Free The Prince's Fated Mate: M/M Alpha/Omega Paranormal Werewolf Romance (Norvargen Wolves Book 1) by Alex Ashmore Page B

guard by the doorway nodded at them and let them pass and soon enough, Will was feeling severely underdressed in the presence of all the dignitaries.  

    “Thank you for coming,” said Alpha Miles to Will’s father.  

    Respectfully, Pa held his gaze to the ground as he answered, “An honour to be at the service of the Alpha. This is my son, William, and I hope his attendance may be permitted.”

    Alpha Miles nodded briskly. “It’s fine. He may be of some assistance. Seat yourselves.”

    Besides Alpha Miles and James, there were seven others, most of them elderly advisors, save for the younger one with the brown beard.

    Will took his seat opposite an aged, wrinkled man, and Pa sat by his side. He couldn’t help but flit his eyes to James every so often. Were he just a little bit more shameless, he would probably be swooning, his head and heart throbbing maddeningly, but he kept himself in check.

    “The doctor came in last night to have a look at our ailing members,” the Alpha spoke, his deep voice commanding attention at an almost instinctive level, “and his guess is that they are still many weeks away from a full recovery.”

    “That bad?” said Pa, sounding surprised. The flu was unpleasant for all, but it normally ate up only a week or two from the wolves of Hemslock Town.

    Alpha Miles himself seemed a bit mystified at the situation, shaking his head and sniffing derisively. “It seems that some of my wolves may be a little too sheltered back in the Den and their first brush with the countryside isn’t helping their condition. But as it is, this throws our plans into a rather dire situation. Prince Dashel is unlikely to make a recovery in time for the feast next week — indeed, it seems he will be in need for a much longer period of convalescence.”

    “What do you suggest we do then?” said Pa, listening attentively. Will couldn’t help but notice that despite the sad news that his betrothed had taken ill, Prince James showed no reaction, looking neither upset nor angry at the situation.

    “Your hospitality and courtesy thus far has been appreciated, Master Connor, and I ask if you would extend it further in our favour. Since James and most of our advisors are in full health, we were considering postponing the celebration feast by a few weeks, and sending them out in the interim to the border.”

    “The border?” Pa repeated curiously.  

    Will sat politely by his side, echoing the same thoughts, but with none of the authority to voice them. Immediately west to the Norvargen territory was a free territory, mutually agreed between all seven major packs to remain an ungoverned region that any and all could travel in. Lining the border were several scattered outposts comprised of tiny community of shifters who were just as likely to call themselves Norvargen wolves as not. Many of them had never seen a member of the Alpha Court before, but would still submit to Alpha Miles for the privilege of his territorial protection.  

    Alpha Miles nodded. “It was planned that after the feast next week, they’d visit the villages by the western borders. Merely to check upon them and to preserve their goodwill and relations with us; we will be hosting no feasts with them. Prince Dashel was also never planning on attending in the first place, as he was to return to the Den shortly after the feast here, so his absence isn’t an issue. I myself have seen the border a few months ago, but it will be the first time for James, and I am keen on having my son thoroughly acquaint himself with all those who call themselves Norvargen.”

    Makes sense , thought Will, nodding along, if he’s to become Alpha one day, he ought to meet with even the border wolves, I suppose .

    “Of course, this will require at least a two months extension of our stay,” said Alpha Miles. “The journey back and forth from the border will require that much. You will be generously compensated in return, of course.”

    Pa bowed