Chapter 94: Chapter 94 A Preparation For A Banquet?

He glanced meaningfully at the Alpha King before continuing. “However, if Your Majesty sends your own assistant to investigate in your stead, we can avoid those risks. This solution not only spares us from weakening other departments, but also allows us to strategically reorganize the current staff to cover areas in need without turning to outsiders.”

He then smiled in Addison’s direction. “Moreover, sending such a sharp young mind—someone who has already demonstrated keen foresight—would be both practical and beneficial. It’s an excellent opportunity for experience and growth, and perhaps he may notice things others would overlook. A valuable asset in uncertain times.”

His tone, though respectful, left little room for retreat. It was a clever move—praising both the Alpha King’s judgment and Addison’s potential, while subtly making it difficult for either of them to refuse. After all, Addison had just warned them of a possible scheme, and the last thing they could afford was to carelessly open their gates to hidden threats by bringing in strangers. It was far safer to rely on trusted, capable hands already within the palace.

Addison felt like she had just swallowed a fish bone—sharp, uncomfortable, and impossible to ignore. It was as if she’d dug her own grave with her words. Her head snapped toward her father. “Fath—” She stopped herself mid-word, biting her lip as she looked at him, regret dawning in her eyes.

She hadn’t expected that voicing her thoughts would land her in trouble, much less get her reassigned back to the Midnight River Pack. Unbeknownst to her, the Alpha King had only been teasing at first, curious to see her reaction. But the reality was, they were indeed short on manpower, and the idea of sending Addison to investigate had genuinely crossed his mind.

Still, he couldn’t forget that Addison was currently posing as his assistant. Technically, she had no right to refuse a direct order. Rather than giving her a straightforward answer, the Alpha King simply cleared his throat, letting the tension thicken in the air.

“Alright, let’s set aside the matter of the Midnight River Pack for now,” the Alpha King said, shifting the topic with deliberate calm. “We all know the Greyhounds are not easy to deal with, and the fact that they may be withholding information from us suggests they still have control over the situation within their own territory.”

“Though my assistant has sharp instincts, he is still young—and frankly, too weak to be involved in something that might escalate into direct conflict with rogues. If he were to get caught up in that, it could cost him his life. So we’ll table that discussion for another time.”

He leaned back slightly, his tone taking on a more commanding weight. “Now, let’s talk about something else. In a few weeks, it will be my birthday. I want preparations to begin immediately—especially those responsible for the royal palace banquets. This celebration will not just mark my birth; there is a far more significant announcement I intend to make.”

His gaze sharpened. “Invite all alphas—mated and unmated. Ensure they attend.”

Everyone in the room knew the Alpha King held little affection for the Midnight River Pack, so it came as no surprise that he would delay or ignore their request for help. If Alpha Zion truly was hiding something about the rogue attacks in his territory, then the Alpha King’s birthday banquet might be his only chance to reveal it in private and directly inform the Alpha King, assuming he wanted the King’s support at all.

More than anything, the Alpha King had merely been testing Addison’s reaction at the mention of the Midnight River Pack. He hadn’t forgotten what happened to her during her time there.

If she could move past that traumatic experience and take charge of the investigation herself, then so be it—he would entrust the task to her. But if she couldn’t, then the Midnight River Pack could suffer a while longer as punishment for allowing harm to come to his daughter within their borders.

And no one could accuse the Alpha King of being ruthless. Addison was his only child, and she had nearly died on their territory. To this day, he hadn’t received a report, an explanation, or even a flimsy excuse from them about what had happened. That silence alone spoke volumes—it meant the Midnight River Pack had no intention of taking responsibility.

If they hadn’t even bothered to send an envoy to report or investigate the incident, then how could he possibly know what had truly happened? Their silence alone was a blatant display of disrespect for his authority over this land. And if they refused to acknowledge him as their Alpha King, why should he extend his protection to such subjects?

Moreover, although Addison was destined to become the next Alpha King, he—her father—had a duty to teach her an important truth: while she may one day rule over this domain, that did not mean she had to sacrifice herself for it. Monarchs do not plead or compromise themselves to earn their place. They do not beg for choices—they act and create them.

By all rights, the Alpha King could have wiped their pack off the map. It was well within his power. But he hadn’t—only because Alpha Zion had proven himself during the war, earning the title of hero after slaying a Vampire Lord. For that merit alone, the pack was spared. Letting them live and merely face a few setbacks was already an act of mercy from a king who could have chosen vengeance.

“But Alpha King,” the advisor began carefully, stepping forward and kneeling beside the throne, “with everything happening across the werewolf domain, holding a grand banquet may not be the wisest course of action. The funds set aside for such a celebration could be redirected to the South, West, and North territories—regions currently struggling with serious crises. Doing so would not only provide much-needed relief but also demonstrate your care and solidarity as their monarch.”

He continued, voice low but firm, “Right now, the people are frightened and sensitive. If news spreads that the Royal Capital is hosting a lavish banquet while others suffer, it may be perceived not as strength, but as indifference. Those harboring resentment or worse, those with hidden agendas, could seize the opportunity to incite unrest. Discontent could fester into protest, protest into riots… and from there, rebellion isn’t an impossibility. All because the people believe their Alpha King does not value them.”

The advisor paused, letting the weight of his words settle before adding, “We are already stretched thin. The West has suffered terrible losses. The threat of drought looms over the Royal Capital. If the water supply is compromised and the plague spreads further, we may be unable to contain it.”

“Hygiene alone could become a matter of life and death. In times like these, no Alpha from any territory would be in the mood for celebration. They may obey your summons, but they will carry resentment if tragedy befalls their lands while they are forced to attend festivities in the capital.”

The Alpha King didn’t interrupt his advisor’s well-intended counsel, only nodding thoughtfully as the man finished expressing his worries. Then, calmly and firmly, he stood his ground.

“I understand, and I have considered all these points carefully,” the Alpha King said. “But, as I mentioned before, the importance of this event lies not in the celebration of my birthday, but in an announcement I intend to make—one that will bring hope to the entire territory, not anger.”

“Besides, our people are already taking action against the drought in the South, the locust infestation in the West, and the plague spreading in the North. Inviting the alphas and their core members to the Royal Capital is also a strategic move—it will serve as a wide-reaching contingency conference where all the alphas, their seconds-in-command, and Lunas can collaborate and coordinate responses.”

“Those in the South, who have yet to experience the drought, can begin preparing dams and reservoirs to mitigate its impact when it arrives. The alphas in the West, closest to the locust infestation, can plan crop relocations before it’s too late. Meanwhile, the North can strengthen defenses against the plague and corrupted monsters.”

“Though it coincides with my birthday, this gathering will not be about celebration. It is about uniting our leadership to share ideas and formulate plans. As they say, two heads are better than one. We are already stretched thin in manpower, and instead of dispersing our forces to each territory separately, bringing everyone here allows us to consolidate our strength and resources efficiently.”

The Alpha King spoke without defensiveness or irritation at any notion of frivolity. Having ruled the domain for decades, he cared deeply for his people. As their leader, he regarded them as kin and would not stand idly by while threats from every direction slowly eroded their strength and numbers.

Upon hearing the Alpha King’s explanation, even the advisor was momentarily stunned. Then, understanding the wisdom behind the decision, he smiled and nodded in approval. It truly was the best course of action. By gathering all the alphas together, each could contribute their insights and strategies in combating the various threats plaguing the domain. No one would be left in the dark, and preparations could be made across every territory with full knowledge of what was coming.

What the advisor didn’t know, however, was that this idea had only taken shape because of a subtle reminder from Addison. If not for her prompting, the Alpha King might have continued spreading their limited forces thin, responding to crises piecemeal. But as a seasoned ruler, even a small hint was enough to inspire a more comprehensive and effective directive.

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