“That’s enough of that,” I say, smiling at them. “Raise your heads, boys.”
They just stare in awe as I approach. It’s not often that a king walks into a village. They’ll tell their pups about this day.
“Stone Ring,” I say as I stand in front of them with my hands on my hips. They all crane their heads to look up at me. Itowerover them. “Who’s the champion?”
They all look at one kid with a shaved head and a dirty, torn white shirt. “I am, your Alpha. Sorry.MyAlpha.”
I can’t help but smile. They’re adorable.
“Will you take me on?” I ask, grabbing a smooth stone from the pile and tossing it in my hand. “I haven’t played in a long time, so go easy on me.”
“Yes, your Alpha. Um,myAlpha.”
“You first.”
He tosses it and,damn, he’s close.
I take a deep breath, focusing on the ring, and I toss the stone. It bounces and lands right behind his.
“You beat me,” I say, smiling at him.
His face pales and then turns green. “I’m sorry, your Alpha. It was an accident. Please don’t axe-cute me.”
“And why would I do that?” I ask in a booming voice. “When I can have a talented young wolf like you in my royal guard one day?”
His face cycles through a whole bunch of emotions and then he breaks out into a proud smile.
I slip my hand into my bag and search for something to give him. All I find is a pocket knife, but it’s a beautiful one, carved from stone with a sharp blade and an emerald set in the handle.
All of the boys stare at it in wonder and jealousy as I hand it to him.
One of the wolves crouches forward and sniffs my boot.
I play some more, winning some games and losing others. I hand out gifts to all of them. Golden coins, a royal handkerchief, a carved pen, and some food that I brought for the oracle.
“You wolves will make the Moonborne Kingdom proud one day,” I say to their beaming faces. “I can’t wait to be there to see it.”
They follow me as I continue on, asking me a million questions and making me laugh with their silly jokes.
“Do you sleep with the crown on?” one asks.
Another one jumps in before I can answer. “Is your bed made of gold?”
I answer each question and they hang on my every word, marveling at my answers.
Eventually, I head into the dark forest and they drop off, unable or too afraid to follow me further.
I smile as I think about each one of their faces.Thisis what must be protected.Thisis why I must endure.
An alpha stands so the pack does not fall.
If I weaken, they all bleed.
I whisper the words that have kept me strong all throughout my rule.
“I am alpha. I endure.”
With every step deeper into the trees, the quiet dread returns, settling low in my stomach.
