The Alpha and His Two Mates

Ch. 6 Tristan

Ch.6 Tristan

I was happy to be heading home after being away for the last three weeks. I was even happier that I had found my mate by chance while on this business trip. She was a Baroness, she was beautiful, and would soon be joining me at court. Finally, after years of searching for my Luna I had found her. The pack would be that much stronger by having their Luna finally take her place with me.

I could see that we were approaching the castle. My wolf became agitated as if he was waiting for something to happen. I perked up my senses trying to see if there was any danger, but all was still around me. Still I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was going on in the castle. My wolf clawed at me to be let out and run the rest of the way to the castle. I maintained control though and let my men know that we were riding up.

Soon we were at the front of the castle being greeted by my men and family.

“Welcome home my darling.” My mother said taking me into her arms.

“Thank you, I’ve missed you.” I told her returning her hug.

“Yes, we miss you miss us, so what is the great news you have for us?” My sister pushed forward eager as always. I had been planning on drawing the news out but now here in front of the castle I was drawn inside. It took all my control to keep my wolf in check.

“I…I found my mate.” I told them looking past them into the castle trying to see inside. The news had comments coming out from everyone. None of which I really heard.

“Is someone here?” I asked them. I saw the shift in everyone instantly.

“My dear, we have news. Come let’s go inside.” My mother stated instantly taking my arm in hers and leading me in. This all made my wolf feel on edge, but I followed my mother into the study with Thomas and Justin.

“So what’s going on?” I asked as soon as the doors were closed.

“There was a coup against Elizabeth, she barely escaped with her life.” My mother informed. A growl escaped me unexpectedly and anger instantly took over at the thought of someone harming Elizabeth. I had found my mate but clearly, I still held affection for my childhood love. I had not heard from her in years.

She had left without a word years ago and only kept in touch with my mother. I had been so busy with learning to rule a kingdom of wolves that I had had little time to seek her out. Whenever any events came up it seemed like we always missed each other. But now she was here. She was right here. My stomach turned and an unexpected feeling took hold of me.

“Where is she?” I asked through gritted teeth.

“She’s...here. She came to warn us.” My mother seemed hesitant to tell me the rest making me impatient.

“They are planning an attack on us. She was engaged to Alpha Blackburn. He was the one who staged the coup and planned to keep her as his pawn. But once she found out about his plans to advance on our kingdom she escaped, and he tried to kill her. She risked herself to warn us.” Thomas told me stepping in for my mother. Another growl came out of me as the anger took over me. Anger for what they had done to Elizabeth and anger over the threat to my people. Blackburn was a strong Alpha with a formidable pack but he did not scare me, and he was no match for my men.

My pack was comprised of the oldest and strongest lines of werewolves. It was how we maintained our power and order among all the werewolves.

“We have been keeping Elizabeth hidden here over the last few days. I told her she had our full support.” My mother added quickly.

“No. Let Blackburn know. If he wants to mount an attack then let him we have more than enough men to put him down. The festivities will continue as well. We will help Elizabeth get these mutts out of her land.” I informed them. I knew I couldn’t just attack another alpha without cause, and even though he had seized Elizabeth’s kingdom he had not attacked any other wolves.

“I already have them on alert I will give them more details and reinforce our security.” Justin stated and he and Thomas were off.

“Mother, is she here now?” I asked once we were alone.

“Yes, she’s in her room.”

“Bring her to me, please.” I said turning away from her. I heard her leave a moment later.

She was here, I wondered if she was the reason my wolf and I were so on edge. The threat of an attack didn’t scare me but the attack on Elizabeth felt personal. She had been my best friend growing up and eventually someone who I deeply loved. But she had left me without an explanation or word of why she had left me behind. I knew that I didn’t feel the same way about her though as I had just found my mate, the one and only person who mattered in a romantic way.

Still I couldn’t help but care for her though despite it all. What would she think of who I had become? I was no longer that boy that she knew I had been hardened by her absence and that of my Luna. People feared me, and I couldn’t blame them my temper often got the better of me. I felt her approaching and took my place behind my study.

A sweet scent hit me like a ton of bricks making it hard to focus. There was a small knock on the door, and I called her in trying to compose myself.

Elizabeth:

I heard him call me in and stepped inside.

I saw him standing behind his study. I was instantly taken aback by the sight of him. He was just as I remembered him. Tall, handsome, strong, but he had gotten bigger making him look more regal than I remembered. I almost froze at the sight of him but I forced myself to go inside.

“Your majesty.” He said tipping his head in respect. There was a sting in my heart at the way he greeted me with such formality, as if we were strangers.

“Your majesty.” I said in respect as well. I was unsure of what to do as we had never been this formal with each other.

“Queen Elizabeth, my mother has informed me that you have risked yourself to warn us of Blackburn’s plan. You have my gratitude and my support. You are welcomed to stay here, openly, I am not scared of that mutt. You are safe here. We will work with you to get your kingdom back, as this could be detrimental to all the surrounding packs. As you know my hands are tied when it comes to mounting an attack against him without cause, but if you are able to gather support from the surrounding packs we may be able to make a case in favor of an attack.” He told me efficiently. He really was a king now. We had talked about the day we would rule and it here he was a true king.

His words were cold and distant though as if I were a stranger and not someone he had once cared for.

“Thank you.” I said not really knowing what to say. He moved around the desk in a flash and was standing in front of me in an instant. He had always been a bit taller than me but he had gotten taller now and I had to look up at him.

“Are you ok?” He asked quietly. I nodded not trusting myself to speak. Having him this close to me was making me feel weak in the knees. I couldn’t help the physical response that he elicited in my body. His scent was all around me now and it was intoxicating. I was quickly reminded that I had never stop caring for the man in front of me.

“Good.” He said simply as his hand moved towards my face, but before he touched me, he pulled it back just as quickly; and in a flash he was out of the room. Leaving me feeling alone and empty. It was not what I had expected upon seeing him. I thought he would be angry, yell at me…but this, this I had not expected. To be treated like a stranger one moment and then have him so close the next only to be left alone, was dizzying. 

I made my way back up to room and tried to relax. It was getting late and everyone would be getting ready for bed. I changed into something warmer and made my way out using the hidden stairways. I needed some fresh air to clear my mind.

This castle was old, and we had had years to explore and learn the castle well. Even areas where we had not been allowed. I reached my destination shortly and took a deep breath. The air was cool, and the waves of the ocean were gently crashing before me. Soothing my anxious mind.

This spot was one that I had loved coming to it was enclosed by trees and the landscape made an almost lake like area. It was tucked away so not many people came here. It made it the perfect spot to clear one’s mind. Yet I could not get the thought of Tristan and the way he had acted out of my head. Suddenly I heard rustling behind me making my heart race.

I was not alone.