The Alpha King (Kingdom of Askara #1)(19)

“We put back the tables and served lunch. It was too far for some to travel back to their own packs and make it back here.” Luca nodded his agreement. Werewolves didn’t usually ride horses. Some had mastered them, but the horses spooked so easily, as if they were sensing the animal inside the man. The gammas generally shifted and ran if they were in a hurry, or if they were escorting females or humans they sat in horse-pulled carts with a human driving them. Some of them were quite fancy.

Luca strode ahead, still carrying a sleeping Kit. The humans and the gammas parted so he could walk ahead, Gabriel and Sam on either side. Another few minutes and the forest opened up into the clearing outside of the pack house where the choosing had taken place yesterday.

Luca heard a small cry and looked to his side as Taheesha and Iris both ran over to him. They both skidded to a halt as Kit stirred in his arms. He was aware of all the Alphas who had stood up respectfully as he entered the clearing. His smile widened when he saw the old friend who followed his sisters.

Tomas was one of the wisest men he knew. Even though he was human, he was more capable of ruling a pack than any Alpha he had ever met, including himself, and for the past seven years since he had nursed Luca back to health until the poison had left his body, he had been responsible for guarding his sisters. Tomas had been unique in that he was the only human beta Luca ever knew. His father had told him Tomas had saved his life once, when his father had foolishly thought werewolves were invincible and had gone hunting alone. He had come between a mountain lion and her pups and Tomas had heard the animal while he was trying to hunt himself. Instead of worrying about getting caught and punished, as humans were not allowed to hunt any animal that was considered property of an Alpha on his lands, Tomas had distracted the lion and between them they had managed to escape. From that moment on, Tomas had been one of his father’s most trusted companions until his death and Luca had settled him and his wife in their own cottage in the nearby village.

“He’s so pretty,” Iris said solemnly as she took Kit in.

“Sire?” Gabriel stepped forward and opened his arms. “Let me take him inside so Tara can help him bathe and eat.”

“We can help.” Taheesha urged quickly and glanced at Tomas, who nodded.

Luca looked down as Kit’s eyes fluttered. He pressed a kiss on his brow. “Gabriel and Tara are going to look after you while I attend to the council. You will be safe.” Sam quickly ordered two gammas to do whatever Tara asked and to keep them all safe. In response, they each clasped a fist over their chests as they inclined their heads at Luca.

Luca acknowledged the old-fashioned gesture in surprise and carefully handed Kit over to Gabriel. He hated it.

“With my life, Sire,” Gabriel murmured in understanding. “I will be back as soon as I know he is safe.” Gabriel nodded to two gammas and a still silent Gareth was unfastened from Asher and dragged away.

Luca took a breath and turned to the Alphas and Alpha-heirs. “Please sit.”

They all did. Luca sank to the nearest empty table. In seconds, human servants had filled the table with goblets of wine and platters of delicious fresh meat. His mouth watered. He gazed at the unshackled servants and nodded his approval. He gestured to another empty table and said loudly. “Asher, I would be pleased if you and your men joined us.”

Luca heard some of the Alphas gasp. An Alpha never broke bread with a human. He looked towards the Alphas who were staring at him. “Asher and the other men helped me save my omega. Feeding them is the least I can do.”

He noted the two expressions of disgust on Alpha Malachi and his beta-commander’s face, but also saw the cautious smiles on some of the others’. He especially memorized the looks of approval and noted it was in general the younger weres that were showing their support openly. It made sense that they would be more willing and open to change.

Gabriel came and sat on the other side of Sam. “He is safe, Sire, and being tended to by Tara. I have stationed a gamma outside his room.” Luca absorbed the information and thought about what Sam had said. Would it be too much to hope that Kit liked Tara enough not to mind if Luca had to breed her? She had certainly shown him compassion. The problem was Luca had to make a quick decision. It wasn’t fair on Tara to keep her hanging.

Luca watched as a skinny serving boy struggled with a huge plate. He frowned. This had to stop. He stood abruptly and ignored the terrified squeak from the boy as he took the platter from him. He took in the thin arms and the pale face—the boy needed a wash as well. “What’s your name?”

“Josiah, sir...I mean, your Highness.” The boy stammered his words out and then, looking completely overcome, flung himself to the floor to prostrate himself at Luca’s feet.

Luca sighed. It was going to be such an uphill struggle, but maybe if he altered the treatment of one, the Alphas present would get the idea. He took hold of the boy’s arm. “Josiah, I am not angry. Please stand.” The boy jumped to his feet. Luca glanced at the Alphas who were watching in astonishment, and made sure his voice could be heard.

“Josiah, what have you eaten today?” The boy looked at Luca in confusion. Luca took pity on him. “Let me guess: porridge this morning probably around 4 a.m., and then you will get broth, maybe leftover stew and bread around 7 p.m.?” Josiah nodded. “How old are you?” He said gently.

“Nine summers, sir,” Josiah whispered, but Luca knew the werewolves could hear him. He looked over at Alpha Malachi. “Would you have put your son to work for around fourteen hours a day when he was nine?”