I chugged the drink in my hand, feeling the burn slide down my throat as I clenched my jaw. The alcohol's warmth hit hard, but it did nothing to ease the tension in my chest. I inhaled deeply, trying to steady myself, but the frustration only grew.

It had been days since I noticed the shift with Arwen. She didn't say anything directly, but her actions spoke louder than words. There was a growing space between us—a distance I couldn't quite explain. It was as if she was building a wall, brick by brick, keeping me out.

I took another swig of the drink, the bitterness matching the frustration gnawing at me.

"Damn it!" I hissed under my breath, slamming the glass down. My hands flexed, unclenching and clenching in a futile attempt to calm myself. Anger, sharp and raw, mixed with something worse—despair. It was eating away at me, this helplessness, this not knowing why she was pulling away.

I could feel it, this slow unraveling. It was suffocating.

I palmed my face, still drowning in the turmoil I felt. The gnawing frustration, the unanswered questions about Arwen—it was all too much.

"Alpha..." I heard Finn's voice, cutting through the haze of my thoughts.

I didn't respond. Instead, I took another long drink, letting the burn distract me from the emotional storm brewing inside. But even the alcohol couldn't dull the ache that was clawing at me.

"I received a communication from the palace," Finn continued, his voice steady and businesslike. He was always composed, especially in moments like these. After all, as my Beta, he understood the weight of duty better than anyone. "The King would like to see you."

The words hung heavy in the air. I felt their weight but still said nothing. Finn knew better than to push.

I am the crown prince of the Kingdom of Lycan, destined to rule. A fact that has shaped my entire life. Every decision, every step I take, is burdened by the expectations of the throne. Leadership, strength, and loyalty are what's demanded of me—qualities ingrained in me since birth. But being the heir to the kingdom is more than just a title. It means living with the constant pressure of serving not only my people but also upholding the legacy of my ancestors.

And now, with my personal life spiraling out of control, it felt like too much all at once.

The King—my father—was summoning me, and I knew what that meant. Something was coming, something I couldn't avoid, and no amount of alcohol could numb the responsibility that awaited me.

"Yes, Finn—what is it all about?" I hissed, pouring another drink down my throat, the liquid fire only partially easing the tension in my chest.

Finn's expression was grave, his brow furrowed as he gathered his thoughts. "There have been reports of attacks in southwestern Europe. It's the wolf packs that have been targeted. They're capturing women and children while systematically killing the males. All the reports from that territory show the same pattern."

I frowned, the weight of his words settling over me like a dark cloud. I stood from the barstool, the scrape of wood against floor echoing in the tense silence. I walked toward the balcony, needing the fresh air to clear my head, though I knew it would do little to dissipate the storm brewing within.

"What do you mean?" I asked, turning to face him, my heart pounding in anticipation of what was to come.

"Those who are attacking have a clear objective," Finn explained, his voice steady but filled with urgency. "They're gathering all the females and pups. All of the casualties are male—no females or children have been left behind."

The implications of his words struck me like a punch to the gut. This wasn't just random violence; it was a calculated strike against our kind. I leaned against the railing, trying to process the growing unease. My kingdom was in danger, and I felt the weight of my responsibility pressing down on me.

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

"Do we have any information on who might be behind this? Vampires?" I asked, the suspicion tinged with dread. The history between our kinds was fraught with tension, and any hint of their involvement sent a chill down my spine.

Finn shook his head, his jaw tightening. "We don't know for sure, but the pattern suggests it could be a coordinated effort. There are whispers of a new faction forming—one that seeks to destabilize the balance of power in the region."

I ran a hand through my hair, frustration boiling within me. "This isn't just about territory; they're attacking our families. We need to act. We can't let this go unchecked."

"Agreed. But we need to approach this carefully," Finn replied, his voice calm yet urgent. "We can't afford to escalate things without knowing who we're dealing with."

As I stared out over the horizon, the sun setting in a blaze of colors that belied the darkness encroaching on our world, I felt a mix of anger and fear. This was no longer just about me or my struggles with Arwen; it was about protecting those who couldn't protect themselves. And as the crown prince, it was my duty to lead our pack through this impending storm.

"When did my father ask to see me?" I finally broke the silence, my voice low and heavy with apprehension.

Finn's gaze was somber, the weight of the news evident in his eyes. "The King demanded to see you as soon as possible. I'm sorry, Diarmid." He turned toward the bar, pouring himself a drink, the clink of glass punctuating the stillness between us.

I took a deep breath, leaning against the balcony railing, the cool metal contrasting with the heat rising inside me. Anger boiled just beneath the surface, threatening to spill over. "I can't leave now, Finn. You know that," I replied, my voice edged with frustration.

"I know, Diarmid, not now that you've just found her." His words hung in the air like a storm cloud, and I felt the weight of his concern, a reminder of everything I stood to lose.

After the first day of seeing Arwen again, following our encounter in the café, Brigit and the rest of my inner pack had confronted me. I could still vividly recall the moment.

"Diarmid, be honest with me—us. Is she your erasthai, your soulmate?"

I had been in the kitchen, my back to them, preparing dinner, the atmosphere light and cheerful as I chopped vegetables. The joy of the moment was palpable, and I had been smiling.

"What are you talking about, Brigit?" I asked, keeping my expression neutral, my poker face firmly in place.

"C'mon! Tell us, Diarmid," Rhyian added, her excitement contagious. I glanced over and saw Finn smirking as he casually held Brigit's arm, both of them eager for my response.

Their enthusiasm was almost overwhelming, the air thick with their anticipation. "Diarmid..." Brigit looked up at me, her eyes wide and pleading, the best puppy eyes she could muster.

"Are we talking about Arwen?" I asked, still maintaining my facade, though inside I felt the heat of embarrassment creeping up my neck.

"YES!" Brigit and Rhyian exclaimed in unison, and even Roisin couldn't help but laugh, the sound lightening the mood.

"Why don't you all let Diarmid handle this first?" Finn interjected, amusement dancing in his eyes as he continued to caress Brigit's arm, the moment reminding me of our shared bonds even in the midst of chaos.

I felt a swirl of emotions—happiness at their excitement mixed

I knew they felt the shift in me the moment I met Arwen that day in the parking lot. There was a strong bond among us, a link that allowed us to sense each other's emotions and communicate through our mind link. As their Alpha, I usually had the ability to tune out my feelings, to shield myself from the overwhelming tide of emotions that often swirled around us. But that day, when I laid eyes on Arwen, my emotions surged so fiercely that I couldn't filter them out.

I took a deep breath, glancing down at my hands. A warmth spread through me as I noticed the sparkle of happiness in my eyes. Slowly, my lips turned up into a genuine smile, and I looked up to meet the gaze of my friends.

When Brigit caught sight of my expression, she squealed with delight and dashed toward me. "Diarmid! I'm so happy for you!" she exclaimed, wrapping her arms around me in an exuberant hug.

"Me too! I'm so happy!" Rhyian chimed in, squeezing herself into our embrace. I couldn't help but smile wider as I returned their affection, feeling a rush of warmth and camaraderie.

I noticed Roisin making his way toward us, and I shot him a warning look, silently pleading him to keep it together. But he simply grinned, unbothered, and suddenly launched himself into the mix, joining our group hug with the enthusiasm of a child.

"Oh, Alpha Diarmid! I'm so happy! You won't be the grumpy Alpha anymore! You won't kick my ass now!" Roisin exaggeratedly wailed, his expression comically over-the-top. Laughter erupted among us, the tension of the moment dissolving into shared joy.

In that instant, surrounded by my friends, I felt a flicker of hope.

Despite the heavy responsibilities weighing on my shoulders, their happiness buoyed me, reminding me of the bond we shared. Perhaps I could find a way to balance my duties and my emotions. Perhaps Arwen could be a part of this life, even in the storm that was gathering on the horizon.