The Royal Alpha

Chapter 24: Home.

"...We have a very strange relationship—my brother and I," Alcina says. "We fight like sworn enemies, but neither of us would ever allow an outsider to step between us."

Her voice continues, flowing uninterrupted, as she speaks about her brother, about her mother, about favoritism and resentment and old wounds that clearly still bleed. I hear the words, but my attention drifts. Her story blurs into background noise, my thoughts occupied elsewhere.

So far, I know only this much—she was sent by her mother to keep an eye on my enemies. Enemies I am apparently meant to be aware of, yet remain completely ignorant of. The rest of the truth, she insists, must be revealed in front of my father.

That alone leaves me with no choice.

I cannot abandon her. Not yet.

"Are you listening to me, my lord?" she asks suddenly.

I glance at her sharply, my stride never slowing. I have already granted her permission—ordered her—to address me by my name. I despise titles, especially when spoken in that tone.

"How could I not," I mutter, irritation slipping through, "when you possess such a loud and whiny voice?"

She stops abruptly.

I hear it before I see it—the stomp of her foot against the forest floor, petulant and entirely childish. A corner of my mouth twitches despite myself as I continue walking, refusing to acknowledge her protest.

The next thing I know, she appears beside me out of thin air.

I halt instinctively, hand twitching toward a weapon that isn't there.

"We witches do have some talents," she says smugly.

I exhale through my nose, shaking my head, choosing silence over commentary. Encouragement would only worsen her theatrics.

"Fine. Ignore me all you want," she huffs. "We'll reach your pack in a few hours. Then I'll reveal everything in front of your Alpha and Beta."

I grunt in acknowledgment.

After several moments of silence, I speak again.

"You claim you are my maternal cousin?"

"Yes, Sir Fen—" She catches herself. "Fenris. My mother and yours were blood sisters. That makes us cousins."

I slow slightly, my focus sharpening.

"They were close," she continues. "Very close. Their bond resembled the one my brother and I share. Our family accepted the truth—that your mother was your father's true soulmate. Because of that, they allowed her to break every rule of witchkind to be with him."

My chest tightens.

"What was she like?" I ask quietly.

Alcina hesitates.

"I don't know," she admits. "She died before I was born."

There is genuine sorrow in her voice this time, unmasked by arrogance.

"How old are you?" I ask, even as I recognize the impropriety of the question.

"Nineteen."

I nod once, calculating.

"Your brother is older," I say. "Then perhaps he knows something. Or your mother. I could speak to her."

Hope—unwelcome and sharp—slips into my voice before I can stop it.

Alcina's steps falter.

"I'm afraid that isn't possible," she says carefully. "Not yet. First, you must share your suspicions with your pack. After that, we may seek your Alpha's permission to visit my coven."