Chapter 42

Twirling around I arched my back trying to get a good look to ensure the dress didn't have any embarrassing wrinkles, or god forbid rips in the back. The dress had been hanging in the closet for a while, and since I refused to allow Alaricus to get me another while I had countless I hadn't worn yet, I needed to ensure there was nothing wrong with it. The last thing a human mate like myself needed was to go out in front of many Alphas who'd look down at her while mis-dressed. Turning back around I smoothed the dress down from my waist, my fingers slipping over the soft satin of the dress and I revelled in the smoothness of it. I hoped my bold choice of a rich red coloured gown was appropriate.

"You look beautiful." His warm velvety voice sounded from the door. I looked up at him through the reflection of the mirror. My heart rate picking up in my chest and I whirled around to get a better look.

Alaricus looked like a true king, dressed in an all black three piece suit, tailored so finely it seemed to be stitched while on him. His raven hair styled back neatly but absolutely no gel appeared to be present, just the way I liked it. A man's hair should make you want to rake your fingers through it without getting gel in your nails. There was something a little different about him today, I could sense it even with the distance between us. Something almost darker, more powerful. Normally Alaricus was very genuine and affectionate but there was nothing casual about the man who stood in my door.

Grabbing the rose flower head from my dresser I made my way towards him, getting on my tiptoes I placed my hand on his chest to steady myself. A small smile coming to my lips as I heard his breath hitch, looking up to find his honey eyes gazing down at me intensely. I placed my palm flat towards the right of his broad chest feeling his heart pump rapidly under my touch, quicker than the soothing rhythm to which I fell asleep every night.

I tucked the flower into his pocket carefully keeping my gaze locked on his, satisfied that we now matched at least a little.

"You truly look like an angel." Alaricus whispers huskily.

"And you look like my king." I say making that adorable dimple appear on his cheek as he grins at me, his honey eyes glinting possessively as he wraps his arm around my waist pulling me to him tightly.

Alaricus' eyes fell to my red painted lips making my breathing laboured as he leaned down slowly, capturing my mouth with his own. There was a certain domination, a possessiveness to his kiss, but there was nothing suffocating about it, the way he kissed me was exhilarating. A king's desire for his queen rising to surface.

My toes curled against the hardwood of the floor as I melted into his embrace, matching his passion with my own. I move my lips against his, nudging my nose against his playfully as I feel his hands clench onto my waist, but even in his passion he's careful not to hurt me. The kiss was getting too deep, and we didn't have time at the moment. Curling my hand into the nape of his hair, I hold his head steady as I move my mouth away from his, my subconsciously closed eyes opening to see him jutting out his lips, looking for mine. I peck them lightly before tapping his hands that are on my waist.

"Our guests have surely started arriving, and it's time we go down to receive them." I say to Alaricus and he frowns but nods making a strand of his hair fall out of place and onto his forehead. Reaching up I tuck it back into place, fixing his hair with my fingers and he leans into my touch.

"Stand straight." I scold him making him smile.

"I think my suit's a little crumpled too." Alaricus says and I run my hands over his blazers surface, straightening it out for him tugging at the ends of it to make it sit right again.

"My face?" Alaricus says leaning down towards me and I narrow my eyes at him.

"You just want me to touch you don't you?" I ask and he nods with a childish grin making me laugh, leaning up I press a soft kiss to his stubble covered cheek.

"Perfect." I whisper against his skin hearing him swallow thickly.

"Are you alright?" I ask him absentmindedly smoothing out his already perfectly smooth collar. Alaricus wraps both arms around my waist tightly, holding me closely to his chest.

"Just stay by my side tonight, Eros is more restless than usual, we can't stop thinking of the last time we were in power. But you keep me grounded angel, so I'm really going to need you tonight." Alaricus says to me.

"It probably won't come to you needing to accept your position as king, many of them are related to humans by mating bonds, they'll understand." I say.

"Your optimism is admirable, but I know those Alphas well, I know the world I've created well. I hope it won't come to that, I fear what you will hear and see, but if this is what you want, you will have it. There's nothing I wouldn't do for my angel." Alaricus mutters darkly. There was a time when his love frightened me, when this passion suffocated me, but now it lit me up from the inside. It gave my own heart a reason to keep beating.

"Thank you, I know you're doing this for me despite how much you don't want to, and I want you to know I'm very grateful." I tell him, and Alaricus nods solemnly.

"How are you doing?" Alaricus asks me, one of his hands tenderly playing with the dark chocolate curls that fall down my back.

"I'm fine, I promise." I tell him and he presses a soft kiss to my forehead making my eyes fall shut.

"Lets go, Alpha Khan and his mate have arrived, I know you were looking forward to meeting her." Alaricus says and I nod.

"After you." He mumbles chivalrously, bowing slightly as he allows me to walk past him.

"My shoes." I mumble turning around immediately, hitting straight into Alaricus' chest. I rub my nose pouting as he looks down at me in bewilderment. Resting my other hand on his chest and his eyes fly down to it immediately, a soft smirk coming on his face that makes me mentally face palm.

"Are you trying to make me change my mind about this meeting angel?" Alaricus asks draping his arm over my shoulders to keep me pressed against his chest.

"No, I forgot my shoes." I tell him and he shakes his head as he looks down to see my bare feet, looking dejected. Horny wolf.

"I'll grab your heels for you." Alaricus says darting into my room and coming out just a moment later, my heels hanging off the tips of his long fingers. Bending down on one knee Alaricus holds one of them before my foot. Placing my hand on his shoulder, I slip my foot into the heel, before doing the same with the other. Alaricus grabs ahold of my hand, pressing a soft kiss to the palm of it, inhaling it deeply, startling me but I stay quiet as he stands back up. He was a werewolf so to an extent he always had a primal side, but it had been a while since I'd seen him act so inhumanly primitive.

We walk down the stairs, Alaricus' arm wrapped around my waist and he holds me close to him, his relaxed stance stiffening as we reach the bottom of the foyer. The palace staff had showed the Alphas and their mates into the grande ballroom they'd decorated just for the occasion. But I could make out the noise of their chatter even with my human senses from here. We walked towards the ballroom, silence enveloping the large room as we stepped in.

"Welcome to our home, thank you for joining us on such short notice, I hope your travels were comfortable. My mate and I are honoured to have you all here." Alaricus says stiffly his voice resonating in the silence.

"If you all would take your seats, Alaricus and I wish for you to dine with us before we begin the meeting." I say, receiving a few smiles from Alphas, and a few waves from the mates I'd spoken to during the last meeting. After careful contemplation we'd decided we'd have more of a help yourself dining style to keep the atmosphere more calm and comfortable. The last thing we wanted was the Alpha couples to be in a stern mood, we'd rather they loosen up, and think this to be a more casual meeting. Of course the serving style wouldn't fool the Alphas but the little details would help.

Alaricus grabs onto my hand, leading me to our place at the head of the table. The long table had assigned seating and as I look at the large brooding man that sits a seat down from me, I know immediately that it is Alpha Khan. He grips the hand of the tall tan woman seated between us, who tries to get her hand out of his grip but to no avail. She digs her nail into his palm and he reluctantly lets go of her hand sulkily. There's a thick tension between the couple that suggests they haven't gotten over a fight, or from what I've heard of the couple, they haven't gotten a moment of peace from all the fighting.

Surely knowing I wished to meet her, Alaricus had purposely placed her beside me. Beside Alaricus sits Alpha Lily and her mate, a slim green eyed boy who I'd gotten along well with during the last meeting. Like me, he too was quite young, only two years older than me unlike the other mates who were at least in their late twenties.

"We haven't met, my name is Amara." I say to the girl sitting beside me making her cease her hateful glaring at her mate as she turns towards me. The blank look on her face was a tad bit nerve wracking but I refused to turn away.

"Nice to meet you, I'm Nicole, and this giant is Adam Khan." She tells me, and he mumbles a quiet greeting to me, keeping his gaze trained on his plate.

"Will you be staying with us tonight?" I ask smiling.

"Of course." Nicole says at the same time as her mate grumbles out a no.

"I want to stay here." Nicole says to her mate and he shakes his head.

"You weren't going to get any regardless of where we are, so why does it matter?" Nicole asks her mate making my eyes widen and I glance at Alaricus from the corner of my eye, and although he converses with Alpha Lily, the amusement in his eyes tells me he's listening.

"Do not discuss our personal life in public." Alpha Khan scolds his mate, and she gives him a flat look.

"Forgive me grandma." She says sarcastically and he clenches his jaw tightly in anger, the metal fork in his grasp bending until it's handle is pressed to the tips of the fork.

"Catherine could you grab Alpha Khan another fork please?" I ask as she passes by, and she nods immediately, scurrying to the kitchen to grab him a fork.

"Please help yourselves." Alaricus says as the servers finish placing the lasts of the dishes onto the table. The smell of the food wafting to me making my mouth water in anticipation.

"Shall I serve you some?" Alaricus asks as he notices me eyeing the roasted duck. I always had trouble cutting myself a piece of any type of meat, and I didn't particularly want to struggle in front of everyone. I nod sheepishly and Alaricus gives me a charming smile, cutting a piece of it off with ease, and placing it in my plate, covering it with some cranberry sauce.

"Thank you." I mumble to him, and he presses  a kiss to the side of my head, before leaning forward to serve himself some of the rosé seafood pasta. I pour some for myself as well, grimacing as I see a scallop. Picking it up I hold it out to Alaricus and he leans forward, eating it directly from my fingers before we both go back to our food. I look up from my plate only to see everyone staring at us silently, startled I drop my fork, alerting Alaricus and he too looks up.

"Eat." Alaricus commands them, glaring at those who stare at me, angered at how they're making me uncomfortable. The Alphas and their mates immediately begin eating what's in their plates, those who's plates are empty help themselves to anything that they see before them.

"Amara it's so good to see you again." Nathan says to me gently and I smile at him.

"You as well. How's your sister doing?" I ask him, last time we'd met, he'd told me about his sister who had been in an accident but was to undergo a surgical procedure.

"She's much better now, she was honoured to hear of your concern." Nathan says making my cheeks colour.

"No wonder Sire Knight adores you, you're adorable." Nicole mumbles from beside me.

"She is isn't she? She reminds me so of my sister." Nathan says smiling at me.

"There are few things that don't remind you of your sister. Did you not point to a flower on your way here and say that too reminded you of your sister?" Alpha Lily chimes in.

"Sisters are very special." Alaricus adds a faraway look in his eye, surely he was remembering his own little sister. Of course I'd never seen them together, but the way he spoke of her told me she had meant the world to him. Placing my hand over his I squeeze it reassuringly and he turns to face me, all traces of amusement having left his face. To others he'd seem blank, closed off, but I can see the sorrow in his eyes in the way they've darkened.

"My sister loves seafood pasta." Nathan says not having noticed Alaricus' mood.

"I'll have some packed for you to take to her." I tell him.

"No please I couldn't." Nathan says immediately.

"I insist, it's for your sister, you can't refuse what's not for you." I tell him and he chuckles nodding. Alpha Lily leans towards him pressing a tender kiss to his cheek, her blue eyes softening in adoration as she looks at her happy mate. Alpha Lily drapes her arm around her mate's chair protectively, as if physically attempting to contain his happiness inside of him. Alpha Lily was a cold, intimidating, beautiful woman, but it was very clear how much she loved her mate.

"Could you pass me a roll?" Alpha Khan asks his mate clearly longing for some affection after seeing the couples around him being affectionate with one another.

"It's in the middle between us, grab it yourself." Nicole tells him too concentrated on her steak to pay her seething mate any mind.

"I'll cut your steak for you." He offers immediately grabbing her knife from her and she closes her eyes in annoyance but holds her tongue. Seeing her reaction the Alpha cuts a bit too aggressively, cutting straight through the plate in his anger, and it breaks beneath his force. A small piece of the ceramic flying past his mates hand leaving a small scrape at the side of it.

Hissing Nicole stands up, pulling away roughly when Alpha Khan reaches out for her.

"Don't touch me." She seethes angrily marching out of the ballroom. Getting up I

press my hand to Alaricus' shoulder to alert him I'm leaving, before I make my way after her.

"Nicole." I call and she whirls around to face me, her shoulders relaxing as she sees it's me.

"Come I'll get you a bandaid." I say grabbing ahold of her other wrist and leading her to the nearest washroom.

I open up the bottom cabinet, pulling out a small first aid box, clicking it open and grabbing a small bandaid. I turn to face her, my eyes widening in panic as I see a tear stream down her hollowed tan cheek. Looking at her closely now, although she was strong boned with muscle definition, she looked a bit on the thin side. The type of thin people become when too stressed or depressed to eat.

The realization made me swallow thickly, in the beginning I'd begun to sunk into a depression, but soon after getting to know Alaricus, and beginning to fall in love with him I'd begun to recover. Soon the palace began to felt like home and I was no longer depressed, but quite satisfied with how things were going. I couldn't imagine what it was like to be living like that for years, that short period in the beginning of our relationship had been hell. Alaricus was easy to comfort because my presence calmed him, but when it came to others I was horrible at comforting them.

"W-what's wrong?" I stutter out. Surely it wasn't the cut, she definitely looked like someone with a high pain tolerance. It was the way she held herself, like a warrior, always on the defence.

"I can't believe I'm crying in front of you, I just met you. I'm not usually like this, I'm sorry." She says swiping his hand over her cheeks, only for more tears to trail down.

"I just can't take it anymore. I hate seeing couples like you and Nathan's, you guys are actually in love with your mates. They in turn love you, he doesn't love me, he just wants to own me. I'm so sick of it." She says tiredly, and my brows furrow as I stare at her silently.

Stepping forward I grip her hand softly, placing the bandaid on it.

"I hated Alaricus in the beginning but when I saw he loved me, the way he loved me, I couldn't help but to fall in love. I'm sorry, I can see you're hurting, but if this meeting goes well, you'll have your freedom to do as you please." I tell her and she nods.

"Thank you for not being like every other mate and telling me he loves me and that I should give him a chance." Nicole mumbles.

"It's not my place to tell you that, you seem like a smart person, you know what's best for you." I tell her.

"I don't say this a lot, so you should be honoured. I like you." Nicole says honestly and I let out a little breathy laugh nodding.

"I'll put this away, you go back." I tell her and she nods. Placing the first aid box back in the cabinet, I wash my hands quickly, stepping out of the washroom, only for large hands to push me back inside it.

My eyes fly up to meet completely black eyes. Alpha Khan's veins stick out grotesquely on his face as he stares down at me in anger, gripping my wrists so tightly that he'd surely leave a bruise.

"So you're going to tell my mate she can leave me. Who do you think you are?" Alpha Khan growls, pushing me roughly against the sink, and I clench my jaw in pain as my back collides harshly with the granite.

"Let me go, you moronic mutt. If you treat her horribly she's not going to want to stay with you. It's been years, if you truly loved her that type of devotion would be impossible to ignore. You're loosing her because of the way you've behaved, it's your fault, nobody else's." I tell him harshly, and his right eye twitches creepily as his grip tightens on my wrists, before he releases them completely. I inhale deeply as he takes a step away from me, but so he's still blocking the door with his bulky frame.

"Jay and Gloria Winters was it?" He asks, making my breath halt in my chest as a ragged breath escapes me. Gulping I look up at him in bewilderment.

"What about them?" I ask shakily, finding it difficult to breathe when I see the wicked look in his eyes.

"It'd really be a shame to see such a lovely couple get hurt, your poor mother she's so petite, she'd be so easy to break." He mumbles mockingly sympathetic.

"You touch them and I'll neuter you like the pathetic mutt you are." I warn him, and he cocks a brow at me provocatively.

"I'll give your castrated balls to your mate as a little housewarming gift when she moves into her own home." I tell him and a growl escapes his chest, his eyes darkening frighteningly. I bite my inner cheek trying to keep my fear from showing.

"My wolf loves the smell of your fear." He growls disgustingly, nearly panting making me grimace.

"You know it really wouldn't be my fault, your parents could get caught up in a little friendly crossfire, or maybe become victims of a hit and run." He says, tapping his cheek with his index finger.

"No wonder your mate hates you, you're very unoriginal." I mutter quietly and a deep growl grumbles through his chest in rage as he steps towards me threateningly.

"Now I'll definitely have to tear them apart myself, it can't be that hard to get through the border, not for an alpha. Did you know my mate likes painting, a sight like that will surely inspire her." He says licking his lips.

"You won't touch them." I hiss at him.

"You're right, I won't. They won't even ever hear of me, in fact I'll send them an assortment of Persian coffee and treats, but that's only if you make sure no human treaties are changed today." Alpha Khan says. I stare at him blankly for a moment before nodding.

"Say it." He growls startling me.

"No treaties will be passed I'll make sure of it, as long as you don't touch my parents." I tell him and he nods in satisfaction before moving out of the way of the door to let me pass. But as I pass by him he grabs onto my wrist not letting go when I try to tug away.

"Also be a good little human and keep this between us, telling your mate is useless. There's others who can get the job done if I can't." Alpha Khan says, going to pat my head but I slap his hand away angrily. Throwing the door open I stomp back towards the dining hall. Increasing my pace as I see Alaricus pacing around worriedly before the dining hall. He looks up at me, seeming to have caught my scent and he hurried towards me, but seems to halt in his path, his nostrils flaring and he tilts his head in confusion.

"The moronic alpha tried to threaten my parents, he caught me while I was coming out of a bathroom. I'm going to castrate him and then rub some gourmet spice like cilantro and oregano on his bloody empty crotch." I rant angrily.

"Did he hurt you?" Alaricus asks, looking over me, he grips onto my arms raising them, a growl escaping him as he catches sight of the bruises on my wrists.

"I'm going to rip him apart. Who does he think he is hurting you?" Alaricus growls out, and I wrap my arms around his waist, snuggling into his chest.

"I'm okay I promise Alaricus. He didn't hurt me, I'm fine, but I like the tearing apart idea." I say and Alaricus strokes my hair softly, hugging me tightly to his chest.

"My poor angel is probably all shaken up, do you wish to rest?" Alaricus asks me gently but I shake my head immediately in a no. Alpha Khan wasn't enough to frighten me so thoroughly that we'd need to defer the meeting.

"We'll show them who they're messing with, they no longer get a say. What you say goes, everything and anything, announce it my love, no more discussion." Alaricus says and I tense in his tight grip. He'd warned me what he could be like, but seeing this part of my Alaricus worried me, seeing how much power I held over him, troubled me.

"That was one man's choice, not everyone's, the discussion will happen, we'll get their opinion, and we'll convince them, not force them. Nothing good comes out of force. It'll only provoke a rebellion." I mumble to him softly, not wishing for anyone to hear but him.

"I love you Alaricus, and I'm alright I swear to you. Just trust me on this please?" I plead and I feel him nod, before pressing a warm kiss to the top of my head.

"I'm so lucky to have you." He whispers to me softly, and I pull away from his chest, leaning up to press my lips gently against his.

"You'll always have me." I whisper against his lips, about to kiss him again but we are interrupted by the sound of a throat clearing. I suck my lips in as I feel Alaricus tense against me, his body beginning to tremble. Surely at the moment only one man could provoke such a reaction.

Alaricus carefully unwound himself from me, squeezing my arm gently in reassurance before he's in front of Alpha Khan. Having moved so fast he even startled the Alpha.

His large tan hand wraps tightly around Khan's throat and he lifts the man till his huge build hovers just a few inches above the ground. Khan's hands immediately move to the one around his throat, and he tries uselessly to loosen Alaricus' hold, but his eyes even in his panic are staring at me in anger, as if this was my fault.

"Did you really think your threat would work? I'm Alaricus Knight's mate it wasn't very smart of you to threaten me." I say mockingly sympathetic the way the bastard had been when speaking of my parents. My words only seem to encourage Alaricus as I see his grip get tighter, so tight that it truly worries me.

"Alaricus that's enough put him down." I say, starting to panic as Khan's face begins to turn purple.

"He didn't let go when you asked him to, did he?" Alaricus asks and I blink deliberately, stunned for a moment, I'd really thought I'd calmed him down. Exhaling deeply I make my way tentatively towards Alaricus, wrapping my arms tightly around his waist.

"Please let him go, for me?" I ask and Alaricus peers at me from over his shoulder his eyes nearly completely black.

"Alaricus please." I plead with him, really not wishing for Eros to come out at a time like this. While Alaricus when angry was frighteningly calm, the silent type of lethal, Eros would throw a tantrum, and surely terrify all our guests. He'd also then probably try to cuddle and kiss me all night, even fuss over my bruised wrists, all circumstances in which the meeting could not be held. At least not without a lot of discomfit on my part. I loved how affectionate Eros was, but displaying it so publicly made me very uncomfortable and embarrassed.

Breath fills my lungs again as Alaricus releases Khan, turning around to embrace me instead. Alaricus inhales my scent deeply and I allow him to, both ignoring Khan's desperate gasps for breath and choking coughs. I pull away though as Khan starts wheezing out for help, attracting the other Alphas and their mates outside.

"What's wrong?" Alpha Ibrahim asks, Khan and him were cousins, but while Khan was always sulky and brooding, Ibrahim reminded me of some sort of guidance counsellor. Always very soft and willing to listen, I had once heard that Khan had fought with him because Nicole was closer to his cousin than her own mate.

"He threatened Amara, cornered her, threatened to kill her parents unless she ensured no laws were changed tonight." Alaricus tells them, his voice resonating in the hushed silence.

"I did it to make sure we can all lead happy lives with our mates." Alpha Khan argues, disgustingly standing only a few feet away from me. Hiking up my dress to mid calf I make my way to him, swinging my leg back and letting it connect with his groin with all the power I can muster. I grimace as I feel the soft object connect with my heels through the pants he wore. I was going to burn these heels.

Khan drops immediately, his eyes glowing as he calls out for his mate who stands a few feet away from him, silently watching the scene. Nicole seemed much too shocked to do much else.

"Humans aren't bred for you to take your pick. The mate bond can be beautiful but only when you allow it to develop, not by force. Let's discuss this in the hall shall we?" I ask, grabbing ahold of Alaricus' hand, I lead him into the hall hearing footsteps behind us that indicate they've followed.

Alpha Khan wisely chooses to sit as far from Alaricus and I as possible, while Nicole is sandwiched between him and his cousin. Sensing my gaze Alpha Ibrahim sends me a reassuring smile, with a polite nod and I look away as he leans in to speak to Nicole.

"Are you alright?" I ask Alaricus running my thumb over his hand soothingly.

"I'm fine angel, how are you doing? You didn't hurt your foot did you?" Alaricus asks.

"I'm completely fine, the kick brought nothing but satisfaction." I reassure him and he nods.

"This meeting was called to discuss and revise the laws created regarding humans. It makes more sense to do it with the human mates, such as my Amara present. Firstly we'd like to propose the removal of the law stating all humans other than those residing in the free lands, must be in lawfully registered packs." Alaricus states, a few jaws drop around the table in shock, others clench in anger but this wasn't the law I was most worried about.

"Humans are linked to us in many ways by matings over the centuries. They are family, and family belongs with us, in our packs." Alpha Kuzuki argues.

"They should have that choice, us humans don't have a wolf that binds us to the pack. Packs are wonderful gigantic families, but only for Wolves, to humans they truly don't mean anything unless they have direct family there, and still they have no place in the pack. Let them decide, and let those who don't wish to be in a pack have their freedom." I say, carefully choosing my words to ensure I don't offend anyone, werewolves loved the idea of packs, if they felt I was degrading it in anyway, they'd surely attack.

"Of course they have a place, packs give everyone a sense of belonging, an identity." Alpha Hunter chimes in, hugging his mate tightly to his chest, who of course like every other time I'd seen them, sits cuddled in his lap.

"Humans are at the bottom of the pack hierarchy, that's not where they wish to belong." Nicole says, seeming to have gotten over her shock at what her mate had done. I guess even though she didn't like him, having lived with him for years she wanted to believe that Khan was a man above threatening those physically weaker than him.

"I agree, we should let the humans decide whether they wish to stay or not." Alpha Lily says giving me a discreet nod that makes me smile. Alpha Lily was a strict woman, and quite difficult to read, but that made me feel quite honoured to receive her approval and support.

"Does anyone object to the removal of this law?" Alaricus asks looking over the table with a frown that surely convinces everyone with any objections to keep silent.

"Moving on then, the next thing I would wish to discuss is the way we regard humans. The only humans treated respectably are our mates, or relatives and that needs to change. They may not have our physical abilities but that doesn't mean they deserve any less respect. You all are Alphas surely if you spoke to your pack members of this, they'd respect your wishes." Alaricus says and everyone nods immediately, although not all of them look like they have any intention of doing so. Alpha Hunter was currently pouting his lips at his mate begging for kisses. Alpha Kuzuki noticed where I was looking and looked beside him at Hunter, clearing his throat softly earning himself a glare that really didn't seem too menacing after witnessing his previous display.

"Please do think about this, the way humans are treated makes them feel suffocated, and suffocation leads to rebellion. Action can be taken to prevent that, you all are leaders and very respected by your pack members, you can make a difference." I plead, not liking how none of them were taking this seriously.

"You all are Alphas, I'm sure you know of my story, how I came to be a wolf." Alaricus says affectively capturing everyone's attention. Alaricus never spoke about himself, and no one dared to ask him anything, I could feel how uneasy this was making him, and yet he was doing it, mainly for me. Grabbing his hand in mine I give it a reassuring squeeze, passing him a small encouraging smile as he looks at me.

"The pythonissams were very powerful, but their treatment of humans, their provocation of that rebellion through the blatant disrespect for humans, brought on their doom. We need to learn from that, avoid it before it even begins. If they are worthy of being our mates, then they are our equals. We as wolves know our mates are our equals, that makes their race our equal, deserving of respect. Does anyone disagree?" Alaricus asks and a low murmur of apologies erupts through the hall, though they were Alphas they truly sounded like scolded children.

"Another law that needs to be revised is the law regarding human mates." Alaricus says and everyone in the room seems to tense, some Alphas who's mates are humans' eyes begin to glow.

"A mate shouldn't be forced to stay with the wolf, but understandably as the mate is very important to the wolf, a courting will be allowed. The human mate will not be forced to live with the wolf, until the human them-self decides to do so." Alaricus says making deep growls resonate though the hall. Alphas with human mates grab their human mates and coddle them protectively into their chests, their eyes glowing dangerously as they growl.

"Please just hear us out." I plead but the wolves are beyond listening, they seem to be all yelling and growing simultaneously and nothing they're saying is legible. I tug on Alaricus' sleeve who's simply staring at them silently in disappointment.

"Do something." I whisper to him and he looks at me, his eyes taking over my pleading expression before he sighs deeply, nodding. Alaricus stands up from his seat letting out a deafening growl that even startled me, and all the Alphas scramble to get back into their seats. They grip onto their mates protectively as they look at Alaricus with wide eyes. Even Alpha Khan is gripping a struggling Nicole in his lap staring daggers at my mate.

"Thank you." I mumble shakily to Alaricus and he presses a soft kiss to my temple before patting my back encouragingly.

"The devotion of a loving mate is impossible to ignore, but if you are forced to live with this unknown person, and to leave everything behind, you struggle to ignore it. I did my best to stay away from Alaricus, as I'm sure most human mates do, but eventually I fell in love with him too. If the human mate is approached in a less forceful manner, so that they don't feel pressurized and trapped, surely the process would go much smoother. I know this seems like a lot, but truthfully this is only to make the human mate comfortable. Surely the thought is bearable if it means ensuring the comfort and ease of a mate." I try, and it seems to work as the wolves begin to look less angry, but still not entirely convinced.

"It'll make the transition much easier for the human mates. It'll also be a way to avoid the initial hatred that most human mates feel for the wolf. I think it's a good idea." A pretty dark skinned woman says, her hand resting gently on top of her mates that sits on her heavily pregnant belly. Her mate pats her curly hair gently seeming to be unable to stop himself from touching her, wolves got more protective when their mate was pregnant.

"I think it's a good idea, there's nothing I regret more than taking my mate away from all he'd known and causing him that pain. It's something I can't reverse, and no matter how happy we are, I'll always feel guilty for it." Alpha Kuzuki says, and his mate reaches over squeezing his hand, and pressing a kiss to his cheek.

"Those in favour raise their hands."Alaricus says and all the humans and most of their mates, besides Alpha Khan raise their hands, some other wolves tentatively raising theirs too. I see Nicole send Alpha Ibrahim a thankful smile as he raises his hand from the corner of my eye. Unfortunately that was still a minority.

"You all have to see it from their perspective, they live in fear that one day one of us will come snatch them, or someone they love up because of some bond they can't even feel. That's unfair to them. Imagine fearing your children will be taken by someone who sees you as scum, fearing you yourself will be taken by someone like that. Have faith in your love, it'll surely win your mate over. Have faith in the gods you pray to, in the universe we live in, if you're deserving of your mate, surely they will wish to stay with you." Alaricus says, and this time more hands raise but still not all.

"You can't make us do this." Alpha Khan says.

"You have no power over us, I refuse. Do you have any idea what it's like to be without your mate. Yours stands by your side proudly, some of us would be left behind as a dark memory if this rule is lifted." Alpha Khan says a sorrow darkening his eyes that reminds me of the one I'd seen in Alaricus' eyes when we'd first met.

"I agree with Alpha Khan, no wolf should be without their mate." A female alpha I hadn't seen before chimes in, looking to the seemingly subdued shy male that sits beside her, who I assume to be her mate. The boy looked utterly uncomfortable sitting next to her, perhaps that's why I hadn't seen them, she probably didn't bring him out much.

"No human should be forced to stay with someone they don't wish to. It's not fair to us." Nicole says her eyes gleaming with a fire that seems to have been building over the years.

"We have the right to live the way we want to." Nicole says, a tear dropping from her right eye, but it doesn't take away from how fierce she looks in this moment. She looks like a warrior fighting for what she believes in. She struggles out of Khan's grip sitting in her own seat and sending him a hateful glare.

"We've all heard of you, the infamous human mate, the one every wolf prays their mate would be nothing like. Give the poor man a chance, no one else could love you the way he does." The female alpha says, talking to Nicole as if speaking to a misbehaving child.

"Confining someone, treating them like a possession, making every decision for them, isn't love. If it is, I want nothing to do with it." Nicole scoffs.

"I do what I see to be best for you." Alpha Khan argues.

"I'm not a child, I know what's best for me. Two people in love are equals, I don't feel like your equal, I feel like your mistress and it disgusts me." Nicole says, her body trembling as more tears streak down her cheeks. Alpha Ibrahim wraps his arm around Nicole's waist, tugging her sideways into his chest in a brotherly hug but Alpha Khan doesn't see it that way.

"She's mine." He growls angrily.

"That's the problem you sick fuck, even now you don't care that I'm crying, that I'm hurting, you're only upset because he's touching what you see as yours." Nicole sobs, wrapping her arms around Ibrahim and cuddling into him for comfort. My own eyes prickle as I see her crumble that way.

"If you'd treated her right, she wouldn't want to leave you Khan." Alaricus says and for once Alpha Khan stays silent, looking down at his feet unable to meet anyone's gaze.

"I still won't let her go. No matter what I've done, I can't change it. You already hate me too much, but I need you, and I'm never letting you go." Alpha Khan says, looking up at his mate in a way that makes me shiver. It was so cold, I'd never seen a wolf look at their mate that way, so emotionlessly. This was a man who had shut down completely, and was now only relying on his most primal instincts. I truly feared for Nicole's life, this man looked capable of anything.

I hear a deep growl sound from beside me making me jump and I look at Alaricus who seems to be seething, his eyes glowing a deep golden before dimming to a softer honey and then glowing brightly again. His jaw clenches tightly, his broad chest heaving as he growls deep within his chest, his body seeming to have gotten larger.

"Don't do this Khan, promise it before everyone that you accept this revision. Don't hurt your mate that way, you'll only regret it. It's not fair to her, it's been years." Alaricus growls but Khan shakes his head staying silent, gripping tightly onto Nicole's arm.

"As Alpha King, I command you to accept the revision of this law, and demand it be put in action in your pack, and for you yourself to adhere to these new laws." Alaricus growls, and as his eyes flash I can see he's teetering on the edge of loosing it completely.

"I Alaricus Knight accept my position as Alpha King, and herby command that all laws and changes discussed in this meeting become law to all Alphas. Every Alpha present must inform their pack members of these changes." Alaricus says as the rest of us watch him in complete silence, a pride building up inside of me as I watch Alaricus speak. Alaricus holds his hand out to me and I place my hand in his outstretched palm, allowing him to pull me to my feet.

"That of course makes my mate Amara Winters the rightful Alpha Queen, and I command for all to regard her with the same respect they do me. To accept her as their queen, and leader." Alaricus says, and my stomach drops as everyone stands from their seats, before dropping to one knee before us in a deep bow. Alaricus presses a deep kiss to my temple, his own way of bowing to me, as in his eyes, I was more powerful than him.

From this day forward, Alaricus and I were the official Alpha King and Queen.

A/N——————————————————————

Hello, I hope you've all been doing well. Just so you know this isn't the end of the book, it's just exam time for me in university so I haven't been able to write. It's been a stressful semester even though I was really hoping this one would be smooth, I hope you all have had a great year. Hopefully the next chapter will be up soon. Happy holidays to everyone!