Page 89 of A Chance at Love for the Twin Alphas

“Alpha Ezra will join us today,” Elden interrupts us. “You haven’t met him yet. He is alpha of the pack that offered to host your pride, and he is awaiting us already in my office to talk to you personally.” He pauses. “Did you think about it, Cassiopeia?”

She nods. “I did. I considered your offer, and I will thankfully accept it if I deem Alpha Ezra trustworthy. As the future queen of my pride, their safety is more important than any misplaced pride.”

Flora smiles at her. “You will be a good queen, Cass,” she tells her and squeezes her hand. “I know it.”

“Thanks, Flora… I certainly hope so.”

We all make it to Elden’s office, with Cassiopeia chatting a bit with Elise and Elodie and congratulating them on their marks. Werecats follow their goddess, too, and the bond is sacred to them. Once in his office, Elden introduces us to his ally, Alpha Ezra. He is of a pack the Council intervened against recently and had the alpha retire because of the crimes he took part in. Ezra was the secret firstborn son he had with his true mate. His father didn’t deem his mate worthy to be luna because she was just a lousy omega in his eyes, so he kept her and his son hidden and shunned, and instead took a chosen mate… She bore him a son, too, Callum, who he groomed to become an alpha.

Fate had different plans, though, and Ezra was able to take his rightful position.

“It’s nice to finally meet you,” Alpha Ezra says. He is a tall and muscular man with black hair and blue eyes.

We all shake his hand. “Likewise.” Tony smiles. “We’ve heard a lot about you.”

He chuckles. “Hopefully, only good things.”

“Just the best,” Elden reassures him.

“Alpha Liam told me all about you,” he continues. “Callum excuses himself for today, but he sends his regards.”

“Wait…” I blink. “You mean your younger brother?” The family relations are so complicated with the two of them… I’m sure there has to be a lot of resentment. One child was shunned and hidden, the other groomed and spoiled. And then one of them, Callum, lost their position to the other despite being promised the rank.

“I know what you think,” Ezra says. “But Callum always has been a genuinely good man. Even when Dad tried to brainwash him, he never turned his back on me and my mom. We met secretly and sparred against each other or just talked. When Dad retired, Alpha Liam came to us and talked to us about the future of the pack and that it was my birthright. I didn’t want to take it from Callum, though. He was trained and promised the rank, but he didn’t want it.”

Elden smiles. “He knew deep in his heart that you were the true alpha and that his strengths lay somewhere else.”

Cassiopeia has been listening in silence; now she smiles a bit. “It’s truly a relief to know that some people in power value their families and aren’t envious of each other. Your brother could have easily grown up to hate you, but he chose differently. And so did you.”

“He is the best,” Ezra agrees. “I want him as my beta, but now that he is free of Dad’s chains, he isn’t entirely sure yet what to do.”

“Pity he isn’t here,” Elise says. “Cassiopeia is right. It’s rare for an alpha’s son to take a step back and allow his brother to reign. I would love to meet him.”

Elden clears his throat. “Alpha Ezra,” he says. “I’ve told you all about Cassiopeia and her pride that I was able to tell you. I know this is a risk for you, so none of us will hold it against you if you decline.”

“I would like to help,” he says earnestly. “You and Alpha Liam helped me so much. I’m glad I can finally repay the favor.” He looks at Cassiopeia. “Princess Cassiopeia, it would be an honor to me if we could host you and your people until your issues are resolved.”

She smiles at him. “Thank you, Alpha Ezra. I truly appreciate your kindness and your help.”

“It’s about time werecats and werewolves resolved some of their issues and start to work together again,” Marcel says, and we all nod. Werewolves are very territorial beings, and other shifters had a difficult time living alongside them for various reasons.

But having a werecat pride here again would truly enrich our culture.

Cassiopeia and Ezra leave for a separate meeting room to discuss some details while the rest of us stay behind.

“I’d suggest having lunch here so Arman can gather his strengths and then visit Auset,” Elden points out.

“Is Arman here already?” I ask.

“Yes, he and Harmony arrived ten minutes ago. Maybe you could go and welcome them?”

I nod and get up, the others following suit. Before Tony can leave, Elden reaches out to him. “Anthony, would you mind staying for a bit? Your father told me you found your mate and that you have some questions…”

He nods. “About her heritage and also how she can hear a voice occasionally.”

Elden furrows his brows thoughtfully before gesturing for us to leave. “Anthony and I will discuss this for a bit. The rest of you would do me a real favor in greeting Arman and bringing him up to date.”

*ANTHONY*

---