Chapter 37: Chapter 37

[Tyler’s POV]

The elders sat impatiently, sighing every now and then and checking their wristwatches to see how soon twenty-four hours would be up. They had barely touched the crackers and orange juice I had been so generous to ask the maids to serve them and were just waiting for the opportunity to speak their minds about how Nivera should never be the Luna even if she does return later on.

“Do you think the guard is going to return?” Elder Jackson asked, breaking the silence.

“Of course, he’d return. I’m sure he’d rather die than have his family members pay with their lives instead. The real question is if he’d come back with or without the Omega,” the Gamma responded, admiring the nails she had obviously just gotten fixed.

I was surprised that after the last time, she still had the guts to speak, but I didn’t say anything.

“Alpha Tyler, you never said what would happen about the Luna position if the Omega fails to return,” Beta Steven said, facing me directly.

I took a sip of the juice. “That wouldn’t be necessary, since she is definitely going to be back soon. I mean, isn’t that why we are all gathered here?” I retorted, calmly.

“Yes, it is, but twenty-four hours would be over in less than five minutes. She has just one percent chance of coming back, so we need to prepare our minds for what will happen if she fails to return,” Elder Anthony chipped in.

“I am pretty sure the Alpha would find someone else to be the Luna if she doesn’t return. I mean, there are tons of other girls in our Pack who are way more beautiful than the Omega, and the best part is that they come from decent homes. I mean, take a look at Malia, the Beta’s daughter. If anyone should be the Luna of the Crescent Pack, it should be her,” the Delta said.

I swallowed, then looked over at the Beta who just smiled at the Delta’s words. “Malia is my childhood friend, and of course, she is beautiful, smart and is good at anything she lays her hands to do. Of course, I’d love to keep such a priceless jewel by my side,” I said.

The elders cheered on in support, while the Beta grinned from ear to ear.

“From the way you all seem to love her, it also means my people would welcome her as well,” I said.

“Of course, they would. Malia has all the qualities to become a good member of the Royal household. As a matter of fact, she is the only Luna I want to bow to,” the Gamma said.

“Too bad, because you’d have to bow down to someone else who will be the Luna, and if you don’t, I’d take it as you being disloyal and have you drink a deadly poison according to our law on treason,” I threatened.

“Excuse me?” she asked, and all the other elders looked confused as well.

“I didn’t want to say this, but Malia can only be by my side if her father allows her to be my concubine,” I said, looking straight into his eyes.

He slapped the table hard and stood up, filled with apparent anger and annoyance. “My only daughter… a mere concubine? Then, who would be the Luna? Some pauper who doesn’t even know her biological parents? I would respect you, your highness, but not when you disrespect my only child in the manner you just did. You’ve heard what the elders have to say about my daughter…”

“Oh, please. Didn’t you pay them to say those things to make me believe that I was making the wrong decision in getting married to Nivera?” I retorted.

He looked visibly disgusted. “Please, raise your hands if I bribed you in any way to say what you just said about my daughter,” he said. There were no hands up. “We’re in front of the Alpha king, you should know better than to lie;” he said again. Still, no hands were up.

The Delta then spoke up. “We had a private meeting without the Beta and decided that Malia was the best person to be the Luna, no one asked us to or bribed us into speaking good things about her,” he explained.

“I demand an apology,” the Beta said.

I swallowed hard and didn’t say a word, clenching my fists in anger.

“I demand…”

I cut in. “Finish that statement, and the only apology you’d be getting is a demotion in your rank. You’re getting too old anyway, and you don’t even have a son to become the next Beta. Who do you think you are to speak to me in that manner?” I thundered.

The Gamma heaved a sigh, then checked her wristwatch. “I guess we no longer have a reason to be here. The time is…”

She couldn’t complete her statement as the doors swung open in that moment and the guard I had sent came in with Nivera walking slowly behind him.

I stood up from the throne immediately. “Nivera,” I said.

“I hope we’re not too late,” the guard said.

“You came in right on time,” I said, then approached them.

“You seem like you already knew they were coming,” Elder Frank noted.

“Yes, I did. The guard sent a letter to me. What’s your name again?” I asked him.

“Ryle, your highness,” he answered.

“Well, tell them what happened,” I said, and while he was busy speaking, I took Nivera in my arms and embraced her warmly.

“It must have been a terrible experience for you,” I said, patting her back.

“Yes, I’m sorry to have caused you worry,” she said.

I pulled her out of my embrace and smiled at her. “That doesn’t matter, Nivera. All that matters is that you are okay,” I said.

“Why don’t I believe that she was kidnapped? I mean, is anyone in our Pack so dumb as to attack and kidnap someone the Alpha cares about?” the Delta asked loudly, getting in the way of our reunion.

“I don’t believe that’s what happened either. Didn’t the dead guard testify that she had been putting on a green evening dress when she stepped out? How come she has on something different?” the Gamma was quick to observe.

I looked over at Nivera. She was putting on a short black dress with puffy sleeves and my nose caught the fragrance of a familiar perfume, but I couldn’t remember who I had first perceived it on.

“Ryle, what happened?” I asked, but even he looked confused.

“My clothes were messed up, dirty and ripped, so the people at the inn gave me a change of clothes when Ryle went out to send you the letter,” she explained.

“Oh, I see,” I said.

The Beta looked disappointed. “I should take my leave now,” he stated, and made to leave.

“You’re going home already? I was hoping I could follow you home. My first son is back from his military training and he is interested in courting your daughter,” Elder Frank said.

“Don’t listen to him, Beta Steven. My son is the Chief warrior and he’ll be a better match for Malia,” the Delta said.

I clenched my fists in anger and jealousy.

“Why don’t you all come with your children in two days from now? I’ll send my messengers to spread the word that I’m accepting suitors for my daughter. Malia can then get to know them and make her own choice. I’m assuming your children don’t have mates or first wives that will get in the way,” the Beta said.

“Of course, they don’t,” the elders, including the Gamma who only had a set of twins who were seven years old, chorused.

I took pettiness in that moment to a whole new level. “Well, I’m getting married in two days’ time, and everyone has to be present, so you can do your marriage, courtship or whatever after then,” I announced.

“What? In two days?” Nivera asked, wide-eyed.

“You heard me. We’ll get married in two days’ time. Let’s not delay things any further,” I told her.

“You didn’t even ask…”

“Ask for what? Your hand in marriage? You slept with me, I marked you, we’ve accepted to be each other’s mates. What other proposal do you need?” I snapped at her.

“You should be happy, Beta Steven, that your daughter didn’t get chosen to be the Luna,” the Gamma said, expressing her distaste in the manner I had spoken to Nivera.

“Trust me, I am,” the Beta said, shaking his head like he pitied Nivera.

For once, I decided to ignore their comments. “I’m going to pretend like I didn’t hear any of what you just said since I am in a happy mood. Tell your friends and families: Everyone is to be gathered at the Palace on my wedding day, and they’ll all acknowledge Nivera Hayes as the Luna or face death,” I stated.

“Yes, your highness,” they grudgingly said, then bowed their heads.

I smiled at Nivera, but she just looked away. I was never letting her go, and hopefully, Malia would be convinced to not let me go either when she saw me getting married to Nivera.