Auctioned To The Alpha King

A proposal

Alpha Nathan’s POV

I was sifting through records as I prepared to dive into work. I hadn’t slept a wink the previous night, my mind racing over countless deals and documents. For the past twenty years, my uncle had mismanaged the family business and pack, and it pained me to see the extent of the damage. I needed to start working immediately to set things right.

A knock landed on my door, and from the scent, I recognized it was James.

“Come in,” I called, sounding tired.

James stepped into the study and gave respectful bow, which made me frown. I disliked it when he acted formally around me, especially when we were alone.

“I’m guessing you didn’t get any sleep last night,” James observed as he approached, his inquisitive gaze on me. I let out a tired sigh, running a hand through my hair.

“There’s too much work that needs to be done,” I muttered, leaning back in my chair, feeling both mentally and emotionally drained.

“You need a Beta, Nathan. Should I suggest some strong candidates?” James offered, to which I shot him a playful glare.

“Of course, you know I’m naming you as my Beta. Once I’m crowned as Alpha tonight, you’re it,” I replied, watching as he sighed in response.

“Do you think I can really fit into that role? I mean, all my life, I’ve been fighting. Unlike you, I don’t have any experience in business or negotiations.” James murmured.

James didn’t know much about deals business, having only completed high school. His father wanted him to be a strong warrior, so his life had revolved around combat and training.

“Don’t worry about it, James. You’ll be my Beta but also retain your position as the head of warriors. I’ll teach you anything you need to know,” I assured him.

James took a deep breath, sinking into the chair across from me.

“Alpha Cain sends his congratulations,” he announced, and I nodded in acknowledgment.

“Has he mentioned what he wants in return for helping me?” I asked, but James shook his head.

“He hasn’t yet, but I don’t think it should worry you,” James assured me. I nodded, but I wasn’t at ease. I owed Cain for what he did for me fifteen years ago, when we were young boys, and I had promised him that once I took back my pack, I’d give him whatever he asked.

“Are you worried about what Cain might ask for?” James asked, as if reading my thoughts.

I nodded.

“You don’t have to be, Nathan. Cain is your friend. You two are like brothers; you lived under the same roof for fifteen years. I don’t think Cain will want anything unreasonable in return for giving you shelter, but if he does, it will likely be either land or money.” James assured me. I nodded and took a deep breath, though I still had an unsettling feeling in my stomach.

“Remember, your coronation is tonight, so please try to get some sleep,” James advised as he stood up to leave, but I stopped him.

“The family I asked you to find, have you found them?”

“Yes, Alpha. They’ll be brought to the mansion tomorrow.”

“Thank you.” I nodded and closed my eyes, but then a thought of someone I didn’t want to think about clouded my mind, and I was compelled to ask, “Is she awake?”

“Yes,” James answered, already aware of who I was asking about. “She woke up last night,” he added, and my frown deepened. So, she didn’t die. I wasn’t supposed to feel anything about it, but somehow, I was relieved that she wasn’t dead. At least not yet.

A moment of silence lingered, and I opened my eyes to look at James, sensing he had something else on his mind but was hesitating to voice it.

Go on. Say what you need to say,” I prompted.

James hesitated for a moment before speaking. “She hasn’t eaten for more than two days now, Nathan. We should at least give her a meal,” he pleaded, looking worried, with a concerned expression etched on his face.

I glared at him, scoffing in anger. “Well, she won’t die. Trust me. I went without food for a week, and I didn’t die; she can do that too,” I snapped.

“Stop this, Nathan. Don’t be ridiculous; that lady isn’t you,” my wolf snapped at me, but I chose to ignore him. These days, we aren’t acting on the same page or making the same decisions.

“Nathan, please,” James pleaded desperately. “For my sake,” he added, hitting a soft spot I couldn’t refuse.

I scowled, but I wasn’t surprised by his concern. James was a kind soul, always soft-hearted.

For James, I would do anything. This was a young boy who was just ten years old but put his life in danger to give me meals in the forest for five years.

“Fine, tell the guard to give her food and water,” I relented, forcing myself to say it.

“Thank you.” James bowed and turned to leave but stopped and looked back at me.

“I didn’t want to say this, but I think you should know….” James paused while I patiently waited for him to continue. “A marriage proposal has been sent to you,” he announced, and a frown spread across my face.

“What?” I asked in disbelief.

“Yes, Nathan. Sophia, Alpha Kinsley’s daughter, has sent a proposal. She wants to be your wife and Luna. According to her offer, if you marry her, her father’s pack will ally with ours, and she’s listed other benefits,” James explained.

My jaw clenched at the mention of a Luna. I wasn’t ready for that. Not with everything I had to rebuild. It hadn’t even been four days since my existence was known, and this lady was sending a marriage proposal? She didn’t even know me; she didn’t know the kind of things I was capable of.

“A Luna,” I muttered, rubbing a hand over my tired face. “Right now, the only thing I need is to get this pack back on track, not someone beside me.”

James sighed. “Nathan, having a Luna isn’t just about companionship. She could help you, ground you, bring balance to everything you’re carrying. Remember, your mother… she always said—”

“Enough,” I cut him off, my voice harder than intended. The reminder of my mother and the empty Alpha house she left behind weighed heavily on me. “I’ll think about it when the time is right.”

James nodded, though his expression showed he knew that time might never come. But he respected my silence, and for that, I was grateful.

“Fine,” he said, shifting back to business. “We have everything prepared for tonight’s ceremony. And the elders—”

“Keep an eye on them,” I interrupted. “Some of them would prefer to see me fail, especially after what happened to my uncle.”

James’s lips twitched in a humorless smile. “They won’t dare cross you, Nathan. They remember what happened to your uncle just as well as anyone else.”

“One more thing,” I said. “The girl… make sure she takes a bath. I might need her tonight.”