Twice Rejected
Chapter 22

Alpha Niyol

I woke up rather late, this morning. I didn’t know why, but seeing Laci last night lifted my spirits. I felt alive and… a little happy. Though I was literally trying to live happily.

I received a mind-link from my Beta that he was waiting for me in the throne room. I almost forgot I asked to see him this morning.

I quickly freshen up and put on hunting apparel. I mind-linked him to meet me up close to the border where I usually go hunting.

“Are you going alone? What about the guards?” My beta asked through the mindlink.

“Chester, what do you mean by alone? Aren’t you my beta? What is the use of having to rely on others to protect me?” I threw the words at him.

“I am sorry Alpha, but your safety is of utmost importance. Please allow me to place some guards around. They won’t have to show themselves. Even though the war had subsided a lot, there is still need for caution.” Chester replied.

Well, I had no way to argue with him. Even if I did, he would still put them secretly with or without my permission. I started walking towards the palace gates.

“Whatever, but I don’t want them anywhere near me. I need to discuss something with you. It’s very important and you know mind-link isn’t too safe. Anyone can tap in by mistake.” I accepted his bargain.

“Alright, Alpha. But I will be waiting for you at the palace gate since I am already at the palace.” Chester replied.

I knew it wasn’t because of that reason. I knew he just doesn’t want me to go alone.

“You are becoming quite adamant recently, aren’t you?” I threw jokingly at him.

“Sorry, Alpha. But may I say I am suggesting as a friend? I just want to stay by my friend as usual.” Chester replied laughing.

“Such sweet words! It’s a surprise you are not a womanizer or have I missed something these two years?” I asked him back. I was already behind him.

“You know my two mottos in life is being loyal to you and faithful to my mate when I finally meet her.” Chester responded unaware of my presence but I think he smelled my scent.

“Cheeky brat!” I called out as I got closer to the gate. I could see his bright smile.

Somehow I missed a lot of things these few years of my mourning, but I didn’t regret it. I was happy I could show Erika how much I missed having her in my life. I knew some things won’t come back to you, but they could still be treasured, right?

“Your majesty,” Chester bowed to me.

“Let’s go…” I told him.

I didn’t want to hurry. I wanted to savor the moment and the fresh morning air. I inhaled deeply taking in the scent of the flowers around me. Erika loved flowers and she made sure to decorate in and out of the palace with every single flower of her liking.

As I inhaled the scent, I felt her presence around me. I knew I would definitely scale through whatever I am passing through.

“Isn’t today lovely, Chester?” I asked, smiling.

My Beta must have been taken aback as he stared at my smile in surprise. He nodded as he looked away and tried to hide the drop of tear coming from his eyes. I guess I should take it slow in my emotions.

It must have been too long since they saw me happy. I had the same impression of myself. It had been too long. I saw myself happy or rather, I felt myself being happy.

“It’s lovely, Alpha Niyol. It’s lovely to see your smile after two years. I thank the Moon goddess.”

I smiled bitterly inside. I just wanted them to feel at ease. I don’t want them mourning with me anymore. Though I still couldn’t remove the hurt and pains of losing the person I loves the most, I had decided not to influence anyone with my sadness.

I decided to mourn her alone.

Slowly, we got to the hunting ground. I sat down on a huge tree looking at the sky. It was bright and sunny just like how my life was before Erika died.

I turned to Chester with a smile.”You know something, Chester. This tree reminded me of the day I proposed to Erika. That was before we became mates. I was already in love with her before the goddess paired us.”

“You must be wondering that even though I had been in grief these past few years, I had always visited this tree. That was because Erika accepted right here before we even became mates.”

“Erika and I always came here for training and sometimes hunting, from the first time we shifted into our wolves. We met two days earlier right here, before our mating ceremony. I had confessed to her that I loved her.”

“I even planned on rejecting anyone other than her as my mate. The only thing she did was peck me on my cheek and said that she trusts the judgement of the Moon goddess. I was angered inside that she might leave me if I wasn’t her mate, but I didn’t show it to her.”

“You could imagine my joy on that day when my wolf called out to her as my mate. I was overjoyed. We were overjoyed, not knowing what the goddess had in store for us.”

“Maybe the goddess decided to punish me because of my lack of trust in her, or perhaps she knew I would against her will. I don’t know which one it was, but I am really broken.”

I couldn’t stop my tears from flowing. I wasn’t ashamed to say all of these and somehow my heart seemed less burdened. I wiped the tears off my face and smiled at Chester’s sad face.

“Wipe out that scary face, dude. You know you aren’t as handsome as I am. You might scare me away.” I said and we both bursted out laughing.

“Thanks for sharing your innermost secret with me. I hope you will give your heart a chance once more. The goddess might be pleased and give you a second chance.” Chester replied.

“I doubt that, my friend. Even if I was given a second chance, I don’t know if my heart would be willing to love again.”

“You wouldn’t know if you don’t try right? Just give it a try if the chance comes. I believe even Erika would want that from you.”

I just smiled at his words.

Perhaps… or perhaps not, all I wanted now was to protect my kingdom. Nothing else mattered.

“I have decided to give the Elders and my people an heir.” I suddenly said to Chester.

“Really? Thank the heavens! So who is the lucky person that would produce the heir?” Chester asked excitedly.

“He had already been produced. I want to make my sister’s son the Crown Prince once he clocks one year in six months time.” I said.

“What!”

I saw Chester’s eyes filled with horror as he looked like he didn’t understand what I just said.

Yeah. I was going to give them an heir…. though he won’t be coming from my loins.

I knew Chester would be surprised, but wasn’t his expression was a little over the top? I just didn’t want to get married again and since I was the only male in my family, I had the right to choose any of the Royal b***d as my heir.

“Don’t tell me you are serious, Niyol?” Chester asked.

“Would I say something so important if I wasn’t serious? Snap out of it man. It’s a normal routine if I don’t have an heir.”

“That is if you are unable to have an heir, Niyol. This is not a joke!” I could see Chester was losing it. Was it that bad?

“This isn’t a joke. And why do you have that f*****g expression on your face? Is there something I need to know?” I asked.

“I beg you to reconsider your decision. Making one’s kin a next in line is a very sensitive issue. There are many things that might come from it. I am not saying your sister has a malicious mind, but what about her husband? What about others that are eyeing the throne? You will be putting that boy in danger!”

“How would he be in danger? He would just be the Crown Prince.” I said.

“I know, your majesty. I understand your point, but announcing that child as your chosen heir is automatically stating that power has been shifted from your hand and your family. Those who are loyal to the Gamma’s family might replace ways for a coup against you.”

I really didn’t think too far into what my beta just analysed for me. I guess there were so many things I missed during my mourning years. I had been focused on going to battles in order to alleviate my sorrows. I hadn’t paid much attention to the activities inside my pack.

“Chester, be honest with me. Is there something I need to know about Gamma Vince?” I asked him.

“Yes, Alpha. Actually, there is nothing sneaky about Gamma Vince or your sister. But the same thing cannot be said about his uncle. You know Vince was raised by his uncle and his wife after the death of his parents. His uncle is amongst the council of Elders.”

“Infact, he is among the people rooting for you to produce an heir. I have been watching him lately and it seems he wants to buy the minds of some of the Elders. Though I am not too sure yet, but his character is questionable.”

I heaved a deep breath at Chester’s explanation.” You mean if I make Laci’s son as my heir apparent, it would give him the leverage to plan my dismissal?”

“Not just dismissal, he would most likely plan your death with a coup or an accidental assassination. He might even make it suicidal. Everyone knows you are still mourning.” Chester replied.

“What I don’t understand is, how is he so sure I won’t get another Luna? Or that I might not have a son from another woman?”

“That is where I am not too clear about.” Chester responded.

“I want you to conduct a thorough investigation on Vince’s uncle. I feel there is something we are missing here. Something very important, though I can’t place my hand on it.”

“I will definitely do that.” Chester said.

So what’s your suggestion? I can’t keep the elders waiting.”

“If I may be so bold, I would suggest you take another chosen Luna.”

“You know that’s impossible. I can barely forget my guilt towards Erika’s death and now I should disregard her and make another woman Luna?” I vehemently refused.

“That’s the only solution. But you might buy time for now by giving them a set date to take the woman.”

“I don’t get you, Chester. Speak in a language I can understand, dude.” I was getting frustrated by his word arrangement.

“What I meant was that why don’t you tell the elders you agree on getting another Luna, but they have to give you a duration of six months to replace yourself a worthy woman. I bet the elders would not have an issue with that.” Chester explained.

“That’s a good idea. And for that period of time, I might be able to come up with a solid plan.” I replied.

“Exactly, Alpha. By then, we might have also found a way to pluck out Vince’s uncle’s wings. It might be safe then to announce your nephew as heir apparent if you still choose to remain celibate.” Chester said.

“It’s a good idea.” I nodded in satisfaction.

“Yeah, it’s a good idea, but I hope you can stick to celibacy. The female omegas now are damn hot, Niyol.” Chester grinned.

“Brat! I bet you had a fair share of them these past two years. I never knew you were a womanizer!” I scolded him.

“I never knew too, Niyol. You are just telling me.” He replied laughing.

“I don’t know why you still remain without a mate all these years? Is it that you don’t have a mate or are you waiting for someone?” I asked him.

“Who could I be waiting for except a mate chosen by the goddess herself! I am still waiting for her mercy.” Chester said pitifully.

“Why do I have the feeling that you don’t look like it at all?”

“I don’t understand, your majesty.” Chester feigned ignorance.

“I can see you are busy enjoying all the omegas and you are just too excited of being single.”

“What do I do? It’s boring being single. I have to create my own fun, you know.”

“By dilly dallying with women?”

“Not at all. Honestly I am still an untouched virgin. I am solely waiting for my mate.” Chester said with a chuckle.

“You shameless brat!” I scolded him, picking up a stick nearby to hit him.

Chester immediately got up from where he sat close to me and made for the run, laughing heartily.

I really did miss our days over the past two years. I just hoped I can be more open from now on.

After running around for a while, we slumped to the ground feeling exhausted. I was panting heavily like someone who just ran a marathon race.

“Let’s hit the brothel tonight. I will disguise myself.” I told Chester.

“Aww… are you finally ready to shed off the celibacy skin?” Chester said.

“Shut the f**k up! We are going there for something else.”

“What else can we do in a brothel than get down with hot omegas?” Chester asked.

Sometimes I do wish to knock some sense into Chester’s thick skull. Why would I go for a whore when I don’t want to have anything to do with a woman. I just want to replace out something about Vince’s uncle.

But that thick head would only think about women! I rolled my eyes at him before standing up from the ground.

“We need to replace some dirt on Vince’s uncle. What better way than a brothel? Lots of gossips are rampant there.”

“Oh that! And here I am thinking we were going to get it hot tonight.” Chester said in a disappointed tone.

I just shook my head at him. I hope we replace anything that could hold Vince’s uncle.

I hate traitors in my kingdom.