The Crying Alpha

"Um, are you crying?" I asked. 

"Wh-why won't you be my Luna? I'm the Alpha, you can't reject me!" He whined.

Was this how Alphas acted? Like whiny children?! I was now severely turned off.

"Is that worth crying over?"

"I always get what I want! I want you, Empress Zelda! Please accept me! You're my mate, I waited my whole life for you!" Hunter got on his knees, pleading with me as tears streamed down his face. "Please!"

"I'm sorry Hunter, but no!" I exclaimed. 

"What's wrong with me?" He cried. "Am I not handsome enough o-or do I need to work out more? I can do that. I can be more interesting for you Empress Zelda. I need you please!"

"Look, Hunter...it's not you...it's me! I don't want to be a Luna."

He sniffed noisily. "And why not? I-is it because I'm not as intelligent as others? I can read a book."

"You would have to read several." I muttered. "But I'm sorry, that will not change my mind."

"Fine!" He scrambled up. "This isn't over. I'm telling my parents!" He stomped out of the room and closed the door.

What the hell just happened?!

***

I went to the garden to clear my head. The whole situation with Hunter was insane! I hated seeing people cry, it was so uncomfortable!

I waved my hands, making the roses grow. It was the only thing to calm me down. 

"Amazing." A voice said. 

I turned and saw Beta Penn standing there. 

"Oh hi!” I exclaimed. 

"You have powers." He walked towards me. "They're incredible."

"No they're not. I can only control two elements." I can't believe I told him that.

"Guess how many I can control." I shook my head. "None. You're phenomenal."

"Is that why Hunter claims I'm his mate?" I giggled.

His face fell as he sat next to me. "Oh you're his mate?"

"No, definitely not. I rejected him."

"You rejected an Alpha?"

"Yeah. I don't want to be someone's Luna, I'm already an Empress. Besides, my eyes are on...someone else." He looked in his lap and bit his lip. "Beta Penn, do I make you nervous?"

"Penn. You can just call me Penn."

"And you can just call me Zelda." I smiled. 

"I thought you were an Empress who will be treated like one." He challenged.

"Maybe I'm more interested in how you'll treat me...behind closed doors."

"Empress….Zelda, are you flirting with me?"

"Yes. Are you flirting with me?"

"I-um...I don't know. Am I allowed to?"

"You're allowed to do anything you want to me." I grabbed his hand.

Once again heat spread throughout my body. I felt sparks on my finger tips. They were on fire. Literally. I gasped and shot up.

"What's wrong Zelda?" Penn asked. 

"I think I just produced fire. Because of you. Do you come from enchanters?"

Penn shook his head furiously. "No, of course not. I'm just a werewolf. I should go. If Hunter saw me with you...well he'd be angry."

Penn hurried away and I watched him go. I knew I had to have him. He made me hot. Literally.

Posy flew over to me. "Your parents would like an audience with you."

"Great."

***

"Zelda, you made the Alpha of the Luan Pack cry?!" Mother asked. "Just how cruel were you?"

"All I said is I wouldn't be tied to him for the rest of my life! Look at me, I'm twenty-one and hot, why the hell would I settle down now?!"

"Could you have been more gentle?" Father questioned.

"I don't know, but I definitely could have been more harsh." I declared. "What's the big deal?"

"His parents said he's never been so distraught. They think if he continues this way he won't be able to perform his duties as Alpha."

"What and that's my fault? I'm an Empress! I don't need to be some Alpha's trophy gir!"

"You realize if he is not at his full potential you cannot defeat the Aleni!"

"Great so to fulfil some stupid prophecy I have to feed his ego? Should I also get on my knees and suck his d-"

"Ick!" Zeke exclaimed entering the room. "You were right, Zel, those werewolves smell funny!"

"Zeke, please explain the way of the werewolves to your sister!" Mother cried. 

"They're mad because I rejected Hunter." I rolled my eyes. 

"I knew I felt a weird vibe between you two."

"No, there is no vibe. He's a whiny child who I don't find attractive at all anymore. He doesn't do it for me."

"But Beta Penn does." Zeke teased.

"Don't know what you mean?" I turned away from him.

"Zelda, regardless of your feelings towards him, you two must get along. Training will not work if you two are at odds." Father informed me. 

"I have no problem with Hunter, I just don't want to be with him!"

"Well, maybe pretend you do?" Mother suggested.

"This is a land ruled by women and you want me to cater to a man's feelings? Just chop my head off now!" I laughed. 

"What is more important? Your pride or saving Uquix?"

"Honestly, my pride." I said. "I'm not gonna kiss his wolfie ass!"

"Zelda you will do what's necessary in order to save this land!" Mother screeched. "You will do what you must with Hunter!"

"I am the Empress and I decide what I will do in regards to that man child!" I exclaimed. "You’re my parents and I love you, but I am in charge around here. I will decide how I deal with that sobbing mess of a man, do we all understand that?"

"Yes, Empress." Zeke grinned. "It's crystal clear."

I looked over at my parents expectantly. "We understand." They mumbled.

"Thank you. Now everyone freshen up for supper. I'm sure these wolves don't have good manners, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't."

***

I was not enjoying supper.

The werewolves used their slaves for pretty much everything. Refilling their plates, getting them more drinks, even giving them massages while they ate. It was horrific watching the way they treated these young girls. 

I also couldn't help but notice the bruises on the girls and how thin they were. I had always lived such a life of privilege, I couldn't imagine what they went through.

This made me dislike the werewolves even more. Except for Penn. He didn't ask them for a single thing and I even saw him slip one of them some food. 

He was unlike any man I had ever met.

To make things worse, Hunter was looking at me longingly. It was quite uncomfortable! Penn on the other hand was looking at me with interest and intrigue. I think he was wondering if something could happen between us. 

There was something about Penn that drew me in. It wasn't just his good looks, but the way he made me feel. His warm smile and his kindness. He made me produce fire, something I had tried to do for a year. He was special. 

"Empress, stop staring at him." Posy whispered. 

"But he's so hot I want to bake cinnamon rolls on his chest." I whispered. 

"You don't know how to bake."

"Then I want to order someone to do it."

"Now Zelda-"

"Empress Zelda." I corrected Hunter's father, Rhys.

"Of course. Empress Zelda...what is your strategy when it comes to defeating the Aleni?"

"Magic. While my people aren't exactly trained to fight with magic, they are very talented. I'm confident we can whip them into shape."

"And will you be fighting alongside them?" Hunter's mother, Enya, questioned.

"Well of course. What kind of leader would I be if I didn't?" I smiled. 

"Well, it seems like you put your needs above your kingdom's."

"I beg your pardon?"

"Accepting our son as your mate would easily be best for your kingdom and yet you refuse to be with him." Rhys stated. 

"I don't believe this is something we should discuss in our current company. I'm more than willing to talk after supper." I said politely. 

"You hear that, Hunter?" Enya asked. "She's willing to talk, you can convince her otherwise."

"Convince?" Posy asked, unable to help herself. "If you have to convince someone to love you, is it worth it?"

"I didn't realize you allowed servants to speak so freely." Enya stated. 

"Posy is not my servant. She is my Royal Vizier and holds a high rank among the Wanix. You will do well to remember that and treat her with respect! We do not believe in slavery like you." I declared.

"And what does that mean?" Rhys demanded.

"Exactly what I said it does. We have evolved beyond the need for slavery and your people love having young girls at your beck and call. It's disturbing."

"Oh I see, you're one of those new age rulers." Enya sneered. 

"Yes, how dare I want rights for everyone? I'm so awful, why would you even want me as your Luna?"

"Hunter, don't you have anything to say to this woman?" Rhys questioned. 

Hunter cleared his throat. "Yes father, I actually do." He turned to me. "Empress Zelda…"

Finally. This was it. I was going to truly experience the wrath of an Alpha now. I had rejected him, been rude to his parents, and insulted his people. He would of course have some choice words for me now.

I didn't want to be with him, but a few romps would satisfy me I think.

"Yes Hunter?" I asked. 

"Will you marry me?"

I hate werewolves.