The sun hangs low in the sky, bleeding hues of gold and orange across the training fields behind the castle. The air is thick with the heat of the day slowly ebbing, and the rhythmic clash of metal and grunts of effort fill the space between me and Theo. We've been at this for hours, but neither of us is willing to call it quits. Theo, quick and relentless, is a formidable opponent. His movements are sharp, his instincts even sharper. But despite his skill, he can never quite beat me. I'm faster, stronger, more determined—and today is no different.

With one final twist, I knock him off balance, sending him crashing to the ground. His laughter rings out, and he shakes his head, wiping sweat from his brow as he looks up at me. "One day, Alex," he says, the same challenge in his eyes that's always been there.

But I only grin, gloating as usual. "Keep dreaming, brother."

This has become our ritual, our way of unwinding after the demands of the day. Theo might excel in the more political aspects of our future—he's got the charm, the diplomacy, the vision. But when it comes to a fight, he can't touch me. We both know it, and though I try not to rub it in too much, it's hard not to enjoy the victories.

As we head back to the castle, the sun sinking lower, I know we'll have to clean up before dinner. There's always a certain tension at family meals these days. Mother and Father have been... complicated lately. They love each other, I know that much. But there's always something simmering beneath the surface, a clash of wills that never quite goes away. One minute they're laughing together, the next they're arguing over something neither of them will let go.

It's not the kind of relationship I want for myself. In fact, I don't want one at all. I don't need a mate. Love—especially the kind of love that binds two people like them—it's too unpredictable. Too messy. I've seen how it affects them, even in their best moments.

If love is so powerful, why does it leave so much destruction in its wake? Why does it make even the strongest people weak? My father, a king feared and respected by all, is reduced to frustration and silence when he and my mother argue. And she—my mother, the kindest person in the world, who would do anything to protect her family and her kingdom—is left bearing the weight of their love, carrying the pain that comes with it.

I admire her, truly. The change she's brought to Lunaris, the way she's fought for equality between humans and werewolves, is nothing short of remarkable. She's made this kingdom better, pushed for peace and understanding where there once was only hatred and division. Humans were once nothing more than servants, laborers under werewolf control, but because of her, they've begun to find a place here. It's far from perfect, but it's better. She's done all of this while managing to raise us, her children, with love and compassion despite everything she's gone through with my father.

But even though they still have love, it doesn't erase the complications. The arguments, the frustration. My father struggles to navigate the delicate line between his duty and his bond with my mother. And she—strong as she is—bears the weight of it all, always trying to hold everything together.

That's not the kind of life I want. I don't need a mate to be complete. I don't need someone bound to me by fate, no matter how noble or romantic it sounds. I've seen what it can do, how it makes people vulnerable, how it twists their priorities.

No, love isn't for me. Mates aren't a gift—they're a burden. One I plan to avoid at all costs. I'd rather be free than risk the heartache that seems inevitable, even for people as strong as my parents.

My father is a powerful man. Alpha King Rylan. No one questions his strength, his authority, or the iron grip he holds over this kingdom. He commands respect, rules with precision, and has always been firm in his beliefs. Yet, since the day he met my mother, something shifted. He revealed a side of himself that most never thought existed—a softer, more patient man. A man capable of change. He used to despise humans, seeing them as inferior, but for her, he began to see things differently. Well, mostly.

His transformation wasn't swift, nor was it simple. His steps were sluggish, his journey toward understanding slow. It took years to get where we are now, and even still, there's so much further to go before my mother can finally say she's satisfied. Her vision for this kingdom—one where humans and werewolves stand as equals—remains incomplete. My father tries, but the reality is, he's never moved at the pace she needs. Change for him is like dragging a mountain, and my mother... well, she deserves much more.

Their relationship hasn't been easy. Even after he promised to change the day Theo and I were born, the path was never smooth. There were good times, yes, moments where their love seemed to conquer everything. But it never lasted for long. There was always another argument, another challenge, another wedge driven between them. Still, they persisted. Despite everything, they've held on to each other, refusing to let go. Their love is undeniable, but at what cost?

I've always thought my mother deserved better—deserved a life where she didn't have to fight so hard to make things work. A life free from the constant push and pull that comes with loving my father. Don't get me wrong, my father loves her, but it's not in his nature to be what she needs. He's too rigid, too bound by the instincts that made him a warior long before he ever became a king.

And while I hate to admit it, before my mother came into his life, my father had no weaknesses. He could have ruled the world if he wanted to. He had that kind of power, and everyone knew it. But then she arrived, and suddenly, he had something to lose. Everyone agrees she's been good for him, that she tamed the beast in him before he spiraled out of control. She reins him in when no one else can.

But is it fair to put that burden on her? To make her the one thing that keeps him grounded? No. It's not. She deserves more than to be my father's anchor in a storm he should be able to calm on his own.

That said, the kingdom of Lunaris has changed in ways no one could have imagined before my mother came into my father's life. Humans, once legally considered lesser, now stand on more equal ground—at least in the eyes of the law. Society, however, is slower to follow. The scars of old prejudices still linger, and while the laws have shifted, true equality remains elusive. Yet, having a human queen has been a powerful symbol. It's harder to dismiss the humanity in others when the woman sitting on the throne is one of them.

Human settlements have grown in peace beside werewolf towns, no longer existing in fear of domination or oppression. The once-hostile divide has begun to blur, as human communities are now recognized and supported within the kingdom. Even the rebel cause, once a fiery opposition, has seen its leaders take a seat at the royal court, working alongside my parents to represent human interests. Still, not all are satisfied. Some rebels persist, unmoved by the progress, convinced the change isn't enough or isn't happening fast enough.

My father, too, has shifted. The man who once sought to control everything now allows others more freedom. He's loosened his grip on the absolute power he once held, allowing the packs to rebuild themselves, provided they pledge their loyalty to him. Before, any other alpha was seen as a threat, any hint of support to another pack was met with suspicion. But he's learned the strength in dividing power, in letting the packs govern themselves under his rule. This newfound trust has led to the resurgence of our natural hierarchy—many packs, many alphas, each ruling their own but still united under the kingdom's banner.

It's a delicate balance, but it's building a stronger Lunaris. One where the burden of leadership doesn't rest solely on my father's shoulders, but is shared. And with this shift, werewolves are reclaiming their heritage, returning to the structure that has always defined us. A kingdom where many packs thrive and many alphas lead.

Beyond the kingdom's shifting dynamics, the dynamics within my family are far more complicated. My parents have five children, and though Theo and I are the oldest—twins, no less—you'd never guess it from how different we act. Sure, we share the same looks, golden hair and blue eyes, our mother's gifts, and we've both inherited our father's strong features. But that's where the similarities end.

I carry my father's temper, his relentless need for control. I've always had the fire in me, the drive to lead, to prove myself. Theo, on the other hand, is nothing like me in spirit. He's kindhearted, patient, and good—just like our mother. It's why I think Father has always been easier on him. How could he not be? Theo is a reflection of the woman my father loves. Even looks more like her. He's kept his hair long, the way she wears hers, and his softness seems to soothe Father in ways I never could.

I can't blame him, really. Theo doesn't want the weight of the crown on his shoulders, and he's made that clear from the start. He couldn't care less about being king, while I've spent my whole life fighting for it. I've made it known that I want to be Father's heir, and with that comes higher expectations. He's always been hard on me, demanding more. And maybe I ask for it. Maybe I need it.

But despite all that, Theo and I are inseparable. We may be opposites in every way that matters, but we're best friends. There's no one I trust more, no one I'd rather stand beside. I would die for my brother, and I know without question he'd do the same for me.

After the difficult labor that brought Theo and me into the world, my father made a decision—there would be no more children. He had almost lost her, and the thought of that broke something inside him. He couldn't bear the idea of risking her life again. To ensure there were no more pregnancies, my mother began drinking tea laced with wolfsbane every day. A subtle poison to werewolves meant to prevent another child. It worked, for a time.

But about a year after Theo and I were born, my mother became pregnant again. When my father realized, he was furious. The fear of losing her resurfaced, and in his anger, he even considered finding a way to get rid of the child. My mother, though—strong-willed as ever—stood firm. He might be the Alpha King, but even he is no match for her when she's decided something. She refused to give up the baby, and in the end, my father relented. But I always wondered if a part of him resented her for it. Resented my sister, Liviana, for being the child he never wanted.

Thankfully, her birth went smoothly, and my mother's life was never in danger. But over the years, something else became clear. Liviana wasn't like us. She wasn't a wolf. Theo and I, from an early age, felt the presence of our wolves, an undeniable part of our being. But Livia never did. No matter how much time passed, no matter how much we waited for her to shift or show signs of her wolf, it never happened.

Doctors eventually suspected the wolfsbane tea my mother drank had something to do with it. The poison meant to prevent life might have dulled the part of Liviana that was meant to be wolf. She was human. Entirely human. My sister, born into a family of alphas, was the one without a wolf to call her own. And though my father would never say it outright, I've always felt that, deep down, it bothered him.

Years later, despite all my father's initial reluctance, my mother decided she wanted more children. And as always, my father couldn't resist her charms. It's one of the mysteries of their relationship—how she manages to bend him, the unbreakable Alpha King, to her will. And so, my younger sister, Maribelle, was born, followed by the youngest of us, my brother Cyrus. Unlike Liviana, both of them are wolves, their connection to the pack undeniable.

Mari is a firecracker, full of sass and spirit. She's got a sharp tongue and a fierce loyalty that makes her both impossible to ignore and the apple of my father's eye. She's his pride and joy, though I sometimes wonder if it's because she inherited his stubborn streak. Then there's Cyrus, Mari's constant shadow. He follows her everywhere, and together they make quite a pair—inseparable and always scheming. It's hard not to admire their bond.

Though my father would never be described as kind-hearted, we all grew up loved. My mother made sure of that. She wouldn't tolerate anything less. If my father was too hard on us—which happened often enough—she'd step in, quick to remind him that family came first. She ensured our home was filled with love and stability, no matter the demands of ruling Lunaris. To this day, she insists on family dinners every night, a tradition that has never been broken. No matter how busy, how strained things are, we all gather around the table. Together.

And my father... he loves us in his own way, though he'd never admit it openly. He's not a man who expresses his emotions easily, but I can see it. In the way his gaze softens when my mother laughs, or how he looks at us when he thinks we aren't paying attention. His love is there, hidden beneath layers of control and duty. I fear I'm becoming just like him. Detached, consumed by responsibility, driven by the same need for order and dominance. But unlike my father, I'm not sure I'll ever have someone like my mother to keep me from losing myself.

I snap back to reality, realizing I've drifted too far into my own thoughts—and I'm late. Again.

As I approach the family dining room, the guards silently swing open the heavy doors, revealing the scene inside. The familiar warmth of the room hits me first, a stark contrast to the icy corridors of the castle. There's my mother, sitting with that soft smile she always reserves for the youngest two, who are deep in a debate about the existence of fairies. Maribelle's eyes sparkle with determination as she defends her argument, while Cyrus listens with wide-eyed wonder, clearly captivated by his sister's wild imagination.

At the other end of the table, Theo and Liviana are engaged in quiet conversation, likely discussing something more practical. Livia's always had a sharp mind, and Theo, as patient as ever, listens attentively.

And then, there's my father. His presence dominates the room, even when he's silent. He sits at the head of the table, his usual scowl firmly in place, as if the very idea of enjoying a family dinner is a chore. The moment his sharp gaze locks on me, I brace myself.

"You're late," he states, voice low but carrying an unmistakable edge of irritation.

I've barely crossed the threshold, and already I'm not looking forward to this dinner. With a silent sigh, I take my seat, knowing all too well how this night will go.

A/N: Welcome back to the world of "The Alpha King's Human"!!!!!