Chapter 54: 54: The King’s Proposition

MAX

The final week of my stay in the castle is here. It’s my last week in Italy, my last week of alpha training.

The thought of going home is eating at me. As I step out of my room, locking the door behind me and making my way to the dining hall, two guards approach.

“Alpha Maximus Moon?” one of them queries.

“Yes, that’s me. How can I assist you?” I reply.

“You’re required in the king’s office,” they inform me, not giving me a chance to respond before one of them turns to lead the way and the other nudges me to follow.

I have a sinking feeling I know what this is about, and I’m not exactly thrilled about the impending conversation.

I find myself in a lavishly decorated office. A massive mahogany desk dominates the room, backed by towering bookcases filled to the brim.

One wall is entirely made up of a one-way window, similar to the one in my father’s office. A conference table surrounded by plush leather chairs sits in the middle of the room, and four more chairs are arranged in front of the king’s desk.

Despite their inviting appearance, I choose to sit on the large couch to the side. I’ve never been comfortable with my back to the door in unfamiliar places.

The remaining guard gives me an approving nod as he watches me settle in. I’m not the type to snoop around, especially not in the king’s office.

After about ten minutes, I hear footsteps echoing in the hallway. “Stand for his Majesty,” the guard commands.

I do as I’m told, rising to my feet as the king enters the room and takes his seat behind the desk. He acknowledges the guard with a nod, who then exits the room, closing the door behind him.

“Alpha Max, please join me here,” the king gestures toward the chairs in front of his desk.

I nod in acknowledgment, “Yes, your majesty.”

I sit in silence, waiting for the king to speak. He shuffles through some papers on his desk, a look of confusion crossing his face as he opens a drawer and begins rummaging through it.

Suddenly, he stands up and slams his hand on the desk. A guard immediately enters the room, “Your Majesty?”

“Someone’s been in my office. A file is missing from my desk. Find it,” he orders.

The guard bows, “Right away, your Majesty.” The king sighs and sits back down.

“I apologize for the interruption, Maximus. I hope we’re not wasting our time here, but without that file, I can’t fully discuss what I had in mind.

Regardless, let’s at least start the conversation while we wait for these fools to find my files.”

The king leans back in his chair, his fingers steepled in front of him. “I must say, I’m quite impressed with you. No alpha has ever completed their training two years early. You’re the first.

Were you aware of that?”

“I wasn’t, your Majesty. I thought others had also accelerated their training.”

“Yes, but never by two years. It’s unprecedented. I’m sure your father’s influence played a significant role in your success.

He’s a formidable alpha, feared by many. I know he started training you at a young age. I wish more would invest as much in their heirs.”

I remain silent, giving the king my full attention as he continues. My father had warned me that standing out during training could attract the king’s attention, and it seems he was right.

“I understand you’re eager to return home and that your father is considering retirement or perhaps spending some time with the Venice Pack. Is that correct?”

“That’s correct. I’m eager to return home, find my mate, and start my future. I can’t imagine spending more time away from my family. We’re very close.”

I hope my words will dissuade him from making the offer I suspect is coming.

The king studies me for a moment. “Life often doesn’t go as planned, Max. You have plenty of time to find your mate.

However, I have a proposition for you. It’s not something I offer lightly, but I believe it could be beneficial for you.”

I keep my expression neutral, waiting for him to continue. I doubt there’s anything he could offer that would make me want to stay away from home any longer.

Not just my home, but Ginger. I need to find out if we’re fated mates, as I suspect we are. I can’t risk her stepfather attempting to marry her off again.

“I’d like to offer you a position in my army. Not just any position, but as my second in command.

I’ve heard about your assistance to the Half Moon Pack and the numerous recommendations from my instructors. Your skill and strength are undeniable.

You possess a tenacity that many young wolves lack, even alphas. I’d be honored if you’d consider my offer. I won’t ask again.

The position comes with a generous salary and benefits, with only the Commander outranking you.”

Just then, there’s a knock at the door. The king calls for them to enter, and the guard who had been sent to find the missing file returns, file in hand.

He hands it to the king and is dismissed.

“Ah, here it is. This is your official offer, detailing your position should you choose to accept. I’ll give you twenty-four hours to review it and discuss it with your father if you wish.

I expect an answer by noon tomorrow. Is that clear?”

“Perfectly clear, your Majesty.” He hands me the folder, and I take it reluctantly.

“You may go now,” he says, and I leave his office. I decide to grab breakfast before finding a quiet place to review the contents of the folder.

I think I know my answer, but I owe it to the king to at least consider his offer.

After a quick breakfast, I head to the castle’s massive library. I find a quiet corner and settle into an alcove with a table and a comfortable chair.

I open the folder to find an official offer, stamped with the king’s crest and signed by his Majesty. I skim over it before flipping to the next page, where my salary is listed as non-negotiable.

My eyes widen at the figure—fifty million dollars a year to serve as the Captain of the king’s army!

The offer states that due to the dangers of the position, the king pays well to ensure any family I have would be financially secure in the event of my death.

My pack is well-off, but fifty million dollars a year is an astronomical sum. It’s a tempting offer.

The next page details a part of the package I hadn’t expected—a spacious home on twenty acres of the king’s land.

The house is five thousand square feet, complete with a pool and a home gym. The king expects his guards to stay in top shape and provides everything necessary to do so.

I’m speechless. I flip through the rest of the pages, not really taking in the words.

I know I need to read the small print, to make a smart choice. I need to show this to my parents.

My mom, with her keen business sense, will know what to do. I sink further into the chair, my hand automatically rubbing the stress knot at the base of my neck.

The pressure of making a choice in less than a day is heavy. Why would he set such a short deadline when I still have a week left here?

I sigh, tired, and gather the scattered papers, shoving them back into the folder. It’s time to make some calls, even though it’s late back home.

I sneak a peek at my watch; it’s almost nine o’clock. Everyone will be winding down for the night.

It’s actually the perfect time to talk without too many interruptions. I’m standing at a major fork in the road.

This decision could mean a lot of money for my pack, but what about my personal life and my mate?

~What will happen to all the plans I’ve carefully made?~ The uncertainty eats at me.

I don’t know if I’m ready to give up everything to serve the king, especially in a country I don’t want to call home.