The Alpha and His General

f o u r

“If you can hold your breath a little longer please.” The maids instructed as I made my waist as small as possible. 

It was hours later and I’m in a couple hundred layers of makeup and at least a dozen hairpins to keep my hair in some gravity defying fashion. Currently, I’m being forced into a corset that I think was a few sizes smaller than what it should be as I grabbed the back of a chair and prayed to the Moon Goddess. 

I wasn’t exactly comfortable but again this was for the King and if he wished it, I gave it. 

A mirror was placed in front of me and I stared at the reflection of a girl that I couldn’t recognize. No more was the girl I saw everyday in military clothes with countless scars from even more countless battles— the General. In her place was a woman worthy to stand next to the King of the Werewolves and if I allowed myself to speak the truth, I was starting to look dignified, delicate and dare I say it… almost as beautiful as the women coming to the castle today. 

“I knew there was beauty under all that leather and dirt.” One of the maids whispered. “She just needed a good scrubbing.” 

And that’s exactly what they’ve been doing for most of the day. 

Scrubbing me. 

Could they blame me though? 

I spend my days traveling and fighting for the Kingdom. There is rarely time to worry about my looks when my life is on the line every time I’m sent away. 

The time of peace is over. The retired Queen has done her part in making sure that people are prosperous and united but with that comfort comes people that want to exploit what she built. 

My job is to ensure those people are dealt with. 

Are the people afraid of the King and his Generals? Yes.

Is the King ruling with blood and violence? Yes.

But are we safer because of it? Absolutely. 

“General, you’re ready.” The maids squealed in excitement. 

I step back, my high stiletto heels clicking on the floor. The woman in front of me was like a fairytale princess come true but with a dash of villainous spice. The dress alone was made for someone like Alexandra Volkov with its dream like black fabric and the long wisps of skirt. I wore golden jewelry that looked too priceless to be worn out while my makeup was done strikingly with dark smokey eyes, long cat eye wings and dramatic dark lipstick. The false eyelashes I was wearing was so heavy I feel as though I could flap them and fly away.

“The Princess specifically gave us instructions to let you use her things. She said you’d look good in them and as always, she’s right.” The castle maid squealed in delight. 

No wonder.

Did the King call to ask for his sister’s help? 

I could only stare at myself with my mouth falling wide open. Alexandra and I have a big age gap and we’ve barely spoken over the years with her busy schedule but for her generosity to shine through even now… I was simply awestruck. 

“General,” A low voice called from behind me.

Startled, I turned back— a little too quickly for my expertise with heels as I began to tip over but rough hands caught me before I met with the ground and with that came the penetrating steely blue eyes of the King of the Werewolves.

I sucked in a breath at the sight of him and his arms around me holding me in place made it all the more difficult to get air into my lungs. 

Him.

Him was Eros Volkov in all his damnably handsome glory with his night black hair and steely blue eyes. He has the gorgeousness of a Basco and the alluring danger of a Volkov. The best and most dangerous of combinations really. 

He’s in a black ceremonial suit today, embellished with a plethora of various bright military awards and looked even more untouchable looking than he usually is. 

The King is of a warrior built being tall and powerful with his arms and chest ripped with muscle. He has a strong jaw, high cheekbones and a prominent cleft chin that many of the girls fawn upon.

He was a type of man that you could stare at forever and never get bored. It really was no wonder the entirety of our Kingdom wanted to be with him. He’s desirable in all aspects and I doubt he even knows that or cares for it. 

“You’re,” The King started, eyes darkening considerably as he visibly swallowed. “Different.”

Worry creeped through my veins like a disease. Did I not look good? Had I been changed so much that he doesn’t like it? I touched the soft fabric of my dress nervously. “Is it not to your liking? I can get changed?”

“No.” He shut his eyes looking pained. “I meant you look different but good.”

“Oh.” It was awkward. We were awkward. It was so awkward that the temperature in the room seemed to drop and the maids around us stirred with unease. 

The King pulled me up until I could stand on my own, his face still unsure of himself. “Forgive me. I don’t have much experience in complimenting people.” 

I couldn’t help but smile in relief at his confession. “I don’t have much experience with compliments as well.” 

The brightness of his eyes returned and I could tell he’s trying his hardest to make our short time together work. I wasn’t Kaleb, his Beta, or his sister who he was close with but I would have to do for the meantime. “Makes us a perfect match doesn’t it?”

Outside assignments and reporting to him, we have very few interactions but all in one day it’s like we’ve seen more of each other than what’s normal and I wasn’t exactly complaining. “It does. You look good too, Your Majesty.”

He glances down at his regal clothes. “Leave it to my grandmother to have everything set up and ready.” 

“How is your grandmother?” I ask, taking his offered hand. “I haven’t seen her in a while.”

The King tucks my hand on his arm and starts to walk us out of my room. “You know my grandparents. They ricochet from nobles but she’s doing well.” 

I perk up remembering the small wooden cabin near the human settlement. “They still live in the woods?”

“And enjoying it but my grandfather helps as much as he can here. I think he misses the work or he's guilty for the work given to us.” This was the King’s niche. His family. Talking about them made him relax as if he wasn’t alone in his reign and Moon Goddess knows it can be lonely at the top. 

“Do you like the work?” It was an honest question. Many of the Bascos are given their position early on in their lives. It’s a big responsibility but it’s one they have to carry regardless of its weight. 

Our eyes met for a moment and my heart began to thump crazily. 

Could he hear it?

Apparently he didn’t or if he did, he didn’t show it. “I love the Kingdom. It makes the work worth it.”

Was he what the people called heartless and violent? It’s hard to picture him as the cold hearted King when he’s like this. 

I know what people say about him. I know how they prefer Alexandra Volkov and how they compare the two as if they weren’t fighting for the same team. 

Through it all, he’s a good man. The best type of man.

Internally, I convinced myself that what I have for him is only admiration, admiration for a man that saved my life. This wasn’t anything more and the faster I accept this, the better it would be for our working relationship. 

I was his General and I won’t be anything more than that.

A part of me though knew that even if he didn’t have his power or position, I’d still be here for him and continue to be as loyal as I can be. 

Feeling my thoughts returning to a place it shouldn’t be, I focus my attention at the end of the brightly lit hallway where a badly sweating council member is waiting. He sees us instantly and enthusiastically waves his hand as if we couldn’t see him in his bright colored silk robes. 

“My King! General Astrea! Perfect timing.” He greeted, bowing his head low for Eros Volkov. “The nobles have just arrived and the women in particular are seconds away from combusting with impatience.” 

And just like that the darkness settles on the King. No more was the man willing to talk about his family. In his place was the ever withdrawn and serious King he is known for. 

“Get on with it.” He drawled monotonously without so much as a greeting back.

The council member stammered through his words. “O-Of course, Your Majesty. Right away.”

I’ve heard the retired Queen tell the Princess once that every important event in her life had to do with these exact doors I was staring at. She said that something so beautiful never looked so daunting. 

I never understood that until now. There was something about the doors— at least for today that made me feel as though things will never be the same after they open.

It felt silly to think about it, especially because I’ve been through these doors countless times.

Why would today be any different?

Anxiously, I watch the doors to the grand ballroom open and it takes time for my eyes to adjust from the grandeur of everything. I’ve been to many balls here but I’m still captured by its brilliance each time I attend. There was something mystifying about the place starting with the massive crystal and gold chandelier on the ceiling glimmering down at the crowd, the dome like glass above us that gave a full view of the magical moon and the high embellished pillars which had golden braziers burning with a soft flame. The marble floors gleamed and reflected the glamor that was happening this evening and I could only let out a staggering breath from amazement.

It was a ballroom that embodied the word captivation.   

The bustling crowd of beautifully dressed and glittering nobles halt at the King’s entrance. It seems that even the earth’s axis stopped for his arrival… our arrival. 

At the realization that the King did not enter the grand ballroom alone and was accompanied by a woman that wasn’t his mother or sister, hundreds of eyes locked onto me. Immediately, I felt my skin try to melt away from the attention. 

I forced myself to take every step lest I get left behind by the King but as my legs staggered forward, my stomach refused to stop doing backflips and I silently prayed for a miracle. 

I was not made for this.

I was not made for this kind of attention. 

I was made for battle and bloodshed… not this.

The guests that were gathered are dressed glamorously with sharp tuxedos and extravagant gowns. They boasted their expensive jewelry, stylish updos and diamond studded clothes proudly, flashing them constantly for everyone to see as if it was a flaunt of power.

The room seemed to be spinning with the bright lights from the chandelier, the moon high above the sky and the eye squinting colors of the attires of the people around me. The breath gets caught in my throat and I try to catch myself before I get too overwhelmed… but it’s too late. 

I was already overwhelmed. 

“Astrea,” My name sounded like a quiet oath from the King’s lips, low and deep that only we could hear but gentle enough that it sent shivers down my spine. 

Well, that did it. I pulled my eyes away from my surroundings and faced the calming steely blue eyes of my King. “Yes, Your Majesty?”

“You’re beautiful.” He slowly professed, making our surroundings fade away in the background until there was only us in a big beautiful room. “I meant to say that earlier.” 

I was stunned, completely stunned and almost dizzy with it. There wasn’t much else to do or say when the King tells you this while surrounded by an excessive amount of other much beautiful girls but here it was and I was frozen in place.

My mouth went dry and before I had the courage to reply, we were already at the front of the ballroom where a raised dais stood, making both of us stand taller than everyone else.

“Welcome to the castle.” The King began in a low but powerful voice that echoed through the crowded hall. The sound of his voice gave me chills all up and down my back. It was a painful reminder that Eros Volkov is not my peer nor is he a man I can freely speak to. He’s our King, our glorious King and from how he addressed everyone with his welcoming speech, it just solidified to me how I was utterly below him. And in some odd way, I felt proud of him for that. Proud that this man with his heavy responsibilities and an even more rigid life can handle himself well. 

As his speech ends, a flurry of girls start to line up by the front of the platform. Quickly, I was lost in a sea of sparkles and fabric. The overwhelming feeling returns and not for the first time that night, I wished I could be the nameless General in the crowd again and not the one the girls were glaring at.

The first girl in the line opens her mouth to introduce herself enthusiastically only to close it back as the King turns his full attention on me. His blue eyes sweep over my face, probably noticing the inner turmoil I was feeling. 

The lights must be playing tricks on me because I think sympathy etched through his emotionless eyes. 

Suddenly, and I mean oh so suddenly, the King takes my hand, interlacing our fingers together. He pulls me closer to him and leans down to my height. “You’re my escort, aren’t you General Vitalis? Escorts stay close.” 

“Oh! Yes, of course, of course.” I was red in the face and shivering from what I hoped was not delight. “Apologies, Your Majesty.”

He replies by pulling me closer, so close in fact that my entire side was pressed up on his. No escort in history stood this close to the King. Not even his mother.

The girl introduces herself then and I couldn’t even hear her through the loud beating of my heart but I recognized her from Caine’s report from earlier. Pretty. Red hair. Big eyes that screamed adoration. A megawatt smile that demanded attention. 

The King doesn’t smile or speak, simply regarding the girl with a flat and unimpressed look. As I watched him closely, his eyes went through the girl and instead looked towards a wall, giving her even less attention. 

Slowly, the hopeful look on the beautiful girl crumbles before our eyes and she excuses herself with a loud sniffle. It continues on like this for a few more girls, all in near tears and running the other direction. 

Apparently none of them were his mate or were unable to grab his attention. I doubt he even noticed that there had already been at least eleven different girls that have been presented to him.

Nothing new there. 

Eros Volkov is an impenetrable wall, deflecting emotion and other kinds of humanly things.

As another girl runs away, I see my dreaded nightmare with his obnoxious yet perfect strawberry blonde hair. Halvar stood tall and proud among his fellow nobles, grinning widely at anyone and anything that moved. Beside him is an equally perfect girl in a sparkling emerald gown. 

Halvar in all his bravado forgets to greet the King and zeros in on me, a pompous and disturbing smile on his face. “Astrea Vitalis. We meet again.”

“Lord Halvar.” I greeted with hesitation while grinding my teeth together. It was rude to greet anyone else before a member of the royal family.  Everyone knew this… most especially him which is why he did it. 

King Eros Volkov let out a deep and threatening growl, eyes finally noticing what’s in front of him and practically melting the pair in front of us. 

Annalise, the youngest sister of their noble family elbows Halvar before bowing low towards the King. “Your Majesty, I am Annalise.”

She was much too young to be here and no amount of makeup or clothes could hide that. I felt disgust towards the Council for letting this happen. Fourteen is fourteen and twenty eight is twenty eight. It’s simply an age gap that shouldn’t be allowed.

Thankfully, the King looked to agree with my sentiments and shot a nearby council member with a look that no one wanted to be under. “Take her out of this.”

“But my King—“ The council member paled considerably. “It’s t-tradition.”

The King snarled, silencing the noisy line of nervous noblewomen. “Then change it or I’ll change you. You decide.”

He bowed his head low. “We’ll have a temporary room prepared.”

Halvar looked majorly offended by this and let out a huff of indignation. “Your Majesty,” 

“Not another word from you.” The King snapped.  “You should know better.”

“She’s shifted.” Halvar argues, attempting to level his voice. “By law she’s already of age-“

The King of the Werewolves stood taller than was possible and if looks could kill, Halvar would already be long dead and burning in hell. “I am the law.” 

And that was that. Eros Volkov didn’t earn a reputation of brutality and perfection for nothing. He might be his mother’s child but he is also his father’s and that meant he would not allow anyone to put him down. 

A pair of guards come not soon after the King’s final words and usher both Halvar and his sister out of the ballroom. The crowd parted like the sea to watch them go and I could just feel the tension in the air on my skin.

As I watched the siblings leave the room, my instincts seemed to have switched on going haywire and warning me off. It was a sign that something was about to go very wrong. 

It was only then in my internal panicked state did I see her. 

She was exactly like her photo but better. 

So much better. 

With golden hair that moved like it was a halo of sorts, the angel like beauty of Giselle was almost petrifying. The noblewomen of everyone’s dreams stood tall and glamorous in her glittering finery. The dress she wore was like liquid lava, melting down her body and hugging every curve. She fashioned golden jewelry that rivaled the ones I borrowed from the Princess.

I was awestruck even if all her attention was on the King.

She looked like she belonged here.

She looked like she was meant to be in the middle of this beautiful castle.

She looked like she was born to be by the King’s side. 

And then, when it couldn’t possibly get any worse… the King finally takes notice of her. There was a moment of pure silence as their eyes met and I knew what happened before I could even process it.

“Mates.” They whispered in perfect unison and like two pieces of a puzzle, the two came together perfectly as any destined mates would.