ALPHA KING'S SECRET TRIPLETS Chapter 58

HUNTER'S POV

The pack respectfully withdrew, leaving me alone with my father. The moonlight spilled over us, casting dancing shadows among the trees. Curious, I questioned the reason for this private moment.

“I don't recall this part of the ceremony,” I remarked, inquiring about the peculiar ritual.

Alastair, with his characteristic seriousness, responded, “This is the part of the ceremony used to instill wisdom in the heir.”

I furrowed my brow, surprised by the unexpected turn in the ceremony. “Instill wisdom?” Alastair nodded. “Yes, Hunter. Triumphing in a challenge is only part of the journey. To be the next Alpha King requires more than bravery and hunting skills. It demands wisdom, discernment, especially the latter.”

Those words echoed in my mind. The pressure of leading weighed on my shoulders, and I understood the responsibility now resting upon me. Alastair went on, sharing valuable advice about the importance of understanding the nuances of leadership, respecting pack members, and maintaining harmony among the wolves.

“But what does this have to do with choosing a Luna?” I asked, perplexed.

Alastair looked at me seriously. “Hunter, love is a gift, but it is also a responsibility. The Luna is not just your mate; she will be your adviser, your partner in leadership. You need to be prepared to make choices that benefit the pack, something beyond the sacred bond imposed with the destined Luna.”

I nodded slowly, trying to grasp the depth of what was being said. Being the Alpha King was not just a position of power; it was a burden of responsibilities and commitments that I was about to take on.

Alastair nodded. “Now, about the Luna. Before you announce her publicly, I want to ensure that your choice is made wisely. The Goddess of the Moon guides us, but it is good discernment that sustains a pack. Make sure your decision is guided by reason.”

I pondered on what that meant, knowing that my decisions would resonate through the hearts of everyone in the pack.

Alastair continued, “Whatever your choice, Hunter, let it be made with wisdom and in respect for the tradition that guides us. Now, reveal to me the Luna that the Goddess of the Moon has determined for you.”

I took a deep breath, aware of the importance of the next step. “The Goddess of the Moon has determined Fierce,” I announced, with the certainty of divine blessing.

Alastair's expression hardened, his eyes conveying a mix of disgust and disapproval. “Hunter, you cannot accept Fierce as your Luna,” he stated, surprising me with the severity of his words.

Perplexed, I questioned, “Why, father? Fierce was chosen by the Goddess of the Moon. I cannot reject that decision.”

Alastair sighed, as if my response deeply disappointed him. “Fierce is not a good choice for you, Hunter. There are more suitable candidates.”

My surprise turned into indignation. “Regardless of being a 'good choice' or not, she was designated by the Goddess. We have no right to question divine will.”

However, Alastair did not relent. With disdain, he retorted, “Apparently, you didn't hear anything I said about choosing wisely. Choosing wisely is a fundamental part of our legacy. An unfit Luna can bring irreparable consequences for the pack.”

Recalling Alastair's words about the curse that would fall upon me if I rejected the Luna determined by the Goddess, I argued, “Father, I heard everything you said. Even if I refuse the destined Luna, the Goddess's curse will affect the pack.”

Alastair, however, had something more to reveal. With a grave tone, he stated, “That was before, Hunter. Before I found out that Fierce participated in your Test, defying traditions and compromising the integrity of the coronation.”

The revelation hit me like a punch to the stomach. “Who informed you of this?” The question escaped my lips before I could ponder the consequences.

Alastair averted his gaze, refusing to reveal the source. “It doesn't matter. What matters is that you confirm it. Now, you must reject Fierce as your Luna.”

The decision unfolded before me, a dilemma between fulfilling divine will and responsibility to the pack. “I cannot reject Fierce,” I affirmed, staring at my father with determination.

The response was not well-received. “Not only can you, but you will.”

The situation became increasingly complicated. “I cannot reject Fierce, father. It would be an affront to the Goddess of the Moon, and a curse would fall upon me and affect the entire pack.”

Alastair, with an incisive tone, declared, “Before, the consequences would fall upon you, Hunter, but now, if you insist on keeping Fierce as your Luna, the pack will be annihilated by all the others. That is the reality.”

I refused to believe that the pack would be subjected to such punishment. “I don't believe it, father. The Goddess will protect the pack.”

Alastair let out a bitter laugh. “It may even be true, but Fierce won't be saved. She meddled in the coronation of the next alpha, and the laws are clear. This is punishable by death.”

“You won't do that, father,” I asserted, refusing to believe that my own father would condemn Fierce.

“Dare to accept Fierce, and you will witness her death before your eyes. I know you don't want that, so reject Fierce, Hunter,” Alastair ordered, his voice stern and uncompromising.

I faced an impossible choice: sacrifice the woman I loved or defy the laws that governed the pack.

The pressure on my shoulders was overwhelming. “What do you want me to do?” I asked, seeking a solution that wouldn't compromise Fierce's life.

“Publicly announce that the chosen Luna is Zora, daughter of Alpha King Garnet. Only then can we avoid the disaster that would befall us and Fierce,” Alastair said, as his words echoed in the clearing, triggering an internal storm. I was torn between obeying traditions and the desire to follow my heart and be with Fierce. However, she would die.

The choice I made would shape the destiny of our pack and also of Fierce.

***

The coronation ceremony, intended to be the affirmation of my role as the next Alpha King, turned into a complicated game of difficult choices. In front of the eager eyes of the pack members and Luna hopefuls, I faced my father, Alastair, the current pack leader, who awaited the Goddess of the Moon's revelation about who would be my destined Luna.

“The moment has come, Hunter. Announce to everyone who the Goddess of the Moon has chosen as your destined Luna,” said Alastair, while I felt the curious and hopeful gazes upon me.

I looked around, seeing the faces of all the Luna hopefuls, each with their own longing and expectation. Fierce, the true Luna of my heart, was not present, giving me some relief, for I did not want her to witness what was about to happen.

“The Goddess of the Moon has determined that Zora, daughter of Alpha King Garnet, will be my destined Luna,” I declared, feeling the bitter taste of the lie in my mouth.

“According to the will of the Goddess of the Moon,” I began, carefully choosing my words, “my destined Luna is Zora, daughter of Alpha King Garnet.”

A collective sigh echoed among those present, and I saw Zora's triumphant smile as she approached me. She knelt before everyone, expressing honor and gratitude for being decided.

“It is an honor to be your destined Luna, Hunter,” proclaimed Zora, her eyes shining with determination. “From this moment forward, I will be yours forever.”

Alastair, raising his arms to the sky, proclaimed, “By the power vested in me as Alpha of the Rocky Mountain Pack, I bless this union. May the path of Hunter and Zora be illuminated by the moon, and may they together achieve greatness.”

The blessing, however, came with the order to immediately depart for Zora's pack, where Alpha King Garnet also awaited to give his approval.

“Depart now. Alpha King Garnet awaits you. We cannot disregard the formality and respect we owe to allied packs. You have a journey ahead, and it is best to start now,” said Alastair, as my smile slowly faded.

“Leave immediately?” I questioned, seeking to understand the haste of the decision.

Alastair nodded, with a stern look. “Alpha King Garnet awaits your arrival. We cannot disregard the formality and respect we owe to allied packs. You have a journey ahead, and it is best to start now.”

Zora, still kneeling, agreed with determination. “I am ready, Hunter. Let's go; I'm sure you'll love getting to know my pack.”

The pack members applauded, celebrating the supposed union. As we walked together toward the destination dictated by circumstances, I knew I had betrayed myself and Fierce.