You Rejected A Silver Wolf
Against You

Chapter Eleven - Against You Chris's POV

After Jake left me outside and walked in, I stayed, watching the stars and asking the Moon Goddess if Rih was up there. I wanted to know if she could see her curses on me coming true. Black Rose Pack should be my closest ally, but they were the first to challenge me a few hours after my coronation as their King. To say it didn't bother me would be a lie-it greatly did. This wasn't a very admirable first day as Alpha King for me. And knowing that it was because I led to the death of their true Luna, I couldn't really blame their behavior.

I heard my father clear his throat behind me. I turned and saw that his long black hair had been cut short. He had always wanted it short, but due to the harsh temperatures at unconventional battlegrounds, he had to keep it long for protection. Now, I was the one to bear all that. My blonde hair stopped at my ears, though.

My father looked at the stars I was staring at and asked, "What are you doing here? You should be inside with your guests."

"I've met them all," I said simply. It wasn't like they had any words of wisdom for me.

My father stood beside me. "I saw you and Jake. Don't mind him, he's been a difficult kid."

I nodded, feeling no comfort in his words. How could I not mind him? One day, he's being the most supportive person; the next, he isn't.

"And as Alpha King, you should be dealing with his older brother," my father added.

I snapped my head to my father but quickly brought it back to the stars. Jake's older brother-the person he said would be the Alpha. That's why Jake had such an attitude-it was the youngest child syndrome: picky and with an attitude. "I'll keep that in mind. Did you hear they were attacked by a rogue silver wolf?" I probed, wanting to know how much he knew.

He confirmed with a nod. "If he's a silver wolf, Jake Justin can't defeat him that easily. He seems to have so much hate inside."

I agreed with his words. The rogue may only be after Black Rose and not other packs. Maybe the rogue broke from a pack they had angered. Jake Justin would surely need help in the long run, and he'd come to me, his Alpha King. "I'll hold Jake Justin to that. Don't worry."

A smirk crossed my face as I envisioned Jake rushing to me, horror in his eyes, complaining about how the silver wolf wrecked his warriors. In my mercy and power, I could release the best of my royal warriors to combat and subdue the threat, leaving Jake grateful to me.

My bubble of self-delight burst when my father's next words cut through it. "Jake will always have something against you."

Was he cursing me? Why was everyone against me this year? "What do you mean? What would he have against me?"

My father faced me, keeping one arm on the balcony's rail. "You rejected the official Luna. It's against the rules as Alpha King to do so."

A wall around my heart, one I had been trying to rebuild since Rih's death, shattered again. She would always haunt me.

"My father made that rule after he had his silver wolf mate. It wasn't just because Alphas rarely get a second mate, but because whichever mate they get is the best choice for Luna Queen."

"Then why did you call Rihanna a curse in front of me?" I barked, cutting him off.

A frown deepened on his face. He took his arm off the balcony's rail, crossing both arms behind his back. "Rih was weak."

"You just said that whatever mate an Alpha is given would be the best choice. I felt that way too, but you didn't. Why?"

"Well, because I didn't see it in her! And you didn't either-you rejected her! Neither of us was willing to give her a chance!" he barked back.

I felt small before him. Not because he was barking at me but because he spoke the truth. I didn't give Rih a chance, even when she was the most eligible. But how long would I keep regretting it? Couldn't there be a 'move on' button for me? I cleared my throat and looked down to hide the tears filling my eyes. "I regret everything about that day. The rejection, her death, losing Ray's friendship, all of it."

My father nodded. "I do too. I shouldn't have let your mother's hatred for Rih blind me to her potential. I was her Alpha."

So he agreed as well, and it was my mother's influence that caused all this? My mother was a hard one!

"So, about Jake does he have the power to remove me from power? Is that what you mean by him having something against me?"

"Somewhat. He can't remove you, but he can make the Alphas aware of Rih's rejection and death. You'd lose their respect and loyalty."

And those were the two things I needed most to stay high on this throne. What good was a king without the respect and loyalty of the people?

"I'll make it up to Jake Justin. I'll try being a little honest with him." As I spoke, I walked into the hall before my father could stop me.

Thankfully, he didn't. He might have really left the reins of the pack in my hands. I'd lead it well.

I spotted Jake Justin speaking with Vanessa. He had an inquisitive look on his face and glanced at Sasha from time to time. Perhaps he had figured out that I had an arranged Luna-it wouldn't sit well with him. I hurried over to him. He met my gaze, his eyes darkening. I had been right. "Jake, I need to speak with you about something," I started first.

His eyes brightened, and his inquisitive look returned. "What is it?"

"Rihanna's rejection wasn't planned at all," I began. His eyebrows lifted, waiting for more. "You know the mate bond makes you like a thing or two about your mate?"

He nodded. "Didn't you feel that way with Rihanna? She was practically your Beta."

She wasn't exactly, but he didn't need to know that. "She was. And we felt those things. But she wasn't quite liked by everyone."

"Should that matter? My oldest brother wasn't quite liked by my uncles, but he's next in line to be Alpha, not them. So?"

I bit my lower lip, realizing I had no real reason for treating Rih like that except that I was a coward who listened to my mother.

"If you're worried about the Alphas finding out, don't be. I won't tell them."

I looked up. He wouldn't?

"Because of Ray. He always dreamed of being a better Beta than his father, so I want him to fulfill that dream."

His reason was for Ray? Not for my happiness? A scoff escaped my lips. "I guess I'm grateful?"

"You should be, Alpha King," Jake Justin smiled. "I'm honored to be someone you're grateful to." He tapped my shoulder and walked away.

The edges of my lips twitched sideways, trying to force a painful smile, but there was nothing to smile about.

For my years as Alpha King, I would always have to be wary of displeasing the Black Rose Pack because I had rejected my mate.