(Lucius)
The next few days went by in a flash. I barely came out of my office or walked out to attract the attention of anyone. For some reason, I found myself brooding consistently about my mate's status. Why did I care? Why did I feel so guilty after sleeping with Freya that night? It can't possibly be because of her. I dropped the paper in its place and tucked the remaining sheets into a binding folder. My shirt sleeves were rolled a bit below my elbow, and the first four buttons of my shirts were left open.
I didn't want to think about it again. I gently rested my forehead on the shelf.
I looked up at the clock and realized that it was almost lunchtime. I dragged my body to my seat, calling in a maid. I ordered my lunch, or would I say brunch? Be brought to me in my office. Aside from my issue with Dusk, I didn't want to see my father. It baffles me how he is becoming too invested in my life right now. Maybe because I became the alpha, or was it because I proved him wrong in his theory of me being a loser?
As if acquiring the alpha status wasn't enough, it still seems fitting to want to control my every action. I wasn't surprised at his reaction when he called me to his Chambers after knowing about Dusk.
//FLASHBACK//
"Father, we have gone over this. I see no reason why you should bring this up now." I said steely, my hands crossed above my chest, and my eyes pointing down at his calm yet on edge frame.
A dark and low chuckle wrenched out of him, and he looked up at me in what I would call surprise and anger. "You don't determine when I talk to you about things, son. I am your father, and I have the right to tell you what I please. I see you didn't reject her or send her away like we discussed."
"Discuss? You telling me to reject her sounds more like an order to me, father." I flung myself back irritatedly, vowing to myself not to have this discussion with him anymore. It had nothing to do with Dusk; I wasn't doing it to protect her; I was doing this just because I was tired of his controlling nature.
"Whatever you term it as, you have to do away with her. I won't have my peers see you around with such a weakling!"
Seriously? "I see. This is about you. Heck, what am I saying? It has always been about you. Have you thought about my connection with her? Sending her means I have lost my perfect chance of having a mate!" My voice was turning cold and becoming heavy with anger.
"Lucius, I am still your father!"
Yes, you are. But I am not a kid anymore." I disentangled myself and turned towards the door, placing my hands on the cold knob of the door. I turned slowly, my eyes poking fiercely down at him, wanting to pass my next statement into his skull. "I don't care what you think, but I am neither rejecting nor sending her away." With that, I turned and walked out of the room, slamming the door in the process.
//END OF FLASHBACK//
The sizzling of the memory in my mind seemed to leave an aftermath of boiling anger. I walked to my mini fridge, taking a swig of my favorite wine. The bursting of different flavors in my mouth, leaving a milky aftertaste. After my little escape, I went back to work. Scribbling vigorously and preparing treaty letters This time I blanked my mind of all my worries; I had a pack to cater for.
A few minutes later, a knock came, earning a low 'come in' from me. The pack messenger walked in with a piece of paper.
"A letter came in today." He placed it on my desk and walked out hurriedly. Confusion wrapped around my brain, but realization soon settled. It would probably be from my father; I didn't see him as he instructed, and maybe now he wants to blab about my disobedience. Heck, is a kid legible to be an alpha?
Reading the content of the letter made me curious and left me with an unsettling feeling. This wasn't the first time I was invited or had gone to our Alpha's council meeting, but this was the first time I would be leaving when my mate was in the pack. For some reason, I found it disturbing to leave her. Not because of anything; she is MY mate, and only I get the right to do as I please with her.
'If you don't care about this, why are you bordered?' My wolf snickered in my head, and I could envision the smirk that would pool up in his eyes. Sorry, buddy, but I don't have anything to do with a weakling. I shut him out before he could protest.
I pondered it for a while, weighing my options. I have noticed some unsettling mini-issues going on in the pack, and I wasn't certain Ethan had the capability to do so. Well, he can if he does it with Seline and Ardiane.
-----
The next day, I summoned them in. I sat behind my desk, drumming my fingers as they took their seats.
"I have something important to discuss with you guys," I said, staring at each of them in turn. "As you know, I'll be attending the alpha's meeting. And while I'm gone, I'm leaving the pack in your hands."
I saw the relief on Ethan's face, but Ardiane's expression was unreadable. Seline, on the other hand, looked worried, and anger was evident in her expression.
"What? Lucius, are you sure about this?" Seline asked, concern written on her face. "You know you can turn it down, right?"
"I'm sure, Seline," I replied sharply. "I trust you three are capable."
"I doubt that." Seline slipped an angry and irritated look to Ardiane, who twirled a strand of hair around her finger while blowing gum. "I don't think she is fit. She can do other things, but I am afraid she'll mess things up."
Ardiane just rolled her eyes and said, "Listen here, Seline, I've been with the pack longer than you have, and I know how to handle things. You're just an outsider here, and you are the one who doesn't fit."
Ethan sighed, frustration settling in his face. Before Seline could bicker back, I stood up in anger. "That's enough. I've made my decision, and I expect everyone to follow it. You three are my most trusted confidants; settle your differences and come to a more agreeable term.”
I ushered them out of the office, feeling irritated. I found it weird that no one mentioned Dusk. Walking out of the office, I kept reassuring myself that I don't have the tiniest bit of feelings for her.
----(Dusk)
As I stood in the garden, staring at the blooming flowers, I couldn't help but feel an intense sense of sadness. The wind blew against my cheek, leaving it flustered. I occasionally tucked my hair behind my ear as I watched nature, having a fun time leaving freely. I wish...
"Hey, Dusk!" Seline's voice pulled me out of my thoughts. "I'm headed to the market to grab some groceries. Do you want to come with me?"
"I'd rather stay here, if that's okay," I replied, my voice barely above a whisper.
Seline looked at me with a concerned expression before nodding and walking away. My heart fell; I wanted to reach her, but I just couldn't. Running away wouldn't rewrite my fate; I was made to be this broken. Angry footsteps made me tense. I turned to find Dalia waking up towards me with a pile of clothes. Right, it wasn't even up to the twenty-four hours Lucius left, and I am already receiving such hideous tasks. How miserable can my life become?
"I need you to wash these," Dalia said, throwing the clothes at my feet.
I paused. My urge to keep my mouth shut and to keep the disobedience that welled inside of me at bay proved futile. "Why? The pack has various cleaners that could do such a thing.”
"What? Are you questioning me now?" Her eyes blazed with anger.
Before I could get another word out, Dalia's hand came flying towards my face, hitting me square in the cheek. I stumbled backwards, my hands reaching for something to grab onto to prevent me from falling. Unfortunately, there was nothing there, and I fell to the ground with a painful thud. Pain ripped through my body as I struggled to sit; my head was searing with pain.
"Now that is your place. In the slumps." Dalia taunted, walking away with a shrill laugh.
Tears welled up in my eyes. I picked up the clothes and walked dejectedly towards the washroom to get the task done. My heart thudded with pain and deep resentment, and the urge to become better than this welled up in me again, but just like every other time, it was washed away with my sad thoughts.