Chapter 3: Darius

High atop the cliffs overlooking silvervale stood the imposing silhouette of the silverthrone castle, home to the alpha king Darius Silverthrone. The castle's towering spires and formidable walls spoke of a strength and power that matched it's owner's reputation. Inside the castle, Darius stood in the grand hall,with an expensive cup of wine, sipping it slowly, a regal figure in richly embroidered robes of silver and gold, the kingdom's two colors. Darius silverthrone, the alpha king of silvervale,was a man of imposing stature and commanding presence. Standing tall and broad-shouldered, he exuded strength and power,his every movement purposeful and deliberate. His features were sharp and angular, with a chiseled jawline and piercing blue eyes that seemed to see straight into the soul of whoever met his gaze. His hair, a dark lustrous mane that fell in waves around his shoulders, framed his face like a crown. His very presence commanded attention , Darius had a reputation for being shrewd and cunning, always one step ahead of his rivals.

His beta , a loyal and steadfast companion and friend named Marcus Whitewoods, stood beside him, a silent presence that spoke volumes of his loyalty to his king.

"Darius" Marcus said, his voice respectful but tinged with concern.

"The council is requesting for an audience with you". Darius could care less about the dreadful council, and Marcus knows it's only a matter of time before his king does the unthinkable to them.

Darius waved a dismissive hand , not the least bit bothered about it. He held a glass of whiskey in his hand, gently swirling it " those elders are getting on my nerves, thinking that they can tell me what to do, if not for the fact that my father was the one to establish it , I would have severed each of their heads from their necks by now" Darius's face turned red with anger, his jaw clenched tightly and his eyes narrowed.

"I feel as if my father established that dreadful council to oppose every decision I make "

"Well you might think of making an exception today, because it seems they are not in a hurry to leave anytime soon" Marcus replied.

" Trust me Marcus, the only thing they're going to bore me with is the issue of me finding my mate, which I have no interest in doing "

"You do know you can't delay it forever, and the elders will keep fussing about it "

"Let them talk Marcus, their opinions matter little to me. All that matters is that they obey my commands and show me the respect I deserve as their alpha and king, which they are having trouble doing . Which is why i said another option is to kill them all, so I'll have peace and quiet "

Marcus laughed "well it'll be something worth looking forward to, in the meantime, what should I tell them now?" Marcus asked him.

Darius raised the glass of whiskey to his lips, he took a sip of the alcohol and said "well the sooner I meet with them, and they say all the rubbish in their minds, the sooner I get to rest, bring them to the great hall"

"Yes my king" Marcus bowed to him and left to carry out his orders .

Darius knew that the council elders will keep pressuring him to choose a mate. He just do not want to make the same mistakes his father did that led to his untimely demise. Issues concerning mates irked him to a fault. Issues that stermed from his late father and mother. Other werewolves looked to find their mates, to find the other half which completes them, but Darius would better have a mate he chose himself than one predetermined for him by the moon goddess.

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The council chamber was filled with tension as Darius Silverthrone stood before the assembled council elders, their stern gazes fixed upon him. The alpha king made it seem like he had accepted the meeting to discuss matters of state, but the elders had other plans.

"Your Majesty," Elder Greymoor spoke, his voice carrying the weight of authority. "It has come to our attention that you have yet to choose a mate. This is unacceptable. The stability of our kingdom depends on a strong alpha-queen bond."

Darius bristled at the elder's words but kept his composure. "I have been searching for my mate tirelessly, but she has yet to reveal herself to me. I cannot simply choose a mate for the sake of convenience."

Elder Felix winterbourne, a formidable alpha known for his strict adherence to tradition, spoke next. "It is not a matter of convenience, Your Majesty. It is a matter of duty. The longer you delay, the weaker our kingdom appears in the eyes of our allies and enemies alike."

Darius knew that the elders had a point, but he refused to be rushed into such an important decision. "I understand your concerns, but I will not be forced into choosing a mate. I will continue my search, and when the time is right, I will make my decision."

Elder Greymoor's expression hardened. "Your Majesty, with all due respect, the time is now. We cannot afford to wait any longer. If you do not choose a mate by the next full moon, the council will be forced to intervene and select a suitable candidate on your behalf."

Darius felt a surge of anger at the elder's ultimatum, he hated it when they try to force him to go against his wishes, but he knew that he had no choice but to comply. With a nod, he dismissed the council, knowing that his next decision would shape the future of his kingdom.

As the council elders filed out of the chamber, Darius was left alone with his thoughts. He knew that he had to act quickly if he wanted to retain control over his own fate. But deep down, he also knew that finding a mate was not something that could be rushed. It was a decision that would shape the rest of his life, and he was determined to make the right choice, no matter the cost.