Filed To Story: Veiled Desires of the Alpha King Novel
It took Alpha Edward a moment to understand. “You placed bets on opposite sides on purpose.”
“That’s right.”, Alpha Patrick said. “Since I lost, Rob will write off my debt so we both get to keep our money. Maybe a million dollars for you is something to play with, but for us, that’s a lot of money.”
“You will still need to kneel and apologize.”, Alpha Richard said victoriously like that didn’t apply to him.
“Unfortunately, that’s true.”, Alpha Robert confirmed. “But I will do that while thinking how it was worth it because it will enable my pack members a better life. What about you? Was it worth it to provoke the strongest Alpha of the next generation?”
“What makes you think she is the strongest?”, Alpha Edward asked.
Alpha Robert shook his head in disapproval. “You should know a thing or two about that sphere. Did you ever hear about it reacting in such a way? How long is she an Alpha? A few months, at most. Imagine what will happen in a few years. Her potential is unlimited.” He inched closer and spoke in a lower voice, “And didn’t you notice how all youngsters are standing behind her? That should give you a clue who is in charge there.”
Alpha Edward’s face darkened. He was right. In their society, it’s disgraceful to stand behind someone who is weaker, but more importantly, did he just lose a vote? Sure, Alpha Robert didn’t say that he will support him, but Alpha Edward saw both Alphas Robert and Patrick wavering and he was confident that they will give in when it counts, however, after this, his confidence dwindled.
“You can’t be serious about this greenhorn posing a threat.”, Alpha Edward said to Alpha Robert.
“Oh, he is serious.”, Alpha Patrick responded from the side. “And let me tell you now for everyone to hear, if you drag us again into your games, our two packs will cut off all collaboration with you.”
Normally, Alpha Patrick wouldn’t dare to speak to Alpha Edward like that, but he was pissed that the latter agreed to this ridiculous bet in a way that forced everyone to participate. Alphas Patrick and Robert were planning to stay neutral until the last minute, and they had no idea that they would be forced to choose before the meeting even started!
Alpha Edward gritted his teeth. How dares this small Alpha talk to him like equals? His annoyance rose when he realized that he probably lost two votes, and if he lost them, it means that Dayson got them. Damn it!
Alpha Richard raised his hand, to get everyone’s attention. “Now that this was settled, we can go to the meeting.”
“Not so fast!”, Meg snapped. “Did you forget that you just lost a bet?”
Alpha Richard frowned at Meg. “We have one week to pay.”
Meg lifted her chin smugly. “And you have one minute to get on your knees.”
Alpha Richard’s face fell, and he turned to Talia. “Is that really necessary?”
Talia tilted her head. “If it was me on the losing side, would you forgive me that I lost?”
Alpha Richard opened his mouth to protest, but Alpha Edward cut him off with, “Let’s be done with this.”
Alpha Richard was flabbergasted. “You… You… are going through with it?” Alphas don’t apologize and they don’t bow to anyone. That’s what makes them Alphas. If anyone finds out about this, they will be laughing stocks!
“Alpha Richard!”, Talia called. “If you are trying to wiggle out of this simple act of apologizing, I can only assume that you will go to great lengths to avoid paying the one million dollars you lost here.”
Alpha Edward wanted to give him a good beating. Was Alpha Richard such an idiot that he didn’t realize their current situation? There were now six Guardians in the room, all of them looking at them sternly, and there were Talia and four other Alphas by her side, all waiting for them to make the wrong move.
“Let’s do it quickly so we can move onto the meeting.”, Alpha Edward squeezed through his teeth.
Alpha Edward balled his hands into fists as he went down on his knees in slow motion. Somehow, it was a much easier thing to do in his mind as his body was refusing to cooperate. His wolf protested the submission, but Alpha Edward pushed him to the back of his mind. Stupid beast! If he acts out, they might lose much more than just some dignity.
One by one, six Alphas were on their knees, mumbling apologies for doubting Talia.
“That doesn’t sound very sincere.”, Meg said from the side.
Talia waved her hand, indicating to Meg to let it go. “This is how far their sincerity goes. Take a note that we won’t be collaborating with these six in the future.” If not for shaking Alpha Edward’s position in the eyes of his cronies, Talia wouldn’t bother with these apologies. She was confident that they would jump at her throat if they only had a chance, and she was not wrong. The malicious intent rising from those six was tangible.
‘CLICK!’
A sound was heard on Talia’s left, and she turned to see that Maddox took a photo.
“This needs to be commemorated.”, Maddox said with a grin and showed the screen of his phone that had six Alphas kneeling in front of Talia.
Alpha Edward gritted his teeth. “Was that necessary?”
Maddox shrugged and stuffed the phone into the back pocket of his pants.
‘CLICK!’
A sound came from Talia’s right. It was Alpha Cristian with his phone.
“I’ve got a better angle from here.”
Maddox walked to Cristian with, “Let me see.”
The six Alphas that were on the ground were close to exploding from anger. They were being treated like circus attractions! Alpha Edward and Alpha Richard blamed Talia, while the other four directed their anger at Alpha Edward. If he didn’t drag them into this unnecessary trouble, they wouldn’t be embarrassed.
After dinner, females from the packhouse went into one spare bedroom, while males went into another.
It was part of the tradition to prepare separately for the ceremony.
They would put traditional leather clothes on and accessorize with necklaces made of teeth and colorful pebbles in an attempt to show themselves in their best edition for their mates and the rest of the pack.
When it was time for the ceremony to begin, females, elderly, and children would gather close to the altar where Shaman was, and males in their prime would form a circle around them, symbolizing that they will protect the pack.
After the Shaman completes the ceremony for the Moon Goddess to bless them, elderly and children would disperse and head home, while females and males would shift into their wolf forms and dash into the forest. Females would go first, for males to chase after them. The ones that were mated would look for their mates, while others would treat this as a big mixer. No matter how random it looked, they would all be following after their Alpha, Luna, and other high-ranking members of the pack, to complete one circle around their territory, after which they would be free to enjoy time with their mates, or their partner for the night, with the whole event ending after the midnight. Some would use this time to hunt and present their catch in the hope to woo another wolf.
Pack runs were full of positive energy where pack members get to show off their outfit, physique, speed, and hunting skills.
A pack run after a decade was a big deal. Everyone was impacted and the whole Darkbourne was buzzing with excitement.
Maya prepared one guestroom in the packhouse, and that’s where Maya, Dawn, Zina, Mindy, Talia, and Cornelia gathered.
Talia wanted Sandy and Lulu to be with them also, but Dayson objected. Per Dayson’s arrangement, Talia’s six guards were already dressed up in ceremonial clothes and waiting outside for Talia to be ready. They will escort her until she reunites with Dayson, and Dayson threatened Talia that if she objects to this deal, he will spill the beans and tell her guards how they failed on their first night to watch over her. Talia agreed reluctantly to treat her personal guards as her guards while they were on duty.
The guestroom had four full-length mirrors and four stations where they could sit to do their hair and makeup.
Each of the females had a leather outfit that covered the chest area, leaving their abdomen exposed, and the bottom part was a skirt of several overlapping layers. It all stayed together with one string that when pulled made everything fall down. It was convenient so the fabric doesn’t rip when they shift into their wolf forms.
Females wore stylish necklaces of colorful pebbles, and they were braiding each other’s hair and decorating it with small flowers that Cornelia and Mindy gathered earlier that evening.
“I saw that some necklaces are made of teeth.”, Cornelia said while checking out herself in the mirror. She approved of this outfit, it was not restricting. Since she came to the human realm, these were the most comfortable clothes she put on, and she wished that she could wear this every day.
“Hunters preserve teeth of their catch and so jewelry can be made out of those.”, Maya explained while pointing at her necklace that had teeth in it. “One can wear these if he caught them himself or if it was gifted by a hunter who is mate or family member. You can’t buy it.”
Talia touched the soft leather that hugged her hips. It was light brown and it had embroidered with black thread shapes of wolves and moon on it. It was beautiful. Talia smiled at Maya gratefully. Talia was so consumed with everything that was going on, and she totally forgot about ceremonial clothes, but Maya made arrangements not only for Talia but for Cornelia as well.
Talia won’t be there for the ceremony, but she hoped that Dayson will see her like that, and that he will approve.
Talia put her hands over her chest. She was nervous.
“Don’t worry, Talia.”, Dawn said. “We are here to support you.” Her chin shivered when she remembered that she will leave soon. “This is my first and last pack run in the Shadow Fang pack.” She was emotional.
Talia and Zina gave Dawn hugs at the same time, making it a three-girl-hug.
“Don’t be sad.”, Talia said. “I will change rules so you can join every pack run, even after you leave the Shadow Fang pack. You and George will always be welcome here.”
“I hear that the Red Moon pack doesn’t do monthly pack runs.”, Zina said. “So, the two of you make an excuse to come here.”
Dawn nodded while sniffling. She didn’t talk about this with George, but she hoped he will approve. On the other hand, considering George’s plan to take down Alpha Edward, Dawn didn’t dare to think so far into the future.
A mental image of Dayson flashed in Talia’s mind. He was topless, wearing a black skirt-like garment that reached half of his thighs, black patterns were drawn over his skin, and he had around his neck several necklaces made out of teeth that were big as Talia’s pinky finger. Talia could see Dayson smiling cockily while striking a pose and flexing his muscles.
‘What do you say of your man, kitten?’, his voice sounded in her head. ‘Do I look tempting enough for you?’
Talia realized that Dayson was communicating with her mentally.
‘For a moment, I thought I’m hallucinating. You look delicious.’, she responded. ‘Is that black paint edible?’
Dayson chuckled in response. ‘You won’t know unless you try. But even if the paint is not edible, your man is.’
Talia bit the inside of her cheek to prevent herself from laughing at the shameless Alpha who was thrusting his hips suggestively. Other females will think she went crazy if she just starts laughing for no apparent reason.
Talia touched her hair which was braided and wrapped around her head like a crown, and she moved to stand in front of the full-length mirror before sending him back a mental image of herself.

New Book: Returned To Make Them Pay
On her wedding anniversary, Alicia is drugged and stumbles into the wrong room—straight into the arms of the powerful Caden Ward, a man rumored never to touch women. Their night of passion shocks even him, especially when he discovers she’s still a virgin after two years of marriage to Joshua Yates.
Are there parts missing? What happened during the council meeting?
I also think that there are some missing parts here. If posible, please update! Thank you!
In the last chapters, some parts are repeated also, like they were pasted twice.
I hope the website or the author can correct that and add the missing part of the council meeting.
I seem to have missed the entire council meeting. It skipped from the 6 alphas kneeling to the pack run.