Sold as the Alpha King's Breeder-Chapter 1514 - 113 : Preparations for War

*Rhys*

"What are you going to do?" Saoirse whispered from beside me, unknowingly scooting closer to where I was sitting on the floor with the babies.

I had just reiterated everything that had transpired between me and Pyroth, as well as the council and Axureon, all while cuddling up with the kids and her.

Of course, that was after she had rightfully berated me and forced me to apologize for leaving without telling her. I would have apologized anyway, but I was more than willing to do whatever she asked me. In that instance, like many other times, I was in the wrong.

After she had finally calmed down, she came to sit with me so we could talk. Even talking to her seemed to calm me down immeasurably. Just as I had thought, her calm and wise words allowed me to discuss my thoughts without worrying about the reactions or repercussions around me.

The weight of my responsibilities as leader and protector of Egoren seemed to triple in instances like this, and I overthought everything as it could all be important or pertinent.

That brought me back to the question she had just asked me.

"I’m not sure," I said slowly, looking back up to her. "I want to believe in Axureon and trust that he will somehow manage to broker a peaceful resolution. At the same time, if I believe Axureon, I think it is clear what will most likely happen and what we will have to do in that event."

Saoirse was silent as she processed my words.

"I cannot shake the feeling of unease that has settled deep in my bones," I said quietly, looking down at the two lives I wanted to do anything to protect.

"Then I think you have your answer," Saoirse said simply with a shrug.

Saoirse’s words were all the confirmation my mind needed.

I gripped her face with my hand and smashed my lips to hers, only pulling away once we were both breathless.

"Goddess, I missed you," I whispered.

Her resulting grin made it almost too hard to leave, but now I knew what I had to do to ease my mind. I gave each of the kids a small kiss on the forehead. With a short goodbye and a promise to return soon, I was out the door.

I would do what I knew was best and be prepared for any eventuality that may happen. Luckily for me, everyone answered to the king. It took hardly any time to summon my most trusted military advisors and begin setting up a plan to fortify Egoren’s defenses.

The team in charge of defense showed up just as fast. I started to make my rounds, pointing out everything that needed fixing. I focused on the most important items first.

"We need to reinforce the kingdom’s borders," I told the sergeant following beside me, matching my quick pace. "That’s the part they will attack first and check for weaknesses, so we need to make sure there are none to be found."

"I understand, Your Majesty," he said. With a nod, he departed to get to work.

"Daxton," I called out to the man always within earshot.

"Yes, Alpha?" he asked, speeding up so that he was next to me.

"We need to contact the weapons master at the armory," I said. "We need to stockpile as many weapons and supplies as possible."

"Got it," Daxton said with a nod. Instead of heading off, he called over another soldier nearby and had him deliver the message.

With the threat of war, it would be even less likely that I would be able to rid myself of him, which was fine by me.

"The army still needs to be mobilized," I told Daxton, thinking out loud, "as well as the royal guard."

"That should be easy enough," Daxton said with a nod. "I’ll mindlink the gamma and have him get on that immediately."

I nodded my approval of his plan.

We continued walking. I monitored the people around me, who were rushing to get done what was necessary. If Pyroth’s intentions proved hostile, we would need every advantage we could muster to stand against the dragon lord’s formidable power.

But if I had anything to do with it, I would ensure he was met with a force unlike any he had experienced before. I would show him what wolves were made of.

For days, it was more of the same. Daxton and I continued to walk around the grounds, aiding in any way as people set up defense systems or trained the new recruits eager to join. We were starting to really come together, but I still had not received any word. I was getting anxious.

"Your Majesty!" a voice cried out, causing Daxton and I to stop.

The two of us turned to see two of the scouts sprinting toward us. I felt my chest tighten.

"What is it?" I asked as they skidded to a stop in front of me.

"Pyroth’s forces have been spotted gathering in the shadows of the mountains," the first one gasped.

"Their numbers are growing by the day, sir," the second one finished.

A chill passed down my spine. Daxton stiffened and turned, looking to me for guidance. I couldn’t think of what to say at first. We were running out of time to make a decision, and I had no more information.

I needed to make a decision soon.

The two sides warred within me. On one hand, my goal throughout all of this was to find a peaceful solution.

On the other hand, my duty to react accordingly and protect my people was pushing its way forward.

I looked at Daxton, who looked just as worried. Out of everyone there, he was probably the most understanding of the predicament we were in.

"This is serious," I finally said, turning back to the two scouts. "Keep up the good work, and keep me posted through mindlink of any updates. I will go to the war room now to determine the best course of action."

The two men bowed their heads and ran off.

"What are you thinking?" Daxton asked in a small voice.

"I’m thinking this is too large of a decision for me to be the sole person responsible for it." I turned and started walking back to the castle, heading for the war room.

Daxton followed.

By the time we reached the doors to the room, two people were already waiting outside. When they saw me, I noticed how serious their faces looked.

This was serious.

"Your Majesty," Daxton said with a small bow as we neared them. He held out his hand to the other man. "Sir Malcolm, always a pleasure."

I instantly walked forward and placed a firm kiss on Saoirse’s lips. My stress and anxiety were bleeding through, and a touch from her was all it took to calm me down.

"I think I’m alright without that particular greeting," Malcolm teased, making me pull away from Saoirse with the closest thing to a grin I could manage.

"Sorry, Malcolm, I’m happy to see you too, of course, but my lips belong only to my wife."

We clasped hands and pulled each other in for a one-armed hug.

"Thank you both for answering my mindlink and getting down here so fast," I continued. "We have much to discuss."

***

I wanted to bang my head on the table to match the developing throb.

"We aren’t getting anywhere," I said in frustration as I looked at the map in front of us.

We had already been in the war room for hours, thinking of every strategy, looking over every map, and debating the best course of action. We still hadn’t decided on any of it.

"That is not true, my love," Saoirse said. "These are all good options, and having them laid out will aid us if it comes down to it. But I don’t believe we are in a spot to need these yet. I still advise us to consider all options before committing to a path of war." She paused slightly, but I knew what was coming. "For instance, if I was able to renew my powers with the dragon staff–"

"No." My voice was firm, cutting her off.

Saoirse glared at me and opened her mouth, but Daxton interrupted before the tension filling the room could explode.

"Have you still not heard from Axureon?" he asked.

"No, which is another reason I’m so concerned," I admitted. "What if Pyroth did something to him, and we won’t hear from him?"

The uncertainty and anxiety hung heavy in the air, mixing with the tension. It was making for a toxic combination.

Saoirse was the only one who still had any hope for peace. While I found her stance admirable, I needed to be serious.

"The decisions we make today or tomorrow, whatever day it is, will have far-reaching consequences no matter what. And not just for Egoren, but for the entire realm," I said in a low voice, which rang in the silence. "The real question becomes if we want to be known for not doing anything and losing lives or starting a battle and losing lives."

My words were met with more silence.

I reached up and touched the crown on my head. "This crown is a symbol of my role as king. It shows that I must be strong, decisive, and wise in equal measure. Which of these options do you think equates to that?"

"Can’t we just wait a little longer?" Saoirse asked in a strained voice. "I trust Axureon. I know that he won’t fail us in his mission."

"Saoirse..."

I tried to ignore how beautiful she looked with the first lights of breaking dawn illuminating her hair like flames. It proved hard. As serious as this was, I was exhausted and just wanted to crawl into bed with my wife.

A firm, urgent knocking echoed in the room, grabbing our attention.

Daxton walked forward and slowly pulled the door open a little farther when he saw it was just a harmless messenger on the other side.

"Sir," squeaked the young boy’s voice, "Axureon has arrived at the palace gates and is requesting an urgent audience with the king and queen."

"Well, what are you waiting for?" I asked, my heart beating faster again. Was there hope? "Bring him up immediately."

The messenger ran from the room. Saoirse and I immediately looked at each other. The relief was clear on our faces, although Saoirse’s was more prominent than mine.

She believed that Axureon was coming to bear good news.

I, on the other hand, was more realistic. I was just relieved to have some answers. Now I could make the most educated decision in this matter, one way or the other.