Summoned by the Alpha

Eila's heart skipped a beat as she met the messenger's gaze. The Alpha had summoned her?

Leonard stepped forward before she could respond, his presence immediately commanding attention. "For what reason?" His voice was sharp, brooking no argument.

The messenger hesitated, clearly uncomfortable under the Beta's piercing gaze. "Alpha Magnus didn't specify, Beta Blackwell. He only said it was urgent."

Eila swallowed the lump in her throat. She had barely spoken to the Alpha before, and now he was summoning her in the dead of night? That didn't sit well with her.

Leonard turned to her, his expression dark. "You're not going alone."

Eila wasn't about to argue. The tension in the air made it clear that something serious was going on.

She gave her mother a reassuring nod before grabbing her cloak. Celena looked worried but said nothing, only giving her daughter's hand a squeeze before stepping back.

Leonard placed a firm hand on the small of Eila's back as they stepped outside. His touch sent a shiver through her, but she was too distracted to dwell on it. The night air was cool, and the moon hung low in the sky, casting eerie shadows over the pack's territory.

The journey to the Alpha's house was silent, except for the crunch of gravel beneath their boots. Leonard walked beside her, his jaw clenched in irritation. He was clearly displeased by the situation, and honestly, so was she.

When they arrived at the grand entrance of the Alpha's mansion, the guards stepped aside immediately, allowing them through. The moment they entered the hall, they saw Alpha Magnus sitting in his usual high-backed chair, Luna Priscilla standing beside him. The Alpha's sharp eyes settled on Eila, and she felt an invisible weight press down on her shoulders.

Leonard's grip on her tightened slightly before he let go, stepping forward with a bow. "Alpha Magnus. You called for Eila."

"I did." Magnus's voice was smooth but laced with authority. He gestured for them to step closer. "Sit."

Eila hesitated before taking the seat across from him. Leonard remained standing beside her like a silent guardian, his entire body coiled with tension.

The Alpha's sharp gaze flickered between them before he exhaled through his nose. "Eila, I assume you're aware of the circumstances surrounding your bond with Beta Blackwell?"

Eila furrowed her brows. "If you're referring to the fact that he's my mate, then yes."

Magnus exchanged a glance with his Luna before turning his attention back to Eila. "And what do you intend to do about it?"

Eila blinked. "I… don't understand."

Magnus leaned forward, resting his arms on the table. "You do understand, girl. You are a housemaid's daughter. And Leonard is my Beta. The power dynamics here are complicated, to say the least."

Eila's spine stiffened. She wasn't naïve; she knew how these things worked. But hearing it so plainly still stung.

"I don't intend to do anything about it," she said slowly. "The mate bond is not something I control."

Magnus hummed. "That may be true, but you do control how you handle it. You see, Eila, I don't object to you being Leonard's mate. However, I do object to the idea that my Beta's mate is unprepared for what her future holds."

Leonard's eyes narrowed. "What are you saying, Alpha?"

Magnus turned his gaze to Leonard. "I'm saying she needs training."

Eila's breath hitched. "Training?"

Magnus nodded. "You are bound to become part of the highest-ranking wolves in this pack. That means you must understand politics, combat, and diplomacy. Do you think being Beta's mate is simply about looking pretty at his side?"

Eila clenched her fists under the table. She wasn't stupid—she had thought about what it meant to be Leonard's mate, but no one had spelled it out so bluntly before.

"What if I don't want to be a Beta's mate?" she challenged, lifting her chin.

The Alpha smirked. "Then reject him."

Silence.

Eila felt Leonard tense beside her. She turned slightly, catching the way his jaw clenched, the way his icy blue eyes burned with something dangerous.

"You think I would let that happen?" Leonard's voice was calm, but the undercurrent of rage was unmistakable.

Magnus chuckled. "No, I don't. But she should understand the weight of this choice." He turned his gaze back to Eila. "The mate bond is powerful, yes, but it does not dictate everything. If you do not step up to the position, you will be seen as weak. And if you are weak, you will become a liability—to Leonard, to yourself, and to this pack."

Eila's heart pounded. She hadn't considered all of this. She had been so caught up in the emotional turmoil of having a mate—let alone three—that she hadn't stopped to think about what it truly meant.

Luna Priscilla finally spoke, her voice softer but no less firm. "Eila, this isn't meant to discourage you. We want to help prepare you for the role you will inevitably take. You are strong, I can sense it. But strength alone is not enough."

Eila exhaled slowly. "What exactly does this training entail?"

Magnus leaned back, pleased that she was finally listening. "First, combat training. You must be able to defend yourself, and if necessary, fight alongside Leonard. Second, political education—understanding how our pack functions and how to navigate inter-pack relations. Third, etiquette training."

Eila nearly choked. "Etiquette?"

Luna Priscilla smiled. "You will be standing beside a man of high status. Knowing how to present yourself is just as important as knowing how to fight."

Eila groaned internally. This was a lot. But as much as she wanted to argue, she couldn't deny that the Alpha had a point. If she was going to be Leonard's mate, she needed to be ready for it.

Leonard finally spoke again. "She will do the training—but on our terms."

Magnus raised an eyebrow. "Meaning?"

Leonard's gaze flickered to Eila before turning back to the Alpha. "Meaning I will oversee her combat training personally. And she will not be forced into anything she is uncomfortable with."

Magnus considered this before nodding. "Fair enough. The official training begins in three days."

Eila let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding.

Magnus stood, effectively dismissing them.

"Get some rest. You'll need it."

Eila and Leonard exchanged glances before rising to leave.

As they stepped out into the cool night air, Leonard reached for her hand. The simple touch sent warmth through her chest.

"Are you alright?" he asked softly.

Eila exhaled. "I think so."

Leonard's grip tightened slightly. "Good. Because I meant what I said—I'll be with you through all of this."

Eila looked up at him, her heart skipping a beat. Maybe, just maybe, this wouldn't be as terrifying as it seemed.

But there was something that needed to be said before things got out of control. 

She said, "I have something to say about my gifts that I received from Moon Goddess."