Lucas
I watched Miatta run away from her mistake, parting through people in a haste. Despite how angry I was at her, my wolf urged me to get up and go after her. I obliged the obstinate animal, rising to my feet when Yvette pulled on my arm.
“My Lord, you are going to. . . go after her, are you? She is but a mere slave.”
No, she was not, I wanted to snap back at her. Jealous though I was that she liked someone else, it wasn't in me to leave a female upset. Yvette's hands on me was infuriating and I had suffered along with Miatta, enduring her touch to keep up appearances.
“Besides, the king and Beta Logan are watching as well. They cannot see you running after a careless slave,” Yvette pressed on, trying to make me see reason. She was on point and it was true that my idea was not exactly proper but that night, Miatta was not a slave. She was my Lady of Honour and I had driven her away.
“She isn't a slave tonight, Yvette and it is my duty to make my guest as comfortable as possible. I will bring her back and together, we will hear the results of the contest. Now, let go of me, Yvette.”
She sighed deeply, tears brimming in her eyes and finally slipped her fingers off my arm. “I met you first, my Lord. I have been loyal to you and in the past, you had always chosen me as your Lady of Honour. However, recently, you have replaced me with Miatta, the same wolf that insulted you in the presence of listening ears. What do you see in her, my Lord? What can she give you that I cannot?” Her chest heaved up and down heavily, the sign of an impending crying scenario that I wanted no part in. I stepped away from her, disgusted by her lack of decency.
“I want you gone from my booth before I return. Ryker, use military force if required.” Ryker bowed in understanding and I hurriedly went in search of my mate. Beta Logan locked stares with me, lifting a questioning brow. I ignored him, Miatta more important than his suspicion. On getting to the slave room, I ran into Addy instead and she stared up at me, a profound scowl on her face. Immediately, I knew she was aware of Miatta’s whereabouts.
“Where is she?”
“She doesn't want to see you,” she obstinately replied, digging her feet into the ground. I could crush her with a fist without breaking a sweat but I hesitated because I knew how important she was to Miatta. Besides, Athena would have my head afterwards. I tried to control the reins of my temper, guiding my thoughts away from violence.
“Adrianne, I need to speak with Miatta now. If you stand in my way, I will not be held responsible for whatever I do next.”
She didn't bat a lash at my threat, meeting my state without fear. She looked even more fierce as if daring me to strike her. Luckily for the both of us, Miatta pushed the flap aside and came out of the room, her dress stained with dirt. She wasn't as clean as before but she was still beautiful to me and I could not share her affections with another. I would go mad for sure. She placed her hand on Miatta’s forearm and squeezed lightly.
“Thank you, Addy. Can you please give us some privacy? Please,” she added softly when Addy remained unmoved. Eventually, she frowned and stomped out with a viciousness I had never seen in her.
“Well, I'm here,” Miatta reminded me, looking elsewhere. “What do you want?”
Miatta
I couldn't believe that he actually came after me, leaving Yvette and her charms behind. I had made a total fool of myself and he had abandoned his place at the festival in search of me. I couldn't gauge my emotions properly but I wasn't as angry as I was earlier, that I knew.
“You left, Miatta. How do you think I feel about that?”
“You were flirting with a female that I detest in front of me. How do you think I feel about that? I was right there and you shamelessly sat there, feeling up with her.” As usual, I had no filter on my words and I spoke according to how I felt. I was hurt by his betrayal and I wanted to be anywhere but beside him. He reached for me but I shrank away, shutting my eyes briefly. I couldn't think with his arms around me and I was trying to be firm with him.
“Alright, I'm sorry. But I wouldn't have done what I did if you had not....” He trailed off, looking up to the cloudy skies.
“Not what?” I wanted to know.
"You said you were looking for a he. You were looking out for someone in the crowd and I couldn't handle it, okay? Tell me I'm crazy, that you don't have a lover."
I was beyond stunned by his confession. Really, I had been expecting anything else than his hilarious insinuation. A lover? It was unbelievable what went on in his head at times.
“Wow. . . just wow, Lucas. So you thought,” I turned around and walked him backwards, stalking him like a predator sniffing after a prey. “So you thought that I was looking for my lover and that gave you the right to treat me like trash tonight before Yvette and her giggling gang?”
“Miatta. . .” he croaked, but I cared less about what he had to say. I didn't want to look at him or talk to him and that went beyond saying.
“You humiliated me tonight because you were jealous of a nonexistent lover?” He stopped moving and leaned against a leafless stump, breathing heavily. I was raising my voice at the prince of the lycanthrope and he was backing up from me. It gave me some sort of power I never knew I wanted.
“I'm sorry, okay. I can’t enjoy the festival thinking I have you beside me while your affections are elsewhere. Just tell me that I'm wrong and I will make it up to you. Anything you want, Miatta, anything for you.” His palms were sweaty and I knew because they were running up and down my arms nervously. I leaned in on him and whispered darkly in his ears:
“But that’s the thing, Lucas. How can I have a lover when I'm still a virgin?”