A Warning (Ch.28)

"Veah...Dane tells me there has been a change of plans?" Alpha King Lothaire asked as he noticed Neveah's approach.

He stood in all his 6ft4 glory, in the midst of other Eclipse Alphas, as imposing and domineering as he always was.

His hands were crossed behind his back as he watched the last batch of Alphas including those from the Eclipse Hunt prepared to depart for Mount Vernon where the Alphas Summit would take place.

The Eclipse Fang Pack which was the royal pack led by the Alpha King, his queen and his heir would be the last to depart for Mount Vernon.

Neveah slowly strode up to her father, dressed in her riding gear, she had received his summons an hour before dawn and a newly tailored riding gear had been delivered to her.

The clothing was a pure white made from the most luxurious and softest fabric, it was in the form of a combat suit with golden embroidery running along the rims and cuffs.

There was a white cape accompanying it, with patterns at the edges also embroidered with gold.

'An apparel befitting of the Eclipse Princess.' These were the words Lado had delivered along with the clothing, his condescending sneer intact on his face.

Of course, Laila had accompanied Lado to Neveah's quarters at such early hours where Neveah had been forced to sit through another hairdo.

And then Neveah's crown, the one her father only permitted her to don on special occasions like balls and whatever had the gathering of many people enough to bear witness to his daughter's magnificence.

The moment Neveah had set eyes on it, she knew her father had been convinced by Alpha Dane to let her come along to Mount Vernon and accompany Luna Colleen.

Although Neveah was not certain her father had granted the request to accompany the Eclipse Hunt wolves back to their territory but she guessed she would find that out in time.

Neveah also understood this was her father's method of calling a truce after he had left her to be tortured by Alessio.

Like a dog, he would beat and then gift her with the very same hands and Neveah could do nothing but smile and be grateful for his grace.

Neveah could feel various eyes on her as her cape fluttered behind her and she came up to her father's side, lowering her head to a bow in greeting.

"Only if father allows it." Neveah replied in response to Alpha King Lothaire's obvious bait.

To see how Neveah would respond to his inquiry before the other Alphas and Neveah knew it was also in a bid to show Alpha Dane that his words were supreme.

"And if I do not?" Alpha King Lothaire asked,

"I will abide by father's wishes." Neveah replied knowing these were the words her father wanted to hear, words that glorified him before his subordinate Alphas.

"Your father is only teasing, my dear girl. The Alphas Summit is a place for leaders and warriors, no place for a child..." Alpha King Lothaire began with a chuckle, stretching a hand to Neveah.

Neveah swallowed down her reluctance and disgust at her father's pretentious concern, taking her father's outstretched hand.

"But I fear I cannot deny Dane's request, you shall accompany Luna Colleen to Mount Vernon." Alpha King Lothaire decided.

"Yes, father." Neveah replied.

"She is precious to me... this one, my only daughter and I think I shall not be blessed to have another."

"She is so fragile too... you must understand my worry and hesitance Dane." Alpha King Lothaire said to Alpha Dane.

"I certainly do understand, my mate and I are in your gratitude, Your Grace." Alpha Dane said with a nod.

"The Eclipse Princess is docile and obedient, gifted too and by the creator, she is such a beauty. You have raised an excellent daughter, Your Grace." Alpha Varleston of Eclipse Claw commended in an approving tone.

The other Eclipse Alphas present murmured their agreement to Alpha Varleston's words.

"It is my son's loss that she will not have him as a mate, the Eclipse Claw would have considered it a blessing." Alpha Varleston added in a regretful tone.

"Ah... Varleston, so that is what you have been up to..." Alpha Dane said in amusement, the other Eclipse Alphas laughing heartily.

"You have no sons Dane, you cannot understand how I feel." Alpha Varleston countered with an amused roll of his eyes.

"Well, well Veah... what do you have to say to dear Varleston?" Alpha King Lothaire asked, his grip tightening on Neveah's hand in a warning manner.

Neveah gritted her teeth against the bone crushing pain but kept her expression neutral.

"Alpha Varleston flatters me." Neveah said with a forced smile.

"Not at all, Princess. I am rather elated you shall accompany us on this trip to Mount Vernon..."

"Especially since your overprotective father and brother will be coming later...no offense to Your Grace and the Prince, but perhaps my son might have the chance to make a more convincing case." Alpha Varleston said, laughing.

"No offence taken, I surely wish the young Varleston luck...Veah can be rather difficult at times." Alpha King Lothaire replied with a chuckle.

Neveah stood there and watched in utter silence as her father overturned all her efforts to put an end to her relationship with Lucas Varleston.

Neveah could not even blame Alpha Varleston for eagerly raising the topic, he did not understand the situation and he truly seemed to favor Neveah greatly.

"Veah...will you play nice to the young Varleston? Father does value the Eclipse Claw dearly and the Varlestons clearly adore you." Alpha King Lothaire said to Neveah,

Neveah however knew this was not a question but a warning not to ruin her father's plans again...a warning that would come with consequences if she failed to heed it.

"I understand, father." Neveah replied.

"It is settled then! Begone with that horse! My son Lucas shall give Princess Neveah of Eclipse Fang a ride on his wolf all the way to Mount Vernon!" Alpha Varleston declared in a delighted tone to the amusement of the Eclipse Alphas.