Filed to story: Wolf Crying Mate of the Alpha by Jazz Ford
They look at me, unsure how to respond.
‘Does this someone have a name?’ Jewel asks, pulling the chair from against the wall and sitting in it.
‘Do you swear not to tell a soul?’ I ask.
‘I swear,’ they chorus again and look at each other, wondering who the object of my affections could be.
‘It won’t make your king very happy. I am Alpha King Damon’s mate, and I am very fond of him,’ I tell them.
‘Oh, darling. King Fenris won’t be too happy about this, no. I think our king had planned to get to know you intimately. This is why he wants to teach you horse riding and have this evening’s ball. But, none of us can help who we love, so dry your eyes, pet, and cheer up. King Fenris will understand, I’m sure,’ Jewel says, patting my back maternally. I don’t bother telling them about my previous conversation with King Fenris.
‘Let’s finish getting you dressed, hey?’ Jewel says.
The dress is comfortable and quite pretty. I breathe easier in this dress than in the last one I wore.
‘How do you feel? You look like a real human princess! Honestly and truly,’ Jewel says, beaming at me, with her hands clasped over her heart.
They lead the way downstairs, and I hold onto the banister as I go, as I’m not used to walking down these stairs.
King Fenris sits in his chair at the table in the breakfast hall, patiently waiting for me to join him. His mouth gapes open as I enter, and he stands up from his chair.
‘Maia, you look… breathtaking, my love.’ He says.
I force a smile. ‘My love, is everything alright if it’s about what I said last night about Alpha King Damon… I.’
‘No, I’m fine, King Fenris, really,’
‘Well then, my love, sit with me and have some breakfast then,’ he smiles.
After breakfast, King Fenris stands up and holds his hand out for mine.
‘Come, Princess, you will accompany me to the training fields.’
I nod in agreeance. King Fenris calls his footmen to get his horse ready. We make our way through the castle, out the large front doors, and down the grand staircase.
His horse is pure white, and he is very sweet and gentle.
‘Hi there, boy,’ I say, patting his face.
The horse gently nudges his face against mine.
‘I see Nimble likes you.’ King Fenris says and smiles.
King Fenris hops onto the horse and reaches his hands out to lift me up onto the saddle sitting me in front of him.
He puts the reins in my hands and holds his over mine.
‘I’m going to teach you how to ride a horse on your own on our way to the training field.’ He says.
I nod. King Fenris nudges the horse with his foot making Nimble gallop.
We arrive at the training fields, and the soldiers stop and look at me in awe as usual. Commander James and General Zander approach us, smiling and pleased to see King Fenris and me together on Nimble.
King Fenris hops down and then helps me from Nimble and ties the reign to a wooden post in the ground.
We go into a large communal tent where a large table is stationed. On the table is a map of the two kingdoms and my home, the forest, in the centre.
I walk over to the table and run my fingers over the forest on the map.
‘I didn’t know the kingdoms were this big,’ I say, and King Fenris walks over to me.
‘When the war is over, all of this will be one kingdom,’ he says neutrally.
‘I’m sorry, King Fenris, but there has to be another way. Thousands of people and werewolves will die if you proceed with this war. There has to be another way to settle this.’
Commander James and General Zander look at each other, then back at me, amused.
‘How do you think I should proceed? What do you think should happen to the werewolves?’ He asks, his arms folded across his chest.
He is annoyed, but I don’t care when thousands of lives are at stake. So I pondered his question for a few moments.
‘I’m sure there is a more harmonious solution than fighting,’ I say.
‘Well, until you come up with a better plan, my love, I don’t have a choice but to continue. Alpha King Damon could cross the border at any moment with his army, especially now that you’re here,’ he says, and he is quite right.
Commander James looks confused.
‘King Fenris. Why does Maia’s presence being here mean the Alpha King will cross the border?’ He asks.
Before King Fenris can answer, I tell him myself,
‘I’m Alpha King Damon’s mate,’ I tell them.
They look at each other, shocked.
‘You’re not a werewolf, though? You’re an elemental sprite. How is it possible you’re his mate?’ General Zander asks, confused.
‘I’m actually a primal sprite, to be specific, which means I’m a princess by blood and can control all the elements.
And sometimes, the Moon Goddess mates people with different species,’ I explain, my hands clasped in front of me.
Commander James and General Zander look at each other, unsure what to think of this information.
‘Ah yes. I recall my grandfather Henry telling me about the primal sprites. They’re very rare indeed,’ King Fenris smirks.
‘King Fenris, I’m going to wander around and explore the training fields further. Some fresh air would be nice,’ I smile.
‘Very well.’ He says.
I sit on a hay barrel, watching the archers shoot arrows with their bows. I am enjoying it so much that I am eager to try it myself. I stroll towards them, and they all bow.
‘Princess Maia, what a pleasure to have you here. Is there anything I can help you with?’ An archer asks.
‘Yes, I would like to use your bow, please.’
‘Oh,’ he replies, waiting for an explanation.