Chapter 3 We are expecting a child

The subjects watched him with adoration, revering the feared Alpha King as an unbeatable leader and an almost divine figure. Murmurs echoed through the air as people crowded to catch a glimpse of their sovereign. The crowd's eyes sparkled with a mixture of fear and admiration as Ulrich approached with an imposing presence.

Ulrich observed his subjects with a mix of satisfaction and authority, his commanding posture making it clear who was the master of these lands. Turin approached Ulrich, observing the crowd's fervor with a slight smile on his lips.

"It seems the people are excited, Majesty," he commented, his tone tinged with satisfaction. "They can hardly wait to hear the stories of the battle during the welcome feast."

Ulrich turned his gaze to Turin, his golden eyes shining with determination.

"Before the fun, there is one last obligation to fulfill," he replied seriously.

"What do you mean, Majesty?" questioned Turin, furrowing his brow, not understanding the king's words.

Ulrich lifted his gaze to the top of the castle, where the kingdom's elders watched the arrival with serious expressions.

"It's time to face the elders," he declared firmly. "They will surely want to know how the kingdom will benefit from the war we fought."

Turin nodded understandingly, realizing the seriousness of the situation. Together, they advanced towards the castle, each step resonating with relentless determination. The welcome feast would have to wait; first, Ulrich would have to deal with the demands of the elders, assuring them that his reign would bring prosperity and glory to the Northern Vale.

***

The oval throne room in the Castle of the Northern Vale was a scene of authority and power, where the feared Alpha King Ulrich, Beta Turin, and the elders gathered to discuss the kingdom's course after the recent battle against the Silver Fang Vale pack. Ulrich, bored, sat on his throne while Turin and the elders debated the war's aftermath.

Galadriel, the oldest elder and leader of the council, approached Turin with a serious and inquisitive expression.

"How exactly did this battle benefit the kingdom?" he questioned, his voice resonating with authority.

"The victory against Alpha Gray's pack has granted us more productive lands for the kingdom, along with all the resources the defeated pack possessed," Turin replied, his voice firm and confident.

Galadriel stared at Turin intently, his eyes seeking further clarification.

"And what about the people who could be used as slaves and the wolves who could reinforce our army?" he asked, his expression serious. "Where are they?"

Turin sighed, aware of the implications of his words.

"The King opted for the decimation of the pack," he revealed, his voice carrying a somber tone.

Galadriel turned to Ulrich, his expression now filled with concern.

"Why was this decision made?" he asked, his voice betraying nervousness.

Ulrich stared at Galadriel with disdain, his imposing posture reflecting his absolute power.

"Because I can," he replied coldly, his voice echoing through the hall. "I am the king, and my decisions are absolute."

Galadriel stood firm in the face of Ulrich's response.

"I meant no disrespect, Your Majesty," he began, his voice softening slightly. "But as leaders of the elders, we must understand how these decisions affect the kingdom. Kings may come and go, but elders remain to ensure the pack's balance."

Ulrich rose from his throne, advancing towards Galadriel with a look of disdain.

"Nevertheless, you have no right to question my decisions made in battle," he declared firmly. "Next time, perhaps I should call you to the front line. Maybe the smell of blood will help you understand what a battle truly is."

"I apologize if my words were interpreted as disrespectful, Majesty," Galadriel murmured, his voice full of contrition. He bowed his head in submission. "I was only trying to help."

Ulrich observed Galadriel for a moment before announcing his final decision.

"I have decided to send part of the subjects to live in the Silver Fang Vale as a solution to the overpopulation in the kingdom," he revealed. "They will be transferred immediately."

Galadriel nodded, acknowledging the wisdom in Ulrich's decision.

"It is a wise choice, Majesty," he agreed humbly.

Ulrich watched Galadriel for a moment before handing him Alpha Gray's pelt.

"Now, I will rest," he announced, his tone indicating the end of the audience. "I expect you to hang Alpha Gray's pelt with the others for the feast in the main hall."

With these final words, Ulrich withdrew from the room, leaving Turin, Galadriel, and the other elders to discuss the kingdom's next steps in the absence of their feared sovereign.

***

The corridors of the castle echoed with the steady footsteps of the feared Alpha King Ulrich as he made his way to his chambers, his imposing figure cutting through the air with determination. The surrounding atmosphere was steeped in a somber and silent aura, as if the castle walls themselves were whispering ancient secrets.

Upon reaching his chambers, Ulrich found his slaves awaiting him, transformed into their human forms. They were women of supernatural beauty, each belonging to a pack that Ulrich had conquered in his quest for dominance. Their eyes, laden with submission, turned to him as he entered the room.

Ulrich observed the face of each one with a mixture of interest and impatience, searching for Lyra, the slave he had taken as his Luna. His heart beat with an unusual urgency as he scanned the familiar faces among the slaves.

Finally, he approached one of the women, his penetrating gaze fixed on her.

"Where is Lyra?" he asked, his voice heavy with authority.

The woman met his gaze with a slight tremor of fear in her eyes.

"Lyra is resting, as recommended by the royal physician," she replied, her voice soft and fearful.

Ulrich furrowed his brow, surprised by the revelation.

"Does that mean Lyra is...?" he trailed off, his voice laden with a mix of emotions.

"Yes, Lyra is pregnant with Your Majesty's child," the woman nodded hesitantly.

Without further hesitation, Ulrich turned and exited his chambers, his heart racing with a strange sense of anticipation. He was heading towards Lyra's quarters, driven by a burning desire to see his Luna and confirm the news he had just received.

Upon reaching Lyra's quarters, Ulrich knocked on the door firmly, his heart pounding erratically in his chest. He waited for a tense moment before the door opened slowly, revealing Lyra's delicate figure before him.

Their eyes met in an instant, and Ulrich could see the moonlight reflected in her eyes.

"Lyra," he murmured, his voice soft and laden with emotion.

Lyra stared at him in surprise, her eyes shining with a mix of emotions.

"My king," she replied, her voice soft and melodious.

Ulrich took a step forward, his expression softening with an unusual tenderness. He reached out to touch Lyra's face, feeling a wave of warmth radiate from his touch.

"Lyra, my Luna," he said, his voice hoarse with emotion. "Is it true? Are you carrying my child?"

Lyra nodded with a radiant smile, her eyes shining with happiness.

"Yes, my king," she replied, her voice trembling slightly. "We are expecting a child."

Ulrich felt a wave of overwhelming emotion flood his being as he looked at Lyra, his Luna, the mother of his heir. He pulled her into his arms, enveloping her in a warm and protective embrace, his mind spinning with the magnitude of the revelation.

"My son," he murmured, his voice choked with emotion. "He will be the future of this kingdom, the heir to everything I have built."

And so, in the silence of Lyra's quarters, the feared Alpha King Ulrich found true happiness beside the woman he had chosen as his Luna and the child they eagerly awaited.