EVAN'S POV

　　Standing beside my brother Brandon, I couldn't tear my gaze away from the freshly turned earth covering our father's resting place. The ache in my chest was unbearable, the weight of grief pressing down on me like a suffocating blanket, his departure was unexpected but it was definitely not an accident. As I struggled to find solace in the solemnity of the moment, King Rufus Carpenter approached us, his presence commanding attention even amidst our shared sorrow.

　　"Boys, I understand the pain you're enduring," he began, his voice a solemn echo of our own grief. "Philip was more than a trusted beta to me. Losing him feels like losing a part of myself—a vital one."

　　His words resonated with me, stirring up memories of my father's steadfast presence and unwavering guidance. Yet, beneath the surface of his condolences, I sensed a deeper concern, an unspoken burden that weighed heavily on the king's heart. Exchanging a knowing glance with Brandon, I recognized that there was more to our father's passing than met the eye, a truth waiting to be revealed in due time.

　　He cleared his throat, his tone commanding our immediate presence in the royal court.

　　Exchange of glances between Evan and me conveyed our mutual uncertainty about the impending meeting.

　　As we entered, I noticed Gamma Falcon and Theta Ansel, my father's most trusted confidants. Their presence puzzled me.

　　What could prompt the king to convene us in the courtroom now?

　　"Evan, do you have any inkling of what awaits us?" My brother's inquiry echoed through our mind link, but my wolf and I could only respond with a silent shake of our heads.

　　"Evan and Brandon, we appreciate your prompt attendance, setting aside your personal grief. I know you both have questions, and King Rufus here will address them," Gamma Falcon announced, to which we simply nodded in acknowledgment.

　　King Rufus entered once more, exuding an unmistakable royal presence.

　　The room fell into a hush as we awaited King Rufus's next command. "Brandon and Evan, please step forward," King Rufus commanded, and without hesitation, we complied.

　　"I understand the weight of the responsibility I am entrusting to you both, but I have every confidence in your abilities. I have observed your growth since childhood and have sparred with you on numerous occasions. Your father initiated your training when you were merely four years old, a decision that now seems prescient," he remarked, his words imbued with a solemn gravity.

　　"As you both are now of age, and with the vacancy left by your father's passing, I am in need of a new beta—one who will serve me and the kingdom faithfully. I have summoned you both because time is of the essence, and a new mission awaits you. If you are willing, I ask that you step into this role without delay."

　　I exchanged a glance with Evan, the gravity of the moment weighing heavily upon us. Without words, we communicated our shared determination, our unspoken vow to honor our father's legacy and serve the kingdom with unwavering loyalty.

　　"I accept, King Rufus," Evan declared, his voice steady and resolute. I frowned slightly, feeling a pang of frustration at his eagerness to accept without consulting me first. But in the end, I knew that our goals were aligned, our resolve unwavering.

　　Before I could voice my own acceptance, King Rufus gestured for our hands. With a swift movement, he transformed his hand into its Lycan form, the sharp claws glinting in the dim light of the throne room. As he made a small incision on each of our palms, I winced slightly, feeling the sting of the cut.

　　"Now repeat after me," King Rufus instructed, his voice commanding. "I, Evan Philip, and I, Brandon Philip, pledge our loyalty to King Rufus Carpenter and his kingdom as the new betas. We shall protect them from any harm till our last breath."

　　Evan and I echoed his words, our voices ringing out in unison. As we spoke, I felt a surge of power coursing through me, a tangible manifestation of the bond that now bound us to the kingdom and its ruler. It was a solemn moment, a symbolic gesture of our commitment to our new roles, our new responsibilities.

　　And as I met King Rufus's gaze, I saw reflected in his eyes the weight of his own burden, the heavy mantle of leadership that he bore with dignity and grace. In that moment, I knew that I was not just accepting the role of beta; I was embracing my role as a guardian of the kingdom, a protector of its people, and a champion of justice in the face of adversity along with my brother.

　　"Now that you have accepted your true roles in this kingdom, I want to give you your first mission," King Rufus announced, his voice solemn yet resolute. He strode over to his table, gathering a few papers in his hands. Among them, I caught a glimpse of a small photograph, its details obscured by the dim light of the chamber.

　　"During a recent series of events, I have finally found my daughter's assassin, who abducted her long ago," he continued, his tone heavy with emotion. I watched as Gamma Falcon stepped forward, handing us a copy of the documents. Without hesitation, we accepted them, our curiosity piqued.

　　I was already familiar with the tragic tale of King Rufus's daughter. She had been presumed dead for years, her torn dress and an unrecognizable body discovered near the Northern Kingdom of rogues during a time of chaos and turmoil.

　　But what King Rufus revealed next left me speechless.

　　"I know what you both are thinking," he acknowledged, his gaze piercing. "But after investigating, I discovered that my daughter never died. She was abducted and sold in the rogue market. These documents contain all the clues that your father and Falcon collected during their research, and I want you both to go search for her."

　　The revelation hit me like a thunderbolt, shaking me to my core. The possibility of King Rufus's only daughter, and the lost princess, being alive ignited a fire within me, propelling me into a whirlwind of emotions. I don't remember much about her but I do remember the pain the king and the entire kingdom endured due to her absence. The thought of embarking on a mission to find her, to unravel the mysteries surrounding her disappearance, filled me with a newfound sense of purpose and determination.

　　As Evan and I exchanged a glance, I could see in his eyes the same fervor and resolve that coursed through my veins. Despite the toll that grief and age had taken on him, King Rufus carefully described his daughter's appearance from her childhood, his voice filled with longing and hope. With trembling hands, he passed us a royal family heirloom necklace, the only tangible connection to his beloved daughter.

　　Without hesitation, Evan and I made a silent vow to honor King Rufus's trust and embark on this perilous journey to find the lost princess. With the weight of responsibility heavy upon our shoulders, we set off towards the southern Packs, driven by determination and fueled by the flicker of hope that burned within us.