Miatta
Lucas... “Don't play dumb, Miatta. Everyone saw Yvette talking to you. What did she want?” she repeated, cocking her head towards mine. I wasn't totally comfortable with sharing the truth with Addy anymore ever since her transformation but she knew things that I needed to know.
That was his name and I could have sworn that I had heard that name before. Addy had let the name slide once when we had been speaking and she had called him by name. I dared to raise my head a little but no further. I was in this situation because Luke had stupidly nabbed my collar in my sleep and Ryan had spilt her guts to Yvette under duress. Unfortunately for me, Desdemona had not forgotten my fallout with her and had gone to Beta Logan immediately. The Lycan King was not pleased with the interruption and I had a feeling he would have thrown us out of his court but for the presence of his beta.
“My King, you put Prince Lucas in charge of Miatta after he saved her life. Now that she has broken a slave rule, I would like to know how she got a key and how you plan to punish her.”
The King groaned noisily and walked towards me leisurely. My panic piled up as I saw his dark, long claws jutting out of his feet. He hovered over me in a heartbeat and tipped my jaw upwards with a clawed finger. I was trembling within and without, holding my breath when my hazel eyes clashed with his bottomless ones.
“Miatta, I thought we had a deal the last time we spoke. What trouble have you caused?”
His aura of authority suppressed me greatly and I fell to my knees without having to think about it. I was in his territory and he was Alpha. “With your permission, my king, may I speak?”
“You may.”
I bowed solemnly and recollected my words in my head. “My king, I was attacked by members of Yvette's group and I shifted to defend myself. Unfortunately, I do not have much control over my wolf and she decided to avenge me on her own accord. She attacked Yvette and...”
“My king, she lies!” Yvette fired at me, charging forward. She was held off by Beta Logan with a mere stare.
“How dare you speak so boldly in my court, slave?” The Lycan King barked in anger. “Logan! Get her out of my sight this instant before I rip her head off!”
To my delight and relief, she was taken out of the court by guards, kicking and screaming. The echoes of her screams filled the hall, reverberating endlessly. I was left alone with father and son, both instrumental to either my release or punishment. I put more effort into my meek act and lowered my head to the ground, making sure he could see my collar around my neck.
“This disrespect is all a result of your stupidity, Lucas! You prefer messing around with a slave who is beneath us! Lie with her all you want but never give her any reason to think that she is anything more than what she is: a common slave. Miatta!”
I crawled to him, hiding my face from his wrath. “Yes, my king?”
“This act of yours is not fooling anyone. You broke the rules and so, you must be punished accordingly. Lucas, punish her or I will!”
Lucas
Father was right: it was all my fault, not for Yvette's misconduct but for putting Miatta in trouble. I had wanted to ease her suffering a little and so I had not thought of the consequences of my actions. She was facing trial because of me and I could not save her. I was still angry at her for shoving her love life in my face but just a look at her and my temper evaporated. Now her punishment was due. Beta Logan watched me closely, forcing me to cloak my emotions wisely. He could sniff out weakness as easily as my father could and I doubted his loyalties at times. He worked as a spy for my father sometimes and I had a feeling that he eyed his throne. Mostly, he either disapproved or challenged my opinions openly to reduce my value before my future subjects. I had never caught him betraying my father so I had no tangible reason to accuse him.
“Rise, Miatta,” I instructed soundly and she obeyed, rising to her feet meekly. Her wild tresses spilt down her back, some covering an eye. The punishment for taking off a collar was not a light matter; it was a double crime of theft and mutiny.
“As punishment for breaking the rules governing the slaves...”
“And for stealing the keys,” Logan chipped in rudely, cocking his head to an angle.
“And for stealing the keys, I hereby sentence you to indefinite imprisonment until your attitude improves. You are not fit for company and I don't need you putting ideas into the heads of other slaves. Your punishment starts now.”
Guards were summoned and they flanked Miatta on both sides. Beta Logan took a seat, a sneer on his hard lips. My father said nothing to me, allowing me to exercise my authority.
“Take her to the Quarter.”
The words were difficult for me to utter but I made sure not to stutter. She made no fuss, even curtsied before my father before they escorted her to her cell. The Quarter was like a holding pen for new offenders but not all new offenders were gentle. She would meet different calibres of people with contrasting characters: the good, the bad and the ugly. Miatta had a brave spirit but she couldn't butt her way through everybody and she was not one to lie low.
“What is the matter, son? You seem to be pondering on something.”
“It's nothing, Father. I beg to take my leave now.” I bowed slightly and departed from his presence. Beta Logan drew nearer to my father, the two ruthless men joining their heads to discuss a private matter. My mind was filled with unrest and concern for Miatta’s well-being. I could not go to her immediately because it would raise suspicious brows. I did not understand this longing I had for her and my body tingled anytime I thought about her. Her riotous tresses, her pouty rosy lips, her hazel eyes that held me captive and her hands, the way they would feel wrapped around my throbbing organ. My breath hitched and I didn't realize when I began to seek her scent out. It came to me, soft and fleeting, the scent of lilies and vanilla. My wolf stood on all fours, snapping at me.
Mate, it said, almost whining and when I heard his acclamation, I knew I needed answers and as fast as possible. Someone in the palace was my mate and if my wolf could single her out, I was set for life.