Page 59 of Owned By Four Alphas

He stalked through the halls, the many nobles, servants, and soldiers dropping to their knees as he passed them.

Throwing open the doors to the great hall, lit by hundreds of sconces of fire, the throne carved from the basalt of the volcano itself, he breathed in.

He was home.

Stalking forward, yet more nobles and advisors taking in his bloodied form and furious expression moved swiftly out of his way. He cleared the steps to the throne, then turned, hands gripped into fists, mouth turned upwards in a sneer.

His people were pouring into the hall, curious and scared, eyeing him with remembered respect.

Iveir limped to his side, his gray hair tied back, his injuries many.

Kaelen nodded at him, allowing him to take his seat beside the throne.

He turned to the rest of his people.

“I have been gone for some time,” he said, his voice low and angry, “and in that time, it seems you have all forgotten the way of things. Some of you have grown ambitious, reaching for power thatis not yours.”

Some of the alphas shifted on their feet, their eyes downcast, the scent of fear emanating from them thick and pungent.

“You have challenged me. Challenged the queen. Several of you are dead as a result. And morewilldie.”

The door creaked, and Ronan stalked in, his muzzle peeled back over his teeth. Elian followed, in his true form, grinning and waving at the nobles, steel in his eyes.

“The queen is missing,” Kaelen declared, growling at the looks of surprise, “I want every single soldier capable of flight scouring the Realm for her, and beyond. She is searching for something. Something pretending to want to help her. Something ancient and deadly.Somethingthat some of you here may also seek.”

He sat, crossing one long leg over the other.

“So tell me,” he said, his voice growing soft, “which of you here are members of the Order of Theldir?”

Thirty-six were dead by nightfall. Several more were imprisoned for Elian to interrogate.

As the last rays disappeared over the western forest, Kaelen took to the skies, accompanied by a host of young, loyal alphas.

It was time to find his mate.

Chapter 23 - Selena

Their journey, already slow due to her pregnancy, was made even harder by the constant patrols of dragons flying overhead.

It seemed Kaelen was determined to find her.

They stuck to the tree line where they could, skirting the border, Malek’s shadows hiding them from the keen eyes of the dragons above whenever they passed. At night, they would find a rundown town or abandoned village to hide in, blanketed in shadow.

Many humans had fled away from the border. It meant plenty of space, and plenty of supplies.

And despite their slow progress, despite Kaelen’s patrols, after two weeks they were getting close. With every passing hour, every passingminute, Selena became more and more aware of her imminent birth. She had days at most. But she wasn’t worried. With Malek by her side, she would be able to do it.

They had run out of forest about five days back, the border of the First Realm giving way to the mountains of Kaelen’s territory. Through that land, Selena had consented to let Malek carry her on his back in his true form, aware that they were exposed and close to her searching mate. It had sped up their pace, even if it was uncomfortable for her.

They had reached the steppes just south of the mountains where Kaelen’s territory drifted into the neutral lands between the First and Second Realms. Across the lush fields of grass and wildflowers there was a dilapidated little town. If they could make it by nightfall, they would be able to enter the mountainrange the following day. It would be dangerous, rocky and harsh, but they were close.

Carefully avoiding the patrols, they ran through the fields, and Selena enjoyed the warmth of the sun at her back. It was beginning to feel real now, tangible and within her grasp. She could almost taste the clear water of the stream from her dreams, feel the cool breeze, smell the fresh leaves.

See her father.

“There must be forests hidden behind the mountains,” she mused, her fingers combing through locks of Malek’s fur. “Or perhaps it lies beyond the mountains. The northern wolf clan is from the Second Realm, right? Wolves must need forest.”

“I’m hoping we won’t encounter any wolves,” Malek said, his tone wry. “I’m not sure they would take kindly to either of us.”

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