The Wolf King's Second Chance Mate

Things In Common

After the dinner, the dancing began. Lyria was never one for dancing, but most wolves loved it, as they loved all physical activity. When the band struck up a carola, the most popular dance in the kingdom, Lyria shrunk back against a wall. Omegas bearing cups of wine were making the rounds, and Irmea, Lyria’s mother’s best friend, made a beeline for Lyria.

“Wine?” she asked, giving a low bow.

Lyria took a cup from the tray Imrea held. “I’ve told you that you don’t need to bow to me,” she said kindly, putting a hand gently onto Imrea’s arm.

Imrea gave her a conspiratorial little smile. “Thank you,” she said, “but with the Alpha here, I think formality is best.”

Lyria gave an exaggerated scowl, causing Imrea to laugh. Just then, Aertis swept over to them and grasped at Lyria’s arm. “Lyria, Lyria, come dance,” she said with an infectious enthusiasm. Focusing her gaze over on Imrea, Aertis exclaimed, “Imrea, hello! So lovely to see you,” and she inclined her head graciously at the Omega, who smiled broadly. 

“Aertis,” she said with a bow. “I haven’t seen you since your shift. I wanted to congratulate you on finding your mate. You’ll make an excellent Luna.”

“Thank you,” said Aertis with a hint of a blush about her cheeks. “Please, excuse Lyria and I. Alpha Windmere would like Lyria to dance,” she added, inclining her head in the Alpha’s direction. He was glaring, subtly, at Lyria, and nodded almost imperceptibly at the dance floor.

Lyria made a tiny noise of distaste in the back of her throat, then she handed the wine glass back to Imrea. “Fine,” she said. Aertis took her hand to lead her to the floor.

Just as she moved toward the dance floor, the band began to play a pavane. She groaned, but Aertis didn’t release her grip on her hand. “Come on,” Aertis said. “It’ll be fine,” and she dragged Lyria forward.

Lyria moved onto the dance floor which the Omegas had cleared when dinner ended. Taking her place in the line of female wolves, she found herself facing the King’s delegate from before dinner.

The King’s delegate bowed low, and when he stood up, he had a smile on his face. “Lady Moonglow,” he said courteously. 

“Sir,” she curtsied as the dance began, moving slowly to her left, then her right. “I have no title, Lady nor any other.”

“Well, perhaps you should,” he said with another small smile, as she extended her hand to him and he grasped it delicately. She merely laughed, a high clear sound audible just above the music.

“You know,” he said, “it isn’t unheard of for common wolves to rise to a new station. You’ve already seen that in your own life.”

“From Omega to Warrior is a much easier transition than from commoner to Lady,” she pointed out, as they continued to dance. She spun, twirling away from him as the men stepped forward, so that when she spun back toward the line, another man stood as her partner. They repeated the steps of the dance, and then again with another partner. She swirled and danced through the entire line of men, including the other King’s delegates. She traded pleasantries with them, laughing at their jokes and trying to look as if she was enjoying herself, as if she wanted to be there, as if she had any interest at all in being brought to Castle Wolfsblood.

The King’s delegate she had spoken to before had barely stepped up to her spot before he said, “I’ve known more meteoric rises.”

“Have you,” she asked, raising one eyebrow in an exaggerated show of disbelief.

As he turned toward her, he nodded. “I know of an advisor to the King who was born a lowly Omega, in fact. Now he is a Duke.”

“Ah, yes, I believe I was told that aspirational tale as a child. It’s from the Book of Wolves, is it not?” she grinned, naming another favorite book of short stories from her childhood.

“Ah, perhaps. But I know of a more recent example,” he replied, just as the dance caused them to turn away from one another.

“Who is that?” Lyria asked as she turned back toward him.

“Duke Theoboro Greyfur, at your service,” he said, bowing just as she spun away in time with the music.

In shock, Lyria misstepped. Moments later, as the rest of the female wolves spun back toward the line of men, she missed the cue and was left behind. Glancing over at the head table, she saw Alpha Windmere staring disapprovingly at her. In a sudden, subtle movement, he jabbed a finger at the dance floor. She scurried back forward. Once she had re-joined the tempo, she was surprised to see Ultan Windmere step up beside her. As he was only twenty, he had not yet had his first shift, so it was highly unusual for him to attend an official function. Though as the son of the Alpha, he did have special privileges. 

Ultan smiled at her. Unlike his father and his older brother Lyle, Ultan was genuinely kind to Lyria most of the time-- at least when his family wasn’t looking. In Lyria’s opinion, he would make a much better Alpha than his brother. Aertis used to agree, but Lyria hadn’t asked if her opinion changed now that she was to be wedded to Lyle. 

“Lyria,” Ultan said graciously.

“Good to see you Ultan. Where’s your brother?” she asked.

“Lyle had no interest in a function primarily designed to show women he can’t flirt with,” Ultan replied with a soft laugh. “I wasn’t allowed at the dinner, but I snuck in for a little dancing. Don’t tell my father,” he added.

“Won’t he see you, surely?” she asked in an amused tone.

“Oh, I doubt it, he only has eyes for his own greed and ambitions. He’s much too focused on putting Aidria in front of the delegates.” Ultan nodded at his father, and glancing over, Lyria saw that he was indeed staring at his eldest daughter with a singular focus.

“Ah, well,” said Lyria, “that makes two of us,” she said. She felt a sudden surge of sympathy toward Aidria, something she previously would have believed was impossible.

“You too?” Ultan asked as he turned away. Lyria nodded.

“Oh, yes. Getting rid of a Moonglow is always a worthy endeavor, right?” 

Ultan laughed, and as he did, Lyria spun away. Just then, the music ended. The band moved into another carola, but this time Lyria stepped back and glanced around for wine. She was very thirsty. She spotted Imrea nearby and immediately made a beeline for her. 

She reached Imrea just as Duke Greyfur did, stepping out of a crowd toward her. They both grasped cups of wine at the same time, but while Lyria immediately took a large sip, Duke Greyfur stood, waiting.

“You seemed surprised,” he said conversationally when she had swallowed.

“A bit,” she replied. “It isn’t as though you meet a Duke of the King’s Court every day, let alone one who claims to have been born to a family of Omegas.”

“It is true, though. I was born to two Omegas of the Grey Sky pack. I told you I found you to be quite interesting, Ms. Moonglow. I’m eager to see to it that you make it to Castle Wolfsblood.”