Enzo
"How long do you think I will have to entertain the Silver Moon Pack before my patience finally runs thin?" Lycan King Enzo Obsidian asked, his voice calm but edged with unmistakable menace, as the royal carriage galloped steadily down the forest path.
His beta, Lucian Moretti, sat across from him, posture relaxed, eyes observant. "Perhaps until their alpha stops pretending he isn't deeply involved in illegal and shady dealings," Lucian replied evenly.
Enzo hummed in response, tapping one gloved finger against the armrest. "Or maybe I should simply snap his neck and be done with it. Wouldn't that save us a great deal of time,,.and future mess?"
"Your Majesty," Lucian said patiently, accustomed to his king's ruthless suggestions, "that wouldn't stop what's already in motion. We need proof. We need to dig down to the root of the matter." He paused, then added dryly, "And don't even get me started on the council. They would never approve of your… preferred method."
"But time and time again," Enzo replied with a lazy smile, "my method has proven far more effective than the conventional one."
Lucian exhaled softly. "Silver Moon is the largest of the twenty-five packs under your jurisdiction. Most of the problems we've faced lately can be traced back here. If we move too aggressively, we'll only spook the perpetrators and send them into hiding, just like last time. Another thirty years of silence."
"Well," Enzo drawled, violet eyes glinting, "that was a rather peaceful thirty years, wouldn't you agree, Lucian?"
Lucian shook his head, unable to suppress a small smile. "Peaceful for you, perhaps."
The carriage slowed slightly as the path widened.
"We're close now, Your Majesty," Lucian said.
"Thirty minutes at most. Informing them only a day in advance was a wise decision. A single day isn't enough time to hide everything. Their mistakes will show."
"Has our spy been informed of our arrival?" Enzo asked.
Lucian nodded. "Yes. They've already begun moving."
"Good." Enzo leaned forward. "Stop the carriage. From here on, we ride. The sooner we arrive, the sooner we're done, and the sooner we return home."
Lucian relayed the order. The carriage came to a halt, and moments later, the king and his beta mounted their horses. Ten elite soldiers followed as they galloped ahead, leaving the carriage and some soldiers behind in a cloud of dust.
They arrived at Silver Moon Pack just as dusk settled. The alpha, Victor, stood at the forefront with his people lined neatly behind him.
Judging by their stiff postures and strained expressions, they had been waiting for over an hour, uncertain of the exact time of arrival of the kong. Torches flickered, casting uneasy shadows across anxious faces.
Enzo dismounted smoothly. Attendants rushed forward to take the horses. Murmurs rippled through the gathered wolves, many had heard of their king, but few had ever seen him.
A lycan could live indefinitely, and a lycan king even more so. Unlike werewolves, whose lives were bound by time, Enzo had ruled for centuries. Most of the wolves present were young; the last inspection had taken place thirty years ago, and it had ended in bloodshed.
Enzo walked forward with measured authority, a sword resting at his side. His dirty blond hair fell loosely around sharp features, and his violet eyes held a dangerous calm. Alpha Victor stepped forward quickly, bowing deeply.
"Your Majesty," Victor said, forcing confidence into his voice. "Welcome to Silver Moon."
The crowd followed suit. "Greetings, Your
Majesty," they chorused, heads bowed.
Enzo acknowledged them with a few measured words, even resting a hand briefly on the head of a young pup near the front. The pup dropped to their knees immediately, trembling as they accepted the blessing. It was custom to kneel when the the king touches you.
Victor led Enzo and Lucian into the throne room, which had been hastily decorated for the occasion. When they reached the dais, Enzo took his seat. Victor sat to his right, while Lucian claimed the seat to his left.
"Your Majesty," Victor began carefully, "we apologize that the welcome was not as grand as it should have been. Had we known earlier, we would have prepared something far more fitting."
Enzo ignored the remark. "Tell me, Alpha
Victor, what is the current situation of your pack?"
Victor swallowed. "Silver Moon has not suffered any rogue attacks, and overall, the pack is stable."
"That is unusual, considering Moonfall pack close to your pack has indeed experienced several rogue attack" Enzo said effortlessly, his eyes sharp
"Victor smiled nervously "I can assure you king Enzo, our shoulders are well trained and we can withhold the attack from rogue, I guess that is why they don't come to attack our pack"
"Then explain to me," Enzo said calmly, "why fewer men from your pack have been joining the royal army in recent years."
Victor stiffened. "Perhaps there has been a decline in interest. Many no longer wish to enlist."
"Is that so?" Enzo asked softly. "Despite being offered housing and a generous salary? Are you suggesting no one wishes to serve the throne, or their king?"
The temperature in the room dropped instantly. Wolves began to sweat, some lowering their heads further.
"No, Your Majesty, that is not what I meant," Victor said hurriedly, beads of sweat forming along his temple.
"Then what did you mean?" Enzo leaned back, posture relaxed but deadly.
"There will be improvement," Victor said quickly.
"By the next selection, I will personally ensure higher numbers."
Enzo nodded once. The tension eased slightly, though it never fully left the room.
The conversation continued in much the same manner, Victor sweating, choosing every word carefully, Lucian observing with quiet amusement. Unseen, the king's spy was already at work within the pack.
As the meeting drew to a close, Victor suddenly smiled. "Your Majesty, we have prepared a surprise in your honor."
Enzo arched a brow, mildly intrigued. "Very well. Let's see it."
Victor clapped his hands, anticipation gleaming in his eyes, utterly unaware that whatever he had prepared would soon be overshadowed by the truth Enzo had come to uncover.