ALPHA TRISTINE’S POV.
“Alpha!” My attention was suddenly pulled to Lux, who had just walked into the Crystal throne room.
“A letter from the Greenfield Pack,” he said, flicking the envelope in his hand.
I nodded, silently giving him permission to read it aloud.
Lux tore open the envelope with a swift motion, pulled out the letter, and began to read: ” To the Alpha of Red Moon Pack, I bring greetings.
Following the arrangements, all preparations have been put in place.
The bride is ready to enter the Red Moon Pack in six days’ time.
Yours soon to be father-in-law, Lord Boston, Alpha, Greenfield Pack.” I silently let out a breath, and threw my head back as exhaustion seeped into my bones.
Fifteen years had already passed, and now it was time to fulfill the peace pact my late father had made between our Pack and the Greenfield Pack.
Lux’s brows knitted together.
“Are you sure you really want to do this?” he asked, his tone laced with concern.
I scoffed and pulled myself up, staring at him in surprise that he had even asked.
Did I really want to do it?
Of course not!
I didn’t want to marry a woman I didn’t love, let alone an uncultured Rogue Princess.
But as my late father always used to say, “Some things are done for the peace of the realms.” Sadly, I was the sacrificial lamb.
I stood from the throne, strode to my left, and rested my hands on my hips.
“Even if I don’t want to, there’s no way I could break the engagement my late father made with the Rogue Alpha,” my words tumbled from my lips, and I raked a hand through my hair.
I just couldn’t understand why my father had accepted such a proposal from him.
“Breaking it would spark a war between our Packs.
You and I both know Lord Boston is an untamed Alpha; he wouldn’t hesitate to wage war against us.” I added, letting out a breath of frustration.
Lux marched closer, standing a few feet away from where I stood.
“Forget about the past and focus on the future, Alpha.” His words were firm and steady.
“Do you really have to do this?” he asked, concern lacing his voice.
His brows furrowed as he pressed on.
“What about Princess Cassy?
You know how much she adores you, your mother, Luna Amelia, has always seen her as your chosen mate.” His words hit me hard, and I scoffed in disbelief.
As if I hadn’t heard enough, he added, “Everyone in the Pack sees her as your Luna.” I shrugged defensively.
“Well, I never made such an announcement,” I replied, rolling my eyes.
What I needed was a way forward, not instigations to disobey my late father’s orders and jeopardize my Pack.
“But, Alpha…” Lux cut in, and something in his persistence snapped something within me.
My brows knitted and I shot him an angry glare.
I didn’t need to remind him I wasn’t just the friend he’d grown up with, but his Alpha.
Lux quickly lowered his gaze as understanding rested on his face, yet he didn’t stop talking.
“I just wanted to remind you that Luna Amelia has always hated the Greenfield Pack because of how uncultured they are,” he said calmly.
“She has always believed the Rogue Princess is not worthy of you.” With two swift, determined strides, I closed the distance between us, my jaw tightening.
But just before I could ask him whose side he was on, the guard outside announced the arrival of my mother, Luna Amelia, halting me.
I fixed Lux with an angry glare as my voice dropped to zero degree.
“Let this be the end of this conversation,” I warned, holding his gaze until he lowered it in acknowledgement.
I turned to find my mother dressed in her regalia.
She wore a flowing red gown and had a golden crown resting on her head.
“Luna!” Lux quickly dipped into a bow as she drew closer.
My mother’s lips stretched into a small smile.
“Be at ease, Lux,” she said calmly, but her tone rang with authority.
Then she turned to face me as Lux excused himself.
“Princess Cassy has come all the way from the Purple Moon Pack just to celebrate your Birthday, Tristine,” she said calmly.
“I know you’re busy, so I came to see you.” The smile on her face stretched further as she held my gaze, but beneath it, I saw the question hidden in her eyes.
I knew she was wondering why I hadn’t visited Princess Cassy who had arrived the previous day.
“I apologize, mother,” I quickly replied.
I took her hand and kissed her knuckle.
“I’ve been busy trying to make sure everything is ready for tonight.” I led her to the throne seat, and sat beside her.
“Hmph!” She snorted, curling her lips disdainfully.
She obviously wasn’t satisfied with my response.
As one of the maidens filled our cups with mint tea, my mother began to speak again.
“I heard the Rogues infiltrated our Pack and amputated one of the newly recruited.” Her tone laced with resentment.
I knew what my mother was trying to say, and I knew I had to at least clear the confusion.
“We’re not yet certain about their identity, mother,” I replied calmly, then shrugged.
“I mean, no one can ascertain if they were Rogues or thieves who were after the treasures in the cave.” I wanted to keep the conversation at bay.
My mother snorted, and picked up her teacup.
“The Rogues are not to be underestimated,” she began to speak, then took a sip from her teacup.
“That’s why we need to form a better alliance with a stronger Pack.” My lips stretched into a calm, broad smile as soon as I heard her.
“Yes, mother,” I replied firmly.
“I’m sure there wouldn’t be any troubles from the Rogues after the peace treaty has been finalized.” But the words had barely left my lips when my mother’s head whipped toward me.
“That’s not what I meant, Alpha,” she stated, holding my gaze.
“A marriage alliance with the Purple Moon Pack would establish us forever and wade off every threat.” There we go again!
She finally let her thoughts out.
“But mother, I already have a mate,” I muttered, my brows furrowing as exhaustion settled within me.
Beside, even if there was no peace treaty with the Greenfield Pack, I wouldn’t have considered a marriage alliance with the Purple Moon Pack.
I knew Alpha Raymond of the Purple Moon Pack and how evil he was, I didn’t want him to take advantage of our alliance.
“That was between your late father and Lord Boston,” my mother swiftly said.
“I never consented to it.” “Besides, you’re an Alpha.
You can take as many concubines as you want.
You can make the Rogue Princess your concubine, after all, that’s the status befitting her.” She added, shrugging.
Her words snapped something within me and at that moment, I knew I had to be clear about Princess Cassy of Purple Moon Pack.
“I am not interested in Princess Cassy, Mother!” my words tumbled from my lips, firm and steady, as every trace of smile vanished from my face.
My mother’s eyes flashed as soon as she heard me, but after about three seconds, she chuckled, a cold, empty chuckle that made my brows furrow.
“I’m sure you will, when you see her again,” she stated.
“Princess Cassy’s brother, Alpha Raymond has proposed a marriage alliance, and I have accepted the letter.” My head whipped towards my mother as her words hit me hard, and rage steamed within me.
“Why would you do a thing like that?” I snapped at her, wide-eyed.
I was shocked she had accepted a marriage alliance without my consent, not to mention the consequences of what she had done.
My mother stood up immediately.
“I know you’re not allowed to take another mate until six months after your arranged marriage, and it’s fine.
Princess Cassy is willing to wait.” She said calmly.
“As far as I am alive, Princess Cassy is your Luna.” My fists clenched by my side, but before I could even react, my mother began to walk away, leaving me completely speechless and boiling.
When she got to the middle of the throne room, she halted and turned toward me.
“Get prepared for your twentieth Birthday celebration, Alpha.
You can’t be late for your own party.”