Chapter 44
44 Chapter 44 Lead On Alpha
Faye’s POVO
The courtyard stones felt like ice beneath my feet. Mist drifted between ancient pillars, and the cold bit deeper than I remembered from my childhood here. The entire Scarlet Howlers Pack had assembled for our arrival. Guards stood at attention in polished armor, servants waited with rigid postures, and there in the center stood Alpha Marcus himself. Chapters first released on
Time had barely touched him. He remained imposing, radiating the kind of authority that came from decades of absolute power. His weathered face revealed
nothing as he surveyed our small group. This
reception felt more like an obligation than genuine hospitality.
When his eyes swept over us, they paused on me for just a heartbeat.
That single moment sent a chill through me that had nothing to do with the cold air. Years ago, Alpha Marcus had looked right through me as if I didn’t exist.
Back then, I was merely a wolfless omega girl, invisible and insignificant. He had never acknowledged my
presence with so much as a nod. But standing here as Hardy’s wife, as Princess Consort, that brief glance felt different. Either my new status finally warranted recognition, or he was simply surprised I had survived this long.
The moment passed quickly. Marcus’s attention shifted to Hardy, and he offered a stiff nod.
“Lord Hardy, welcome to Scarlet Howlers territory,” he said. Each word sounded carefully measured, as though speaking required considerable effort. “I hope your travels were not too difficult. We have prepared accommodations for your comfort p>
Hardy remained silent for several long seconds, studying Marcus with an unreadable expression. Then he asked, almost conversationally, “Are you feeling well p>
I frowned, confused by the unexpected question.
Marcus’s eyebrows drew together. “What do you mean, my lord p>
Hardy tilted his head, a slow smile spreading across his face. “If you’re unwell, perhaps you should be resting indoors. We wouldn’t want whatever you have spreading to others p>
The atmosphere shifted instantly, becoming charged with dangerous tension.
Marcus’s entire frame went rigid. His jaw clenched so hard I could see the muscles working beneath his skin. For a moment, I thought he might lose control
completely, but he managed to restrain himself. He drew a slow breath through his nose.
“I am perfectly healthy, Lord Hardy. I appreciate your concern,” he replied, his voice strained and barely controlled.
Hardy nodded, still wearing that deceptively pleasant smile. “Good,” he said, sounding relieved. “Because if you’re in good health, then I can only assume it was simply bad manners that prevented you from properly greeting my wife p>
My heart nearly stopped.
Alpha Marcus’s gaze darted to me so quickly I almost
missed it. The expression in his eyes was complex, filled with something that looked like barely contained rage mixed with disgust. He managed a shallow bow that barely qualified as acknowledgment.
“My respects to the Princess Consort,” he said. The words seemed to physically pain him as they left his
mouth.
Hardy reached out and placed his hand firmly on Marcus’s shoulder. Even from where I stood, I could tell the grip was far from friendly.
“Progress,” Hardy said, his smile never wavering. “Though next time, you might want to remember your manners from the start. You never know who you might encounter. Someone less patient than me might not give you a second chance.” He leaned closer, lowering his voice just enough that the threat became unmistakable. “And then you’d already be dead p>
Marcus’s face contorted with barely suppressed fury. His hands balled into fists at his sides, and I could see him struggling not to react violently.
But he held himself back.
Hardy chuckled softly as if this exchange had been nothing more than casual conversation. He stepped back and gestured ahead with fluid grace.
“Shall we proceed?” he asked pleasantly. “Lead on, Alpha p>
Alpha Marcus guided us through corridors lined with silent guards whose faces betrayed nothing but whose eyes tracked our every movement. Our footsteps echoed off stone walls, and the tension between the
two men stretched taut with each passing moment.
We finally reached massive double doors carved from dark wood. Marcus pushed them open, revealing an impressive dining hall beyond.
The room was magnificent. Vaulted ceilings soared overhead, supported by beams carved with the ancient symbols of Scarlet Howlers heritage. Iron chandeliers hung from above, their warm light dancing across stone walls. A massive fireplace crackled at the far end, filling the space with heat and flickering shadows.
The centerpiece was an enormous dining table crafted from polished blackwood. High–backed chairs
upholstered in deep crimson surrounded it. The table could accommodate dozens of guests and was already laden with an impressive feast.
Silver utensils gleamed beside pristine white plates marked with the Scarlet Howlers crest. The spread was overwhelming. Roasted meats glazed with honey, fresh bread in woven baskets, vegetables swimming in rich butter, steaming sauces in elegant bowls, and displays of colorful fruit that looked almost too perfect to be real.
Marcus gestured toward the elaborate setup.
“Everyone must be exhausted,” he said, his tone more controlled now though still formal. “Let us eat first,
then rest. Business can wait until tomorrow p>
Hardy gave a casual nod. “Very thoughtful,” he replied, then turned to his men. “Allen, join us p>
His guards hesitated briefly before entering and taking seats at the far end of the long table.
To my surprise, Hardy moved to pull out a chair, but not for himself. His hands gripped the chair beside his own at the head of the table, and he waited.
He didn’t make any grand gesture or seek attention. He simply stood there, waiting for me to understand.
When I remained frozen in place, he raised an eyebrow slightly, just enough to prompt me into
action.
Heat flooded my cheeks as I stepped forward and settled into the offered seat. He pushed the chair in with a single smooth motion before taking his own place beside me.
Across from us, Alpha Marcus occupied the seat to Hardy’s right, his mouth set in a thin line that suggested barely controlled irritation. Luna Britney sat beside him, dressed in muted red robes, her
expression carefully neutral but somehow threatening. Next to her sat a young man with sharp features and precisely styled dark hair, his cold eyes reminding me uncomfortably of his father.
Jared Dickinson, the future Alpha of Scarlet Howlers. I had glimpsed him briefly at formal gatherings in Duskwood, but we had never spoken. I doubted that would change tonight.
44 Chapter 44 Lead On Alpha
Alpha Marcus raised his goblet of dark wine without drinking. “Scarlet Howlers Pack stands ready to serve you, Lord Hardy,” he declared formally. “Whatever assistance you require for your journey, we are prepared to provide. But tonight, we celebrate your presence p>
He gestured toward the feast as though it represented hospitality rather than a display of wealth and power.
The rich aromas of seasoned meat and complex sauces made my mouth water. I hadn’t eaten properly in over a day, and my stomach was beginning to cramp with hunger. I reached discretely toward a serving spoon.
Before I could touch anything, Hardy moved.
Without a word, he began filling my plate. Slices of perfectly roasted meat first, then spoonfuls of seasoned vegetables. He added pieces of fresh bread, arranging everything with careful precision.
I felt the weight of multiple stares.
Marcus’s expression remained neutral, but a muscle in his jaw twitched betraying his agitation. Luna Britney’s gaze flicked toward me briefly before returning to her
44 Chapter 44 Lead On Alpha
wine. Jared studied Hardy with a mixture of contempt and curiosity, as though trying to determine whether this gesture represented a threat or mere arrogance.
I sat motionless, uncertain how to react.
Hardy finished serving and leaned back in his chair as though nothing unusual had occurred. He offered no explanation or acknowledgment of the attention his actions had drawn. He simply picked up his goblet and drank calmly while the entire room watched us with calculating eyes.
“Thank you,” I whispered, lowering my gaze as I lifted a piece of seasoned vegetable with my fork. I was too hungry to care about the stares, too overwhelmed by the tension to think clearly.
The moment the food touched my tongue, everything changed.
The taste was completely wrong. Not just unusual, but disturbingly familiar in a way that made my blood run
cold.
My eyes shot up to meet Hardy’s gaze p>
He was already watching me, wearing that same knowing smile.
“Something troubling you, Princess Consort?” he asked, his voice deceptively casual.
I couldn’t tell if he was genuinely concerned or if he already knew exactly what was wrong.
Sara Lili
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.