Nichs 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 ce and it had taken so many lives that the fire of hatred in the hearts of both sides continued to burn.


    Even so, Nichs did not want to give up and he would keep trying. The n 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.


    Nichs 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 circting that Nichs'' 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.


    Nichs 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 epting 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 Nichs came himself.


    "This is good news," Nichs 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.


    Nichs hoped that this would be the start of something good. Maybe, once a werewolf pack took the peace offer and worked together with the government, and realized that Nichs truly meant what he said when he dered his willingness to live in peace, the other packs would start to follow suit.


    "I wille," Nichs told the spy. "Send another letter to the Alpha of the Red Moon Pack. I wille to their ce 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 toe alone."


    "I have no problem with that," Nichs 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.


    Nichs 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," Nichs 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 Nichs, and his hatred for the king knew no bounds, he still forbade his pack members to attack or gang up on Nichs.


    The fact that the Alpha of the Red Moon Pack was willing to meet him made Nichs believe that the pack was the good kind. He didn''t need to worry that they would y dirty when he came.


    <o>,m He also had heard from his spies that Red Moon Pack was known for being righteous and brave. The Obsidian Sand Pack, however, didn''t have such reputation.</o>


    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, Nichs didn''t want that. He would take the risk ande alone to talk about peace.


    Seeing the king''s persistence, Noel had no choice but toply.


    ***


    Nichs 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 ce that was quite remote and untouched by humans.


    Nichs 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.


    Nichs 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, Nichs could deduce that the man was Rad, the Alpha of Red Moon.


    Nichs smiled warmly when they met face to face but Alpha Rad just smirked then turned into a lycan and immediately attacked Nichs.


    "Hey!"


    Nichs was taken aback, he jumped back and immediately changed to his lycan form then faced Rad''s attack.