A Second Chance With My Tribrid Alpha King

LOGAN’S POV

I watched in silence as she fumbled with the large earrings in her hands. Wasn’t she interested in putting them on anymore?

“You don’t wanna wear them anymore?” I asked. Her body jolted in suprise as she looked up at me. I had clearly startled her. She had been acting really weird and out of sorts for the past week, and it worried me to no end. “Audrey? Are you okay?”

“Yeah… I guess?” She shrugged. Her method of response was enough to let me know that all wasn’t well.

“Who even needs these large earrings when going to the library?” She muttered to herself, before dropping the earrings back into her jewelry box. “Do you…”

“Are you….” We began talking at the same time. “Sorry.” I chuckled.

“No, it’s fine. You can go ahead with what you wanted to say.”

“No, you should instead. You seemed like you had a very important question for me.”

“Welll….” She sighed. “I have been feeling really different these past few days. It feels like something happened that I can’t remember. Something quite significant.” She sighed in apparent worry.

“To be very honest, you have been acting really weird for some time now. I now understand why.”

“Do you remember any unusual thing that could have taken place within this short period of time?” She asked, and I slowly shook my head in negation. I truly couldn’t think of anything. “Okay.” She nodded, but her facial expression gave the opposite vibe. After a moment, she shrugged her shoulders indifferently, and changed the subject. “I am leaving for the library now. Are you coming along?” She asked me, looking a bit unsure.

“Do you want me to?” I teased, making her chuckle.

“It’s always more fun with you.” She answered truthfully. I also found reading together in the library, much more fun with her. These past week had been almost too good to be true. Ever since she found out about my love for reading, we always went to the library together, picked out a particular book to read, afterwhich we’d discuss the story together.

Though sometimes, she’d act like she realized she was getting too free around me, and try to withhold herself. Those times, she’d deliberately say hurtful things to me, trying to push me away, but little did she know I was more than ready to be patient and make things work. So, whenever she sunk into that ‘guard up’ mood, all I do is give her some space.

“I also find it more interesting, reading with you.” I gave a warm smile. “But today, I’m sorry I wouldn’t be able to accompany you.”

“Why?” She asked, trying as much as she could to not look disappointed.

“I have a very important meeting to attend with my father and the council. You know our coronation is by the corner, and certain things need to be put in place.”

“That’s fine.” She muttered, looking away in what seemed like worry.

“Are you fine?” I couldn’t help but ask. Her mind had been quite far off, when I asked that question.

“Ahh! Yes. Yes I’m fine.” She smiled, but it was clearly forced. Heaving a deep sigh, I walked up to the bed and sat beside her.© 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.

“You clearly do not look fine. And for some reasons, I think I have an idea as to what worries you.” I took her hand in mine, but she gently pulled away. “Audrey, you don’t have to feel pressured about anything. Even when we get coronated as king and queen, you have all the time you need, to adjust into this new life. To get used to being my mate. And I would be very patient as much as you need. You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do.

“I said I’m fine!” She suddenly flared up, before hopping down the bed and walking out of the room.

There we go again. I sighed for the thousandth time that morning, before walking out of our chambers and making my way towards the council room. When I got there, my father and a few other council members were also making their way in.

“Father.” I called, and he flashed a warm smile at me. “A pleasant morning to you.” I bowed, and he nodded in acknowledgent. “Elders.” I turned to the council members, and gave a slight nod.

“Your highness.” They bowed.

“It seemed to be that we all made it here at the same time. Shall we?” Father gestured to the door of the council room, and we all walked in. When we got in, we saw that the other council elders were already seated and awaiting the rest of us. I looked at them, and they were just the very elders who occasionally showed their animosity towards me, and tried to air their want for Sebastian to be King, rather than I. It was clear they had been busy with a meeting of their own before we arrived.

“Lord Hartley.” Father managed a small smile at the much older looking man amongst the group.

Lord Hartley could be otherwise called the ringleader of the ‘rebellion movement’. Though we all knew who he really stood for, we acted oblivious to it. He did too. Funny.

“Your majesty.” He plastered a fake smile so wide, that one could be convinced it was a well meaning smile. Life as royalty had taught me to act cool, even in the face of the devil. “We had been waiting on you and the rest of the council to show up. I’m glad we can carry on now.”

“Of course.” Father gave a small nod. “Please elders, be seated.”

Everyone took their seats, and silence fell. While the council room continued to remain silent for some seconds, the elders shared awkward looks amongst themselves as they waited on my father to speak up. Finally, he did.

“We would deal with the chosen petition that grabbed my attention amongst the many petitions submitted in the past week, before making plans towards the upcoming coronation.”

“I’m sorry to interrupt, your majesty.” Lord Hartley spoke up, making everyone’s attention fall on him. What was he about to say now?

“Carry on.” Father gave a small wave, urging him to continue.

“I think the discussion concerning the coronation should be had first, considering it is the most important, and presumably around the corner.” ‘Presumably’. Everyone in the kingdom definitely knew that the coronation was supposed to take place a month after my wedding, so why did he use such an uncertain term?

“Presumably?” My father asked, his gaze pinned on Lord Hartley, who acted like he didn’t purposely make such a wrong statement.

“I’m sorry.” He looked around. “I thought we weren’t quite certain about…”

“There is nothing uncertain about anything!” My father suddenly thundered, making a few elders flinch. “Logan has found his mate, and he would be coronated as is supposed.”

“But his wolf is yet to….”

“I personally do not believe a wolfless man can have a mate.”

“There are wolves who are mated to humans and supernaturals of other races.” Lord Hartley pressed on, making me slowly grow agitated and irritated.

“Are you trying to say that the prince might be human and mated to a wolf?” My father asked, and Lord Hartley remained quiet.

“I believe Prince Logan still has some more time to shift into his wolf form. He has already found a mate, and that is more than enough hope that his wolf may emerge soon.” Lord Maurice, one of the other council elders intervened.

“So we are now dealing with the affairs of a kingdom as great as this, based on hope and luck?!” Another elder who was together with Lord Hartley shot back. I don’t know how to express how I felt. Was I invisible or what? Soon, the whole gathering fell into a chaotic argument. I couldn’t take their bickering anymore, and suddenly hit the table, making everyone go silent.

“Silent, all of you!” I yelled out, trying to calm myself, but finding it difficult to. Why? I wanted to hold back from speaking, but I was unbelievably too mad to remain silent. “So you think I’m not good for the throne, hmm?” I asked, eyeing each of them, one after the other. To my suprise, my father remained calm. “Lord Hartley?” My gaze fell on him, and he seemed shocked. I was as well. I didn’t normally lose my temper or react this way. “You have a better candidate for the throne?” I asked, and he slightly raised his chin in defiance, which only increased my anger. “I see!!” I chuckled humourlessly. “Well! Whoever has eyes for the throne should be daring enough to stand and challenge me for it, on the day of coronation.”

The elders gasped in shock, making the actual weight of my statement hit me. Goddess! For a moment, it was as if I saw a smirk on Lord Hartley’s face, but the next moment, he looked normal. I was very sure I saw a smirk on his face.

“Your highness, do you know the meaning of what you just said?” Lord Maurice asked in worry, and just as I was about to give a reply, my father spoke up.

“I believe enough discussion has been had about this. We should deal with the petition now.” He said, making Lord Hartley release a disgruntled sigh of displeasure.

“Excuse me.” I announced, before rising and walking out of the council room. I really needed to cool off.

Once I stepped out of the council room, I made my way towards the library, but when realized Audrey might still be in that sour mood of hers, I changed my direction and went to the training ground. Surprisingly, the place was empty and it only helped in giving me as much solitude as I needed. I wasn’t dressed in my training clothes, but really didn’t mind as I sparred with the punching bag in the private area.

I sparred for a really long while, until I became tired. Laying on the floor to have some rest, I eventually slept off.

The feeling of extremely cold water on my face, made me wake up instantly. I opened my eyes to see a mischievous looking Liam.

“Seriously?” I muttered in mild annoyance.

“I’m sorry, but you didn’t budge all the times I tried to wake you in a more civilized manner.”

“I’m glad you know how uncivilized what you just did, is.”

“Whatever.” He rolled his eyes, stretching out his hand to me, which I took and helped myself up. I looked out of the window and was shocked to see that the sun was already setting. Wow! I had really slept for quite a while. “You feel better now?” He asked, making me squint my eyes in confusion. “Your father told us what happened during the council meeting this morning.” He explained, making me nod in understanding.

“Now that I think about it, I do feel better.” I shrugged.

“That’s great, because your father has sent for you.”

“Now?” I asked, feeling a little worried. I knew he wasn’t happy about the way I handled things at the meeting this morning. I also wasn’t proud of my outburst.

“Yes.” He nodded, before looking at me and frowning. “Don’t tell me you are feeling bad concerning what happened with the elders today.” He looked offended that I was feeling sad, which made me feel slightly better.

“Not really.” I sighed. “I just happened to not say the right thing.”

“Is this about you telling them to challenge you?” He asked as we made our way out of the training ground.

“Yeah.”

“I wouldn’t disagree with you though. You did say the wrong thing, but I wouldn’t blame you. You were pissed.”

“Exactly the problem.” I nodded. “I am supposed to be able to manage my emotions properly, and think without bias. A king should.”

Liam glanced at me, before looking ahead as we continued on our way to the king’s study. “Cut yourself some slack.” That was the last thing he said, and remained silent until we got to our destination.

I knocked on the door and after a second, we were asked to step in. We walked in and I quietly made my way to the chair opposite him and sat. Even though he didn’t look angry or even the slightest bit annoyed, I still felt bad. Liam sat beside me, and we both waited for father to say something.

“You know the meaning of what you did today?” He finally asked.

“I’m really sorry father, I…” I was still talking when he raised his index finger as a signal for me to be quiet.

“What you said today, simply meant that you gave an open floor for any person eyeing the throne, to challenge you for it. Ordinarily, anyone challenging you for the throne would be marked a rebel, but not anymore. It’s different now that you gave the go ahead.”

I kept silent as he continued.

“But if there’s anything you should be, you shouldn’t be sorry. It takes a confident man, to do what you did today. I do not care if some elders in that room, saw it as an opportunity for their candidate to make a grab for the throne. I am very proud that you are not a pushover. What they did was disrespectful to you, and I’m glad you put them in their place.” He smiled, making all the tension I carried in my heart disappear immediately.

“But father, what if Sebastian or any other person stands to challenge me for the throne on the day of coronation?” I asked in worry, and he released a sigh.

“That is why I made a decision during the meeting.”

“What decision?” I asked, completely at loss.

“The petition we discussed, was about Alpha Ryan. His appearance at your wedding had been unbelievable, and caused quite a stir.”

“How so?” Liam asked.

“The people are concerned, considering the fact that they don’t really know what happened several years back, which made him isolated for years. The rumours that spread was that he killed his mate, and was literally spellbound in his castle by the elders of the witches council.” That was the story we all heard, but I never really believed it.

“Is that what really happened?” I asked, and was shocked when my father nodded in agreement. I had never known Ryan to be a murderer. More so, deadly to the extent of killing his own mate. Something was just not adding up.

“I don’t believe that.” Liam muttered, looking lost in thoughts.

“Of course, there is more to the story. All I can say for now, is that Ryan did not intentionally kill his mate.”

“Then what happened?” I asked in confusion.

“That is for him to tell you.” Father said, making me more confused. What did he mean by that? How was Ryan going to tell me, when….?

“Father, what’s going on?” I asked, sharing a look of confusion with Liam.

“I have decided to send you over to Ryan’s pack. There is something I want you to do.”

****

****

Later that night, I walked to my chambers, a lot running through my mind. I had been with my father and Liam until so late. When I got to the door, the two guards stationed there bowed slightly. I gave a nod in return, and made my way in.

“Good evening.” I muttered when I saw Audrey blow drying her hair in front of the vanity mirror.

“Good evening.” She replied, not sparing me a glance. I sighed tiredly, and walked towards the wardrobe, where I picked out a fresh set of joggers and tshirt. I breezed into the bathroom for a wash, after which I changed into my clothes and walked out of the bathroom.

Audrey had already laid on her side of the bed, but I was sure she wasn’t asleep yet. I walked to my side of the bed, and laid down quietly. I couldn’t stop looking at her back which was turned to me, hoping she would turn and spare me as much as a glance.

In a way, I felt sad that I didn’t have much time left to spend with her, before my journey tomorrow. And it was even sadder that she wasn’t really in the best of moods. Nonetheless, I found my hand stretching out towards her, and holding her arm. She seemed to have stiffened under my touch, making me rub her arm soothingly. I gently turned her towards me and instantly, our eyes locked.

“I would be traveling tomorrow.” I muttered. She kept her gaze on me, not saying anything in return. “I have a special errand to run for the king.” I added, and she still remained silent. After a while, I spoke up. “Can I hold you while I sleep tonight?” I found myself asking, expecting her to pull away from my hold, but she didn’t say a word. She wasn’t pushing me away, which was a good sign. So I took the liberty of holding her waist and pulling her close. She still said nothing, giving me the balls to pull her closer. I kept taking liberties until I had her head on my chest, making inhale the glorious scent of her hair. I couldn’t believe my luck, as I tightened my hold around her.

“How long are you going to be gone for?” She finally said something.

“I honestly have no idea.” I sighed. “For as long as it takes to finish up with the king’s task. But I would definitely return before the day of my coronation.” I chuckled, and we fell into another bout of silence. After a while, I felt her hand go over my torso, holding me in return. I honestly couldn’t believe it, but remained silent because I was scared to spoil the mood. Most of all, I wanted to enjoy my final night with my mate, before I traveled. We stayed in that position until we eventually slept off. I was happy and contented.