Alarick's POV
I was currently on a Jet back to the house.
In all honesty meeting with the Elders made me nervous. I wasn't sure what they already knew.
Getting caught in a lie is not something that should be taken lightly with the High Court.
All it takes is one slip up and I could end up with an asassanation attempt on my hands.
It's truly frustrating because there's no retaliating against these people. All I could do in that situation is dodge death…
But I didn't suspect any suspicions from them.
The reason they were wondering why I wasn't in office , was actually infuriating.
They wanted me to crown someone as Queen. The person doesn't even have to be my mate , that's how desperate they were.
The pressure to have an heir for the throne was growing- so were the expectations from my Elders.
I'm considered a trophy amongst the Elite , especially since my grandfather is a sitting member.
They've watched me over the years. My growth, my mistakes , my victories, my defeats.
They have watched me conquer the entire country and have watched me maintain my reign over all shifters.
Although I am proud of myself.
I'm sick of being their experiment.
Sick of being something they can control. A pawn used to spread their propaganda, a tool used to convince poor people to fight their wars.
I understand the risk that the Elders pose to my Esmira.
Ever since heading back home , I devised a plan. It's something that would take a little while to manifest without drawing attention to myself , but it wouldn't matter how long it would have to take.
I am determined to carve out a piece of this world so that Esmira and my children can live without fear .
Even if that meant killing a sitting memberso that I could take their place…
Quite an evil plan, but I believe i'd be doing the shifters of this country a favor. Most of their problems derive from them anyways .
I could be the one to change things.
Somehow causing my grandfathers death would have to be the only way to go. No one would automatically suspect me , since we had a decent relationship.
If killing him meant my future sons could live in peace and carry out my legacy, i'd do it in a heartbeat.
Any wolf in my position would do the same.
2 Hours Later
It was about 2 hours later and I was finally walking through the door.
"Esmira." I called.
No answer.
I don't know why I expected to be greeted warmly by my mate.
I suppose our last interaction before I left convinced me that she completely settled in with me.
Where is she ? I wondered.
I walked through the house to search for her.
I eventually found her curled up comfortably in the guest room.
what was she doing in here?
Only after approaching her closer , did I realize that she was bawling her eyes out.
I sat near her and placed my hand on her thigh.
She flinched away and cried harder.
Not this shit again.
I thought we were over this.
"What's wrong now?" I grumbled.
She didn't answer me, instead she pulls the blanket that was near her into her face and continued to cry.
My irritation grew with her as she ignored me.
Something she did quite often that pissed me off…
I snatched the blanket away from her and pulled her into my arms forcefully.
"I wage war for you in my head, and you ignore me? I feed you, I clothe you, I protect you- and this is how you repay me?"
She continued to resist in my arms as she cried.
I quickly grasped both of her hands and restrained them above her head while she laid against my lap.
My one free hand dove under the dress she was wearing. I forced her legs apart as my fingers pressed firmly against her plump sex.
Although she was resisting my touch, her body couldn't lie. I had just touched her and I could already feel wetness seep through her cotton panties.
A blush crept up her face as she looked up at me with tears in her eyes.
"Remember what we talked about at the castle?
Be a good girl and submit, before I make you."
She quit her struggling and submitted by exposing her neck to me.
Something she only saw a soldier do once when I lost my temper at the castle.
I noted how well her memory was.
"p-please remove your hand." She begged softly.
I couldn't help but to tease her. In this position, she looked so vulnerable. I wanted to savor her.
"This hand?" I taunted.
I gently rubbed circles around her clit.
the feeling of friction from rubbing against her left as she became more and more wet.
The panties she was wearing slid effortlessly against her vagina as I pleasured her.
"Please? I-I don't want this." She whined.
I couldn't help but to laugh.
"You say one thing, but your body says another mi amour."
I continued to tease her as she squirmed around on my lap.
eventually, she fully submitted to my touch and allowed herself to enjoy what she was experiencing.
I could tell she had never been touched considering how sensitive she was down there.
I abruptly stopped and lifted her back up once I felt her climax building.
spreading her legs apart as she sat beside me, I dipped my hand into her heat once more. This time- going under the cotton panties to feel how wet she truly was.
She was drenched.
I scooped her wetness with my fingers and tasted her.
Savory.
I forcefully took her panties off and stuffed them in my pocket for later.
She buried her face in her hands as she contemplated what had just happened in her head.
I could tell she was somewhat ashamed.
I lifted her head up and smiled gently at her.
"No need to be embarrassed Esmira. It's okay that you like being touched in such a way. This is normal between mates."
All sure could do was nod.
"Now tell me what has you upset?" I asked.
Her eyes widened at my question.
she shook her head no.
"Why?" I grumbled.
"I-I don't want to get into trouble." she responded meekly.
She was so damn cute. At this point I don't think I could possibly punish her any further. Denying her climax was enough.
"If your honest with me, I won't punish you. I promise." I gave her my word.
She contemplated for a bit, until she finally told me.
My heart dropped at what had made her so upset.
My job is to protect her, and I had failed.
Women and children are to NEVER see the horrors of war. Especially the gruesome details of my men and I committing war crimes with LuLu.
She was scarred for life now and there was no going back.
I made her straddle my lap and held her close to my chest as she silently cried into me.
"I'm sorry you had to see that Esmira. I truly am." I whispered.
A response that i'm sure she wasn't expecting.
I kissed her on top of her head and took in her addictive scent.
"There's only one thing you can do with this trauma… make this mold you into a better Queen."
She looked up at me and tilted her head slightly.
"How do.. I do that?" She asked innocently.
I was glad she was interested enough in being Queen to ask a question. It actually made my heart flutter with excitement.
I placed both my hands on her waist and answered her.
"Let this trauma prepare you for the harsh realities of what's to come in the future . Allow what you've seen here help you rule with a just hand and grant mercy upon others.
Such a gentle Queen as yourself is something the Kingdom desperately needs.
I'm not too prideful to admit the Kingdom needs balance."
She nodded and laid her head against my chest.
"But why do you have to be so cruel?" She asked.
A chuckle escaped from between my lips. I couldn't help but notice how naive she was.
"Do you suppose I should ask my mortal enemies nicely for world peace?" I laughed.
"Certain evil can't be reasoned with so easily Esmira."