His witch

Chapter 2

Arno’s POV

Mother called me. Not that I wasn't expecting the news, but it still struck me hard. Father was dying. I had to rush to the castle. I spent too much time here, but when rogues attack, the kingdom must react. I'm the armed hand of the kingdom. So I tracked and decimated them. Just like a proper heir to the throne should do.

The point was that I was not sure if I was a proper heir. I didn’t want to be a king, honestly. I’ve seen father struggle all the time with the parties in the Council of Elders, who were crushing and fighting with each other and with him. Father wanted to change some things since he ascended to the throne. To his frustration, all the ideas and laws had to be approved by the Council. And they didn’t care about the welfare of our people. They only wanted to see their fortunes grow.

My troops couldn’t drive the best vehicles we could get, because Lord Niven had a car factory. It didn’t matter that his cars were poorly constructed and expensive, suitable for fancy trips in the countryside, but not for military operations. He secured the contract for the next 3 years. And for the last few years, he has tried to sell me his daughter as a wife. I have known Oriana all my life. She was a good friend and companion. But only a friend and I knew she thought the same about me. Besides, I am a werewolf. We, at least most of us, wait for marriage until I find my mate. I was 26 and still haven’t found her. But I was the patient one.

My phone rang, stopping my thoughts. Mother.

“Yes, mother?”

“Hurry, he won’t last long”, she said. I could hear deep sadness in her voice. She and the father were mates. Their connection was always strong and now she had to watch him die. She was strong and proud. She would mourn later, alone. I know her. Now she thinks only about father's comfort and the kingdom. When he dies, I must be crowned immediately. Without a king, the barriers around the Kingdom would weaken every second.

“I am already in the car. I need an hour.” I knew that I couldn’t ease her pain. I could only assure her that I would manage.

“Please, hurry”, she said again and disconnected.

“Faster,” I said to Corbin, my soon-to-be second in command. He knew that I didn’t expect an answer, but an action. All my werewolves knew. They all called me alpha or Arno, I hoped they would still be doing so after I was crowned. This thought made my heart clench.

I didn’t use mindlink, as it is too close to rogue troops. Mindlinks aren't a very secure way to communicate, you never know who else is listening. Not that anyone can listen to a conversation, but some alphas and betas can, especially with the help of a dark witch or wizard. And those rogues are able to acquire such help. That's why we use cell phones with encrypted connections like ordinary humans.

I closed my eyes and tried to get some rest, but instead, some more thoughts flashed through my head.

Will I manage? I promised it to my mother and I really needed to see my father for the last time. I loved him deeply, he was the best dad a child can get. I need to bid him a farewell properly. To tell him these few things I never told him. Maybe to hear some things from him.

I was not feeling ready to rule. But can any werewolf ever be ready for such a responsibility? I once told my father about these insecurities. He responded that the ones that desire power may easily become tyrants. So I should always have my doubts, as they make me aware of my responsibilities.

Times are tough, we are struggling and preparing to fight for power. Our enemies are not only rogues but also the Council. My grandfather died in suspicious circumstances when my father was only 10. They ruled independently for almost another 10 years and never returned full power to the king.

Father was able to diminish them to some extent. And now he was dying. I had some suspicions. An alpha werewolf in his fifties shouldn’t become ill at all. And yet, none of the doctors or wizards we summoned could help. They didn’t even know what illness we were dealing with. I will have to be very cautious, but I am going to reveal the culprits and regain the power that is rightfully mine. For my father. He had it all planned and I can’t waste his efforts.

We hoped that the Council would underestimate me as a stupid soldier. That is why I was always away from the court, training with my troops or fighting battles. I am strong and don't avoid combat on the front line. My soldiers respect me. I also managed to gain the respect and love of those whom I helped. They were mostly deltas and omegas. Those are underestimated by most alphas and betas. But I am not biased against them. I know them, their struggle, and their value and I will make good use of them.

I guess there is one good thing that the Council did for the kingdom. If they gave up power after my father came of age, he wouldn’t try to fight them and probably wouldn't start researching their actions and the situation of lower ranks. Maybe he would be just like any of the previous kings.

I feel uneasy, not only because of my father and the Council. I feel incomplete. Mother says that it is because I am still searching for my mate. I believe her. I hope that my mate is a strong she-wolf. I would like her to be an alpha, but not an aristocratic alpha daughter with their rotten beliefs and prejudice. But her rank isn't that important to me. I want her to be my partner, just like my mother was my father's partner.