King Kaiden's words shook Alpha Elijah to his core. "I want you to take my daughter, Ophelia, as your mate. You two will rule the kingdom after my death. It's an order, Ryker."
Elijah's mind reeled. He had never considered this possibility. The king's motives for helping him secure his pack by trying Kael for treason now made sense.
"I...I...can't, Your Majesty," Elijah stuttered.
King Kaiden's tone turned stern. "Didn't you hear me say it's an order?"
The king's loud voice echoed through the palace, making Elijah feel trapped.
"Yes, Your Majesty." Elijah bowed in submission.
"The mating ceremony will be discussed at the next council meeting to determine the right time. You may leave!"
Elijah bowed again and hastily exited the throne room, his thoughts in turmoil.
He couldn't face Aria after the king's order, so he escaped to the palace training ground. Lila joined him, and they engaged in an intense battle.
Elijah unleashed his frustration on the sword, almost striking Lila.
"Are you okay?" Elijah asked, concerned.
"Yes, my lord," Lila replied.
Elijah's expression revealed his inner conflict.
"The king wants me to take his daughter as my mate," Elijah confided.
Lila's initial response was optimistic. "That's a good thing, My Lord."
But Elijah's cautionary glance made her realize the gravity of the situation.
Lila remembered Aria and shook her head. "That's bad. You can't have two mates. A wolf can never, unless the mate dies."
Elijah's eyes widened in realization. Revealing his true mate, Aria, a witch, would put her life in danger.
"It's a disaster," Elijah muttered.
Lila asked the inevitable question. "What do you tell Lady Aria?"
Elijah's uncertainty was evident. "I don't know."
Just then, Lila alerted Elijah to Princess Ophelia's approach.
"Alpha Elijah," Ophelia greeted, bowing.
Elijah returned the courtesy.
Ophelia dismissed her ladies. "I'd like to speak with you alone, my Lord."
Lila departed, leaving Elijah and Ophelia alone.
Ophelia challenged Elijah to a petty combat, showcasing her impressive fighting skills.
"Father told me I'll be your mate next season," Ophelia said, feigning surprise.
Elijah nodded, still reeling from the king's order.
"I look forward to being a submissive mate to you and a great mother to our future children," Ophelia said, her eyes sparkling.
Elijah's confusion left him speechless, so he simply nodded.
"I'll have to prepare for the Council meeting. It's almost time," Elijah excused himself.
Ophelia revealed her plan. "I've decided to visit the Blackwood pack in five days. We'll have ample time to discuss and get to know each other."
Elijah nodded silently, dreading the impending conversation with Aria.
As he retreated to his room, anxiety gripped him. How could he face Aria, knowing the king's order?
---
As Elijah entered the room, he was greeted by the warm sight of Aria sewing his clothes. She quickly set aside her needlework and rushed into his arms, embracing him tightly.
Elijah cherished these moments, feeling at home in Aria's loving grasp.
But as they hugged, Aria's magic revealed visions of Elijah's encounters with the king, Lila, and Princess Ophelia. The shocking revelations left her stunned.
She pushed Elijah away, her eyes wide with dismay. Without a word, she returned to her stool, continuing to sew, lost in thought.
Elijah understood Aria's gift and knew she had seen everything. He prepared for the council meeting, his mind racing with strategies to refute the king's orders.
Before leaving, Elijah kissed Aria's forehead. "You're enough for me, Aria. I just need to find a way to refuse the king's orders." His words ended with a heartfelt "I love you."
Aria's expression softened, and a faint smile appeared.
At the council meeting, King Kaiden condemned Kael's treachery, declaring, "Kael shall suffer death by poison for his crimes."
Kael's face fell, shocked by the unexpected verdict.
The palace guards escorted Kael to the dungeon, where he would meet his fate by nightfall.
As the meeting concluded, Elijah's thoughts remained with Aria. He knew he had to find a solution to protect their love and defy the king's orders.
Meanwhile, Aria's mind whirled with the consequences of the king's decree. She couldn't bear the thought of Elijah being forced to mate with Princess Ophelia.
Determined to find a solution, Aria set aside her sewing and began pacing the room, her mind racing with ideas.
---
Aria headed to the kitchen to prepare Elijah's meal, but her path crossed with Princess Ophelia and her entourage again. Aria bowed and continued on her way, only to be summoned by the princess.
"Come with me, Gamma," Ophelia ordered, her tone firm.
Aria's confusion deepened, but she dared not refuse the princess. She followed Ophelia, wondering what she wanted.
"Where did you sleep last night?" Ophelia asked, her eyes narrowing. "I didn't see you at the provided room for the Alpha's guards."
Aria's mind raced, unsure how to respond. She couldn't lie, and the truth would put her relationship with Elijah at risk. Panic set in.
Desperate for help, Aria silently called out to Elijah through their mate bond.
Ophelia's patience wore thin. "I asked you a question, young woman. Where did you sleep last night?"
Aria remained mute, her head bowed in submission.
Ophelia's anger flared. "Are you hard of hearing or proving stubborn and rude?"
The princess's waiting ladies stepped forward, one producing a cane stick.
Aria trembled, praying Elijah would arrive soon.
The first strike of the cane made Aria yelp in pain and fear.
Elijah, sensing his mate's distress, rushed to her location, guided by their bond.
Just as the cane was about to strike again, Elijah burst into the scene, his wolf enraged.
With a swipe of his claws, he dispatched the lady holding the cane and scooped up Aria, cradling her in his arms.
Ophelia attempted to justify her actions. "My Lord, thank goodness you're here. This guard of yours wasn't in her room last night. I presume she must be doing something terrible or worse."
Elijah's anger simmered beneath the surface. "That's a pack's affair, and I'll handle it myself. I don't like any interference in my pack's affairs. This should be the last time it happens."
He glared at Ophelia before turning to leave, Aria's hand securely in his.
Ophelia's face reddened with embarrassment and anger. Elijah's words had indirectly insulted her, and she now had more reasons to resent Aria.
In a fit of rage, Ophelia stomped her foot and slapped one of her waiting ladies.
As Elijah and Aria departed, the tension between them and Ophelia grew thicker than ever.
Princess Ophelia rushed to her mother's chambers, tears streaming down her face.
"Mother!" she exclaimed, flinging open the door.
Queen Lunaria, seated on a plush couch, immediately rose to comfort her distraught daughter.
"What happened, child?" she asked, concern etched on her face.
Ophelia recounted the entire ordeal, from questioning Aria to Elijah's intervention.
"...and then he had the audacity to imply I was meddling in his pack's affairs!" Ophelia's voice trembled.
Queen Lunaria's expression darkened, her eyes flashing with anger.
"I'll investigate this...guard," she said, her tone dripping with disdain. "No one embarrasses my child, especially not some lowly guard."
The queen's fierce protectiveness stemmed from years of struggling to conceive. Ophelia was her miracle child, born after countless prayers and sacrifices.
"I won't let anyone harm your reputation or happiness, Ophelia," Queen Lunaria vowed.
Ophelia's tears subsided, replaced by determination.
"Mother, I want that guard punished. She's a threat to my future with Elijah."
Queen Lunaria's gaze turned calculating.
"Leave that to me, child. I'll uncover everything about that ugly guard and ensure she pays for her insolence."
With a gentle smile, the queen hugged Ophelia.
"We'll secure your place as Elijah's mate, no matter the cost."
---