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“Are you sure this will work?” I asked.
Joshua’s emerald eyes softened as he glanced at me. He reached out, intertwining our hands, and gave mine a reassuring squeeze “Actually, this is the last thing I would want to do. But, despite it, I’m certain this is the first thing we must do. Because even if we persuade the Elders to accept our daughters, they won’t follow us as long as the law forbids them. But when the law is amended, they’ll have no choice but to accept them. And those who g
go against our pups “he smirked slightly, a mischievous glint in his eye. “will be punished by me.”
I couldn’t help the small smile that tugged at my lips, despite the knot in my stomach. “What if the king doesn’t
approve our request?”
Joshua leaned back slightly, pretending to think deeply. “Hmm, then we’ll go to the president,” he said with a
smirk
I gasped, slapping his arm lightly. “Joshua”
Before Joshua could answer, a sharp cough echoed through the room, cutting the moment short. Startled, we both turned toward the balcony, where a figure stood framed against the sunlight streaming in through the tall windows.
“What brings a freshlywed couple from their honeymoon into my palace?” he asked, his voice smooth yet filled with a dark undertone that made the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end.
I swallowed hard. Memories of the wedding day flashed in my mind–how I had practically begged him to leave. And now, here I was, standing in his domain, asking for a favor. Embarrassment flooded my cheeks, but I quickly pushed the feeling aside.
As Elias descended the grand staircase, I found myself unable to meet his gaze. Joshua, ever composed, rose to his feet and bowed formally. “Your Majesty,” he said in a steady voice.
Elias’s lips curled into a faint smirk as he settled onto the couch, deliberately avoiding the large desk that would have created more distance between us. “Your visit is more unexpected than news of rogue attacks.”
Joshua shrugged casually. “Well, rogue attacks are a common occurrence, and our visit isn’t.”
Elias’s smirk faltered for a split second, irritation flickering across his face at Joshua’s unbothered demeanor. “What do you want? Why are you here?” he asked.
Joshua didn’t flinch. “We are here to request a pack law amendment,” he said simply.
Elias raised an eyebrow, his gaze flickering to me briefly before returning to Joshua. “And what pack law are your referring to?
Joshua leaned forward slightly. “The clause that forbids alpha twin daughters.”
Elias’s face stayed unreadable, but the air in the room felt like it had dropped a few degrees. He leaned back in his seat, watching Joshua with the sharp focus of a predator biding its time, waiting for just the right moment to
pounce
Joshua, undeterred, pressed on. “The belief that twin girls are bad omens has been passed down generation to
generation without a fair reason, and I think you know what I’m talking about.”
Elias’s gaze shifted to me, his eyes narrowing slightly. “That Alpha’s daughters can’t run the pack, and the clause forces Alpha couples to aim for producing male heirs,” he said, his voice calm but with an edge that made my skin prickle.
Joshua nodded. “Exactly. So can you do it? I mean, will you do it?”
Elias leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees, his gaze sharp “Why would you want to change that law?” Joshua hesitated, and I realized he was waiting for me to speak. I placed a trembling hand on my stomach, drawing strength from the life growing within me. “Because I’m conceiving twin girls”
Elias’s eyes widened slightly, but he quickly masked his reaction. He remained silent, his gaze locked onto mine as if trying to read the depths of my soul.
“Please, Elias–I mean, Your Majesty,” I corrected myself quickly, my cheeks flushing. “You know what will happen to our pups in the future with that ridiculous pack law”
Elias’s expression hardened. “Why would I do that? There are more pressing pack laws that need to be amended first. Such changes will take time.”
My frustration bubbled to the surface, my voice trembling with barely contained anger. “You know what this law has done. It ruined my life, and it ruined Magnolia’s too. I’ve lived through that pain–watched how it broke us. Don’t let more families suffer because some selfish Alpha thought his pride mattered more than fairness or sense!” The words tumbled out, sharp and raw, as pent–up grief and anger surged forward. For a moment, I felt bad for losing my temper, but the thought of my daughters facing the same fate erased it instantly. This wasn’t just about me, it was about them and every child like them who deserved better.
Joshua placed a calming hand on my arm. “Calm down, Mau–Mau. The babies,” he said gently. Turning back to
Elias, he added, “What can we do to make you change the law?”
Elias’s gaze darkened as he looked between the two of us. The weight of his stare made me feel small and vulnerable Finally, he spoke. “There is one thing,” he said, his eyes locking onto Joshua. “Fight me in a duel. If you win, the law will automatically be changed”
