6

King Valdo

Unbeknownst to her, I had been searching for her diligently for quite some time. Contrary to what she believed, my father had not passed away. However, being the only one of my kind and possessing more abilities than any other Alpha, my father held a legendary status. With his aging body, he entrusted me with the task of taking his place as the Alpha. Given that I was destined to become the Alpha anyway, no one opposed my application. But it was my unique existence, being born with eight extraordinary abilities, that truly set me apart from others. I am confident that no one can surpass the greatness I possess.

It is rare for individuals to be born with such an excessive amount of powers. Those Alphas who possess three powers are typically advised to pursue careers in counseling or the ministry, due to the high power levels required for these positions. However, when you are born with four powers, like my father was, you must challenge the king for the right to sit on the throne. The victor of this challenge claims the title of the king.

Yet, for me, this journey was unlike any other Alpha’s experience. I have heard countless tales of King Valdo, who held eight unique powers like myself, but he has since passed away. As a mark of respect, my grandfather, who deeply admired King Valdo as his closest friend, bestowed upon me the honor of bearing his name.

And would you believe it? I dedicated twenty years of my life to training, and as a result, my abilities expanded to a staggering sixteen powers. But I prefer to keep this fact hidden to prevent instilling fear in the hearts of other kings within our kingdoms.

Because of this, I have an unshakeable feeling that something even more powerful awaits me deep within. Something that surpasses the mere title of Alpha King among my peers.

However, on my twenty-fifth birthday, a peculiar request came from both my father and my instincts.

Concerned about my father’s well-being, I entered his room to find him restlessly shifting in his bed. I leaned in to give him a comforting kiss on his forehead, but to my surprise, he stopped me. “Son, though I may be growing old, my instincts tell me that today is the day you will find your mate,” he said with a seriousness that caught me off guard. I chuckled, unable to take his words seriously. “Go forth and seek her out. In the woods, close to the grave of King Valdo, lies our pack.” His words left me momentarily frozen in place.

Why this particular day? I wondered. Little did I know that it was also my birthday, a coincidence that carried more weight than I could have imagined. Despite my many abilities, even I could not foresee the future that awaited me.

As I ventured into the forest near Alpha Valdo’s grave, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was different. Every fiber of my being seemed attuned to my surroundings, my senses heightened to the max. I caught whiffs of a powerful and alluring scent that only intensified as I followed its trail. My heart raced in my chest, beating faster than ever before. I quickened my pace, my loyal pack following in my footsteps, their instincts aligned with mine.

Before I dared to wake her, I had to find the slumbering beauty. It was as if an invisible thread connected us, guiding me unerringly towards her. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, I found her - my other half, my mate, my Luna.

I had intentionally refrained from marrying anyone else, waiting for this moment to impress her. I had spent a lifetime avoiding physical contact with other women, yearning to create something perfect, something meant only for her and me.

My father hadn’t demanded that I choose a Luna. Instead, he had advised patience, assuring me that the time would come for me to discover my destined mate. And now, on this fateful day, his words had led me to her - the one I had been waiting for, my true companion.

In that moment, a wave of understanding washed over me, revealing the purpose behind my father’s actions. It was said that the intensity of such emotions was too overwhelming for one heart to bear alone. It was a love stronger than any belief, instantaneous and undeniable. Despite her disheveled appearance, my instinct was to wrap her in a comforting embrace.

Though the impulse to kiss her cheek was strong, I hesitated. She was not in a clean state, and I worried that my desire to hold her firmly would inadvertently harm her delicate frame. Still, all I wanted was to envelop her in a tender hug, to provide solace in my embrace.

Yet, when her gaze met mine, it was as if the world around us ceased to exist. There was something hidden within the shattered depths of her eyes, a pain not easily discerned. Nevertheless, she stood out with her captivating pink eyes. Even then, I recognized that having her by my side would make me stronger, but I understood that we would face formidable challenges together.

As for predicting the future, it was not a power bestowed upon ordinary individuals. Only one person held such knowledge, a wise elder who had been King Valdo’s trusted confidant. I hoped to meet him soon, for I sensed a connection between his wisdom and the girl before me. Looking into her eyes, I could tell that she was connected to the castle, entwined in its history. It was one of my extraordinary abilities to read people’s fears and delve into their past, and in that moment, I saw her as both a young princess and a servant simultaneously. My gaze had revealed a troubling revelation - she had been coerced into engaging in inappropriate acts with her brothers, a dark secret that weighed heavily upon her.

With a gentle touch of my power, I delved into her soul and gained instant insight into her experiences. It only took a few moments to hypnotize her, opening a window into her deepest fears and revealing the reasons behind her lingering terror.

In that moment, as I witnessed her fleeing from Derek’s advances, a mix of emotions washed over me. Relief flooded my being as I learned of her desire to maintain her virginity, understanding that she had not willingly participated in any of the disturbing events that had unfolded. But alongside that relief was a seething rage, a burning desire for revenge against those who had harmed her.

Yet, I knew that seeking revenge through violence was not the answer. It would not undo the pain inflicted upon her, nor bring her the justice she deserved. Instead, I was determined to make their lives miserable in a more strategic and calculated manner. They had harmed my child, and now it was my mission to ensure they faced the consequences of their actions.

Though returning to the castle would be difficult for her, it was necessary to confront her adversaries and reveal the truth of what had happened. I wanted her to know that I would always have her back, that her interests and well-being were of utmost importance to me. My greatest desire was to bring joy and happiness into her life, to heal the wounds inflicted upon her and help her find a sense of peace.

It was in this journey of discovery that I longed to hear the unfiltered truth from her own lips. I needed to understand if she had the strength and resilience to become the devoted and lovely Luna I had hoped for. As the weight of my responsibilities as an alpha and protector of the packs already burdened my shoulders, I yearned to support her, to be her pillar of strength, and to guide her on her path.

She was undeniably stunning, even without a trace of makeup. Though I couldn’t help but worry about the toll this ordeal had taken on her mental and physical well-being, I held onto hope that she would find the strength to recover and confront the challenges that lay ahead. And amidst it all, she amazed me with her resilience and courage.

When I witnessed Derek’s brutal action of pulling her in front of me, a storm of hatred surged within me, threatening to consume me. Every fiber of my being wanted to unleash my fury upon him, to defend her with all my might. The intensity of my emotions was suffocating, causing my chest to tighten, and making it hard to breathe.

That moment held a strange mix of respect and curiosity. Despite his disrespectful behavior, Derek had the decency to challenge me in the presence of the king, which happened to be me. I wanted to witness his response once he realized that Pink was destined to be my mate. Before making any decisions, I needed to see how he would handle this revelation.

His trembling body and loss of speech were overshadowed by my concern for Pink. My words had overwhelmed her fragile heart, causing her to faint. She was delicate, and unexpected events took a toll on her.

Swiftly, I scooped her up into my arms, cradling her delicately. “Derek, Garret, now is not the time for this. Show me to the pink room,” I commanded, expecting them to heed my orders.

In response, the two exchanged glances and said in unison, “Take my room, my king.” In that moment, an elderly gentleman appeared with a relieved smile, struggling to walk.

As our eyes met, there was an unspoken understanding between us. He offered a small bow and said, “Thank you, wise man. I have heard much about you.” I returned his friendly smile, grateful for his presence.

With a nod, he gestured for me to follow him. “Your Highness, I have waited eagerly for you in order to assist that young lady. Will you please accompany me?” he requested. Expressing my gratitude for his offer, I turned my attention to Derek and Garret, both of whom seemed eager to interfere.

But I didn’t give them a chance to voice their objections. I instructed Derek to gather all the pack ministers within the next hour. And, by the way, I added with a smirk, make sure to show me the room that is indeed pink.

Derek responded, “Yes, Your Highness. Her room is right next to mine. In fact, she is my adopted sister, whom my have adopted.” Lies began to permeate the air, underestimating the extent of my knowledge.

Laughing mockingly, I jeered at him, “Oh, Derek, didn’t you know that I possess eight powers? I have already gazed into your eyes, and I know everything. Don’t worry, I won’t end your life for mistreating her.”

I confronted Derek and Garret with a stern glare, demanding answers for their mistreatment of Pink. Their actions disgusted me, and I made it clear that their behavior would not go unpunished. But in that moment of anger, I reminded myself to remain composed and focused on the task at hand — protecting Pink and ensuring her safety.

Leaving Pink in the capable hands of the elderly wise man, I stepped out of the room, taking a deep breath to center myself. The weight of the situation pressed upon me, and I couldn’t help but reflect on Pink’s suffering.

As I walked down the corridor, my mind was consumed with questions about Pink’s past and the reasons behind her abandonment. But those thoughts could wait. What truly mattered was standing up for her, shielding her from any harm that may come her way.

Reaching the main chamber where my pack ministers awaited, I allowed my authority and power to seep into my voice as I addressed them. “Gentlemen, gather around. We have a pressing matter to discuss.” Their attention turned to me, eyes filled with anticipation and curiosity.

I began outlining the events that had transpired, urging them to take Derek and Garret’s mistreatment of Pink seriously. I emphasized the importance of justice, stating that there would be consequences for their actions. The threat of a secret punishment loomed in the air, leaving no doubt about my determination to protect Pink.

As the discussion continued, ideas of retribution and ensuring Pink’s safety formulated in my mind. Derek and Garret’s actions were despicable, and it was clear they did not deserve a place of power within the pack. My role as their leader was to protect the pack, including Pink, from any harm.

But amidst my determination to punish the offenders, a softer emotion began to take hold. It wasn’t just a desire for justice; it was a growing affection for Pink. She had become more than just a friend or partner in crime. She had captured my heart, and I vowed to never let her go.

As the meeting concluded, I excused myself and made my way back to the room where Pink resided. The sight of her curled up on the bed, her delicate features peaceful in sleep, only deepened my resolve to protect her. Leaning down, I planted a gentle kiss on her forehead, silently promising that she would never endure harm again.

In that moment, I knew that my duty as a leader and protector extended beyond the pack. I was fiercely committed to ensuring Pink’s well-being, no matter the sacrifices I had to make or the obstacles I had to face. She was destined to be mine, and together, we would conquer any challenges that came our way.

….