"Veah...Dane tells me there has been a change of plans?" Alpha King Lothaire asked as he noticed Neveah's approach.
He stood in all his 6ft4 glory, in the midst of other Eclipse Alphas, as imposing and domineering as he always was.
His hands were crossed behind his back as he watched the last batch of Alphas including those from the Eclipse Hunt prepared to depart for Mount Vernon where the Alphas Summit would take place.
The Eclipse Fang Pack which was the royal pack led by the Alpha King, his queen and his heir would be the last to depart for Mount Vernon.
Neveah slowly strode up to her father, dressed in her riding gear, she had received his summons an hour before dawn and a newly tailored riding gear had been delivered to her.
The clothing was a pure white made from the most luxurious and softest fabric, it was in the form of a combat suit with golden embroidery running along the rims and cuffs.
There was a white cape accompanying it, with patterns at the edges also embroidered with gold.
'An apparel befitting of the Eclipse Princess.' These were the words Lado had delivered along with the clothing, his condescending sneer intact on his face.
Of course, Laila had accompanied Lado to Neveah's quarters at such early hours where Neveah had been forced to sit through another hairdo.
And then Neveah's crown, the one her father only permitted her to don on special occasions like balls and whatever had the gathering of many people enough to bear witness to his daughter's magnificence.
The moment Neveah had set eyes on it, she knew her father had been convinced by Alpha Dane to let her come along to Mount Vernon and accompany Luna Colleen.
Although Neveah was not certain her father had granted the request to accompany the Eclipse Hunt wolves back to their territory but she guessed she would find that out in time.
Neveah also understood this was her father's method of calling a truce after he had left her to be tortured by Alessio.
Like a dog, he would beat and then gift her with the very same hands and Neveah could do nothing but smile and be grateful for his grace.
Neveah could feel various eyes on her as her cape fluttered behind her and she came up to her father's side, lowering her head to a bow in greeting.
"Only if father allows it." Neveah replied in response to Alpha King Lothaire's obvious bait.
To see how Neveah would respond to his inquiry before the other Alphas and Neveah knew it was also in a bid to show Alpha Dane that his words were supreme.
"And if I do not?" Alpha King Lothaire asked,
"I will abide by father's wishes." Neveah replied knowing these were the words her father wanted to hear, words that glorified him before his subordinate Alphas.
"Your father is only teasing, my dear girl. The Alphas Summit is a place for leaders and warriors, no place for a child..." Alpha King Lothaire began with a chuckle, stretching a hand to Neveah.
Neveah swallowed down her reluctance and disgust at her father's pretentious concern, taking her father's outstretched hand.
"But I fear I cannot deny Dane's request, you shall accompany Luna Colleen to Mount Vernon." Alpha King Lothaire decided.
"Yes, father." Neveah replied.
"She is precious to me... this one, my only daughter and I think I shall not be blessed to have another."
"She is so fragile too... you must understand my worry and hesitance Dane." Alpha King Lothaire said to Alpha Dane.
"I certainly do understand, my mate and I are in your gratitude, Your Grace." Alpha Dane said with a nod.
"The Eclipse Princess is docile and obedient, gifted too and by the creator, she is such a beauty. You have raised an excellent daughter, Your Grace." Alpha Varleston of Eclipse Claw commended in an approving tone.
The other Eclipse Alphas present murmured their agreement to Alpha Varleston's words.
"It is my son's loss that she will not have him as a mate, the Eclipse Claw would have considered it a blessing." Alpha Varleston added in a regretful tone.
"Ah... Varleston, so that is what you have been up to..." Alpha Dane said in amusement, the other Eclipse Alphas laughing heartily.
"You have no sons Dane, you cannot understand how I feel." Alpha Varleston countered with an amused roll of his eyes.
"Well, well Veah... what do you have to say to dear Varleston?" Alpha King Lothaire asked, his grip tightening on Neveah's hand in a warning manner.
Neveah gritted her teeth against the bone crushing pain but kept her expression neutral.
"Alpha Varleston flatters me." Neveah said with a forced smile.
"Not at all, Princess. I am rather elated you shall accompany us on this trip to Mount Vernon..."
"Especially since your overprotective father and brother will be coming later...no offense to Your Grace and the Prince, but perhaps my son might have the chance to make a more convincing case." Alpha Varleston said, laughing.
"No offence taken, I surely wish the young Varleston luck...Veah can be rather difficult at times." Alpha King Lothaire replied with a chuckle.
Neveah stood there and watched in utter silence as her father overturned all her efforts to put an end to her relationship with Lucas Varleston.
Neveah could not even blame Alpha Varleston for eagerly raising the topic, he did not understand the situation and he truly seemed to favor Neveah greatly.
"Veah...will you play nice to the young Varleston? Father does value the Eclipse Claw dearly and the Varlestons clearly adore you." Alpha King Lothaire said to Neveah,
Neveah however knew this was not a question but a warning not to ruin her father's plans again...a warning that would come with consequences if she failed to heed it.
"I understand, father." Neveah replied.
"It is settled then! Begone with that horse! My son Lucas shall give Princess Neveah of Eclipse Fang a ride on his wolf all the way to Mount Vernon!" Alpha Varleston declared in a delighted tone to the amusement of the Eclipse Alphas.
"I didn't know you were coming..." Lucas murmured, scratching the back of his neck awkwardly as Alpha Varleston observed from a distance in what he must have thought were subtle glances.
Alpha Varleston had just announced to his pack that Neveah would be accompanying them and Lucas would have the honor of serving as her mount.
"I didn't know either." Neveah replied, her lips twitching slightly.
Despite the situation, she was amused by the father and son pair, most especially Alpha Varleston who seemed keen on conjuring up a chemistry between them just by his staring.
"By the end of this trip, having you so close yet knowing we can never be... my heart will be broken into a thousand pieces and my father will dig me a grave for failing to win your hand." Lucas pointed out and Neveah chuckled quietly.
"I wish there was something I could do to make this easier for you." Neveah admitted apologetically.
Neveah was relieved to see Lucas Varleston's stance had not changed due to the insistence of their parents, he had already accepted Neveah's rejection.
"Well there is, it would be my honor to serve as your mount... that is if you will permit it, of course." Lucas Varleston said hopefully.
"I think my father already gave his consent to that." Neveah replied with a shrug.
"Well, I'm not asking him... I'm asking you, Veah." Lucas Varleston replied seriously.
Neveah was quiet for a moment, since when had anyone cared to ask her permission for anything?
Although she was Eclipse Princess, every last detail of her life was determined by her father.
Her likes, dislikes, the food she ate, the dresses she wore, the people she associated with... everything.
Lucas Varleston had come off as domineering and imposing in the beginning but he was much different from what Neveah had thought him to be.
These little unconscious acts from Lucas Varleston was precisely why he was so different from everyone else and why Neveah was unwilling to do him any harm.
Neveah sighed inaudibly as she nodded her consent.
"Well...it would be just as uncomfortable as a horse is, no hassle." Neveah said with a shrug.
"I'm hurt you think I am some thin and bony wolf Veah, with this build? My wolf is all muscles, you'll see." Lucas Varleston said, laughing.
"I'll just take your word for it then." Neveah replied with a shrug as she took a step back and to let Lucas Varleston take his wolf form.
The sound of bone cracking and reforming came first and soon a large blonde wolf was standing in the exact spot where Lucas Varleston had been standing.
Neveah passed a glance back at the Eclipse Palace to see her father standing right there and just as she expected, his gaze was fixed on her.
Neveah sighed quietly, it was time for the Eclipse Alphas to move out and she walked up to Lucas's wolf who waited, his lips stretched in a lopsided wolf grin believing Neveah was impressed by his muscular build and large wolf.
'My wolf is almost twice your size pup.' Neveah thought, smirking as Lucas lowered his height so she could comfortably get on his back.
Neveah passed one final glance at the Eclipse Palace and came to a decision.
'This time... I will never return here." Neveah decided as Lucas shot off into the woods.
________________
The trip to Mount Vernon was short and pleasant,
Neveah had spent most of the time in comfortable silence with Lucas and by nightfall, they had arrived.
Mount Vernon was an impressive mountain and the designated location for the Alphas Summit,
This was because the blood oath of the first unified alliance of the Eclipse Domain had taken place in Mount Vernon.
The Alphas Summit as it was called was a convention of all the Alphas of the Eclipse Domain that took place every decade.
It began with the royal ball at the Eclipse Palace, after which the Eclipse Alphas would proceed to Mount Vernon.
It was a convention with the purpose of taking collective decisions on the challenges faced by the domain under the supervision of the Alpha King.
Topics on territory distinctions, population control, mating games, discords between packs and the likes would be discussed at the Alphas Summit.
As her father had said, the Alphas Summit was a place for leaders and warriors as it was not uncommon for fights to break out and challenges to be thrown, leading to blood shed.
For the duration of their stay on Mount Vernon, each Eclipse pack had a lodge they would reside in, in a part of the mountain reserved only for that pack.
The mountain was large enough and the lodges were spread all throughout in a manner that ensured the different packs did not have to come in contact with each other unless they wanted to.
Neveah was to reside with the Eclipse Hunt till the end of the Alphas Summit since she had only come to tend to Luna Colleen.
And for the first few days at least, Neveah knew she would not have to deal with her family and the relief it brought to Neveah's heart was so great, she hoped it would last.
Neveah got off Lucas's back and turned around to him.
"Thank You, Lucas. I will head off with the Eclipse Hunt first, get some rest... I will find you tomorrow." Neveah said to the blonde wolf,
Lucas nodded his large wolf head before he bounded off into the woods to change back into his human form.
"Veah, dear child... come." Luna Colleen called to Neveah and Neveah headed over to her.
"How are you doing, Aunt Colleen?" Neveah asked in concern and Luna Colleen shook her head slightly.
"I worry Veah, now that we know of the poison, is it okay to leave it unattended this long? If we delay..." Luna Colleen trailed off in a low whisper,
Not daring to continue as Alpha Dane headed over from where he conversed with his Beta, most likely feeling his mate's distress.
"Neutralizing the moon whisper is not a process that can be hurried, the Alphas Summit begins on the morrow and lasts an entire month,"
"I have come along with all I shall need... within the next few days, I will do my best. Rest assured, your pups will be safe." Neveah promised.
"Thank you, Veah. I feel reassured with you here." Luna Colleen said in a relieved tone.
"For tonight, I will brew you a potion that can help you calm. You will need the calm." Neveah added as she turned to Alpha Dane.
"The Eclipse Hunt resides not too far from here, I'll show the way." Alpha Dane said as he led the way through the forest.
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