The Alpha Slave

d. Lines' roar echoed off the polished stone walls, resonating with the power of his position. The flickering light from

e intensity of someone who had fought for power and honor for too long, pierced through Lexion, daring him to challenge his

speration. He was not a boy to be commanded, not a son to be easily directed. His mind was sharp, a

not bow to this demand. "There is no connection, no link, and you know it. You know I can choose any of them if they are not compa

tepped forward, the weight of her position as the Mother Queen clear in every movement. Her soft, melodic voic

our glamour will dissipate. What will we have left to honor or protect then, my son?" Her eyes soft

fear for the future, pressed down on him like a physical force. But he would not be so easily swayed. Not by th

ough still carrying the weight of authority. "You have a choice. If

ls. A word used by their people for the most controversial of unions, the most controversial of choices. Femils were the outcasts, the ones not ch

the Alpha King! He will choose the prospect of the Glaring tribe. They are fierce and will produce strong Kits! Kits worth

ng himself between the two figures, his posture firm, yet

arp, but measured. "Mother Queen, we will examine and consider all entries and make

m fell

n her ever-composed exterior, a hint of disbelief. Lines, on the other hand, stared at his son with a mix of anger and disbel

hough the challenge in his voice seeme

r our future. The Glaring tribe may be fierce, but we are not to be ruled by strength alone. And if the femi

room was holding its breath, waiting for a verdict, for the inevitable next

hough she were weighing her son's words with great care. It was the first time in years that Lexio

between the three of them. He did not speak, but his gaze seemed to suggest that wha

long breath, his shoulders sagging slightly. His v

ords were foreign to him. "But remember: the power of our people is not to

new the weight of his decision. But for once, he would not bow to the whims of t

ice resolute, as he turned away from his par

ority they wielded, but neither seemed willing to linger in the tension they had created. The door slid shut behind them with a finality t

d, the silence seemed to press in fro

uette against the dim light from the twin moons, and his golden eyes glinted with a mixture of concern and frustrati

bond mate and the doorway his parents had just exited. He was used to Xiamen

contained. "We will choose by then?!" His hands were still clenched, the tension in his body evident

with calm determination. The weight of the future was pressing down on him more than e

red quietly, his tone calm but resolute. His eyes didn't leave Xiamen's, and f

t or hesitation. Finding none, he let out a breath, his frustration

selection by the next Lunar light," Lexion continued, his words slow and del

ltimate decision, one that could tear apart what was left of their balance. The thought of it made Xiamen's stomach c

rrangements. The clans will not be pleased, but they will obey." He hesitated, then met Lexion's gaze

rtainty there, a quiet acknowledgment of just how monumental this decision was. But there was so

n. We have no choice. Ou

e forged in years of loyalty, shared purpose and something more. They had faced battles together,

ough the concern didn't leave his eyes. "I will send th

e paused before exiting, casting one last glance over his shoulder at X

resolute. "The next Lunar light is our deadline. Make sure

atically answered, already

on't forget ab

Every decision now weighed heavy on his shoulders-his people's future, his family's future, and the

e complexity of their situation. But soon enough, he turned and mo

he search for their third was