Chapter Six

* Zed *

"What is it this time Father?"

His chambers were open when I arrived and I saw him watching the sunset on the veranda. Upon hearing my voice, he quickly turns around to see me. I meet his gaze but I can't fathom what he was thinking.

"Are you enjoying the celebration?"

I shrugged my shoulders, he didn't even answer my question and now he was the one asking me. "I'm leaving for the Easter border, I will be staying in the villa there to give you the chance to get to know your Luna without my presence. This privacy would be better for both of you so that you won't feel obliged that I was here to watch you."

"You don't have to do that Father."

I looked around and saw his luggage ready to be taken away. "I am not doing this so you can freely do your thing son. This is also to let you rule the Palace and the whole pack without my advice, to let you stand on your own two feet. As your Father, my wish is for you to be able to succeed in your rule as the Alpha King."

I sighed and watched the end of the horizon on the west. There's a sudden urge of sadness in my heart. I didn't exactly want my Father to leave, but on the other hand, I hated his manipulation.

"Thank you for believing in me Father, I will make sure that everyone is safe and that this Palace will thrive for a longer time. Also, the pack will be the same, I will make sure none of the rogues can take a chance to enter our lands. But you can remain here Father, this Palace is big enough for even six families of wolves to live in."

The old man shook his head. And as he looked at the entrance of his chambers, I felt the approaching footsteps of the butler. I'm guessing that he would take him because Beta Osouf has to remain with me.

"I am not going to change my mind at this moment. Harris is coming, I assume you already know that I am taking him with me?"

I sighed. "Yes Father, that would be fine. Harris must be old but still reliable and very loyal to you."

Just after I said that, the older wolf came inside the chambers bowing his head to my Father and me. "Your majesty, Alpha King Zed. I am here to take all the luggage."

My Father nodded. "Thank you, Harris, make sure to take all the things that you need as well."

The old man smiled with a tap on his chest. "I am ready to leave your majesty."

Picking up my Father's luggage was very easy for the fit butler despite his age. I know that he would keep my Father safe. But I wouldn't rest if he is not going to take any warriors.

As the old butler picks up the luggage and my Father follows him I walk beside him and ask. "Did you select the warriors who are residing with you on the East Father?"

He cleared his throat and waved his hand. "I don't need any warriors for protection, Harris is more than enough and I can still defend the Villa on the East. You shouldn't look down on me that much just because I have become old son!"

I know I shouldn't have said that, but it doesn't mean that I was looking down on him.

"You know that is not what I mean Father."

He moved his hand dismissing the topic and I kept my mouth shut. I may be the Alpha King now but he was the Alpha King before me, and he was the strongest before he gave me the crown and I bet that until now my Father could beat down a dozen rogues all at once.

"Why don't you go talk to your wife's son, she is now in the Palace and she could use your company."

I sighed.

"She will be alright, Zeina is with her. You know that we can't do what normal couples would do tonight Father. I don't know that woman, nor did I choose her to be my Luna. You choose her, not me! And you only said that I marry her and I can keep the throne."

My Father stayed silent until we reached the black-tinted four-wheel drive where Harris loaded their luggage. I stood and watched until I felt the air turned different, the wind blew to my ear and then as I turned around I saw my sister with the wolf that I just married. They were coming towards us, I crossed my arms on top of my chest. So Father called out for them.

* Althea *

I watched him stand towering beside the four-wheel drive where the old wolf, his Father was waiting. Alpha King Zed still wore the white long-sleeve shirt tucked in the trousers, the one he wore at the ceremony. Zeina said that their Father was leaving to leave for the Villa an hour away from the Palace and she would like us to say goodbye. But I didn't expect to see him here, it's silly of me not to think about him saying goodbye to his Father too.

"Father? Are you sure about this? Maybe it's better if I go with you."

She runs towards the side of Mister Greyback and hugs her. "Zeina dear, I'm glad that you are here and you brought Althea along."

While he hugged her, his eyes smiled towards me. I smiled back at him refusing to acknowledge the presence of my husband the Alpha King. But I feel his eyes all over me and I wonder if my dress looks fine.

"Have a nice trip Mister Greyback, your majesty."

I bow my head and acknowledge him. The old wolf turns to me and smiles. "Thank you Althea and learn to call me Father from this day forward, you are a part of this family now. It is your destiny, you and my son may make more heirs to fill in the rooms of the Palace."

My eyes turned wide and I felt the burning of my cheeks.

"Oh, but that is."

I couldn't finish my words when I felt him move and now he is standing close to me. Then he cleared his throat.

"That's easy to do Father, but the question is can my wife bear as many children as the room of the Palace has?"

His voice is challenging and his words rang in my ears. The old wolf laugh sounded well and fun it meant to comfort me and the nervous feeling in my heart.

"Well, I don't think that's possible son. It was a humor to test if you like children, and now I am happy to hear that you are going to have them. The sooner would be the better, isn't it Althea?"

The old man smiled at me the same as Zeina who gave me a wink and I was too scared to turn my head and see where the Alpha King is looking.

"Oh, I ah that is if the Alpha King wants."

I lowered my head and felt him stare at me before turning towards his Father. "I think you need to leave now Father, let me have a chat with my wife about everything first before we jump to the conclusion."

The butler whom I noticed standing behind the car opened the passenger seat for the old man. "Yes you are right, I have to leave. You handle things your own from now son but you can call me when there are things that bother you and things that the Alpha King cannot decide alone."

"I'll be alright Father."

Zeina walked closer to the old man and held his arm before making him sit on the passenger's side.

"Goodbye Father, I will come and visit you soon."

We all watch the four-wheel drive move away from the parking and turn around to the large gates of the Palace. Zeins looks at me. "I'm gonna leave you to my brother now Althea."

I meet her gaze too nervous to turn my head beside me. "Yes, thank you for your company Zeina."

I gulp down a lump in my throat, I could remember to go back to my chambers alone since I didn't expect that he would walk back.

"I'm glad you and my sister are doing well together, although that is not a surprise since she is a friendly lady. But you and me? There is something I would like to clarify Althea.”

His voice changed. The tune turned from being normal while his Father and sister were here into being somewhat annoyed or irritable. I turned my head to the side where he was standing and there I met his gaze, they were like daggers and his lips were on a thin line. I wonder what made him go mad about me I surely didn't say anything that would make him angry like this.