It was weird sleeping in my old bedroom, especially with Edmond. I sat on the bed, it seemed so much smaller now. Everything did.

"You're not okay," he said, taking his shirt off.

"I am. I'm just nervous. You know? This hasn't been done for a while. What if I mess up?"

"What's the worse that can happen?"

I looked at him and cocked my head to the side. "My sister could die..."

"Right. I mean besides that."

"What's worse than that?" I asked.

"Sorry. I didn't mean..."

I waved him off. "I know you didn't. I just don't want to be the reason she dies."

"Do you want to call it all off?"

"Absolutely not. I can't let her stay with that maniac. That's just not good for her or the pups. Plus, I don't want that kind of crazy popping up anytime soon."

"You won't have to worry about that."

"No?"

"Anwar promised that he was taking care of Alex."

"Do you believe him?" I asked.

Edmond shook his head. "That's why I called my dad."

"Oh."

"He's on his way here with mother, and Marsha."

"Oh boy."

"Yeah, they're furious. That's why I'm just changing and then heading back downstairs."

"They're on their way now?"

"Indeed. They're going to strip Alex of his future Alpha title tonight. They're not waiting around."

"That's good."

"Do you wanna watch?" he asked, a twinkle in his eye.

"I can do that?"

"You're the princess. You can do just about anything you want."

"Then yes," I said. "There is nothing I would love more than to watch Alex suffer even more."

He held out his hand for me. I happily took it and walked down the stairs just as the front doors flew open.

"Alpha!" King Orsand hollered.

"Uh oh," I said in a hushed voice.

Queen Amelia stepped up beside him, looking incredible as always. They both wore their matching crowns, which was usually a power move on their part. She placed her hand on his arm in an attempt to get him to calm down. Beta Marsha and Gamma Joshua came in behind.

The were an imposing sight as they took over the place. 

The King's and Queen's guards stood at the door as everyone walked into the dining area. Edmond and I nodded at the rather large and terrifying men and entered behind the King, Queen, Beta, and Gamma.

"Majesties," Alpha Anwar mumbled.

"Anwar, I'm not pleased," King Orsand stated, sitting at the head of the table.

Father and Gamma Arthur stood, bowing low to everyone.

"Um, I don't understand? Why?" Alpha Anwar asked, all of the color draining from his face.

"Have you or have you not met the conditions of Alex being returned to Moon Mist?"

"Well, you see, I was..."

"So you haven't? Why wasn't this done the moment you returned?"

"He was in distress."

"He was in distress?" King Orsand stood and slammed his hands on the table. "Are you serious, Anwar?"

The Alpha nodded his head, not daring look his king in the eyes.

"He attacked the crown princess."

"She anta..." 

"I know you are not about to accuse my mate of your sons actions," Edmond said, stepping forward.

Orsand held up his hand to stop Alpha Anwar from talking. "If you finish that sentence I'm ripping your tongue out of your face. Do you understand?"

"Yes, majesty."

"Let's go. To wherever he's being held. Now."

Alpha Anwar looked up at the king, his eyes wide.

"He's being held in a prison cell, right?" Queen Amelia asked. "So where is the jail."

"He's, um, at my estate."

King Orsand pursed his lips and closed his eyes. "Do you have any idea how close I am of stripping you of your Alpha title right now?"

"I apologize, your majesty."

"Take us to him now," King Orsand said through gritted teeth.

I had never seen King Orsand so angry before. At least, not this kind of angry. Father's eyes darted between the two men. I knew he was struggling internally. I was his daughter, but Alpha Anwar was his Alpha and he was hi Beta, but then King Orsand was his king.

The internal confliction was an issue.

Alpha Anwar slowly left my fathers house and walked the short distance to his estate followed by at least a dozen wolves.

I looked up at a window that I was familiar with. Alex's room. His light was on and you could see him moving around inside.

"Get him down here. Now," King Orsand said.

"Yes, Sir."

King Orsand motioned for two of he guards to follow Alpha Anwar inside.

I stepped toward my father-in-law. "Um, father?"

"Yes?" he asked, not looking at me.

"I'm sorry."

He turned to look at me with an inquisitive look. "What on Earth do you have to be sorry for?"

"This is kind of my fault."

"How?"

"Alex went all crazy and tried to attack me. If I had just avoided him."

"No. Absolutely not. You shouldn't have to tip toe around an immature wolf. Especially not in your home. You have nothing to be sorry for, my sweet daughter."

Queen Amelia wrapped her arms around me and squeezed tight. "Never apologize for someone doing you wrong."

Edmond reached out and held my hand. "Do you want to leave?"

"I can take you home, my little pup," dad said.

I looked at him and leaned my head on his shoulder. "Thanks, old wolf. We should probably stay here with the King."

"Probably, but you have that option."

"Thanks, dad."

"I love you, Elanor."

"I know."

We all stopped talking as Alpha Anwar emerged from his massive estate with Alex and the guard in tow.

"Why is she here?" Ales spat out.

"You really should learn to read the room, you impetuous wolf," Edmond growled at him.

"She's the problem. Nothing would have happened if she just didn't exist."

Edmond let out a snarl and looked as though he was going to rip Alex's throat out.

"Alex, enough," Alpha Anwar said. "The King is here for you."

Alex side-eyed King Orsand.

"Alexander of Moon Mist. Future Alpha of the pack."

"Sire," Alex spat out.

"You are forthwith stripped of your title. You shall not be the future Alpha."

"But..."

"I have spoken my command." He turned to look at Tristan. "Tristan of the Moon Mist Pack, the future Alpha title will be to you upon the death or abdication of Alpha Anwar of the Moon Mist pack. Do you accept this distinction?"

"I do," Tristan said, his voice wavering just a bit.

"Good. The papers will be drawn up once we return to Winter Lake and the Alpha status will remain with  Beta Kenrick's family starting with Tristan."

"I'll call my assistant to have her start drafting everything up now," Marsha said, walking away while pulling out her phone.

Alex shouted nonsensically and ran back into his father's house.

"That's going to be hard to get him to drink the potion," I muttered as we all turned to go back to my father's estate.

"I think Alastair and I could manage to help him out."