novelxo Chapter ⊰ 46 ⊱ His Rivalry
**I Malachi I**
I watch Penelope's retreating form, a knot of worry tightening in my gut. She's been... *unpredictable* lately. Moody. I chalk it up to the pregnancy, but something about tonight feels different. Off. The way she pulled away from me, the hurt in her eyes-it's more than just hormones. I've fucked up somehow, and I'm not sure how to fix it.
My jaw clenches as I turn back to where the blonde had been standing, only to find the spot empty. Anger and confusion war within me. The sight of her, after all these years, has thrown me off balance. Memories I thought I'd buried deep come rushing back, threatening to overwhelm me.
*Why the hell would she show up here, of all places? After all this time?*
It's a power play, it has to be. She knows what's at stake, knows how her presence could affect my standing in the pack.
*But why now? What's her angle?*
I scan the crowd, searching for any sign of her, but she's vanished as quickly as she appeared. It's a talent she always had slipping away when things got complicated. But I can't afford to dwell on the past. Not with so much at stake in the present.
"Quite the spectacle, Malachi. One might almost think you were overcompensating."
The voice, smooth as silk but laced with venom, sets my teeth on edge. I turn to find Tarlac, the tribal prince and my chief rival for the kingship, leaning against a nearby tree. His eyes gleam with malice in the firelight.
"Prince Tarlac," I acknowledge, carefully keeping my voice even. "Enjoying the festivities?"
He smirks, pushing off the tree to saunter closer. The casual grace of his movements belies the danger he represents. Tarlac is a snake, coiled and ready to strike at the first sign of vulnerability.
"Oh, immensely," he purrs. "It's not often we get to see such a... passionate display from our esteemed Alpha." His gaze flicks to where Penelope disappeared. "Tell me, how are you finding human companionship? I hear they can be quite... *fragile*."
Ice floods my veins. The implied threat in his words is clear. As the current tribal prince, Tarlac is the frontrunner for the position of tribal king-the very title I'm vying for. It's what drove me to Penelope when I discovered her pregnancy. An heir could secure my position, strengthen my claim to the throne.
But now, with Penelope's fragile human nature so blatantly on display, I can see the wheels turning in Tarlac's mind. He's looking for weaknesses, for chinks in my armor. And he thinks he's found one in my mate.
I school my features into a mask of indifference, even as my mind races. "I wasn't aware you took such an interest in my personal affairs, Tarlac."
He chuckles, the sound grating on my nerves. "Oh, I take an interest in everything that affects the pack, Malachi. And your choice of mate... well, let's just say it's raised a few eyebrows."
I bite back a growl. The mating mark I gave Penelope is enough to satisfy pack law, to establish her as my Luna. But it's a far cry from the deeper, more primal bond of an imprinting mark. It's the difference between duty and destiny.
The imprinting mark is sacred, a bond so profound that the death of one mate often leads to the death of the other. The pain, the sense of loss, is simply too great to bear. It's not a commitment to be taken lightly.
And with Penelope being human... I couldn't risk it. The physical toll of such a deep marking could be devastating. I won't put her life at risk, not even for pack politics.
But if word gets out that we're not *truly* bonded... it could cast doubt on my commitment, my reliability as a leader. The pack needs stability, especially now.
"I wasn't aware my personal choices were up for public debate," I say, letting a hint of Alpha authority creep into my voice.
Tarlac's eyes narrow, but his smirk remains firmly in place. "Everything's up for debate when it comes to pack leadership, Malachi. You know that." He pauses, his gaze calculating. "The pack is eager to see its Luna properly claimed. One wouldn't want them to start questioning the strength of your... *connection*."
The threat hangs in the air between us, unspoken but palpable. I can't let him win. I won't. Everything I've worked for, everything I've sacrificed-it all hangs in the balance.
The provocation is clear. He's fishing, trying to back me into a corner. If I lose my position, the pack will fall under Tarlac's tyranny. I've seen the cruelty that lurks behind his polished facade.
*I can't let him win. I won't.*
"My mate and I will make our decisions when we're ready," I say firmly. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have other matters to attend to."
Tarlac's laughter follows me as I stride away, my hands clenched into fists at my sides.
*Fuck. This complicates things.*
I make my way through the crowd, my mind churning. I need to solidify my claim on Penelope, to quash any doubts about our bond. But I can't give her the imprinting mark. I don't know how it will affect her as a human, and I won't put her or our child at risk over petty politics.
As I reach the edge of the clearing, an idea begins to form. It's not ideal, but it might be enough to satisfy the more traditional members of the pack.
I spot Axel, my beta, talking with a group of younger wolves. I catch his eye and motion him over.
"Everything alright, Alpha?" he asks, concern evident in his voice.
I nod, keeping my expression neutral. "It's time we moved forward with the next phase," I say, my voice low. "Make the necessary arrangements. Discreetly."
Axel's eyes widen slightly as he catches my meaning, but he nods without question. That's why he's my beta-he understands the unspoken, knows when to act without needing every detail spelled out."Understood. I'll take care of it." "Good," I say, clapping him on the shoulder. "Now, I need to find Penelope. Keep an eye on things here."
As I turn to head back to the house, I feel the pressure of taking charge to secure my claim building, the pressure of plans set in motion. The path ahead is uncertain, fraught with danger and political maneuvering. But one thing is clear-I need to solidify my position, for the sake of the pack and for Penelope.