The Alpha's Temptation

Alphard had secretly congregated his forces on the shared border of the Pegasii and Orion kingdom two days before the full moon.  He would send his Nyxers to look for the enemy soldiers, but so far none were spotted.

In the silvery moonlight of the Ivory Forest, in which they had traveled for two days nonstop to reach here, his soldiers camped at distance and in a large area so that more area could be spied on. Moreover it helped them in disappearing in the forest and taking a large number of covert positions. He ordered his men not to cook food in the night to avoid fire that could act like a beacon to the foes.

His tent was right in the middle of the camp's base. As he sat in his tent that night, his servant brought him food. Two spies were standing outside, waiting for an audience with him. As soon as the servant left, he called them inside.

"My lord," said one of them. "The kingdom of Orion is in a celebration mode. But it isn't that heavy. The sentiment of the general public is not good. They are still mourning the death of their king. And the former queen is very unwell. She may join the Fade anytime soon."

His lips twisted up in a scoff. "Good. Can we infiltrate the capital?" he asked as he bit into the soft rabbit meat.

The spies became tense. "May I ask why, my lord?"

Alphard munched on the meat and said, "I want to kill Alina on the full moon."

The spies couldn't help but widen their eyes. "That's a brilliant plan, my lord."

"Hmm..." Alphard replied with a smug expression. "But I know that it isn't easy to infiltrate the Orion Palace. Once a Nyxer goes inside, it is highly likely that he won't come out."

"That is true. However, we have people who are willing to sacrifice their lives for the crown. They are traveling with us. If you like, I can send them to you."

"Then do so," said Alphard, taking a large bite of the wheat bread. "I will choose one from them."

"Yes, my lord," said the spy and left after bowing to him.

Half an hour later when Alphard had finished his food, he was standing in front of the chosen men who were ready to infiltrate the palace. He examined every one of them and in the end chose a wiry built Nyxer, Ballard. He sent the rest of them back and called Ballard inside his tent. He sat down on his chair at the table and rolled out the map of the Orion palace that was old and yellowing. He called Ballard to the table. Pointing at the wing where Alina stayed, he said, "I want this done on the day of the full moon."

"Yes, General," said Ballard as he scanned the map.

Alphard looked at his face. "The reason I chose you is because your face is still not covered with tattoos. How old are you Ballard?"

"I am seventeen, my lord." Nyxers that young barely had tattoos on their body and certainly not on the face.

"Good. So I want you to be agile and hide in the palace for two days. You have to take cover of the night and find a way inside." Alphard put his finger over a narrow path near the queen's wing. "This is a tunnel that leads to Alina's room."

Ballard looked at the path with concentration.

"And this is where you will be hiding for two days. You will wait for the full moon, and kill the former queen during the day. Don't wait for the night. If need be, you can kill all her maids, but just do it!"

"Yes, my lord."

"Pack up your bags. Fill them with enough food and leave tonight."

Ballard looked at the map, memorizing the path and other landmarks. If only he could take the map with him, but he was no fool to ask about it.

As soon as Ballard left, a smile crossed on Alphard's lips. With the queen gone the same day that Rigel and Lerna were planning on marriage, there would be more mayhem. Everyone would be too distracted and his attack on Orion would become easier. He chuckled. He looked at the moon again and then after staring at it for some time, he walked back inside his tent, satisfied that he was going to start the war with a bang.

Ballard packed his bags and stuffed it with food. He had a sickle and a few poison vials also with him, in case he was caught. He drank a potion that would hide his scent and also carried three more bottles of the same, all wrapped in thick layers of clothes. He couldn't help feeling proud that he was chosen for a mission so prestigious.

Before leaving, he took one last look at his brethren who were all oblivious to what he was going to do, enjoying a drink or two with each other. He took a deep breath in and then disappeared into the darkness of the Ivory Forest.

He reached the Orion Palace a day later. Just before entering, he drank the potion to hide his smell. He pulled the strap of his bag closer to his chest and entered the gates of Orion capital using his fake papers.

Ballard moved towards the palace, his steps urgent, his stride fast. He knew that getting through the portcullis would be a problem, so he turned to reach the house of the man who the spies had mentioned as local contact. The merchant was the local vegetable seller who sent his wagon full of vegetables inside the palace in the morning. As soon as Ballard reached his home, the merchant hurried him into the house. Ballard showed him the letter from his General.

"You are late!" the merchant grunted. "Now you have to wait for another day to enter the palace."

"But I need to go today!" Ballard insisted.

"I have already made my round to the palace!" the merchant hissed. "You better stay indoors for the day. Tomorrow morning I will take you there!"

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