"By your will I live," he continued, the words leaving his lips with a devotion that bordered on obsession, and though they pleased Alpha Valon immensely, not a single hint of it showed on his face. Instead, his expression twisted into a deep scowl, as though something foul had crept into his presence and he was determined to crush it out entirely.
"You may rise," Valon said at last, gesturing with a slow flick of his hand, his scowl deepening rather than easing. "Report…"
Horria rose immediately, not daring to delay even a breath, and the moment he was upright, he began to speak. A wide smile spread across his face—too wide, too eager—something almost manic in the way excitement seemed to radiate off him in waves. "The ritual is steady. There have been no disruptions, and the balance remains intact. Producing more potions will be easy… as long as we continue to secure the raw materials needed."
Valon gave a slow, deliberate nod, signaling his approval, and that alone seemed to fuel Horria further. Yet even then, there was hesitation. A flicker of something uncertain crossed his face, and though brief, it did not escape Valon's notice. Still, he said nothing, watching instead, knowing well that Horria's nature made silence impossible when something weighed on his mind.
"…I am concerned," Horria admitted finally, his tone shifting slightly, "that the more people we bring into this… the more suspicion will grow. It will not take long before they begin to question what I am."
Valon's gaze sharpened instantly, irritation flashing across his features. "You think I cannot protect you?" he snapped, his voice booming through the room with enough force to make the air itself feel heavier.
Horria stiffened and hurriedly shook his head. "That is not my intention, Alpha," he said quickly, stepping forward despite himself, compelled to explain. "We are using the lifeline of their offspring to power the potion… and that power diminishes over time. It weakens, and with that weakness comes something else—the need for it grows stronger. The less potent it becomes, the more it is craved. It is… addictive."
The word lingered between them, heavy and deliberate, and Horria took another step forward before freezing completely under the weight of Valon's gaze, which locked onto him with such cold intensity that it halted him mid-motion.
"…We need more omega women," Horria continued, forcing himself to remain still, his voice more measured now. "They can produce offspring with greater ease, and what we currently have is not enough… not if we intend to prepare for war and see it through to victory."
Valon leaned forward slightly, interest flickering in his otherwise controlled expression. "What about human offspring?" he asked, his tone quieter now but no less dangerous. "Can they be used?"
Horria nodded immediately. "They can, but the quality is lower. To compensate, we would require greater numbers… at least three to one."
Valon fell silent then, leaning back into his throne as he considered this, his massive frame settling heavily against it. For a moment, he seemed lost in thought, his mind already moving ahead, calculating, planning.
Horria remained where he stood, though it was clear he struggled to do so. He shifted subtly, from one foot to the other, his hands clenching at his sides as though restraining himself. The desire was visible—undeniable—in the way his gaze lingered on Valon's form, drawn to the breadth of his chest, the sheer strength in his build. He wanted to move closer. To touch. And it showed in every restrained movement of his body.
Valon's voice snapped him out of it. "Is there anything else you need help with?" he asked sharply, irritation now clear both in tone and expression.
Horria flinched and bowed immediately, shaking his head.
Valon sighed, already dismissing him, attributing the behavior to youth despite knowing the man had likely lived through thirty cycles. Even so, it was barely half of his own age, and to him, that was enough to explain the foolishness.
Horria was dismissed and turned to leave, and Valon watched him go, his gaze following him until the door closed fully behind him. Only then did he rise from his throne. The hall was empty now, save for the guards stationed along the walls, their heads lowering further as he moved.
He stepped down and made his way out, his presence filling the space even in silence, before ascending toward his private chambers. The guards outside his room bowed deeply as he approached, but he did not acknowledge them, simply pushing the door open and stepping inside.
The room was vast and richly decorated, furs layered across the floor, carved furniture filling the space, and a massive bed dominating the center. A woman already lay upon it, waiting, and a faint smile touched his lips at the sight. Nothing relieved tension quite like a woman. His gaze moved over her slowly—from her hair, to her blue eyes, down to her completely exposed body. She was the one who still flinched when he touched her. His favorite, for now.
Still, he walked past her.
Instead, he moved toward the window, his attention already shifting. Evening had fallen, and the sun dipped low across the horizon, casting long shadows over the land. From where he stood, he could see everything—the pack, the expansion, the steady growth. What had once been a simple settlement had become something far greater, spreading outward with each passing year. It already resembled a town. Soon, it would become a city. Then a kingdom. One he would rule entirely.
"This world would belong to me, and everyone will submit," he muttered under his breath, the words carrying the weight of a vow rather than a mere thought.
At his gesture, the woman moved immediately, scrambling toward him on her knees, obedient and silent. She reached him quickly, her hands moving to his trousers.
Pulling them down as she placed her mouth between his legs. It felt nice, but it was not enough. Smoothly, he grabbed the back of her head and thrusted his hips forward, listening to the sounds of her choking on him as she tried to pull away and failed.
He didn't just want the world to belong to him; he wanted to control it. Every part of it, as he looked down behind, satisfied to see her and eyes water her mouth filled with him as he kept on thrusting his hips.
Fully aware that he could do whatever he wanted to her and absolutely no one, no one could stop him.
That was the high he craved as he grabbed her jaws tightly, warning her not to use her teeth even as he thrusted his hips forward until he felt the back of her throat clamp tightly around his hardened length.