Page 98 of The Alpha's Fated Bond

“You can stay in my territory for a while, if you want,” one of the Northern leaders offers. “Karina will not expect me to house you.”

Alex gives the man a long look before introducing him to me. “Sophia, this is Dorian Greyhound, Alpha of the Greyson Wolf Pack.”

“I’m sorry I couldn’t stand with you, Alex,” Dorian says regretfully. “But Karina has us by the throat. But if your mate truly can undo the link Karina has on our young ones, I swear to you that we will support you.”

Alex looks at me, and I nod.

“Even if you don’t stand by us,” I say to the man, “I would still like to free the children of your pack.”

Dorian’s eyes lower. “You may think I’m just trying to get on your good side, Queen Sophia, but even though I’ve never heard the prophecy, I do believe that someone like you would be the kind of ruler we would all look up to.”

I don’t know how to respond to that. Brian, however, does.

“She will be. A word, Queen Sophia?”

Feeling awkward, I say, “It’s just Sophia.”

He beams at me. Now that I take a closer look, Brian seems to be in his late fifties, a strong, sturdy man with graying hair and kind eyes. We step away from the others, out of earshot, and while I would prefer to have Alex by my side, I know I cannot lean on him in every situation. No matter how tempting it would be to do that.

“I want to discuss something with you, if it’s alright?”

Having the King of the South Alliance speak so politely to me makes me uncomfortable. Okay, he’s no longer King, but… “Are you sure you’re okay with what you just did, stepping down like that? I mean, I have no leadership skills. I have no skills at all, to be honest.”

Brian studies me after my little outburst, and when he smiles, the corners of his eyes crinkle. “I have a daughter your age. You remind me of her. Brimming with potential and yet so unsure of yourself. People aren’t born with leadership skills, Sophia. You learn them as you go along. And I am confident that you will grow into your role. Giving up the title of King is not something I did lightly. You are a beacon of hope. And I am sorry for what Robert Black put you and your family through. I had been investigating him for a while, but I had no idea how deep the corruption and darkness ran.”

I’m silent. What do I say to something like this? Brian seems remorseful, although none of it was his fault.

“The fact is, a few witches have approached me with prophecies over the past two decades. I don’t know if you are aware, butprophecies are only handed over to witches when a major shift is about to take place. They kept mentioning the Silver Wolf, and I did not take them seriously. I should have. Perhaps I could have saved your mother and you a lifetime of suffering. I would like it if you would let me stay on as your advisor. Politics have an important part to play in the three Alliances. Let me manage that for you.”

"What do you expect me to do?“

“Nothing,” he assures me. “I expect you to be yourself. A war may be coming, Sophia. One has been prophesied. If war breaks out, the three Alliances will shatter. My belief is that you may be the only one who will be able to prevent that war, by uniting the three Alliances. In the meantime, I will guide you. Wherever you fall, I will catch you. I, too, want to see a change in the Alliances, to see us set our differences aside. And I believe you will be the one to bring about that change.”

“Why do you have so much faith in me?” I look over at all the seasoned leaders, and here I am, just the Silver Wolf. Even my education is lacking.

Brian’s smile widens. “Because I see the potential in you, the determination. I have an eye for talent. And you, my dear, are brimming with it.”

Brian nods at me before going back inside the palace with the others.

His words are ringing in my ears. I don’t know if I will prove to be a good leader or not, but I don’t think I have a choice anymore. I’m now stuck with this title of Queen.

***

Despite Elsa telling me there’s nothing that can be done, Dorian’s healers look after my mother. The Alpha of the Greyson Wolf Pack is determined to give it a try.

He also brings me the children linked to Karina’s people, and I’ve already been able to remove the magic from quite a few of them. While he’s anxious for them all to be freed, he’s letting me do this at my own pace. And the more I use my magic, the easier it comes to me, and my stamina for it increases.

Alex has taken these past few days to contact the pack members hiding in the human cities. His soldiers are residing within Greyson Wolf Pack territory with us, but Dorian has asked us all to keep our presence here a secret from the rest of the pack. I can understand that he fears backlash from Karina if she discovers that he’s hosting us.

A few Alphas of the North Alliance know we are here and have stopped by to meet us, though, all of them hoping for my help with their pups. I want to help everybody, but I can’t do it all at once. I am mentally and emotionally exhausted, and when I need a break, I spend it with Alex in the small backyard of the guest house we’re staying in. It’s been hard. We’ve achieved a slight victory, but our hearts are heavy.

At least I finally have the time to grieve the loss of my friend and consider the possible loss of my mother. Drew’s death is still sitting heavy on my heart. It gnaws at me that his body is out there, open prey for wild animals. I have asked one of the Alphas whose territory borders the Black Alder Wolf Pack territory to retrieve and bury Drew’s body. Everyone is bending over backward to please me, so I know they will get it done.

That’s all I can do for my friend right now. Once the world has settled down, I’ll check on Tim and remind him how much his father cherished him. I won’t let the memory of Drew die.

And then there’s Alex. He has grown quiet. He spends time with me, but he doesn’t talk about what happened after I left him back in the village.

After two days, I finally say something about it to him.

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