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Alice POV

After leaving Rising Moon under the pretense of visiting my ailing father in his last moments, we had finally arrived. The Alpha King sent 50 warriors to accompany me, including his Gamma, Aldar. A stoic man of few words, Aldar exuded dominance and power, and was a no-nonsense type of person. I knew my usual tricks would not work with him, but I continued the charade anyway. He was built like a house, little over 6ft tall, his blonde hair cascading to his shoulders, his crystal blue eyes piercing when they looked at you. I had seen him around the pack with his mate and pups, and he was very much a family man,devoted to Rose and his children. I learned that he too grew up with Roman and was unquestionably loyal. A strong man, with a strong chiseled, normallyclean-shaven face showed the shadow of a beard after all these days, probably because we did not stop for camp. We made a few stops to water the horses andget some nourishment, but we really did not rest. Roman instructed we reach my pack as quickly as possible, as he wanted to make sure I spent time with my father before his death. I agreed wholeheartedly and had pushed the warriors to hurry. I felt I needed to get there as quickly as possible and could not wait to get this over with, still struggling about the whole thing on some level. I felt if we had delayed or rested the little courage that I had might disappear. Rina was weak and almost completely receded, the bracelets the Dark Lord had given me were strong, impacting her severely.


“This is not right Alice. We can still turn around; we still have time. You do not need to kill your father, Alice! Do you even know what you are doing?! Do you understand what will happen to you –to us, once you kill him?”, she asked weakly. I had no desire to argue with her about this, and there was nothing she could say that would change my mind. And thanks to the bracelets, there was nothing she could do. “Luna Queen, what do you need us to do?” I heard Aldar ask me. “We have had a long journey, Gamma Aldar. I am grateful to you and all the warriors for accompanying me and protecting me so I can see my father at this difficult time. I know we are expected, my father’s Beta has prepared suitable accommodations and refreshments for all of you. Again, you have my utmost gratitude”, I said sweetly and even bowed gently. “My Queen! Anything for you!”, he said with determination, and I knew he meant every word. Roman had waited for the Luna Queen for a long time. His pack did too. They looked at our union as a miracle that would help him get stronger, help the pack, and secure his heirs and the pack’s future. Little did they know that soon, very soon, they would answer to me, and me alone. “My lady..”, he continued. “Perhaps you can take some rest too, the journey has been long. I am happy to accompany you to see your father. If you know… things should get difficult. I too, have lost a parent, and I also have seen a fair share of death. I am more than happy to support you my Queen”, he bowed sincerely, genuine care and consideration in his voice.

I guess in normal circumstances, if my father were to die of natural causes, his words would be a welcome sign of respect. However, given the situation, I absolutely did not need anyone looking over my shoulder. “Gamma Aldar.. You are so kind to me. I

know you as a great warrior, a wolf of great strength. Thank you for showing me that you are also a man of great honor! I will remember this – always, and I will not forget. But I think it is best if I see my father alone”, I replied. He simply nodded in submission. The packhouse became alive when they saw me. Servants and pack members rejoiced seeing me, although they did not know what to make of the Alpha King’s warriors and guards surrounding me. “My dearest Alice! You are back!”, I heard the loud,
pleasant voice of Molly, my father’s Beta’s wife, rushing toward me, a huge smile on her face. “Alpha will be so happy to see you child!!! We have all been so worried. I must say that you being here will surely lift his spirits, child!!”, she said, grabbing me into a big hug, just as she had always done. A strong, well-built she-wolf with fiery red hair to match her passionate temperament and emerald- green eyes, she was a sight to behold. Her and my mother were very close friends, and she was like a second mother to me. At that. moment, guilt started creeping up within me and I needed to focus and hold myself together. I came here for a reason, and I could not allow myself to get distracted. “Molly! How good it is to see you! I am rushing to see my father immediately; I have missed him so. Would you please make sure that my future husband’s warriors are well taken care of??”, I asked sweetly.


“Future husband??? You do not mean……???” a huge grin came across her face, an understanding of what my words revealed, and I could see her eyes flicker with happiness. “Of course!! Of course!! They will receive our well-known hospitality and, in fact, some homemade meals. I will notify the kitchens, only the best for Alpha King’s warriors! Follow me – I’ll have some steaks and beer

ready in no time, and if you boys behave, I may just whip up my world-famous potato salad!”, she said in a motherly tone, winking at them. Warriors grumbled happily at the prospect of homemade food and beer, and I was happy to have their attention focused elsewhere. “I will meet you all later, my father is my priority”, I said to Gamma and Molly, to which they both simply nodded giving me a small smile. “She is so devoted, such a great, dutiful daughter… She will make an excellent mother and Luna Queen…her mother would be so proud....”, I overheard Molly talking to Gamma Aldar, and my heart jumped up in my chest. It took me a moment to steel myself yet again. I touched the dagger I had on my person, looking for support, and it did not disappoint. The surge of dark energy I felt from it gave me the boost I needed.


I made my way through familiar corridors of the packhouse, stopping briefly to accept various welcomes and congratulations. The word of my upcoming marriage spread like a wildfire among the pack and even though the Rising Moon were ones who invaded in the past, me becoming the Luna Queen meant that now pack was safe and protected, and in fact much better off. There was general happiness about, everywhere around me. I finally made it to my parent’s bedroom, one they have shared since I was a little girl. The large oak doors had a sigil of our pack carved in, a large wolf's head holding the sword of my ancestors in its teeth. Being here brought memories of much happier times, and in that moment I wished I was anywhere but here. After all, it is not every day you come home to murder your father!!!!

Touching the dagger again, a surge of dark magic jolted within me, and I braced myself and opened the door. “Father, I am home!”, I announced, and walked in.