FOUR

Knox's Pov

A knock echoed through the study, and I shot my gaze to the door. “Come in.”

The door creaked open and the clan's physician, Galen walked into the room. He bowed his head the second the door closed behind him, “Alpha Knox.”

“Come. Take a seat,” I ushered, getting to my feet to pour us some wine. I handed him a glass, and took my seat across from him, helping myself to some wine.

“So? How is my nephew?” I asked, dropping the glass on the table.

“Well,” Galen dropped his glass on the table as well, “Prince Aegon's symptoms are becoming more and more severe. I've given him some herbs to control the symptoms, and make the pain subside but…” he trailed off, “There's only so much pain it can ease. You know that well.”

I nodded, “I know, and that's precisely why he needs this marriage alliance.”

“So it's true. You plan to have him wed to the princess of Moonclaw pack.”

“Indeed, I do,” I got to my feet, and walked to the window, looking out, “It is the only solution. It will give him the ease you cannot provide, and I will feel more relaxed knowing he isn't in any kind of pain.”

I twisted the ring on my finger. “I cannot bear to see him hurting.”

“I understand that but the Moonclaw pack. Aren't they our enemies? Can you trust them enough to let the prince marry their daughter?”

I spun around, “It’s not about trust, Galen.”

“It's about what?”

“Availability,” I replied swiftly.

“Aegon needs a wife to ease his suffering, and he needs it now. I don't wanna waste any more time delaying it. The Moonclaw pack, enemies or not. They aren't exactly in any position to turn down an alliance with our pack.”

I returned to my seat, taking a sip from my glass, “Can I trust them?” I cocked my head a little, narrowing my gaze, “They would be utterly foolish to try anything funny with us, don't you think?”

He nodded, “True. I guess that's sorted then.”

I took another swig from my glass, and dropped the glass on the table.

“Well, I should get going now. I have other patients to attend to,” Galen said, rising to his feet.

“Thank you, Galen, for taking care of my nephew,” I stood up too, “It was great to see you, and I do hope you show up for the wedding tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow?” Galen cocked an eyebrow, sounding quite shocked.

“As I said, there's a need for haste. I do not want Aegon to suffer for even an hour longer.”

“Very well then. I'll be at the wedding,” he pulled out a small bottle, and placed it on the table, “I figure you'd have almost run out of your dosage by now.”

I grinned, grabbing the bottle from the table, and dropping it in a locker, “Thank you. I'll see you out,” I escorted him out, and then went to Aegon's chambers.

“Alpha Knox,” the guards outside his room bowed, opening way to the door. I knocked on the door, and pushed it open, stepping inside.

“I was wondering when you were gonna come,” Aegon's voice boomed through the room instantly as he sat up in bed, and his entire face lit up at the sight of me.

“Hey,” I grinned as I moved across the room to his bed, “How do you feel?”

“Heavy, drowsy. You know the rest,” he brushed his hair away from his face, tucking it behind his ear. His face was paler, and he looked even more weary than he did just yesterday.

“You look horrible,” I commented, and he laughed hard.

“Your honesty is sharp, Uncle. Well, don't blame me. Not everyone can wear the curse so effortlessly like you do,” he teased but it was more than a joke.

Our family, one of the most feared and powerful Lycans in history, had a dark legacy. We were the strongest warriors and protectors of the clan but beneath all of that was a deadly curse inherited from birth.

A vengeful witch had placed it upon our lineage, condemning us to a fate worse than death. As we aged, our wolves grew stronger, but also more uncontrollable, until eventually, we succumbed to madness and a horrific demise.

This curse had claimed every member of our family, until finally, we were given a way to manage it. The way was pretty simple, we were to  find a mate, and regularly consume their blood to sustain our lives. And once the mate delivers a child the curse is passed to the next generation.

And pain and suffering is passed on from father to son. A repulsive gift. If you asked me I detested this way of life which is why I swore to never find my mate, and let my children suffer such fate. But Aegon.

Aegon had inherited my brother's curse, and now he was at the age where he was beginning to show signs of it manifesting. Watching him writhe in pain, and knowing that things were only going to get worse for him. I couldn't sit back and ignore it, hence the marriage alliance.

This marriage with the MoonClaw pack was his chance for a normal life which is all I wanted to give him. A life without pain.

I smirked, “Is that so?”

“Yeah,” he bobbed his head, and smiled, reaching for the glass on his table but there was no water in it.

“Here. I'll help,” I took the glass from him, moved across the room, and filled his cup, “You know you don't have to worry about the curse anymore,” I returned with his cup, extending it to him, “You're going to get married tomorrow. Once you drink—”

“I know,” he brought the cup to his lips, drank, and dropped it on the table, looking at me, “I kind of pity my bride to be you know. The role she is to play here, it's not an easy feat.”

I watched him carefully, “It's not,” I muttered, sharing his thoughts. I wouldn't wish such a fate on anyone but to save Aegon I didn't have much of a choice.

A knock echoed at the door, followed by the creaking sound, and Rowan, my gamma walked in. He bowed, and made his way to us, “The ride is ready. We need to head over to their pack to retrieve the girl.”

I nodded, “Alright,” I glanced at Aegon, “I have to leave but I'll come see you when I come back,” I patted his arm, and started for the door.

“Uncle?” Aegon called, and I stopped, turning to him, “I hope she's pretty.”

I scoffed, “Get some sleep. We don't want you looking like a ghost tomorrow,” I said, and we left, setting for the Moonclaw pack.

“What do you know about the princess of Moonclaw?” I asked Rowan on our way to the pack, “Her name is Eleanor.”

“Is she pretty?” I glanced at him, and Rowan smiled.

“From what I've heard she's fairly pretty, Knox.”

“That will have to work.”

We arrived at the Moonclaw pack late in the evening, and one of the guards led Rowan and I  inside.

“Alpha Knox,” the Alpha King of Moonclaw pack, called the second I walked in, flashing me a gentle smile that seemed almost disfigured.

He wasn't alone there. His sons were there with a girl which I assumed was the one. The entire living room was as quiet as a graveyard when we walked in and I couldn't help the feeling like I just walked in on something.

“Alpha Arden,” I responded as I approached him, “I believe you know why I'm here,” I said.

“You're here for my daughter.”

“Indeed, I am,” I glanced at the girl, “You must be the daughter. Eleanor, right?”

Her eyes fluttered, and her cheeks turned bright red,  “Yes—”

“But she's not the one you're here for,” Alpha Arden cut her off, and I jerked my head to him.

“What are you talking about? I thought you had just one daughter.”

“I do but it's not Eleanor. She's our foster daughter. I lost my biological daughter a few years ago but luckily we found her again. She's the real princess—There they come,” he gestured to the stairs, and my gaze followed.