The Alpha's Blind Fate
Chapter 48: Alpha Prince Falcon

Chapter 48: Alpha Prince Falcon

MOON

The late Alpha King played a crude joke when naming his children. The man had decided that there was no better way than to do it alphabetically. Hence, his seven legitimate sons were named from the letters A to G, while his seven illegitimate sons were named from the letters Z to T.

A broader look on the entirety of the situation would show the late Alpha King to be a man that thrived on hierarchy and control. It was the way of the pack after all, that there shall be the greatest and the lowest. The biggest, and the smallest.

By showing such a clear, albeit overt, division between his legitimate sons and illegitimate sons, the Alpha Princes didn’t cross any line they weren’t supposed to cross. Each prince understood their place in the NorthSteed Pack as the ruling power of the Arctic North.

And yet, when the time came for the mantle of leadership to pass. Not only were the late Alpha King’s first three legitimate sons skipped—although not for lack of reason—but his fourth was declared a traitor. Then the mantle finally rested on his fifth, Eldric NorthSteed.

The remaining two princes—the sixth and seventh—happened to share the same mother with Eldric, but instead of drawing them closer to him, Eldric all but banished them from the palace, granting them their own fiefs which were closely monitored. Alpha Prince Falcon and Alpha Prince Garuk lived outside the palace, each of them Alpha’s to their own pack that was not allowed to exceed five hundred. Their armies were limited to a mere fifty, and even that could not be moved without the permission of the Alpha King.

Zina had always thought it comical. How Eldric feared that his brothers would do to him the same thing he did to Daemon. Inspite of that, why was it that at that moment, she was on her way to meet a man that seemingly had nothing to offer her save his not less than obvious obsession over her.

And why was it that Seraph’s frown as the carriage galloped to the outskirts of the capital refused to wane. Repeatedly, the maidservant chanced a glance at the blindfolded woman, hoping that sense would descend on her then she would realise that not only was their journey a fool’s sojourn, but it was one that was sure to raise the Alpha King’s ire all over again.

Just the thoughts of the countless bruise on her mistresses body was enough to send rage coursing through Seraph’s blood.

Ranked members of the NorthSteed pack were barred from privately meeting with any of the Alpha Princes. A fact that the Theta didn’t seem to care about, or perhaps, she had forgotten.

Seraph was leaning on the former reason rather than the latter. And that didn’t serve to assuage any of her valid concerns.

Zina, who sensed the displeasure oozing from her maidservant, smiled. "I can very well feel the heat of your disapproval on my skin. Do you know why we’re meeting with the Alpha Prince falcon?"

"I do not know Miss." Seraph started hesitantly, feeling like pouring her heart out all of a sudden. "If I may dare speak out of turn, in the past few days, you’ve been doing very dangerous things..."

"...?"

"....very dangerous things that could very well harm you. It is true that you’ve been reckless in this manner before, but not with the scary relentlessness you seem to pursue such careless endeavours in this past week."

At the end of her rant, Seraph was breathing hard like an Omega wolf who had been forced to run miles beyond their capacity. Zina was slightly stunned, while she was aware that Seraph was more intelligent than she posed herself to be, the young woman rarely talked in more than five words. It was for that reason that Zina had been particularly grateful to have her by her side... the joy of having a company who realised that there is true joy in solitude than in unwarranted mouthing off.

"I see you’re angry with me." Zina said coolly, her hand instinctively going to the mark hidden by her dress. Her fingers caressed it absentmindedly, as a nervousness from nowhere engulfed her.

Seraph bowed her head from shame and embarrassment even though Zina could not see her. "You must forgive me. I only worry about you... at the same time, I wonder why you must go to such lengths."

Without wasting a beat, Zina said. "Six years ago, I committed a grave sin. I suppose that is not exactly news but perhaps see my self punishment as penance if you may."

The word hung over them like a putrid thing, but the steel in Seraph’s face did not waver. For while it is true that Zina had never bothered to explicitly share the details of that day all those years ago, Zina knew it would be hard for Seraph not to gather that much after staying by her side for six years.

"The Theta is without sin." Seraph answered in a strong voice, looking up to the woman that sat across her she continued. "Whatever the Seer who descends from the heavens proclaims to be the truth is the truth, and whatever she points to be a lie is a lie."

Zina chuckled lightly. "Is that another superstition from your village?"

"It is the truth!" Seraph protested strongly.

"I do not believe anyone who such lies and truths affects, will be willing to take on your perspective. Your words are partial."

"Their acceptance doesn’t matter," Seraph continued, not quite backing down from the argument, "it is your conviction, Theta, that matters."

Strangely, those words rang a terrifying kind of truth in Zina’s heart.

Conviction.

"Then believe me when I say that it is for my conviction that I must take this path. I must meet with the sixth prince for the sake of my conviction."

Seraph retreated her pose, leaning back against the carriage walls. "Very well. As I have always stood by you, I shall stand even more steadfastly. Rest assured I shall not be backing down."

Zina smiled. Seraph was such a sentimental person... something that Zina definitely wasn’t, especially in the last six years.

Before more could be said, the coachman announced that they were approaching the Stone Pack which was the territory and pack of Alpha Prince Falcon. In a manner much like a ritual, Seraph wiped gently at Zina’s face to get rid of any sweat. Then she tentatively touched her hair, bringing her braids back to place.

The carriage halted, and with the support of Seraph, Zina alighted, enjoying the warm brush of the sun against her face and skin. She tilted her head up as if leaning into the warmth. It was the time of the year when ice receded for a brief hotness to take its place. Although in the Arctic North, never for once did it stop being cold. It was just a matter of how cold it could get.

A man, who shared a fleeting resemblance with the banished prince rushed to them, his Epsilons following closely, eyes alert. Once he approached the Theta who had in fact made the journey with only Seraph and Ablanch, the man feverishly spoke.

"Theta Zina, it is good to see you."