sorry. I should have brought you here yesterday. It’s just I could not…’

‘It’s okay. I understand. Yesterday was a big day for you. Both personally and professionally.’ I grin at him assuredly.

His thoughtfulness is enough to make my heart skip a beat. Even though, he is always busy on phone calls, meetings, and administrative matters; he never fails to steal time for his family.

Luna is his family,

'It was an important day for us.' He corrects me. In the fading sunlight, his eyes glimmer with nothing but pure love. It is not for me. I remind myself.

It deeper deflects my mood. The truth is that I am not here to be by his side or rule the states, but to ruin him and his country. I cannot enjoy these little moments. I have to navigate a full-proof plan to get myself out of the troublesome water. I have to hurry. Time is the only thing unaffordable at the moment.

'You okay?' Rudransh asks, tucking a strand behind my ears. He pecks lightly on a forehead and steps back. His dark eyes scan me from top to bottom and back. He lets out a growl of approval and nods. 'You look stunning. Are you concerned about the evaluation, Aary?' He asks, intertwining his fingers with mine.

I nod meekly, letting him drag me to AnantNath knows where.

'Don't worry! I will be there with you. We have enough time to prepare. Before it, let's steal some moments we will rejoice later.' He beams at me.

'Shall we?' He asks with a slight bow, asking for my hand like a gentleman. I stare at his stretched-out palms and then at the magnificent hotel entrance.

Yesterday, he promised to treat me on the occasion of our Mating Ceremony. In bed, he had rambled on and on about the surprise he had planned for the day. He was excited like a lover on the edge of a cherry blossom.

Thinking of it, I wonder what it could be…I nod, slipping my palms over his.

Stolen moments cannot harm. Can they?