The sealed letter lay among my clothes, wedged between my armour and training gear. It had been sitting there for over a week. The messenger who brought it said it was from Maria.
I pushed it further out of sight. I didn’t want anything to make me think of her. I didn’t want whatever excuse, apology or demand that she wrote in the letter.
I always remembered how I searched for her, carrying only the memory of her scent. All that searching and hours I made my men look for her, and she rejected me, leaving my efforts in the mud.
Was the letter to explain why she tricked me into the rejection? Or to smooth over what she had done?
I took a deep breath and shut thoughts of her out of my mind. I picked up my leather straps and blade and strapped them on, then headed to the training center.
The clang of steel rang through the training grounds. Sweat rolled down my chest as I slashed my blade in the air. My muscles burned as I engaged in a combat with my opponent who was also strong.
I stopped for a moment to catch my breath. A dummy was erected in the center of the ground, I drove my blade into it, splitting it in the center.
Then thoughts of her settled in my mind once again. I just couldn’t get her out no matter how hard I tried. I swung my sword as I resumed fighting, trying hard to clear her from my head.
"Triton," a voice broke through my thoughts.
I turned and lowered my blade. My beta, Sam, faced me. "Your father wants to see you."
I exhaled, wiping sweat from my brow. "Now?"
"Yes. He insisted I return with you."
I sheathed my blade and walked with him, my chest still heaving from the fight.
He led me to Father’s chambers and left. Father sat on his carved chair, his hair streaked with gray color. His eyes locked on me the moment I entered.
"You came quickly." He said, dropping the pipe that he was smoking.
He chuckled and proceeded to pour the jar of wine on the table into two cups. "Training is nothing if your legacy dies with you. You’re nearly past the age when I wedded your mother. An alpha needs a Luna, Triton. The council will grow restless if you don’t have one."
"I know my duty." I said, taking a seat opposite him.
"Then act on it." He leaned forward, stretching out a cup of wine to me.
"I will marry when I’m ready."
Father chuckled and let out a wry laugh. "A man can never be ready. He can only be prepared. I was never ready to take over this pack from my father, but look at me now." He stretched his hand as if trying to show me his achievements.
He continued without waiting for my reply. "We can’t leave the pack to collapse because my son decides he will wait for love."
"I understand." I replied, tasting the wine, then set the cup down.
"Good. I’d call a feast tonight, inviting the finest shewolves. You will meet them and make a choice."
I met my father’s eyes and he looked unrepentant about his decision. "Fine. We will host the feast, but I can’t assure you I’d choose a wife tonight."
My father’s face lit up with a smile and he took another sip of his wine. "The first step is to meet, you don’t have to choose tonight."
Normally, I would have argued about my father’s demand for a wife. But now that I knew that Maria or Clara, who I loved before, wanted nothing to do with me, I succumbed to my father’s wishes.
Word was sent out in the early hours of the morning. The servants prepared the hall. Banners and decorations were set in place. By evening, the music from the small group of players started. By the time the feast began, the space smelt of spiced wine and rich food.
The women arrived. They wore what they thought could catch a ruler’s eye: bright fabrics, makeup and eccentric hairstyles. They moved towards me, introducing themselves.
I sighted a familiar face among the women. Liana. She was my childhood friend and since we were children, I hadn’t seen her again. Tonight, she was older and her hand brushed the edge of my sleeve when she introduced herself. Her gaze lingered on me longer than the rest.
Father leaned close, his voice a bit low. "If you cannot choose among the others, then take Liana. She is beautiful and from a strong family. I sense a connection between you."
I didn’t answer, and there was a brief moment of silence between us as the event unfolded.
Then, I leaned towards him and whispered, "Have you heard anything from the rogue king?"
His hand slammed against the table, rattling the cups. His eyes burned with irritation. "Do not speak of that bastard in my hall. He will die soon enough."
I lowered my gaze. "Forgive me."
He hissed and returned back to his drink.
Later, as the hall emptied, Liana found me in the corridor.
"Triton," she said with a smile and stepped close enough for me to inhale her perfume. "You’ve grown stronger than I remember." Her fingers brushed against my arm and reached for my chest.
I stepped back, making her hand fall off my chest. "It’s been years Liana, you’ve grown as well."
She moved closer to me and touched my arm again. "You don’t have to choose tonight, but perhaps we could spend some time together."
I stepped back. "I’m a bit tired. Later."
I excused myself and left for my chamber. I was actually exhausted. The letter was still where I left it. I grabbed it and sat on the table. What could she possibly write? Tʜe sourcᴇ of thɪs content ɪs N()velFire.net
I took a deep breath and broke the seal. The words startled me and I read the letter with a slacked jaw. She is pregnant?
I read again, slower this time to be sure that this wasn’t a prank. The letter fell from my hands and landed on the floor. For the first time in years, I didn’t know what to do.