Alpha Prince Egon And His Bride

7. Marriage Proposal

After waiting for half an hour, Harry was finally allowed to enter the grand meeting room. As he entered, his eyes landed on Alpha Richard seated in the central chair, with his Beta sitting on a side chair. However, what caught Harry’s attention was the empty chair next to Richard. He had no idea who it belonged to, but it emitted a sense of power, danger, and authority even though it was unoccupied at that moment.

Coming to a halt in the middle of the room, just as Harry opened his mouth to speak, his eyes landed on a bloodied man forced onto his knees. Harry's heart skipped a beat as he realized he had failed to notice the man earlier. James, who had been imprisoned and tortured for the past three days due to his own scandal, had also entered the meeting hall to see the captured man.

The man on his knees exuded a stench of rotten eggs, revealing his current identity as a rogue, drawing furious hateful glares from the Silver River Pack members. However, the rogue seemed unfazed by their judgmental eyes, as the real danger sat on the throne. Alpha Richard's dominating aura and deadly gaze wounded the man's wolf more than anything that had been done to him physically.

"So this disgusting thing entered our territory?" Richard's sinister voice echoed in the room. Harry swallowed hard, realizing he had arrived at the wrong time. So he determined it was better to remain silent.

"He claims he was trying to protect himself, but I wonder from whom?" William shot a doubtful gaze at the rogue. James, on the other hand, panicked. Being hunted by the evil outside seemed better than entering Silver River territory. Alpha Richard and Beta William were going to tear him apart, as he had made the biggest mistake of his life by crossing that line.

"I explained myself before, but you don't believe me. I was just passing by when suddenly a group of wolves attacked me. To save my life, I ran to the border, but I had no idea I had crossed onto someone's territory. I don't even know the name of this pack. I come from far away and have no knowledge of these parts," the rogue replied to Beta William.

James shifted his gaze to William, he obviously didn't give a damn about the rogue’s explanation, but Richard seemed different. He got up from his seat to take a closer look at the nineteen-year-old rogue, examining him from head to toe. He believed the rogue's claims because if he had even the slightest knowledge of where he had entered, he would have committed suicide by now.

“What is your name?” Richard asked.

"Den," the rogue replied, meeting Richard's gaze. Richard's lips curled into a cold smile. The rogue had the audacity to boldly meet his gaze, but since he was not a member of the Silver River Pack his action could be explained. He was afraid but trying to appear brave.

"From today onward, you are a member of my pack," Richard announced, surprising everyone, but Den sat there speechless. After being brutally beaten by the guards for three days and nights, he thought nothing but a grave awaited him. Yet, he was blessed with a chance to live as a part of the pack. It felt like a dream to him, considering how ruthlessly this Alpha appeared. Why would such a person allow a rogue to join his pack and stay in his palace?

While everyone was taking their time to process the shocking announcement, James was experiencing deja vu. About twenty years ago, he was in the same position as a rogue. Richard had taken him in then as well.

"But why do you want to accept me into your pack?" Den questioned, bringing a smile to Richard's lips. James clenched his fists at his sides. He had asked the same question twenty years ago.

Alpha Richard leaned forward and grabbed Den's jaw, causing him to yelp in pain as Richard's nails dug into his flesh. "The reason is simple: you don't know where you are. You can never run away from here. You will live and die here," Alpha Richard said, a diabolical grin spreading across his face.

Den trembled in fear, unaware of the borders he had crossed. He glanced timidly at his surroundings, only to see sharp teeth and claws craving his flesh and blood. As a member of the pack, if he tried to escape, he would be killed. He was now imprisoned here, with no way out. Richard turned to walk back to his throne. Den opened his mouth to beg for mercy, which would be just another mistake in his life.

"I…"

"Don't ever expect mercy from the Alpha, or you will be put to death!" James grabbed his arm, pulling him up to his feet before it was too late. William narrowed his eyes.

"Alpha, allow me to teach this fellow about our pack," James requested. Richard waved his hand lazily, retaking his throne. James bowed and forced Den's head to lower as well. Den looked at James, confused but found him different from the others. James supported him well, considering his legs were severely injured and bleeding this made it possible for him to stand on his own.

"Never make the mistake of trying to run away from here if you want to stay alive," James murmured secretly yet sternly as he started freeing Den from the shackles draped over his body.

"Why have I been imprisoned here like this? What is so special about me that the Alpha decided to keep a rogue in his palace?" Den whispered, knowing that if his words fell on the ears of Alpha or Beta, it could cost him his life.

"There is only one answer to all of your questions: you are a man," James replied in a very hushed voice. Harry, who happened to be standing close to them, heard them clearly. That's when Den realized there were no women here since he was captured.

Harry and James both saw the color drain from Den's face. "Please tell me, what territory is this?" he finally had doubts.

"Silver River Pack," James murmured carefully under his breath. The weight of the chains were lifted from Den's body, but as soon as he heard the pack's name, he froze in terror. Even though he was a rogue, none of the scary stories had escaped his ears. He had become a part of the pack that was notorious for brutally killing outsiders, and the only women present were prostitutes that satisfied the physical hunger of the men and were only alive for that purpose.

"That... that means that he is also here…" Den mumbled in fear, his whole body trembling. Harry and James could sense his terror, as the mere mention of that individual's name was enough to make people contemplate suicide. The most mysterious Alpha wolf ever.

"You are lucky that he isn't here. Otherwise, he would have brutally killed you at first sight. He hates your kind," James whispered, proceeding to pull the nails out of Den's feet.

"Now, what will happen to me?" Den broke into a cold sweat.

"Follow me, you’ll take a bath and get a change of clothes for you first. If the Alpha Prince gets even the slightest clue that you’re a rogue, then no one will be able to save you. However, it won’t hide your identity from him, but at least try to wash the stench off," James remarked, leading him out of the meeting room and into the palace.

"Are you going to speak tomorrow, peacemaker?" Richard raised his eyebrows.

"My... my apologies!" Harry flinched. He had gotten lost in James and Den's whispered conversation, momentarily forgetting his purpose. "I am grateful that Alpha Richard granted me permission to visit your Kingdom and speak with you," he spoke politely with a bow.

"How about you tell me why Levi has sent you to my pack? I don't think you're here for a peace agreement," Richard said, a cold smile on his lips. Harry licked his lips and forced a smile, faking confidence.

"Alpha Richard is correct. I haven't come to make a peace agreement. Instead, I..." Harry paused before mentioning the marriage proposal. His wolf grew uneasy as a strong, dominating, and dangerous aura filled the meeting room. Harry held his breath as he realized Alpha Prince Egon had arrived. When the Silver River Pack members knelt at the sight of Egon, Harry did the same immediately. Alpha Levi was no better than these monsters, but Harry knew Egon to be the deadliest.

As Egon passed him, Harry slowly rose to his feet and noticed Egon taking a seat beside Richard. So, that was the reason the empty chair held such an intimidating presence. However, Alpha Richard seemed to relax a bit, donning a proud smile at the sight of his son.

Just as Harry thought he should quickly speak and leave, he felt Egon's cold stare. He immediately lowered his gaze, afraid that Egon remembered his presence at the Shine Moon Pack's mating ball. Doubts about Egon's arrival clouded his mind. Previously, he had been elated when Egon was absent, but now, in his presence, he found himself unable to utter a word about the marriage proposal. The chances of being killed in this pack today were heightened. Lost in thought, he failed to hear Alpha Richard speaking to him.

"HARRY!" Alpha Richard yelled, snapping Harry out of his daze.

"I am sorry, Alpha Richard," Harry startled, maintaining his composure.

"f*****g continue," Alpha Richard growled. "What is your purpose for coming here?"

"Alpha Levi sent me here with a proposal," Harry replied, forcing a light smile despite his dry throat due to Egon's intense gaze.

"What kind of proposal?" Alpha Richard raised an eyebrow.

"The proposal of a marriage between Alpha Prince Egon and Princess Emily,"