"Giving out such important orders without the Alpha's permission is the same as directly undermining his authority…. Lucien is not going to take it lightly," Athenya interrupted, her voice calm yet edged with warning.
She stood tall at the top of the staircase, her silhouette framed by the soft morning light spilling in through the high arched windows. Dressed in a flowing floral gown that danced with each step, she descended with poise. Her curly black hair was rolled into a messy bun, loose strands brushing her cheekbones, adding a casual elegance to her regal bearing.
"Since he's hellbent on bringing disgrace to our name and the entire Pack," Rhode Axen replied coldly, "it is only right that someone stands up and cleans after his mess."
His voice cut through the stillness of the grand sitting room, each word laced with restrained fury.
"And there is no part of the orders I gave that is a lie," he added, his tone unyielding, unwilling to concede even a shred of fault.
He leaned back into the cushions of the black velvet couch and pressed his fingers against his temple, massaging the ache there. "Also, pass the order to Crescent Media Company and have them publish it on today's front page. I want the directive circulated across all social media platforms… everywhere. Make sure no one misses it."
With a brief wave of his hand, he dismissed Corvin, the waiting pack Gamma.
Once the room quieted, Rhode turned toward Athenya, who had now settled beside him on the couch, her presence effortlessly commanding attention. She hadn't changed much over the years, not to him, at least. The woman who once ruled beside him with unwavering strength still held that same radiance, the same fire in her eyes.
He let his gaze linger on her. The years had touched her lightly. No wrinkles marred her smooth skin, and though time had passed since the first day he met her, she had aged like fine wine.
To Rhode Axen, his mate was the epitome of beauty, the kind that defied age and logic.
"Why the long stare?" Athenya asked, her voice tinged with mischief as she ran her fingers seductively over her red lips, the same lips that had captured his attention for the past two minutes.
"This brings back the memory of the joy I felt the very night I saw you under the half crescent moon. That night our mate bond awakened," Rhode murmured, his voice softening as a nostalgic smile crept onto his face.
"I recall marking you the same day and we were married exactly one month later." He added, a chuckle escaping his lips.
"That was ages ago. Why are you suddenly bringing it up?" Athenya whispered, though a quiet smile tugged at her lips. She was inwardly pleased that her mate remembered the smallest details of that night, even though decades have passed.
Rhode sighed and turned his gaze toward the tall glass window that overlooked Athenya's carefully tended flower garden, the colors of summer in full bloom.
"I was thinking... if I had compelled him to mark Arlena and made her his bride six years ago, when their bond awakened, all of this might have been avoided," he said, voice low, regret swimming behind his eyes.
"By now, he would have been the father of one or two lovely pups… ruling beside Arlena, his mate."
He shook his head. "I wonder why I let him have his way back then."
Athenya reached over and took his rough, calloused hand in hers. She caressed his palm gently, her fingers soft against the evidence of years spent in battles and politics.
Rhode Axen was no longer Alpha, but his strength remained. Though silver strands now kissed his dark hair, he was far from frail. His strong build and sharp presence made it clear he was still a force to be reckoned with.
One look at both of them and it was clear where Lucien had inherited his striking, almost ethereal beauty.
"Back then, Lucien was mourning the death of his best friend, the one he grew up with since they were toddlers," Athenya said softly, her hand now resting gently on his chest. Even through his shirt, she could still feel the firm warmth of him beneath.
"Their bond was known throughout the Pack and beyond. We did the right thing by giving him space to grieve."
She offered him a reassuring smile. "Alpha Thorne of Frostveil Pack is no fool, neither is Arlena. They agreed to the arrangement because they understood the situation."
"That's why we can't let them down," Rhode said, sitting up straighter, resolve returning to his eyes.
"Arlena is the Alpha Heir of Frostveil and our guest. She is Lucien's fated and only true mate. Someone of her status shouldn't suffer this kind of grievance. That's why I want you to organize a welcome-back feast for her."
He pulled gently away from her touch and looked directly into her eyes. Athenya met his gaze with quiet strength, her emerald eyes reflecting the same devotion she had always shown him.
"I'm going to send a message to Frostveil," Rhode continued. "In three days, we'll welcome Arlena back to the Pack. During the feast, she must feel truly celebrated. I'll ensure there are reporters present, one or two will be enough to capture the moment and write a few pieces that'll reach the world."
Athenya gave a slow, understanding nod. "I know everything you're doing is for the good of the Pack," she said, running her fingers lovingly along his neatly trimmed beard. "I'll do exactly as you've asked. Arlena will be welcomed properly. She'll be satisfied."
Three hours later, every member of the Duskborne Creed Pack received a notification carrying Rhode Axen's orders. The story made the front page of Crescent Media's morning edition. In mere minutes, the news flooded social media, becoming the sole topic of interest across the entire Pack territory.
…
Lucien Rhode sat alone in his top-floor office, surrounded by silence thick enough to suffocate thought. The massive obsidian desk before him, sleek and cold to the touch, absorbed the muted daylight streaming through the floor-to-ceiling windows that wrapped around the thirty-sixth storey building.
His cellphone, resting beside his laptop, buzzed once, then again.
He glanced at the screen.
His expression darkened. The room's atmosphere shifted, the temperature dropping noticeably. Shadows seemed to press in as a storm brewed behind his eyes.
The headline burned like acid in his eyes.
"Varek!" Alpha Lucien's voice roared across the office, his fury vibrating through the walls like a mild earthquake.
Within seconds, Varek appeared at the doorway, phone still held to his ear mid-conversation. Startled by the command, he abruptly ended the call and lowered the phone, standing at attention in front of his Alpha.
Alpha Lucien's voice thundered, "Why was a public message posted and a news article published with a picture of Valessia under my name when I never authorized such an order?"
His murderous gaze fixed on Varek, who stood tense near the large obsidian table.
Varek's voice was steady but cautious. "According to my findings… it was Gamma Corvin who gave the instructions."
Lucien's jaw clenched. "Rhode Axen is behind this charade?" he growled, slamming his hand down on the table.
A crack split through the wood with an echoing crack, the surface fracturing in two. Only the central anchor kept it from collapsing entirely.
"The nerve of that old man… interfering with my affairs right under my nose." Lucien sprang to his feet, his expression seething. He turned away, facing the floor-to-ceiling glass panels that overlooked the beautiful scenery of Duskborne territory. His reflection stared back, colder than the real thing.
"I want that general notification deleted immediately. All posts taken down within an hour," he ordered coldly.
"A new headline should be released: 'Alpha Lucien did not marry Valessia Rhode out of pity'." He loosened his necktie and popped open the top two buttons of his black dress shirt, his muscles twitching with restraint.
"Before that, fire the CEO of Crescent Media Company and the Head of the Tower Control. Effective immediately. As for Corvin… punish him under pack law for forgery." His voice dropped to a lethal tone. "Let this be a warning to anyone who thinks my name is theirs to use."
Silence fell. Tension coiled in the air like a storm waiting to break free.
Lucien turned back toward Varek, his expression darkening even further when he noticed the man hadn't moved an inch.
"And why the hell are you still standing there?" He barked.