Nicholas knew that bringing about this peace required a lot of effort and the road to getting there was also very difficult because the enmity between the kingdom and the lycans had been going on for more than twenty years.
In that period of time, there had been many battles that had taken place and it had taken so many lives that the fire of hatred in the hearts of both sides continued to burn.
Even so, Nicholas did not want to give up and he would keep trying. The plan to bring about peace was not only because he wanted to pave the way for his children to the throne of Riga but because he really wanted to embrace the lycans.
He was now part of them and he realized being a lycan or a human didn't determine someone's character. They could be good or bad.
Nicholas estimated that the chances of Alpha receiving the peace treaty he offered was only ten percent so he included an offer of cooperation in anticipation of an attack from Armeria which was currently controlled by the Obsidian San Pack, a group of werewolves who was hungry for power.
The pack not only usurped the power of the king but also seized the power of the Alphas. Armeria had several smaller packs that also fell when the kingdom was invaded by the Obsidian Sand Pack.
From the news circulating that Nicholas' spies could gather, the Alphas of those packs were either killed or were made as an omega by force, and then their pack members were forced to swear loyalty to Alpha Elias of Obsidian Sand Pack.
Nicholas was sure that no Alpha in Riga would want to suffer the same fate as those Alphas in Armeria. That way the chances of the Alphas accepting the offer are even greater.
After waiting for a long time, a messenger returned with news that Alpha of the Red Moon Pack from Hillridge, a small town in the West of Riga was willing to meet as long as Nicholas came himself.
"This is good news," Nicholas heaved a sigh of relief. After sending so many letters and envoys, together with his spies, this was the first positive response he received. Most the other Alphas were suspicious of the peace offer and didn't bother to send him a reply.
Nicholas hoped that this would become the start of something good. Maybe, once a werewolf pack took the peace offer and worked together with the government, and realized that Nicholas truly meant what he said when he declared his willingness to live in peace, the other packs would start to follow suit.
"I will come," Nicholas told the spy. "Send another letter to the Alpha of the Red Moon Pack. I will come to their place whenever they are ready to receive me."
"But, Your Majesty..." the messenger named Dario looked worried. "The Alpha was very firm that he wants you to come alone."
"I have no problem with that," Nicholas replied with a shrug.
Noel, who stood in the corner of the king's study immediately raised his hand in objection. After he heard the messenger's words, he advised the king not to obey Alpha's wishes.
"Your Majesty, let me escort you. It's too dangerous for you to go alone," said Noel.
Nicholas smiled and shook his head. "I want to meet them to make a peace treaty not to invite war. If they see you with me they will misunderstand."
"But Your Majesty, what if they gang up on you?" Noel said in worry. "I know you are formidable, but we are talking about a pack with many lycan warriors. I am very worried."
"Noel, I know what I am capable of. Don't worry," Nicholas said casually. "I am also an Alpha. It is not easy to beat me. Also, I have learned that lycans are prideful creatures. The good ones are not going to gang up on me, no matter how much they hate me. It's too embarrassing for them."
He remembered when he was fighting with Lucas, the Beta of the Blood River Pack. Even though Lucas knew he was not as tough as Nicholas, and his hatred for the king knew no bounds, he still forbade his pack members to attack or gang up on Nicholas.
The fact that the Alpha of the Red Moon Pack was willing to meet him made Nicholas believe that the pack was the good kind. He didn't need to worry that they would play dirty when he came.
He knew bringing along the Royal Lycan Hunters with him would only cement their perception that the royal family of Riga was evil and cunning.
No, Nicholas didn't want that. He would take the risk and come alone to talk about peace.
Seeing the king's persistence, Noel had no choice but to comply.
***
Nicholas who had made up his mind finally came alone to meet Alpha from Red Moon on the bank of a small river that was west of the capital Riga, a place that was quite remote and untouched by humans.
Nicholas got off his horse and looked at the people standing in a line across from him. The shadow of the silver moon in the sky was clearly visible above the river that was flowing very quietly.
Nicholas looked one by one at the people on the other side before he finally focused on the man with the grey beard standing in the middle of the row. From his aura, Nicholas could deduce that the man was Rad, the Alpha of Red Moon.
Nicholas smiled warmly when they met face to face but Alpha Rad just smirked then turned into a lycan and immediately attacked Nicholas.
"Hey!"
Nicholas was taken aback, he jumped back and immediately changed to his lycan form then faced Rad's attack.
Th𝓮 most uptodate nov𝑒ls are published on freew(e)bnove(l).𝓬𝓸𝓶