Winter ran through the woods in her wolf form. Enjoying the happiness of her wolves she felt across the pack link.

The end of the week had approached a lot faster than she could have imagined. The pack meeting had gone really well, the two packs aligned quicker than she had expected. Off course there was still a lot of work, but a plan had become clear and all wolves knew what to do.

What Winter had liked most about the meeting, except Arsen standing proudly united next to her, was the living solution they had come up with. The pack wanted to grow, so new living arrangements had to be constructed. Instead of choosing one of the two existing compounds and surrounding buildings, the plan was made to combine those two into one by building the new village between the two places. That way the pack would be joined together in every possible way.

Winter smiled as she knew their wolves would work hard to make this work. She was greeted by a patrol group under the guidance off Graham.

'Alpha' they greeted in unison.

Winter nodded her head in reply.

'Care to join?' Graham asked.

She joined the group as they trailed along the border, inspecting the odors and traces to check if anything was out of the order.

'I am happy.' Graham suddenly said to Winter and her wolf looked at him.

'I can see, Evelyn?' She asked.

'Evelyn and my other alpha being happy.' He grinned.

Winter smirked as they trailed through a slope in the landscape.

'So, we are all part of the Winter Storm pack.' She added.

Suddenly Winter felt how her wolves got on edge, a mind-link entered her head as she heard Blade's voice.

'Winter where are you?' he asked.

'On patrol with Graham. East side of our territory.' She replied.

'I need you on the south side and I need you quick.' He replied.

'What's happening, why are you so on edge?' she asked.

'We sniffed out royalty.'

Winter felt nauseous at that response.

'Who knows?' she asked.

'Only silent wolves.' He responded.

'Keep it that way, I don't need Arsen's jealousy for this conversation.' She replied.

'He's not going to like it.'

'I know, but that's my music to face.' She answered.

'Graham take the wolves to the north, I am going to meetup with the patrol of the south.' Winter commanded.

Graham nodded his head and let the rest of the wolves away from her. Winter felt how her wolf got on edge the more she approached Blade's location.

Winter spotted Blade's patrol group from a distance. They were standing face to face with a royal army in human form. Blade stood face to face with the king. Winter smirked as she quickly shifted back. She grabbed a long shirt, hidden inside one of the three trunks to cover herself up. She quickly made her way over towards Blade.

She felt how she grew nervous, she needed to play her cards right, she couldn't afford a war with the king. Not now at least. The pack needed to be structured and function as one before she could risk that.

"Rogue alpha Winter" the king said with an arrogant smirk.

Winter took her time to study him for a second. The king was nearly forty and still mate-less, such a powerful wolf, he must be slowly turning mad, she thought. That was the only reason she could think of why he acted this way, claiming she-wolfs or he must have been truly rotten to the core.

His brown long hair was neatly dangling over his shoulders, his clothes looked really expensive, topped off with a big golden crown.

"And you are?" Winter asked.

She heard a few smirks behind her from Blade and her men.

"You know who I am princess." The king responded.

"Last time I checked, I didn't know anyone who wore a crown." She replied.

"Show some respect."

The king growled and the alpha vibes crashed through the air. But Winter and her wolves didn't bow. Instead, she looked him right in the eyes.

"So, the story is true." The king smirked as he started to walk around Winter.

He was studying her neck with great interest.

"And you aren't mated" he smirked.

A growl escaped from one of the wolves behind Winter. They weren't liking the way their alpha was treated.

"Alpha Emmerson, step forward please."

Winter looked the alpha death in the eye that sold her out.

"Your information seems to be correct. I will not pressure your pack for unmated females. You are free to go."

Emmerson smirked widely at Winter. The alpha tried to turn around but the king stopped him.

"Ooh alpha Emmerson, you are taking the wrong direction." He said.

Emmerson paled.

"That way."

The king said as he pointed towards the Winter Storm pack grounds.

"Don't make me command it."

The king smirked as Emmerson hesitated to cross the land, knowing damn well what awaited him.

"You better run." Winter hissed.

She had already ordered Flint and a group of strong fighters to kill Emmerson.

As they looked how Emmerson disappeared between the trees, Winter focused her attention back on the king.

"What do you want?" she asked.

"I want to talk to you alone." He said.

"There are some things you must know before making decisions." He responded.

"I don't take them alone." Winter answered.

"I know, but you can't trust everyone." The king replied.

"And I can trust you?" she asked.

"Don't think so." She replied before the king could answer.

"Winter, may I call you Winter?" he asked.

"Alpha Winter." She snarled.

"Alpha Winter, I have a proposition for you, one that you need to hear, without prying eyes." The king continued.

"I am not interested." She snarled.

"Yes, you are. You don't want war, at least not yet." The king replied.

"Are you threatening me?" She asked.

"I am not. Not yet at least." He was silent for a second as he studied her.

"Here is my proposition for you. A dinner with me, just me and a talk."

"No" Winter replied stern.

"It's that or war." He smirked.

'Don't do it.' Blade's voice popped in her head.

'I don't trust him.' He added.

'Me neither, but we are not ready for war.' She responded.

'With Arsen by your side you are so much stronger than him.'

'He wants to mate me Blade, Arsen will kill him whatever it takes. Even if it costs us the pack. He can't know. Am I clear?' she commanded.

'Fine.' Blade answered.

"I'll be there." Winter replied.

The king looked smug at her.

"I knew you would do the right thing alpha Winter." He replied and bowed his head.

"A car will pick you up in this spot tonight." The king added.

Winter doubted for a second, had Emmerson told the king about Arsen or not. If she could postpone the appointment, then tomorrow she would be a mated wolf.

"I can drive myself. Tonight isn't a good night. I can't make it out unseen without people posing questions." She replied.

"You are the alpha, aren't you?" the king asked.

"Yes, but we share the responsibility in the pack." She answered.

"You are asking a lot from me, me taking all the risks. I ask this of you."

She added and looked the king right in the eyes.

"Fine" he answered with a dirty smile.

"Until tomorrow, Winter."

A chill ran over her spine as he said her name and not in a good way.