To Tempt An Alpha King

f**k!

VALEN

The rage pumping through me as I paced through the courtyard was so overwhelming it felt like I was losing my mind. What the hell had just happened? My jaw clenched at the memory of the ambush I had planned with the betas and a few warriors, and I felt a rush of shame. My performance had felt…different. I had practically been bumbling around like an old fool. And everyone had seen.

"f**k!" I roared, striking the first thing my hand came in contact with. The large vase shattered on the floor, sending its pieces flying across the room. But the fire in my chest was still not extinguished.

"Alpha!"

I turned just in time to see Calum—my closest friend and my Beta—bow deeply and walk toward me, worry creasing his forehead. I knew what he was about to ask me. But I was in no mood for that right now.

"What is it?!" I spat, still seething.

"Valen…" he began carefully. I shot him a sharp glare. It was not the first time he had called me by my name. Aside from my parents, he was the only one who addressed me by my name sometimes. But for some reason, it angered me this time around. Was he mocking me? Indirectly showing me that I did not deserve my title as alpha king?

"You dare address me like that?!" I thundered, feeling my muscles tightening as I faced him. He stared at me in surprise.

"I don't understand what you me—"

"The hell you don't!"

"You're being unreasonable right now. And I completely understand why. I'm just worried about you right now, so I am here as a friend and nothing more. After what just happened, it's okay to feel—"

"OUT OF MY SIGHT!" I used the alpha command on him. I saw the hurt flash briefly in his eyes before he gave a short bow and hurried away. The hot anger had slowly deteriorated to a dull, aching pain in my chest. Sighing, I made my way up to my chambers, ordering all the maids out and banging the door behind me.

Word would soon begin to circulate round the pack, I was sure of it. And I'm sure my parents would have a lot to say about it. I thought back to the conversation I'd had with them about a month ago, and I could feel my face pale. They were right. This was really happening. This meant I could lose all my powers very soon. The one thing I hated giving into was fear. But this time, I could not deny that it tugged at my heart.

If today had not happened, I would still not have realized that I was slowly losing my powers. I had received word from a scout a few days ago. Some rogues had come together to form a deadly group, and they had been terrorizing packs and inching dangerously close to human territory, which was a threat.

As a warrior alpha, I had mapped out a plan to catch these rogues and put an end to their terror. The ambush had gone according to plan. Up until I was faced with one of them. Usually I would have finished him off in one go. But I had been slow, so sluggish that it was pitiful. He almost had the upper hand right before I dealt him a deathly blow.

But that did not change the fact that a f*****g rogue had lasted a minute in a fight against me. I could see the curious stares from my pack members as I walked past them and headed home. And it burned through me. If it continued like this, they would lose respect for me. They would begin to see me as a mere werewolf who did not deserve to be king. And then they would start to contest for the throne.

Horror filled me up at the mere thought of this. Father and Mother were right. My powers were slowly depleting.

'We need to find our mate. Soon.'

"I know!" I yelled, cutting Leo off. "Don't remind me, okay?" To make sure he did not say anything further, I angrily subdued him. I didn't need anyone else talking my ear off right now.

But deep down, I knew he was right. They all were. I needed to find my mate before I lost my powers completely. If that happened, I would be the laughingstock of the entire werewolf world and they would start to look down on me regardless of my position as king. Without my powers, I was nothing. And that was a fact, however painful it might be.

***

After a few hours of trying to get some sleep, I finally gave up. I was much too troubled to sleep. I rose from bed and walked to my wardrobe, taking off my robe and putting on my hunting clothes. This was obviously just a formality, as I did not need clothes to hunt. But it helped to look the part, and it would not do to arouse suspicion from anywhere. Living amongst humans was simply tiring sometimes.

Sighing, I headed downstairs and out of the gates. It was evening already so night was dawning slowly. I lost track of time when I got into the woods, but it didn't matter. Hunting always put me in a good mood. There was something empowering about hunting prey and it helped to clear my head too.

After two attempts, I dumped the dead deer I had caught on the grass. The tantalizing smell of blood tickled my nose, but I had no desire to feed right now. So I let it be. Some other hunters could have it.

I continued this for the next few hours and before long, I had begun to tire. Exhausted, I fell back onto a tree trunk, letting the cool evening air wash over me.

A light sound roused me. My ears perked up and my eyes darted round the place but I caught no sight of anything. It was probably an animal. Stretching, I stood. It was time to head home.

My wolf suddenly came alive, making me hiss in surprise. But there was something else. I sniffed the air deeply, my mouth nearly watering at the warm—almost tropical—scent; a subtle blend of coconut and jasmine. Nothing was more divine.

'Mate!' Leo intoned, making my eyes widen in surprise. After what had just happened today, that was a very pleasant surprise. I felt hope surge through me and I began to move closer to the figure in the shadows.

"Hey, hey?!" I called out, waving my hand in a gesture. To my greatest surprise, she began to move away. I tried to catch a glimpse of her face but it was proving impossible. And I was too far away. "Hey! Stop!" I yelled louder.

By the time I got to that spot, she was nowhere to be found. It was almost like she vanished into thin air. "f**k!" I swore under my breath, cursing my luck. I had finally found my mate. There was hope to regain my powers and save my reputation. But I had missed it. I kicked hard at a tree, gripping at my hair in frustration. After searching in vain for a few more minutes, I turned around and headed home.

All the way to the palace, my mind continued to turn in circles. What do I do now? Where do I go from here? I had lost her today but I needed to find her. My life and my future were at stake here. I couldn't afford to lose my title and my power. I would never let that happen. Which was why I needed a plan. At every turn, I could feel my hope rising and falling with the thought of possibilities. And by the time I arrived home, I had figured it out.

Instead of heading to my room, I walked down the hallway and straight to Father's room, hoping that he and Mother were around. Thankfully they were seated in bed and discussing when I arrived.

"Father, Mother," I bowed, shutting the door behind me. They looked surprised, and I knew why. I never really came around to see them except on special occasions. So they must have been surprised to see me without a summon.

"I have something I wish to discuss with you."

"Yes of course. Have a seat," Father nodded, gesturing to an empty chair which I took.

"What's the matter?" Mother asked, her voice laced with curiosity.

I took a deep breath, and then I faced them. "I think I might have found my mate."

My mother gave a loud gasp, her eyes widening. "Really? Thank the Goddess! That's great news, son. Who is it? When did this happen?"

"Easy with the questions," I chuckled, despite my troubled mind.

"Tell us more," Father said.

Taking another deep breath, I narrated to them everything that had happened this evening. When I was done, Father spoke up. "This is curious indeed. I wonder why the young lady ran away. So what are you planning? How are you going to find her again?"

"That's why I'm here. I would like to organize a ball. It will take place in a few days, and every she-wolf that is of age is required to attend. Preparations will begin at dawn. I need your opinions on the matter," I finished, bowing a little.

"It's a great idea, son. This way you'll be able to find her. Your mother and I shall be attending too."

"I'll send out the guards on that day to make sure no maiden is left behind. We will find your mate and she shall take her rightful place by your side."

I smiled. "Thank you Father, Mother."

Giving one last bow, I walked out the door and headed to my room. But all I could think of was that delicious scent of jasmine.