"Ensure they cannot touch what belongs to me again," he commanded, his voice firm and authoritative. His beta nodded, taking a step back and bowing his head. "Yes, Alpha King." The gravity of the situation hit me like a ton of bricks - they were talking about my friends. A wave of panic washed over me as I realized my little drama to piss him off had put them in danger. Now, I had to act fast to prevent disaster. I couldn't let my recklessness hurt the people I care about. I tugged on Alarico's coat sleeve, and he turned to face me. Our eyes locked, and for the first time, I felt genuine fear. My voice barely above a whisper, I said, "No." Alarico's gaze narrowed, and he raised an eyebrow, as if granting me permission to speak. I swallowed hard and tried to find my voice. "D-Don't hurt them." My words were laced with desperation, and Alarico's expression softened slightly. He tilted my face toward his beta and said, "Order them." I hesitated, unsure of what he meant. Was he testing me? But Alarico's gaze remained steady, his voice low and commanding. "Say it," he urged. With tears welling up in my eyes, I spoke, my voice shaking with rage and fear. "I, Mario Cassano, order you to revoke your alpha's previous order and not to lay a finger on my friends." The words felt like acid on my tongue, but I knew I had to protect my friends. As I finished speaking, Alarico's men dropped to their knees, their heads bowed in unison. I stumbled backward, startled by their sudden action. "Your wish is our command, Queen Luna," they chanted in perfect harmony. The title "𝗤𝘂𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗟𝘂𝗻𝗮" sent shivers down my spine. What did it mean? And why did Alarico's men respond to me with such reverence? I looked up at 𝗵𝗶𝗺, searching for answers, but his expression remained enigmatic.