(Rigel)

Saiph prances out of the room in his majestic wolf form. Shimmering gold is so contradictory to his usual black and blue costume. This leaves me stunned in my tracks.

Earlier others had gone into the room to meet him but I spent time with my mother, letting the wolves and Amaia bond. Now he is here to meet me.

He struts over to me, his head high and body emitting a light that appears to coat his fur with molten fire. I haven’t seen a wolf as gigantic as his, except for our father. He indeed is a true Alpha.

I stand still, eyes focused on him. We have similar coloured eyes. He chimes in the mindlink between us.

"Zlatka!" His deep growl brings a smile to my face. He wishes to meet me.

"Rigel!" I introduce myself, extending my hand forward, my palm facing his snout. He nuzzles the central part of my hand. "We finally meet." My shadows lift, hovering over him, embracing him like they usually do with Amaia.

Zlatka closes his eyes, I understand he is developing a connection with me, storing my scent. I rub behind his ears and he lets me. A tenderness seeps into my cold heart. It connected with him now.

The word spreads of Saiph’s emerging wolf and soon our parents join us.

Mom clasps her hands on her face in awe. I let him go and he swaggers towards her.

My mom extends her hand and he lets her pet him. Rubbing his body with her arms and hands.

"You are so beautiful," she joyfully whispers to him, kissing his fur. She is enamoured and he lets out happy whimpers.

"A golden wolf is only born after hundreds of years and is the strongest among all wolves," my father proudly says, observing Zlatka while standing beside Mom.

Zlatka lifts his head and lets out a howl towards my father. Hearing it, Zevran and Zelen gallop over to and join in. Seeing this opportunity, my father doesn’t hold back and shifts, turning into his gigantic silver wolf, which resembles Snow.

He is named Argos. Zlatka rubs his body with his, recognising his father. Argos lets out whimpers of joy, meeting his firstborn.

A combined howl echoes in the corridors of our palace, embedding this connection between them. We are a family, and this union has brought hope back to my heart. We are going to be unstoppable.

Zevran playfully attacks Zlatka and frolics away in the loggia between the corridors. Zlatka chases him with Zelen on his heels. Argos proudly watches them with his broad chest puffed out.

My mom places her tender hand on my back. Happy tears shimmer on her lashes.

"I can’t be happier. I had hoped for a day when I would be reunited with you but this, especially Saiph and his wolf, has brought me a sea of happiness." My arms wrap around her and I pull her into myself, placing a kiss on her head.

"We are never separating, never again." 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

My mom sniffles at my words but doesn’t speak. I know it will be difficult for her to return to Fudaria. But I will always visit her, she won’t be alone.

We watch the three wolves playfully wrestle each other until it’s time for dinner and to wake Alnilam and Amaia up.

***

We all sit down for the meal like a family; we brothers, our mate and our parents. Alnitak and Mintaka are smiling after a long time, sitting on either side of Saiph, they are grilling him with questions on Zlatka.

Alnilam is speaking to our father about the war strategies he has been coming up with. Amaia is sitting between my mom and me, and she is softly conversing with her.

A few months ago this was just a dream for me and now it’s a reality. A smile crawls on my lips, my heart finding peace.

Our father garners our attention by picking up the chalice of wine. The chatter dies down as everyone focuses while he addresses us.

"In a week we will be going to war with Istrale. I don’t know if all of us will return." His love-filled eyes waver to us all. "But, remember I love each one of you equally." With this, his gaze comes to a halt on me and he offers me a smile. I haven’t forgiven him or spoken to him much but he is my father and a part of me still loves him.

Everyone nods at him.

"From tomorrow we will hold some drills and in a week we will move out for Istrale. Armies from Fudaria and Saratopia will join us there."

With that, he concludes his little speech and we begin to eat. Seeing me lost, Amaia softly says.

"You are not eating." She places a piece of rib on my plate and my heart melts with her affection. Always thinking about me.

"I am going to now. Thank you."

We eat in harmony and amidst laughter.

After dinner, a sentinel enters and says with a bow. "Prince Alnilam, we brought him."

"Present him here," Alnilam orders with a hint of revenge in his eyes. I wonder who he has brought.

The sentinel leaves.

"Who?" Amaia questions, intrigued.

"You will see," Alnilam tells her calmly but I can see hints of a cunning smile on the side of his lips.

Soon the doors open again and two sentinels drag in a small, pudgy man who resembles a dhol (a kind of drum which can be beaten from both sides). He is easily the ugliest creature I have seen. Rotten teeth, face marred with fear. Beady eyes that rapidly shift here and there and finally land on Amaia and widen in horror.

He lets out a controlled scream, seeing her. I turn my head towards my mate and she is watching him with an unending rage storm in her eyes. It instantly tells me this is someone who has wronged her.

Alnilam gets up and saunters over to the short man, held in chains.

"May I present the clown who aided our mother dearest in her evil plan of drugging and cursing Amaia. He is one of the main reasons we couldn’t feel the mate bond with her and she couldn’t with Rigel and Saiph."

Threatening growls erupted from my brothers, smiles evaporating. My shadows elongate from my body, forming hundreds of spiking needles, ready to pierce his fat body and ending his pathetic life.

How dare he?