The gathering of Alphas at Wolfsburg palace was tense, the air thick with anticipation. King Wolfland, resplendent in his regalia, raised the issue of his daughter's mating ceremony with Elijah.
"My dear Alphas, let us discuss the union of Princess Ophelia and Alpha Elijah, I want a date fixed for the mating ceremony" the king announced.
Ironfist, Alpha of the Ironfist pack, sprang to his feet.
"My king, I do not see Alpha Elijah worthy of being the Princess's mate or to be an heir to the throne of Wolfland. He had released the Netherlands Captives. He let our enemies go! No true born Alpha of Wolfland would do that!" Ironfist declared.
The room erupted into arguments, Alphas shouting and gesturing. Elijah's calm demeanor stood out amidst the chaos.
King Wolfland banged his gavel, restoring order.
"Alpha Elijah, what do you have to say on that?" the king asked.
Elijah rose, his voice firm.
"The Captives we are talking about, who got them? Me! Who went to war alone and captured them? It's me and my pack! I came here, to this humble court, pleading with y'all for more soldiers to go to war at Netherlands and conquer Netherlands, but none of you here, agreed to release their soldiers. No-one fought against the Netherlands with me. I did it alone. My pack conquered the Netherlands alone, and I know I earned the rights to release the Captives I captured alone when I want to. That's because they are mine! And mine alone!"
The room fell silent, shamefaced Alphas avoiding Elijah's gaze.
Elijah continued, "I have also decided that there will be no more wars with the Netherlands. I'll make sure of that. They're innocent people, and I regret allowing my vengeful will to ruin a good nation. I regret deeply how I rendered millions of Netherlands orphans like me. It's not worth it."
Ironfist's eyes narrowed.
"I sense there's more to this...Like the rumors," Ironfist said.
King Wolfland's curiosity piqued.
"What rumors?" the king asked.
Ironfist feigned ignorance.
"Rumors of Alpha Elijah's love for a witch who's nowhere to be found. She probably ran away or something."
Gasps filled the room. Only Ironfist knew the truth, using the "rumor" to conceal his spies in Blackwood.
The whole Alphas exclaimed in shock.
Elijah's gaze locked onto Ironfist.
"Seeing how you have more information about my pack leads to my major reason of banishing some of your people out of my pack. You instigated spies in my pack, why?."
Ironfist's surprise was genuine; his spies had been discovered.
"I-I don't know what you're talking about, Alpha Elijah," Ironfist stammered.
King Wolfland intervened.
"Alpha Elijah, I think what the court wants to know is how true is this rumor?"
Elijah's expression turned guarded.
"I'll address the rumor, Your Majesty. But first, I'd like to know why Ironfist is interested in my pack's affairs."
Just then, Princess Ophelia entered, her timing impeccable.
"Father, I brought merriment for my mating ceremony discussion," Ophelia said.
The king smiled.
"I hope there's enough for everyone?" He jokes,
"Yes Father, I brought enough merriment in order of my mating ceremony discussion. Please allow me to pour one glass with my mate?" Ophelia asked.
The king nodded, and the whole scene changed to a happy one.
Ophelia poured Elijah's drink, after adding the love potion as Malakai instructed.
She bowed at the Alpha and poured him a drink of the wine.
As they raised their glasses, Elijah's thoughts drifted to Aria.
Where was she? Was she safe?
The love potion's effects began to stir within him.
Ophelia's smile captivated him, her beauty mesmerizing.
Cheers and congratulations filled the room.
The king cheered with everyone at the court, and the mating ceremony date was fixed. The other issues were overlooked.
The king will pardon every other thing for his beloved only child.
Merriment filled the air as the mood was uplifted with everyone munching and drinking.
Ironfist seemed upset at the turn of events.
He wants the Blackwood pack by all means, and that had to be only when Elijah is destroyed.
He will surely achieve that someday.
As the night wore on, Elijah's feelings for Ophelia grew stronger, the love potion taking hold.
Ophelia's laughter enchanted him, her smile captivating.
He couldn't remember why he had doubted their union before.
Aria's face faded from his mind, replaced by Ophelia's charming presence.
Malakai observed from the crow's eyes, a sly smile spreading across his face.
His plan was working perfectly.
Ironfist, however, seethed with frustration.
His schemes were being foiled by Elijah's sudden infatuation.
He needed to act quickly, before Elijah and Ophelia's bond strengthened.
As the evening drew to a close, King Wolfland announced the mating ceremony's date.
"In one moon's time, we will gather to celebrate the union of Alpha Elijah and Princess Ophelia," the king declared.
The room erupted into cheers and applause.
Elijah, under the love potion's influence, gazed adoringly at Ophelia.
.
.
.
Outside the palace gardens that night, the couple walked together.
Princess Ophelia's eyes gleamed with desire as she gazed at Elijah.
"The night is young, my love," she whispered.
Elijah's passion, fueled by the love potion, burned brighter.
He swept Ophelia into his arms, their lips meeting in a fiery kiss.
In her chamber, candles flickered, casting shadows on the walls.
Ophelia's dress slid to the floor, revealing her silken skin.
Elijah's strong hands explored her curves, worshiping her body.
He kissed her body from lips to toes, worshipping all part of her beauty. He wondered what made him doubt their love at first place. She's beautiful and a wolf too. Their wolves came out and mated in body and soul.
Their love-making was intense, Ophelia's pleasure echoing through the room.
She felt cherished, loved.
For the first time, she felt truly desired.
As they lay entwined, Ophelia's thoughts turned to Malakai's magic.
The love potion had worked wonders.
No one knew her secret.
She vowed to keep it hidden, locked deep within.
With Elijah by her side, she felt invincible.
Their passion reignited, Ophelia's whispers urged Elijah on.
In the heat of the moment, Elijah's mind whispered Aria's name.
But Ophelia's touch erased all thoughts of his lost love.
The princess's enchantment held him captive.
As dawn broke, Ophelia's smile gleamed triumphant.
She had Elijah's heart.
Or so she thought.
.
.
.
Aria arrived at Blackwood Palace, her heart racing with anticipation. But instead of Elijah's warm welcome, she found Axel, his beta.
"Aria! Thank the gods you're back," Axel exclaimed.
Aria's smile faltered.
"Elijah?" she asked.
Axel's expression turned somber.
"He left for Wolfsburg yesterday. I'm afraid he's not here."
Disappointment washed over Aria.
Axel's concern softened his features.
"You must be exhausted. Let me arrange a warm bath and fresh clothes for you."
Aria nodded gratefully.
As she bathed and changed, Lyra, late Akira's young daughter, chattered excitedly.
"Uncle Elijah searched everywhere for you! He even freed the Netherlands Captives, hoping they'd know your whereabouts."
Aria's heart swelled.
She devoured the food served in the dining room, her hunger insatiable.
Lyra continued.
"Uncle Elijah was devastated. He scoured Wolfland, leaving no stone unturned."
Aria's longing deepened.
She yearned to reunite with Elijah, to hold him close.
Axel rejoined them.
"I've never seen my Alpha so disturbed," Axel said. "He loves you deeply."
Aria's voice barely above a whisper.
"I love him too."
She shared her story, revealing Malakai's abduction and Lysander's role.
Axel's eyes narrowed.
"And Malakai let you leave like that? That's suspicious."
Aria nodded.
"I sense there's more to this freedom."
Axel's gaze intensified.
"The mirror – what does it do?"
Aria shrugged.
"I wish I knew."
Axel's expression turned resolute.
"You need to return to Netherlands. Only your kind can help you understand."
Aria's determination hardened.
"I'll go, but first, I must see Elijah. He needs to know where I'll be."
Axel smiled.
"I bet he won't let you go again."
Aria's lips curled into a gentle smile.
He truly loves her.