It was way past midnight,well into the wee hours of the night when even most wolves didn’t stir or made much noise.
The castle gates of Alpha Velor creaked open with the subtle drama of a man who wanted to be stealthy but had clearly lost the ability about three barrels ago.
The castle was quiet, most of the pack long since tucked into their beds like expected. The torches flickered lazily.
" Damn! It didn’t go as planned! No sir... More like plan tripped, rolled down a hill, and set itself on fire..."
The grand hall was empty as well, dimly lit by the flickering lanterns on the stone walls...and half brightened by the decorations that still needed more finishing touches.
Even the guards looked like they were on the brink of sleep, heads nodding until the echo of Velor’s uneven footsteps jerked them upright.
He waved at no one in particular and murmured, "Carry on, brave warriors of sleep... I am just your humble Alpha!"
He turned towards his bedroom but realised he had to take the stairs. Shit!
His boots echoed up the marble staircase, each step less coordinated than the last. By the third stair, he was clearly leaning to the left. By the fifth, he had somehow ended up walking more sideways than forward.
Just as he was about to fully collapse into a decorative vase, three shadows flew down the hallway.Then came the sound of hurried footsteps, the swish of silk, and suddenly...
"VELOR!" Three voices, one unified note of exasperation.
"My moon! You are swaying like an elephant!"
"Did someone poison him? Is he cursed?"
" No! He is drunk, you idiot! "
It was his wives, of course.
Before he could so much as blink, his wives descended upon him. Little Mara,the youngest,bless her, wedged herself under his arm with surprising strength for someone so petite.. "Did you roll in a tavern? Or just lose a fight with a whiskey barrel?"
"I think he won the fight with the barrel. The barrel just won the war." It was Serra, the second.
Velor let out a gravelly chuckle, his head lolling. "Ah, my brilliant strategists. Knew you would...appreciate my tactical retreat."
Niva, the oldest, poked him in the chest and said bluntly, " Alpha, you invited the entire continent to our pack. Within days we won’t even have our room to ourselves...they will be so full of guests.This really isn’t a good time getting drunk and coming home late! " She caught his right arm with the grace of a dancer.
Velor blinked at all three of them, one eye slightly more closed than the other. "Ladies," he slurred grandly, "my queens of chaos. I come bearing... regrets."
Niva arched a brow. "Did you start a war again?"
"No, no," Velor said, waving a limp hand. "Just a small misunderstanding...maybe! "
Serra sighed, helping him up another step. "He seems wasted! "
Velor gasped, hand to his chest. "First of all, I am never wasted. I am just... temporally unbalanced."
"You are staggering like a drunk goat," Niva deadpanned.
They reached the landing, and all three women paused when they noticed the faint glow beneath the door to Velor’s chamber.
"Why are your lights still on, Velor?The new girl...Autumn...she was given a seperate room, wasn’t she?There shouldn’t be anyone in there."
"Did you leave the hearth burning just like that again? Forgot about the fire last time? "
"Maybe it’s a ghost!" Velor shrugged. All three frowned simultaneously.
" Maybe it’s one of the ancestors! Came back to help you finish the job undone. It’s high time you had your own heirs, Velor. You know people are starting those speculations.All three of us can not be barren, you know. You just need to try a little...harder."
Velor made a face. " Go in first. If it’s my father’s ghost, tell him he owes me a childhood...before I avenge his murder..."
"Velor." Serra gave him a gentle shake. "What’s bothering you?"
He shrugged staggering inside. " Nothing... nothing new!!! Don’t worry ladies!"
"You never tell us anything," Niva said, folding her arms but still holding his elbow.
"Because I love you," Velor said dramatically, sagging against her shoulder. "And because your tiny, adorable brains would explode from all my bullshits... you are meant to be queens... Enjoy, babies! "
His wives stood in the doorway, watching him plop face down into the mattress with a grunt.
"I give it ten minutes before he starts snoring," Niva said.
"Five," Serra yawned.
" Three! " Mara chirped in.
Behind them, Velor’s muffled voice rang out, "I can hear you all, you vipers!!! Just know I love you... even if you are plotting my demise."
Niva smiled. "Not yet, darling. Not yet."
" I think while you three are at it, come give me a massage and help me release?" Velor grinned, eyes already drifting shut.
The three of them exchanged glances before Niva asked him, " Alright! Who do you want to stay for the night ? Me, Serra or Mara?"
He turned around and propped himself up on his elbow with much difficulty."Why not all three? Keeps life interesting."
" Velor, are you serious? " He didn’t respond. Only smirked.
" I had a rough night! I am sure you girls will enjoy each other’s company. Stay with me tonight! All three of you!"
Niva sighed. " Are you sure about this, Velor? You don’t look like you are in your right senses!"
He propped himself up on the bed, arched his brows and then tried to call them to sit beside him with a sultry gesture. " Let me show you what senses I am in, Niva darling. I promise I will not keep you complaining! "
Niva heaved another sigh. " Alright, alright! Whatever you wish for, Alpha! Serra! " she turned towards the second wife. " Our husband might need some help! "
" Surely, I think the tonic should do the trick! "
Mara groaned. "Let me do it, sisters. I will get the tonic ready for Alpha tonight."