Alpha Rolan’s POV
The weight of the world seemed to sit squarely on my shoulders as I packed the last of my clothes into a leather bag. I had made a promise to myself, no work, no distractions.
This time away was for Pandora, and for us. I couldn’t remember the last time I truly focused on my wife without letting my duties as Alpha interfere.
Our relationship, once a sanctuary, now felt strained, as though the walls of formality were rising between us.
Pandora had noticed, too. The way she looked at me lately, with a mixture of hope and sadness, tore at me. I had to fix this. I had to make her happy again.
I glanced toward the door, listening for any sign of her. She was likely busy preparing for the trip, unaware of the secret meeting I had arranged with Caleb.
He was the only person I could count on in times like these. He was sharp, observant, and knew the intricacies of palace politics better than anyone.
I pressed the hidden latch on the bookshelf, revealing the entrance to the Alpha’s secret room. It was a place where I could think, plan, and strategize without the weight of eyes on me.
Moments later, Caleb slipped in, his face set with concern.
“Alpha,” he greeted me quietly, the informal tone a sign of our bond. “What’s going on?”
I motioned for him to sit, feeling the heaviness of the conversation ahead. “There’s a plot stirring in the palace,” I began, my voice low. “Something’s off, and I need you to keep your ears to the ground while I’m away.”
Caleb’s brow furrowed. “A plot? Do you have any leads?”
I nodded, running a hand through my hair. “Griffin. He’s been disrespecting Pandora in subtle ways, but it’s growing bolder. And now, out of nowhere, he shows up with a mate. Something about it doesn’t sit right with me.”
Caleb’s face hardened. “Griffin? I’ve noticed some strange behavior from him recently, but I didn’t think it went that deep. And the councilmen?”
I nodded, feeling the weight of the situation. “Yes, some of them have been acting unusually. They’re not being outright defiant, but there’s an air of secrecy around them. Griffin has sway with certain members of the council. I don’t know what his endgame is, but it’s clear he’s plotting something.”
“Do you think Pandora’s safety is at risk?” Caleb asked, his tone sharpening.
I hesitated, thinking about Pandora. “Not yet,” I said. “But I won’t wait until it reaches that point. I need you to watch over everything while I’m gone. Two weeks, that’s all. I’m only taking this time because Pandora needs it. She deserves it.”
Caleb leaned forward, his eyes intent. “I understand, Rolan. You know you can count on me. I’ll keep a close eye on Griffin and the council. No one will make a move without me knowing.”
I felt a surge of gratitude for Caleb. He had always been more than an advisor. We were brothers in spirit, bonded through battles and blood. I clapped a hand on his shoulder. “Thank you. I knew I could trust you.”
He gave me a small smile. “We’re friends, Rolan. You’ve always treated me like family, and I owe you more than I can ever repay. I’ll do whatever it takes to keep the palace safe.”
I sighed, feeling a sense of relief wash over me. “Just don’t trust anyone, Caleb. No matter how close they’ve been in the past. There’s something dark brewing, and I don’t want you caught off guard.”
“I won’t,” Caleb promised. “I’ll stay vigilant.”
We stood together in silence for a moment, the weight of our responsibilities heavy in the air. But I trusted him. If anyone could keep things steady while I was gone, it was Caleb.
Caleb nodded. “I’ll find out what’s going on, Rolan. You have my word.”
With that, we parted, and I left the secret room with a sense of unease still lingering in my gut. There was no denying the tension that had been building in the palace for weeks.
For now, I had to focus on Pandora. She deserved my full attention, and I intended to give it to her.
My mind went back to the conversation I had with Pandora earlier. She was beautiful, more than I could ever put into words, but I could sense the weariness in her. Life at the palace had taken its toll on her too.
“Are you excited?” I asked, hoping to spark some conversation after sitting with me for several minutes, the silence slowly becoming torture.
Pandora turned to me, a small smile tugging at her lips. “Yes. I’ve been looking forward to this.”
I smiled back, but a part of me wondered if she meant the trip itself, or if she was simply relieved to get away from everything, the palace, the duties, and perhaps, even me.
I hadn’t been the husband she deserved lately. I had been so consumed with the politics of ruling, with keeping the kingdom safe, that I had neglected the one person who mattered most.
“I know I’ve been distant,” I admitted, my voice quieter now. “But I want to make things right. This trip isn’t just about getting away from the palace, it’s about us.”
Pandora’s eyes softened as she reached out to take my hand. “Rolan, I know how hard you work. But sometimes, I feel like I’ve lost you to that world. The kingdom will always need its Alpha, but I need my husband too.”
Her words hit me harder than I expected, and I realized how deeply I had let the divide between us grow. I squeezed her hand gently.
“I’m here, Pandora. For the next two weeks, it’s just us. No kingdom, no council, no Griffin. Just you and me.”
She smiled again, but this time it reached her eyes. “That’s all I want.”
And in that moment, I knew this getaway wasn’t just about rekindling our romance, it was about rediscovering who we were together.
I was determined to make sure we found that flame again, no matter what it took. For these two weeks, nothing else mattered.