King Seojoon had been watching Rania and Jihoon from the moment they walked through the palace gates. He had been studying them and how they interacted. It was obvious how much the two alphas hated each other, but they were here, to fulfill a duty they didn't even know about.
The king could tell the rumors were true, because each time the alphas interacted, they showed pure hatred for each other, in their eyes. It was like insanity was the only thing stopping them from ruining each other's lives, an art they had both clearly mastered.
They were strong, and intelligent, which is also why as his royal highness, king Seojoon watched them, he knew they already knew, they had a right to decline the king's call, especially during the alpha camp season, and it would be justified and yet they had showed up for him.
He was aware he wouldn't be able to force them to help him, and frankly, these were the alphas who hated being forced to do anything. Anything they were forced to do, always ended up with them doing it, but also with the death of the person who had given the command.
They could have ignored the call, but instead, they were here, to help him out.
They were in the Obren palace.
The king wasn't dreaming.
Watching them walk through the palace doors and his chief warrior constantly facepalming, King Seo Joon knew he had made the right choice. He had noted that despite their endless banters, the two alphas were alert, and ready to fight in case of anything.
Rania's right hand, as the king had noticed, was almost always on her waist, something she did when she wanted people to think she was overweight. Of course, the king didn't know the main reason for that.
It was always a light gesture that no one would suspect, but the king knew that was a habit of someone who had been to war many times. Someone who'd slept with weapons under their pillows, and someone who wasn't the least bit worried about being attacked.
Jihoon on the other hand was trying to look as hopeless as he could muster, because only then would people underestimate his skills. It was wild how they had both learned to disguise themselves to the point that it was natural for them.
"You think this is the right decision? They clearly hate their guts," the queen, Eunbi, asked her mate and husband. She knew the rumors about the hated alphas were true and that was also why she was skeptical about this.
"They are the perfect fit. We don't have to worry about them screwing up, because they'll want to complete the mission so they did see each other's faces again," Seojoon said, making his wife look at him skeptically.
However, she knew he was right.
They needed people who wouldn't hesitate and also people who would do what they wanted and this pair right in the palace, was the perfect one.
"Let's go, yeah?" Seojoon said to his mate.
She was worried that they would murder themselves before they both completed their mission, and honestly, she couldn't afford that, not after her messenger had informed her of what was happening on that side of the world.
"Alright. I just hope they are truly ready for this. I don't want any mistakes like the last time. I honestly can't handle another instance," Eunbi said to her mate and he just pulled her close to her, reassuring her that all would be well.
He understood where she was coming from and frankly, even he was worried, but he had to give them the benefit of doubt, otherwise, they would never be able to get what they wanted.
They were right to fear the engagement, but they were also right to trust this pair, because they were the pair that would do anything for a win.
It was safe to say that Kim Rania and Park Jihoon were determined to come out winners in every situation. It was probably a terrible idea, but it would work. It had to.
*****
"Welcome to the royal palace, alphas," King Seojoon said to Rania and Jihoon who had instantly gotten up the moment the king and the queen walked right into the throne room.
The queen was staring right at Rania, almost like she was wondering if Rania was the perfect fit for the mission. Granted, she knew the reputation the wild wolf had made for herself but she still needed to see them in action.
Rania didn't like the way the queen was looking at her. She wanted to tell Queen Eunbi to stop glaring, but she knew she couldn't. The woman was the queen and could do anything she wanted, but was making Rania feel like a prisoner part of that plan?
Rania knew what the queen was trying to do, and while she wanted to prove that she was what the rumors said about her, Rania didn't have the time. Her mind was filled with thoughts of Dalrae and the men who had spoken about Dalrae's parents.
No one had ever come forward to help with the search for Dalrae's parents, but then Rania was going to do the looking for herself. However, here and now, with the king and queen and her nemesis Jihoon in the same space, Rania felt like she needed a breather.
If the queen didn't stop glaring at her, then Kim Rania, in all her anger and emotional turmoil, would just be tempted to challenge the queen.
The king, sensing the tension between the Incayon alpha and the queen, decided to take his wife's hands in his, gently squeezing, to bring the queen out of the trace there was between the two women.
It was a dangerous glare and the worst part about all this was that Seojoon could see the anger in both the women's eyes. It was something he couldn't explain, but maybe there would always be time for that.
"Thank you, your highness," Jihoon said, dragging Rania back to get seated.
He had noticed the tension too and frankly he was just trying to keep his promise to Rania. to ensure that if Rania was to die, only he was entitled to take her life, just like only she was entitled to take his life.
They couldn't be seen angering the king and queen in the royal palace, not that either of them gave a shit about protocols. But then they had to be careful and listen to what was expected of them.
"How was your trip here," Queen Eunbi asked, finally taking her eyes away from Rania.
She could see the determination in Rania's eyes, which is why she was almost taking back her doubts about Rania's ability. But there was something about Rania that made the queen want to lock her up and question her.
It was quite absurd really, how hard the queen had been on Rania, instinctively. It was almost like she needed to keep her people away from Rania, but did she have a reason to?
Rania hadn't done anything to the queen, so why the fuck would there even be such here, right? she truly had no reason to. But then as they always say, trust your instincts. maybe queen Eunbi was wrong, or maybe she was right, but who could tell right?
"It was okay," Jihoon said, once again beating Rania at the responses. It was almost hilarious how they were both murder weapons and he was trying to be the rational one of them.
Maybe that is what they needed right now, because if he let Rania speak, they wouldn't go on any mission.
If anything, Jihoon was certain that Rania would land them in the royal dungeons.
"That is great to hear," the queen said, at the same time that Rania spoke.
"Why Are we really here? It's barely two days to the alpha camp. I just don't get why you couldn't wait till the camp, or better yet, why choose us? It's not like we are professionals in whatever you are planning for us, besides, the whole of Obren knows we're unhinged, so why?" Rania said, her voice so strong and unapologetic.
Of course, Jihoon knew she would get in trouble with the king, so he stepped so hard on her feet that Rania let out a string of curses, "Fuck you, you little trinket! Why in seven hells would you do that what the fuck? Goddess, I will kill you!"