The Alpha Princess

As I stride down the hallway, the click of my heels echoes off the tiled floor. The people I pass lower their heads, avoiding my gaze.

I can’t say I blame them. I’ve earned a reputation that makes them nervous. Confidence radiates from me, making even the most dominant alpha hesitate.

My presence here is also a surprise to most. I’m not often seen in these parts. It’s been this way since my eighteenth birthday—a day I’ll never forget.

The double doors bang loudly when I push them open, much to my annoyance. I prefer to make a quiet entrance. That way, I can slip out unnoticed after I’ve discovered why I’ve been summoned.

Three of the five men seated at the table flinch at my entrance.

My father and a guest remain unfazed, while my brother’s sapphire eyes fix on me, his face expressionless aside from his glare. Xander seems upset; I guess he doesn’t appreciate being unsettled in front of our guests.

“You need to fix that door,” I tell my father.

He shakes his head, a small smile playing on his lips, his silver curls bouncing with amusement, and gestures for me to take the empty seat next to Xander. This places me between him and my father’s beta—Zeke.

Zeke is my age. He has golden hair and lively hazel eyes. His full lips fit perfectly on his stern face. Zeke is also my brother’s best friend.

My brother pulls my chair closer to him, catching me off guard. I give him a questioning look from behind my dark hair but feel a hard gaze on me, prompting me to look across the table.

I can tell he’s trying to assert his dominance. I know this because every male in the room is baring their neck in submission.

Xander nudges my wrist, prompting me to roll my eyes and bare my neck in respect. There are few people in this world who can make my father submit, and it’s best not to anger them.

Once the man relaxes and his eyes turn a warm gold, my father straightens, signaling that we can do the same. “I apologize for my daughter’s late arrival,” he says. “Her flight was delayed, and she came straight here from the airport.”

The man looks me over critically. “This is what you wear on an airplane?”

“I actually wore sweats,” I reply. “I changed in the back of the limo. My father insisted I dress up for today’s meeting.” I extend my hand. “My name is Celina, first daughter of the alpha king.”

At the mention of my title, the final man across from me acknowledges me. He absentmindedly runs a hand through his copper curls and straightens, golden eyes wide as they take me in.

Unexpectedly, he takes the hand I’m offering to his neighbor, but instead of shaking it, he kisses it.

I keep my face neutral as he releases me. This isn’t an unusual reaction. Being the alpha’s daughter has its perks. One of them is emitting a pheromone that makes all men desire me. This increases my chances of being bred.

It’s also a huge pain in the ass for that very reason.

The man who kissed my hand speaks. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Celina. I am the Lycan King Exzecial. This is my second son, Prince Ruben. My other son, Christopher, should be joining us.”

I nod, slightly baring my neck as is customary. “The pleasure is mine, King Exzecial.”

My father clears his throat, always uncomfortable with the attention I attract. “Celina, what have you discovered?”

Following his lead, I pull out my phone and hand it to my father. “Forgive the lack of professionalism—I put this together on the plane,” I say.

“There have been significant attacks on the isolated packs on the southern borders of the US, mostly concentrated near the shorelines. I’ve found evidence of lycan involvement.” My eyes flit to Exzecial.

“The inner-city packs seem to be attacked only during full moons, mostly when they’re out running. These wolves are almost never in groups of three or more when they’re attacked. The rural towns are taken down seconds after their calls for help.

“The attacks in the northern parts are less frequent but more brutal. Even the inner-city packs are wiped out before help can arrive. I suspect these attacks are more lycan-based than the southern ones.”

I swipe the screen to a photo and hand it to the lycan king before he can speak. “Each attack is ruthless, destructive, and leaves no survivors. That’s something I can’t say for our southern packmates.

“I’ve made the local werewolf authorities aware of the attacks. They’ll work with the higher human authorities to keep the attacks hidden and give them time to prepare if the attacks spill into human society. It seems unlikely, but with how gruesome these attacks are, it’s best they’re made aware.”

King Exzecial flips through the pictures quickly. “I don’t like this,” he says, handing the phone to his son. “Looking at the damage, I’d say your assessment is correct.” He looks me over again, assessing me. “Isn’t this job better suited for the king’s gamma?”

“Gamma Lucious is in recovery at the moment, so I’m temporarily covering his duties,” I explain, taking my phone back from Ruben. He winks at me, which I ignore. “I also sent these pictures to your phone, Father.”

The lycan king tilts his head. “I wasn’t aware of any attacks on His Majesty.”

My father smirks and looks away, leaving me to answer. I give my father a slightly annoyed look before responding.

“I was the reason for his unexpected stay in the infirmary, so it’s only natural that I assume his role until he’s recovered.”

I shrug like it’s no big deal before addressing my father. “I’ve already sent two armies toward southeast Texas. That’s where I believe one of the hideouts is.”

“There have been no attacks in southeast Texas,” Exzecial challenges.

I lock eyes with him. “Exactly. Everywhere else has been attacked, so why not there? They’re trying not to draw attention to themselves.”

My father nods approvingly, while my eyes remain locked with the lycan king. He looks away first, turning to my father.

“Is your daughter always this…challenging?”

My dad beams with pride. “She wouldn’t be the daughter of an alpha if she wasn’t. I’ll keep you posted, Celina.”

Xander steps in. “I’ll make sure our men are prepared for any survivors.”

“Get them ready. King Exzecial, feel free to lend as much support as you see fit,” my father says just as his phone buzzes. He glances at it. “Ah, it appears your eldest son has just arrived.”

“Have him come straight here,” Exzecial says. “Our wives are still discussing the Moonlit Ball, so I’ll hold off on interrupting them.”

Sounds outdated, right? This is my last year of the ridiculous tradition, but I’ll always be tied to that damn ball—courtesy of my family.

My father grins. “I heard your family will be attending this year. Will your sons be participating?”

Exzecial returns the smirk. “Ruben and Christopher will be at the ball, but neither plans to participate in the Claiming.”

I breathe a silent sigh of relief. Werewolves I can handle. Lycans, however, are a whole different story.

It’s rare for lycans to find their gifted mates, so they usually choose a lycan mate. Still, it’s not unheard of for them to participate in the Claiming. I don’t care if they want to participate next year, just not this year.

My father nods. “I’m sure there will be a few disappointed she-wolves, if that is the case. But I believe you’re giving all the males a good night’s sleep.”

Exzecial turns to my brother. “And your family?”

“My two youngest have found their mates,” my father replies. “Xander is the only one who hasn’t, and he will be participating this year, along with Celina.”

That piques the lycan king’s interest. “I thought Xander was the only one without a mate. Why is she participating?”

I speak up before anyone else can. “To be mated requires my mate to be alive.”

Every male in the room tenses as I rise, seizing the chance to leave. I stand and look at them. “Given the current topic, I must excuse myself.”

“Celina, I do wish you would stay,” King Exzecial says quickly.

I halt but keep my gaze set toward the table. He’s not commanding me, but it would be seen as extremely disrespectful for the alpha princess to reject the lycan king’s request. It could even be grounds for war.

I doubt that would be the outcome if I were to refuse, but I’m not one to risk my father’s disapproval. One word from him, and I’m stuck as alpha queen.

“What more do you need from me, my lord?” I ask, my voice sounding empty.

“I want to know what happened to your mate.”

My fists tighten involuntarily as he tries to use his aura to force me to speak. “Why do you want to know?” I ask softly, my gaze now fixed on the door.

“I like to know everything I can about the people I’m working with.”

Working with? The lycan king is usually one step above my father. Does this mean he’s interested in helping my father sort out this mess?

My father’s duty primarily revolves around werewolves. Exzecial’s duties involve both werewolf property disputes and everything you can think of with lycans. The lycan king must feel that these attacks infringe on his duties.

Despite this realization, I wish I didn’t have to share this information. A mate’s death is personal, and it’s never forgotten. But this is a king that I can’t say no to.

After taking a deep breath to compose myself, I finally turn my attention to him—and only him. My brother and father are noticeably silent.

“On our eighteenth birthday, Xander and I shifted for the first time. We were running, learning more about border patrol, and getting to know our wolves.

“We had been shifted less than five minutes when we were pulled apart to start our training. Beta Logan was teaching me how to shift quickly in and out of wolf form. Xander went with Gamma Lucious.

“An hour into our training, we got a call about rogues. Beta Logan tried to get me to safety, but we were attacked by two wolves and one lycan. I took care of the wolves while Beta Logan went after the lycan.

“After I had taken down the two male wolves, I turned around to see…” I pause to steel myself. “The most beautiful set of silver eyes I had ever seen biting into Beta Logan’s neck. He…smelled of rain and redwood.”

Just the memory of it is enough to make my mouth water and my heart ache. “My senses were overwhelmed by his scent and the sheer horror. I almost faltered in my shift as my wolf cried out for her mate.

“But the sight of Beta Logan’s blood”—I start unbuttoning my long business suit jacket—“was enough to pull my senses over my wolf’s. I lunged at my mate’s throat, and we both locked onto each other’s necks; his was to mark me, and mine was for blood.

“He was a lycan, and I couldn’t overpower him. I was a first-time shifter and still untrained. At that moment, I was losing, and the only thing fueling me was anger.

“I managed to wriggle free but”—I drop my jacket to reveal the long claw marks surrounding my shoulder—“I wasn’t fast enough. He pinned me down and bit into my neck.”

I brush my hair aside, revealing the faint marks there. “While he was enjoying his teeth in my mark, my eyes were locked with Logan’s. He was already dead. It gave me the strength I needed to shift.

“I returned to my human form and shifted my hand to a claw. While he was distracted, I ripped out his throat, then broke his neck when he let go of me.”

The room falls silent. The lycan king appears speechless, so I finish his thought for him.

“Yes, King Exzecial, I was the one to kill my own mate.” I pull my jacket back on. “Now, if it pleases you, I wish to retire and recover from my long flight.”

My father looks disappointed but gives a slight nod. “Please, let your mother know you’re home, Celina.”

I nod, tilt my head slightly to expose my neck, and then exit the suddenly quiet and solemn room.

As I walk away, I hear my father apologizing for my abrupt nature. I’m not—and will never be—in the mood to discuss my heartbreak.

It’s well known in the werewolf world that I’m considered cursed. Every person I’ve ever loved has met a terrible end. It’s one of the main reasons I choose to be alone.

But, being a she-wolf, that’s easier said than done.

“Celina!” A voice shrieks.