Finding the Alpha Queen

Hope

Nathan

“s**t,” I mutter as my cursed alarm goes off, interrupting my dream. I smash my hand down on the hopeless machine and open my eyes. “White wolf,” I say, and Salvador, my wolf, makes a weird sound. With a huge sigh, I roll out of bed as I have a long day before me.

I am the Royal Beta, and right now, I am acting as king because King Brockton has become too sick to fulfill his duties. Tragically, he has cancer and no heirs since his mate died in childbirth. The kingdom is struggling to come up with a solution. There is talk of having Brockton’s third or fifth cousin, Anthony, become the king, but no one likes that option. Then, there is the possibility that Brockton’s little sister, Arianna, has been found.

Thirteen years ago, during an attack on the palace by some witches and warlocks, Arianna was kidnapped, and King Geoffrey was killed. Scores of people looked for Arianna, but she was never found and feared dead. And now there is a chance she is alive as a pure white wolf was spotted in a faraway pack.

“Morning Star Pack,” I say as I take a leak.

Morning Star Pack is on the kingdom's furthest fringes. Though they are a big pack, they rarely participate in kingdom activities and celebrations.

“Alpha Cameron Marsh,” I say as I wash my hands. I know nothing about the young alpha except that he caused trouble during alpha training. He appeared arrogant and acted like he didn’t need the training. There are always young alphas like that.

After I finished in the bathroom, I shuffled into the closet and put on one of my three-piece suits with my Royal Beta pins. “Yeah, you look good, Nate,” I mutter before leaving the closet. I grab my phone and head out. My younger sister Deanna, her mate Allen, and their son Bryant have been staying at my residence while their house is being renovated.

“Hey, Nate,” Deanna greets me as I enter the kitchen. Her one-year-old son is sitting in a highchair eating oatmeal and fruit.

“Dea,” I greet her as she hands me a mug of coffee. “Thanks.”

“So, you will be gone a few days?” She asks.

I nod, “Yeah.”

“So, you think it’s her? Arianna?” she asks.

Salvador makes a strange noise, and I brush it off. “It’s hard to say. The Montgomery family aren’t the only royals.”

“But it sounds hopeful?” Dea grins.

“Hope is what we need, Dea,” I say.

“Do you want some breakfast? I have some oatmeal,” she picks up a pot.

“No, that’s fine,” I shake my head. “I will eat on the plane.”

“Okay,” Deanna smiles. “Have a good trip.”

I kiss her cheek, “No wild parties,” I say, touch Bryant’s little arm, and walk out of the kitchen. Deanna’s mate Allen is sitting in the living room. He rises as I enter.

“Nate,” he greets me. Mirabel and Leo are waiting for you downstairs,” he mentions my personal bodyguards.

“Thanks,” I pat his shoulder. “Hold down the fort while I’m gone.”

“I will,” Allen nods. “I mean, I’ll have help from Mike.”

Allen is a captain in the royal guard and holds a lot of authority. Michael Neal is the Royal Gamma and will keep an eye on things while I am gone.

“See you, Al,” I say and walk out the door. As I head for the stairs, my phone rings. I see it’s Brockton. “What’s up, brother?” I greet the king.

“Can you come up here before you leave?” He requests.

“Okay, I’ll be right there,” I say and hang up.

“Nathan,” Brockton is sitting up in his bed as I enter his chambers. His nurse, Abby, is nearby preparing his medicines.

“What’s up, buddy?” I walk up to him.

“I just wanted to wish you well on your journey. I pray that this time we find her,” He mutters sadly.

I look at my friend. We have known each other since we were toddlers, as our fathers were best friends. He used to be so strong and virile, but now he is weak and frail. These days, he has trouble keeping his eyes open. “I am praying that we find her,” I say. "I hope that this white wolf is Arianna,” I say as Salvador makes a strange noise.

Brockton takes my hand, “I’m not going to make it much longer, Nate.” He frowns. “I keep seeing Blair and our child in my dreams. I just know she is trying to beckon me home.”

“Don’t talk like that, Brock,” I say. “You are still strong.”

He looks at me, “You are too kind, old friend.”

I chuckle, “I try.”

“Excuse me, Beta,” Abby steps toward the bed. “The king needs his medicine.”

“Right,” I nod. “I have to be going, Brock.”

“Goddess speed, my friend,” He pats my hand.

I touch his cheek and walk away. My heart hurts to see my friend, my brother, in such a state. I know there isn’t much time before he is gone, and we are nowhere near finding a solution.

The council is even talking about not having a king at all. But our kind has always had kings. They keep the species in check and hidden from the humans that would hunt us to extinction.

‘It’s not going to happen,’ Salvador says. ‘There is hope.’

‘I only hope you are right,’ I tell my wolf.

“Hello, Nathan.” My friend and bodyguard, Mirabel Morales, greets me. She is a powerhouse warrior, which is why she was chosen to be my bodyguard.

“Good morning, Mira,” I say to her. “How is Peach and the kids?”

“Oh, they are good,” Mirabal nods.

“Morning, Boss,” my other bodyguard, Leo Keets, approaches me.

“Leo,” I nod. “Is everything ready to go?” I say as we approach the royal limo.

A tall African American man with long dreads stands beside the vehicle. “Good morning, Malik,” I say to him.

“Beta,” Malik mutters in his deep voice. “Everyone is ready.”

“Good,” I say. “Let’s go then,” I say and enter the limo. It will be a fifteen-minute ride to the airport and then a four-hour flight. Sighing, I shake my head as I hate flying. It’s unnatural, but I don’t have time to drive to Morning Star Pack.

While on the plane, I received a phone call from my old girlfriend, Ashleigh. We were together from the time we were sixteen until she found her mate at twenty years old. I accepted it and moved on. Years later, Ashleigh was back, claiming her mate had cheated on her, so she left. She keeps begging me to take her back and help raise her two daughters.

“Hello, Ash,” I sigh.

“Nate,” She coos. I can tell that she is already drunk, “I missed you, baby.”

“Of course, you did,” I mutter. “Are you drunk, Ashleigh?”

“My mom has the girls, so it’s okay,” she whines.

“Okay,” I sigh. “Did you need something, Ashleigh?” I ask.

“You, Nathan, I need you,” She cries. “Why won’t you take me back?”

“I have explained it to you many times, Ashleigh. I need to find my mate,” I say.

“You are nearly thirty, and she hasn’t shown up,” She snorts. “Am I that ugly to you?”

“No,” I shake my head.

“So, why?” She cries.

“I have to go, Ashleigh. Have a good day,” I say before hanging up and dropping the phone on a tray beside my seat.

“Desperatta again?” Mirabel laughs.

I roll my eyes and look out the window. My heart and wolf long for our fated mate, but she has been elusive. Salvador has been acting strange since we heard about this mysterious white wolf. So, I hope that she will be the one.

‘Hope,’ Salvador whispers. ‘Hope.’