The biting wind of the northern pack whipped around King Roan's fur-lined cloak, a stark contrast to the stifling rage that burned within him. A month. A mere month had passed since his forced marriage to Arin, daughter of Alpha Oswald, and he returned to the Mountain Peak Pack.
He entered the pack house, the grand hall echoing with the heavy thud of his boots, his presence a dark cloud that smothered the usual warmth. Alpha Oswald, his face alight with anticipation, had rushed forward, his eyes searching for his beloved daughter. But the joy in his expression quickly twisted into confusion.
"It is such a surprise to see you so soon." Alpha Oswald said and looked behind the king, hoping he had brought Arin with him. "Have you come with Arin?"
King Roan stared at the older man until he squirmed then he raised his hand in signal.
Arin was dragged into the hall by two of Roan's elite guards, her head bowed, her arms bound. Her once vibrant eyes were dull, her face pale and drawn. And most damningly, the subtle swell of her stomach was visible beneath her thick winter robes.
A choked gasp escaped Usera's lips and she raised her hands up to cover her gaping mouth.
"Arin!" Oswald cried, his voice laced with disbelief and fear. "What has happened to you?"
Roan's voice, cold and sharp as the mountain winds, cut through the stunned silence. "I have returned your whore of a daughter to you, Oswald."
The words hung in the air, heavy and venomous, shattering the fragile peace of the pack house. Oswald's face flushed crimson, his eyes blazing with a furious intensity. "Careful with what you say, because you are King you think you can insult me? What do you mean by this?" he demanded, his voice trembling with a barely contained rage.
"I am saying," Roan snarled, his voice dripping with contempt, "that your precious daughter has betrayed me. She has dared to carry another man's child beneath my roof."
Usera gasped once more while Oswald's eyes widened, his gaze shifting to Arin. He saw the shame in her bowed head, the silent confirmation of Roan's accusation. A wave of disbelief washed over him, followed by a surge of white-hot anger.
"This is impossible!" he roared, his voice echoing through the hall. "Arin would never…"
"Your daughter is right here, why don't we ask her." Roan asked nonchalantly. Oswald took one glance at his daughter's bowed head and could not bring himself to hear what her answer would be.
"Listen, we can discuss this." Oswald plead, "let's not make brash decisions."
Roan interrupted, his voice laced with a cold finality. "I have already stooped low by taking a wolfless werewolf as my mate. But she has further humiliated me by trying to pass off another man's bastard as my heir."
"It was your grandfather's wish to have you both…" Oswald began.
"You will use my grandfather to force my hand no more." Roan interrupted sharply.
He turned away, his back rigid, his shoulders tense. "I will not tolerate such treachery," he declared, his voice cutting through the silence like a blade. "She is no longer my mate. She is no longer welcome in my lands and you should be glad I did not have her beheaded for treason."
He strode towards the entrance, his movements swift and decisive, his rage propelling him forward. Oswald, his face a mask of fury and desperation, followed close behind.
"Your highness, wait!" he cried, his voice laced with a desperate plea. "You cannot do this! There must be some mistake, some explanation!"
Roan stopped at the door, his back still turned, his voice laced with a chilling indifference. "There is no mistake, Oswald," he said, his voice low and dangerous. "She has made her choice. Now, she must face the consequences."
He stepped out into the biting wind, his cloak billowing behind him, his figure silhouetted against the stark white landscape. Oswald, his eyes filled with a mixture of anger and despair, watched him go.
"King Roan!" he shouted, his voice echoing through the mountains. "You are making a terrible mistake! You are going to regret this!"
Roan didn't turn back. He didn't acknowledge Oswald's words. He simply walked away, his heart filled with a cold, unwavering resolve.
He had been betrayed, humiliated, and he would not tolerate it. He had been forced to give Arin a chance, a chance to prove herself worthy of his title, of his respect even though she was beneath him. But she had thrown it away, choosing to dishonor him, to betray his trust.
He had made a mistake by marrying her, by believing that she could be anything other than a pawn in her father's political ambitions. He had allowed his desire for peace, his need to appease the northern pack, to cloud his judgment.
He would not make that mistake again. He would not allow anyone to undermine his authority, to challenge his power. He would rule with an iron fist, and he would brook no dissent.
He would return to Valerius, to the Royal Citadel, where he was truly king. He would surround himself with his loyal warriors, with those who understood the true meaning of power. And he would forget about Arin, about her betrayal, about the mistake he had made.
He would focus on his duties, on his responsibilities, on his destiny. He would be the Alpha King that Aethelgard needed, the strong, unwavering leader that would guide them through the turbulent times ahead.
He would not allow anyone, not even his own emotions, to distract him from his purpose. He was Roan, the Alpha King, and he would not be denied.
Meanwhile, Oswald stood at the doorway, his eyes fixed on Roan's retreating figure. He felt a wave of despair, a sense of utter helplessness. It was a bad sign that Arin had been returned to him just a month after going to the king, but he would not give up without a fight. King Roan would not be allowed to commit this injustice on Arin