Eero's perspective
Claudius nodded with a sigh.
“Marriage and mating ceremonies were done differently here in Regulus. The newlyweds must get the Alpha King's blessing before their mating ceremony. If a couple without the Alpha King's blessing end up having a pup, their pup will be considered a bastard and treated poorly, regardless of their parents' lineage.”
“You are telling me that if our pup's still alive and we'll ever find him, he'll be seen as a bastard here, just because our marriage isn't valid in Regulus?!" I asked in disbelief.
"You have this strong feeling that our pup is still alive, right? I had that feeling too when I first saw this picture." Claudius' eyes glistened hope. "I'll track down our pup at any cost.”
"But I still cannot be with him even after we have him back, right?”
"We have to hide him away from everyone for now." Claudius cupped my face tenderly.
I shook my head, refusing to wrap my head around the idea that this was our only option.
“We can still do something about it." An idea surfaced in my mind. "Once we find him, how about we set up someone to leave Perseus at the doorstep of this manor?”
“And then?” He asked, open to further listen to my plan.
"The news about a pup being found here will spread for sure. I'll then tell the Alpha King that I'd like to adopt him.”
“But that won't change the result that Perseus will be seen as a bastard, Eero.”
“I know. But what matters the most for now is that we bring him here and convince the Alpha King to accept him.”
“You're right." Claudius bobbed his head. "The Alpha King is the most powerful shifter in the whole territory. Once he grows to love and accept our pup, Perseus will be under the best protection.”
“Not wrong. That's exactly my plan.” Claudius suddenly cupped my cheeks.
"Sorry I didn't tell you about the picture earlier." Claudius took me into his arms gently. "I had meant to tell you about it when I'm close to bringing our pup back.”
“I'm sorry for wronging you, too.”
“It's okay baby. You were right. I could have done something like that, given my character before. Especially when I found out that you're the next Alpha of Regulus. You know how greedy I used to be when it comes to power—”
“But not anymore, Claudius. You can be good. You're trying to make a change, and I can see it.” I gave him an assuring smile before continuing.
“Be patient. The Alpha King will accept you eventually. By then, we wouldn't have to hide our mating bond from him. And I need you by side me when I become the Alpha. I want you to be my Beta.”
"You will?" Claudius gazed earnestly at me, his eyes bulding in surprise.
"You've been trained for this role while I get so much to learn. With you by my side as Beta, we'll be leading the pack together—"
Words stopped coming out of my lips when he suddenly sealed his lips on my forehead.
“I'd love to be your Beta, baby. It'll be an honor.”
“Really? That means a lot, Claudius." I didn't expect him to get on board so easily. "Your blood will sit on the throne. Perseus will be the next Alpha after me.”
“I know, baby. It's not easy for me, but I'm learning to accept it. As long as it's you who are on the throne as Alpha, I'd no longer chase after my claim. And I'll make sure that what happened to my father and your grandfather won't be repeated anymore.”
“Of course it won't. I'm the only heir of Alpha King Codrus.” I smiled, which then froze at Claudius' words.
“Codrus will get married again.”
“What? You've got be kidding me.”
“Believe me, Eero. Sooner or later, he will have to marry another shewolf."
“But there's no candidate for his second chance mate. I cannot think of a shewolf who's qualified to be the Alpha King's mate. Can you?"
"No. But we have to stay vigilant about this possibility." Claudius shook his head with resignation.
"Relax. We'll get over whatever challenge that gets in our way. Now I'll have to sneak back into my room."
"Good night." He pecked on my cheek before I left.
"Ouch!" I cried out when someone bumped into me in the dark corridor.
"Sorry, your grace...I-I—"
"Aelice? What are you doing here? It's late!" I exclaimed after breathing a sigh of relief inwardly.
"I-I...just finished my duty with the Alpha King." She stuttered. "You'll have a busy schedule tomorrow, your grace. Why don't you go to bed now?” Aelice fondled my shoulder softly, trying to change the topic.
She then walked past me, her night gown sweeping through the floor.
"Wait!" I moved my body to follow her. "Did Octavio just ask you to accommodate and entertain the Alpha King like a cheap whore?”
“Like a cheap whore?” She repeated in shock.
“Sorry, I didn't mean too—”
"You know what? This cheap whore will soon be a Queen and Luna to the Alpha King. My father will become proud of me. He'll land his hand on the power that he always wanted!” Clearly, Aelice was irritated by my choice of words.
I hadn't realize until now that, just like me, Aelice could feel anger and have an outburst.
She then collapsed on the floor, covering her face as tears rolled down her cheeks.
The scene was just heartbreaking. I rushed to her side to offer support and comfort.
“I don't want to be mated to the Alpha King, your grace. But what choice do I have? My father would rather have me dead if I reject being the Alpha King's second chance mate.” She gripped tightly on my arm and looked up at me in despair.
"How could Beta Octavio be so cruel?" I cursed between gritted teeth.
“Help me, your grace." Aelice begged, "I don't wanna get tied to a shifter that isn't meant for me."
“I'll do whatever to stop this ridiculous thing from happening.” With that, I turned to the Alpha King's room, leaving her behind.
“It's late, your grace. The Alpha King is taking his sleep.” The delta guarding Alpha King's door tried to stop me, yet I ignored him and knocked on the door impatiently.
"Anything I can do for you?" The Alpha King greeted me with a smile, though surprised at first.
“It's about Aelice." I decided to go straight to the point. "Do you plan to take her as your second chance mate?”
"What?! No! Aelice's about your age, Eero. She's just a child. Where did you get this idea?”
"From Aelice herself. Didn't you notice that Beta Octavio has been pushing Aelice to you subtly?”
“Eero, please. Octavio is my best friend and my trusted Beta. He wouldn't do something like that." The Alpha King put a wry face. "It's late today. How about we revisit this matter some other day? But rest assured that I'll look into this matter.”