The Wolf King's Second Chance Mate

Early Morning Visit

The next morning, Lyria was up with the dawn as usual when a knock came at her door. Startled, she put down the book she was reading, a large astronomy tome about the constellations and their meaning to the Goddess. Lyria had always had an interest in astronomy. For a brief period as a child, she had even considered dropping her lifelong desire to become a Warrior to pursue an apprenticeship in the capital city of the Wolf Kingdom, learning prophecy and star-reading. But that was an even loftier goal than to be a Warrior, and deep in her heart she couldn’t give up on being a Warrior, which she felt was her true purpose. But she did her best to keep up with scholarly learning on the subjects of stars and prophecy in her free time.

Opening the door, she was surprised to see Duke Greyfur.

“Hello,” she said, sticking her head gently out of the doorframe to peer around and see if anyone was with him. He was alone.

“May I come in?” he asked, with a gentle sort of smile.

Flustered, she said, “it is highly unusual… I wouldn’t want people to talk,” and then worried about offending him, she added, “not that I think you would take any liberties.”

He laughed. “I can assure you that no one will think the less of you,” he held up a hand, and she saw that he had the mark of a bonded mate.

“Oh,” she breathed. She had heard of bonded mates, of course, as everyone had, but they were rare. She had never known a pair. Bonded mates chose to take their mate vows under the light of a full moon, and entered into a solemn pact to never love another. It was the most serious, rare sign of enduring love. A bonded mate would never so much as look at any other wolf  romantically for the rest of their lives.

She stepped back and allowed him to pass into her home. He swept in, taking in her tiny, barren cottage which she loved so. She held her breath as his eyes swept the tiny living room and kitchen, unsure if he would find such humble accommodations lacking in comparison to the grandiose life he likely led as a Duke.

“It’s a lovely home,” he said, and relief washed over her as she realized he was being genuine, his tone thoughtful.

“Thank you,” she said gratefully.

“A large collection of books, I see. Do you enjoy reading?”

“I do, yes,” she said.

“Is that a copy of The Astronomer’s Almanac?” he asked with apparent glee, approaching the book Lyria had left on the table when she answered the door.

She nodded, feeling suddenly shy. “Yes, but it is last year’s edition. I can’t afford this year’s, not yet.”

“I love astronomy,” Duke Greyfur said with enthusiasm. “Have you studied it?” 

“Not officially, just in my spare time.”

“Lovely. You know, the castle has the most beautiful observatory. And an absolutely unmatched library. I think you’ll quite enjoy it there.”

“If I am selected,” she said quietly. She tried not to look too dismayed at the prospect.

“You already have been, my dear,” he replied, looking quizzically at her. “You impressed me from before I met you, when I heard of your upward mobility. I quite like an upstart. The other delegates were impressed by your beauty. And Duke Reed was impressed by your wit,” he added.

“Duke Reed, is he the one with the…” Lyria ran one finger down her cheek, indicating a scar.

“That’s him. Apparently you told him a very funny joke about a wolf and a king who are drinking in a pub. I’d love to hear it some time.”

“I did,” Lyria said with a little smile. “Unfortunately I made the joke up on the spot and I don’t remember it now. You may need to ask Duke Reed.”

“Oh, he was drunk. He doesn’t remember it. He just remembers it was amusing.” Duke Greyfur turned to look Lyria in the eyes. “Now, I have a question to ask you. During the ball, it seemed to me that Alpha Windmere was really encouraging us toward two candidates. The first, his daughter, makes sense to me. However, I admit I am puzzled by his nomination of you.”

“Did you ask the Alpha himself why he put forth my name?” Lyria asked, stalling for time.

“I did, and he waxed poetic about your beauty, but the answer didn’t seem genuine. In fact, if I didn’t know any better, I would say your Alpha had a distinct distaste for you.”

Lyria sighed. “That’s because he does,” she admitted, deciding to tell the truth of the matter. “I don’t know why, but he hates the entire Moonglow family.”

Duke Greyfur’s brow furrowed. “You don’t know why? And more to the point, why nominate you to potentially become the Luna Queen if he hates you?”

“Because he said that if I fail, which he thinks I will, he will cast me out. If I don’t compete, he will prevent my siblings from rising above the rank of Omega. And I suspect if I do badly enough, he will also cast out my family.”

Duke Greyfur looked shocked, but said nothing for a moment. After a while, he simply said, “I see.” Then he appeared thoughtful and said, “I rather think you’ll succeed. Has anyone explained to you how the selection process works?”

“No, sir,” Lyria replied.

“Each pack Alpha is allowed to nominate two candidates. Although we are free to choose any unmated wolf, we are expected to consider the nominations above all others. From each pack, we choose one wolf to compete. However,” he added, “there are fifteen additional spots. If two or more delegates are in agreement, then a second wolf can be chosen from any given pack. On the matter of selecting you as a second candidate, it was a unanimous vote in favor.”

Lyria bowed her head solemnly. “Thank you,” she said. “I’m honored.”

“You don’t seem it,” said Duke Greyfur, earnestly and without any malice.

“I apologize. I am grateful, but it is also hard to be excited about an opportunity I am being coerced to take,” Lyria said, somewhat ashamed by her reticence. 

“Of course, but perhaps look on the bright side,” Duke Greyfur said patiently. “You can leave this pack, at least for a time. You can see the capital. I happen to know several scholars working there in the field of astronomy, and I’d be happy to make introductions. How far in the competition has your Alpha demanded you go?”

“Tenth,” Lyria said.

“Easy,” said Duke Greyfur. “I promise you we will get you there. At least. But Lyria,” he said, and Lyria looked up into his eyes, “I think you may just be able to go all the way. If you want to. And if not, you can return here knowing you did as you were bid to do, and if your Alpha has a problem with it, I can certainly have words with him.”

Lyria hesitated. She saw the wisdom in his words, of course, but still found it hard to muster the enthusiasm she knew most young wolves would feel in her place. She tried to smile at him, but felt the tautness of her muscles and knew it came out as more of a grimace. 

“How about I ask you again once we’ve arrived?” Duke Grefur. “Actually, I do have some news that might perk you right up.”

“Oh?” asked Lyria.

“Well, as you know, each Pack Alpha is a Lord in his own right. A minor noble, compared to say, an illustrious Duke,” he winked at Lyria, “but nobility nonetheless. They’ve been invited to be a part of the delegation accompanying their candidates.”

“You think it will cheer me up… to know that Alpha Windmere will be traveling with us?” Lyria asked in a tone of slight derision.

“Yes, for two reasons. The first is that Lord Windmere has decided to bring along his eldest son, to help him make introductions for when he is Alpha. And Lyle Windmere has invited--” Lyria cut him off with an excited gasp.

“Aertis?” she asked in an excited whisper.

“Precisely. And for a second reason why Lord Windmere’s presence may be more exciting than you think, as the King’s guest in the capital, you will temporarily outrank him.”

Lyria gasped again, more excitedly than the first time. “What?”

Duke Greyfur nodded, smiling at her face, which had lit up at the prospect. “It’s true. Any official delegation to the capital at the invite of the King is ranked such that the official guest, or guests, always outrank those traveling with them. Even when their travel companions are Lords.”

“Okay, that got me. That’s pretty cool,” Lyria said with a small chuckle. “By the full moon, I never thought I’d be able to say I will outrank my Alpha, even temporarily.”

“Don’t think of it as temporary,” Duke Greyfur said. “Cyrrillest is full of possibilities, the only packless territory in the Kingdom where all can go to meet and mingle. Even if you don’t win the competition to become the Luna Queen, you never know what else you may find.”

“I could be a scholar, or a King’s Warrior!” Lyria said, relishing the possibilities. “Or a Warrior-scholar-- does that exist?”

Duke Greyfur gave a small, indulgent chuckle. “Not yet, but you can invent it. In the capital, you can be anything you want.”