Enslaved To The Alphas-Chapter 189: Anger

"Why have you been running around like a headless chicken all morning?" Emira asked, giving Ryn’s tired and frantic appearance a slow once-over as her friend came into the office running around looking for something.

Ryn stopped for a second, let out a sharp breath, and rolled her eyes even as she grabbed a diary from her table and started searching for contacts, "Because one of the VIP guests decided to come early for the Mating Ceremony."

Emira frowned. "A guest is coming early? There is still plenty of time left. So what? I am sure you were prepared for a few guests coming in a day or two early."

Ryn shook her head, even as her finger continued to slide down the page before moving onto the next, "No, no. You don’t get it. I mean, early as in today. He is arriving this evening."

"This evening?" Emira blinked. "Isn’t that too soon? Were they just sitting and waiting to jump up and travel the moment the invitation came? I mean, the mating is not for another two weeks.."

"Heck if I know!" Ryn threw her hands up as she finally found the number and continued, "All I know is that I have to get the guest quarters ready before sunset. And not just any room. The biggest, most secluded cabin. The one that no one uses unless it is some grand elder or someone extremely high ranked."

"And guess what? That place was not even prepared yet! Now I am running everywhere on top of the mountain of filing I already had pending. Dam* it! Sometimes I think we should have stayed like our ancestors in the forests. At least back then we did not have to do all this paperwork like humans!"

Emira couldn’t help it. She giggled at that. Ryn was one person who could not endure wilderness. She’d seen her friend fuss so many times when there was mud stuck in her nails after a pack run. "Poor you. Go on. Run. I will handle all the filing for you."

Ryn stopped mid-step and gave her a relieved grin. "You are a life saver, Emira! Truly! Umm, I have to go. I need to prep the room for Councilman Aldren."

Emira froze the moment she heard the name. Her fingers tightened slightly on the documents she was holding. "Wait. Who did you say? Who is coming?" she called out.

But Ryn was already halfway down the corridor, waving her hand without turning back, leaving Emira sitting there frozen.

Had she heard it right? Councilman Aldren?

Emira’s hands tightened at the thought. She forced herself to pick up the bills and vouchers scattered messily across the table, sorting them, but her attention was nowhere near the paperwork.

Her mind stayed fixed on the name she had just heard. Could it really be him?

Her heart beat a little faster, and she swallowed hard. She had waited, planned, thinking often if he would really come when the time came. She just never expected him to react this quickly.

Had her ruse worked?

Was that why he was coming so soon?

Emira set down the papers, her fingers trembling just slightly. If it truly was him... then everything was about to change. She was finally a step closer to her goal for revenge.

***

While his arrival had shaken up many in the Stormhold Pack, the person or rather the wolf in question was moving without hurry through the deep forest path. The large golden wolf padded forward with steady steps, as if it were out for a stroll and had all the time in the world.

However, even as everything looked seemingly normal in the forest, the truth remained that the usually lively forest had turned utterly quiet. As if sensing the arrival of a hunter.

Evan Aldren moved with the quiet assurance of one who did not need to show his strength. He did not look around. He did not have to. Every shift in scent, every faint vibration of the ground, reached him without effort. He had lived long enough to understand the language of silence. And enjoy it.

He had no interest in any worldly affairs and the only reason he had come here was because of the invitation for the Mating Ceremony. Or rather, due to the personal note within the invitation.

The wolf continued to walk forward, its intent seemingly getting deadlier as it continued to walk forward.

Just then, it sensed another presence and stilled, staring at the place where no one seemed to be standing. A moment later, a large black wolf stepped from between the trees, staring at the golden wolf.

The golden wolf cocked his head for a minute before approaching the large black wolf.

When there were only a few paces between them, he stopped and bowed his head. 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

The black wolf watched him for a long moment, then shifted. Bones reshaped, fur receded, until Lance stood there in human form.

The Golden Wolf shifted soon after. His human form stood tall, light gold hair falling to his shoulders, his expression calm and almost unreadable. When he spoke, his voice was rough, as though it had rusted from years of disuse.

"Councilman Aldren greets His Majesty."

Lance gave a small nod, though his attention drifted for a moment. He had never met the Councilman before, yet something about the man felt familiar. His gaze lifted to the tall wolf’s head. Perhaps it was the hair color. It reminded him of Emira.

He drew in a breath and set the thought aside. He could not afford distraction today.

"Welcome, Councilman. Your presence to witness this union is appreciated."

The man returned a respectful nod and stepped forward. "Thank you, Your Majesty. I am honored to stand here and attend this union. And I apologize for coming so soon. The invite that you sent out made me quite curious so I could not stop myself. I hope, His majesty would not hold it against me."

Lance smiled," Of course not. And I hope now that Councilman Aldren is here, he will help guide us for the future."