The King

Zeff

I crouched low, my paws sinking into the soft earth as I moved silently through the dense forest. The moonlight filtered through the canopy above, casting eerie shadows on the ground. My senses were on high alert, every sound and scent magnified. Gaius was fully present, his instincts guiding us as we moved swiftly through the trees.

*Patrols, report,* I mindlinked to my pack members, my voice firm and commanding.

*All clear in the east,* came the reply from one of my scouts.

*No movement in the south,* another reported.

But there was something—a subtle shift in the air, a scent carried on the wind that didn't belong. I could feel it, and so could Gaius. He growled low in my mind, a warning.

*Stay sharp. There's something here,* I instructed, tightening my mental grip on the link.

I continued moving forward, my eyes scanning the dark surroundings. The scent was getting stronger, more distinct. It was unfamiliar, yet there was a hint of something… familiar. I pushed through a thick undergrowth and emerged into a small clearing. One of my commanders, a gray wolf named Aron, stood ahead, his ears perked and his stance alert.

*Movement at the western border, Alpha,* Aron mindlinked, his voice tense.

I nodded, moving closer. That's when I saw it—a figure moving through the trees. A large brown wolf emerged from the shadows, its eyes gleaming in the darkness. It didn't belong to our pack, but I recognized the aura immediately. The wolf circled us slowly, a grin in its eyes that sent a wave of irritation down my spine.

Gaius bristled, his hackles rising. *Stay on guard,* I told my pack through the link.

The brown wolf stopped circling and began to shift, its form changing fluidly from beast to man. Standing before us now was a tall male with sandy blonde hair and piercing silver eyes. His grin was just as sharp in human form as it was when he was a wolf.

"Impressive," the man said, his accent smooth and undeniably Irish. "You handle security well, Zeff."

I growled softly, my eyes narrowing. William. I knew him well. Too well. A ripple of annoyance coursed through me, but I forced Gaius to calm. Formalities dictated my actions here. I shifted back into my human form, the transformation seamless and quick. I fell to one knee, bowing my head slightly.

"Your Majesty," I greeted, my voice respectful, even as I felt a wave of frustration.

The man with sandy blonde hair chuckled softly, clearly amused by my formality. "Come now, Zeff. We've known each other long enough. No need for such formalities among old friends."

Old friends. The words hung in the air between us, heavy with the weight of everything unsaid. William and I had known each other since childhood. We had grown up together, trained together, and when the time came, we had faced each other in the greatest challenge of our lives.

When the call went out for all Alphas in the state to compete for the title of King of Kings, I had been there. Not because I sought the crown, but because I knew I had to show up. It was a matter of honor, of duty to my pack. But I had no real desire to rule over all the packs. Power didn't interest me in the way it did others. William, though—he thrived on it. I could see the hunger in his eyes even back then, the drive to be at the top, to command respect, to rule.

In the final challenge, it had come down to the two of us. William and me. And though I could have won—could have taken the crown for myself—I had deliberately stepped back. I let William take the victory. I let him have what he wanted most, knowing full well the kind of leader he would become. It wasn't a decision I made lightly, but it was one I knew was right for me and my pack. I didn't want the crown; I didn't want the burden that came with it.

But now, as I stood in the clearing, the moonlight casting long shadows across the ground, I wondered if I had made a mistake. William's ambition was relentless, and his presence here tonight had only confirmed my suspicions that he was up to something.

I rose slowly, my eyes never leaving his silver eyes. "What brings you to my territory, William?"

His grin widened, a hint of mischief in his eyes, as his dimples deepen. "I was in the area and thought I'd see how things were on this side of the border." He looked around, as if admiring the scenery. "Your territory is… quaint."

I held back a retort, keeping my expression neutral. "Your presence here is unusual. Is there something specific you need?"

William's eyes gleamed, and he took a step closer. "Oh, nothing too urgent, Zeff. I simply thought it might be interesting to… explore."

Gaius growled softly in my mind, sensing the underlying tension. William was playing a game, as he often did. I knew him well enough to understand that much.

"This isn't a playground, William," I said, my tone firm. "If you're here to cause trouble, I'll have to ask you to leave."

He chuckled again, clearly enjoying the tension he was stirring. "Trouble? Me?" He placed a hand over his heart in mock offense. "I would never dream of it. But I do have some news to deliver. Consider it a courtesy."

I raised an eyebrow, waiting.

"The royal vampires," he continued, his tone shifting, becoming more serious. "They've been moving forces. Mobilizing in ways they haven't in centuries. I've been watching them, and it's… concerning."

A chill ran down my spine at his words. The royal vampires were a force to be reckoned with—ancient, powerful, and highly territorial. If they were on the move, it could mean trouble for everyone, not just my pack.

"Why tell me this in person?" I asked, my eyes narrowing. "Why not send one of your commanders."

He shrugged, his smile never faltering. "I needed a rest from the castle so here I am friend. If the vampires are planning something, it's not just your territory at risk. It's everyone's. And I'd rather not have to deal with a war on two fronts."

I studied him, trying to read the truth in his eyes, but with William, it was always a game. He thrived on keeping people off-balance, on being unpredictable. But I couldn't ignore the gravity of his words. If the vampires were mobilizing, we needed to be prepared.

His smile widened, a predatory gleam in his eyes. "There's something stirring, something… new. I can feel it in the air. Can't you?"

I kept my face impassive, but my mind raced. He knew. Somehow, he knew about the recent disturbances, the unsettling presence that had been felt at the borders. And the thought of him knowing it made my blood boil.

"We are handling our territory," I replied, keeping my tone measured. "There's no need for concern on your part."

"Of course, of course," William said, waving a hand dismissively. "But you know how it is. One can never be too careful." He leaned in slightly, his voice dropping to a low, almost conspiratorial whisper. "Especially with what's at stake."

My jaw tightened, and I could feel Gaius pushing forward, itching to take control. William was always one to stir the pot, to test boundaries. But I couldn't let him see that he was getting to me. I had to remain calm, collected.

"I assure you, Your Majesty," I said, my voice steady, "everything is under control."

William's grin remained, but there was a glint in his eye that spoke of secrets and knowledge he wasn't sharing. "Good to hear, Zeff. Good to hear." He stepped back, giving me a nod. "I'll take my leave now. But do keep me informed, won't you?"

I nodded curtly, not trusting myself to speak without showing the anger simmering beneath the surface. He knew too much, and that knowledge was dangerous.

He turned to leave, but before he disappeared into the trees, he paused and looked back at me. "And Zeff," he added, his voice carrying a rare note of sincerity, "watch your back. You never know who might be coming for you." With a fluid motion, he shifted back into his wolf form and disappeared into the shadows, leaving me standing there, my mind racing.

I turned to Aron, who had been watching the exchange closely. *Double the patrols at the western border,* I mindlinked, my tone brooking no argument. *I want eyes everywhere. We can't let our guard down, not for a second.*

As I shifted back into my wolf form, I couldn't shake the feeling of unease that lingered in the air. William's presence here was no coincidence, and whatever game he was playing, I had to be ready. For Liliam, for the pack, for all of us.

We had to stay vigilant. The stakes were higher than ever.