Chapter 6: A Lycan's Claim

DOMINIC

“My King, Alpha Boris and the members of his council are here to see you,” Grant, my Beta, announced as he stepped into my study. 

I grunted in irritation as I straightened the lapels of my coat. I had a prior engagement scheduled; the pack trial which was held every Wednesday morning. 

“As my right hand man, I would presume you understand how seriously I take my schedule, Grant. This couldn't have waited till after the trial?”

He bowed his head. “I understand the rules, Alpha,  and I apologize for the inconvenience. But, Boris insisted. He has been waiting for a few hours now.”

He could wait an entire day, for all I cared. I knew he was here to discuss the alliance and the mishap that occurred on the day of the mating ceremony. He had been understandably eager to present his daughter as Luna to the Lycan King, so the twist in events was an embarrassing punch to the gut for him. 

I, on the other hand, was not in the mood to listen to his whining. I knew I had to address the elephant in the room soon. The rumors had begun to spread like wildfire, that the all-powerful Lycan King had taken an Omega as his mate and Luna. 

The atrocity of it all. The scandal. It was sufficient to leave a bitter taste in my mouth each time I thought about it. And for the umpteenth time, I reminded myself that I was not allowed to wring the Omega's neck. 

I knew that was what everyone expected of me. How could I not, when my senses were capable of picking up bits of conversations from a mile away? The pack members had been whispering; when and how I would execute the Omega and why I was taking longer than usual to dole out punishment.

The only people who knew the truth were myself, the oracle and my trusted council. And that was what it would remain; a secret. 

I would sooner spill blood than admit to the world that I, Dominic Blackwood–one out of the five Lycans left on the earth, made a blunder. To admit that I made a mistake that might cost me my powers. 

Never. 

Not while there was breath in my lungs. 

That was a weakness I could not afford to put on display. So, I made a calculative move. Whatever was going to happen from this point onward would be my doing, and on my terms. That was why I ordered for the Omega to be released first thing this morning. 

“Where are they?” I asked my Beta. 

“In the throne room, Alpha.”

I stepped out of my study and marched down the hallway to the throne room, Grant following behind me. They were already here, so I might as well get this over with.

I arrived to see a young woman whom I recognized as Princess Vivian standing at the exit. She scrambled to her feet as I approached, and bowed. 

“Your Majesty, I just wanted to say that I am looking forward to taking my rightful place as your Luna in this esteemed pack and I—”

“Shut the door behind you, ” I instructed my Beta. 

Without sparing a glance her way, I walked in. 

Alpha Boris and his five councillors present all rose to their feet at my entrance, bowing in greeting. When I took my seat, Boris lunged forward, his ears red in clear anger and agitation. 

“With all due respect, Your Majesty, this is not what was agreed upon! My daughter was left stranded and humiliated all because a mere Omega was allowed to take her place!”

I raised a hand to silence him. 

“I understand your concerns, Alpha Boris, but there is no cause for alarm. The arrangements shall continue as planned, but on my terms.”

A red-faced councilor stepped forward. “It stopped being on your terms the moment an Omega was allowed into the equation! An agreement was made, a plan of alliance! You can't just change the rules whenever you deem fit.”

“My daughter's pride is at stake,” Boris hissed. “The least you could do is offer an explanation! I heard the Omega is still alive. What is going on?!”

“This is unheard of. An abomination!” Another man stepped forward. “You broke the terms of the alliance and that is–”

“ENOUGH!” I roared, rising to my feet. 

Anger swirled in my chest as I watched the lot of them ganging up to challenge me in a pathetic display.

“You stand before me demanding answers, but you forget yourselves. I am not some pup to be questioned. I am your King! My word is law and my mark is final. The bond was sealed and what's mine stays mine till I decide otherwise. If anyone here disagrees, step forward.”

A deafening silence charged the room. My gaze trailed over their now clamped mouths and terrified faces, a few of them taking reasonable steps back. 

Suddenly, the red-faced councilor stepped forward. 

“We will not bend to your rules any longer! You can't just bring disgrace upon our Alpha and his daughter and expect us to be silent! This alliance was a—”

The words died on his lips when I shifted one arm and slashed through his throat in one clean swipe, my sharp claws piercing through flesh and bone. His eyes widened as he swayed on the spot before falling to the ground, his head severing with a satisfying crunch. 

I looked up at the pale faces of the others. 

“Anyone else?”

The silence offered the answer I sought. 

I turned to Boris. “Rest assured, this slight shift in terms does not erase the throne your daughter was promised. Alliances are forged by blood and loyalty, and I expect a man of your standing to understand that.”

“Yes, Your Majesty,” he muttered. 

“Good. When I decide the time is right, your daughter will have her place at my side. Until then, do not question my judgement. Take your daughter and return home.”

"Yes, Your Majesty,” he bowed. 

“Grant, have this mess cleaned up,” I gestured to the body before leaving the room and making my way down the stairs where the trial would be held. 

There were a lot of things I needed to do today. The treaty with Crestfield Pack had to be finalized today, and I had a meeting with my warriors this evening. 

Suddenly, a powerful scent hit me, halting my thoughts. There was no one in sight yet, but I could feel an incoming. My Lycan purred as the scent filled my senses, a sound I had not made since I was a pup. 

Surprised, I tried to shake off the strange feeling and keep walking. That was when she appeared in the hallway, barely two feet away from me. 

The Omega. 

She looked like a lost puppy, observing the environment with wide, curious eyes, taking careful steps and fidgeting with her fingers. 

Definitely not the demeanor I expected from someone who manipulated her way into a position of wealth and power. 

It was…confusing. 

I brushed it off as a part of her plan, a facade to seem meek and unsuspecting. A master manipulator such as herself would have no trouble with that, after all. She must have heard me coming down this hall. 

Irritation tickled my nerves at the sight of her, and without a word, I walked past her. 

But in the process of that, the scent hit me squarely in the face again. 

Fuck, it was coming from her. 

I froze on the spot, my hands clenching. I tried to take a step forward, but my body was gripped by a force more powerful. That comforting, warm scent of rain-soaked earth and wildflowers filled my senses, fueling a primal need. 

‘MINE,’ my Lycan proclaimed. ‘PROTECT MATE.’

A low growl filled my chest. If anyone laid a finger on her, I would crush their bones to dust. 

My body moved under the control of my Lycan. She was so close. Too close. I wanted to reach out and mark her. 

Involuntarily, I sniffed the air, breathing in her scent deeply. 

My eyes flew open when I realized what I'd just done. She was still there, her eyes wide as she staggered backwards. 

What the hell was I doing?

I fought my primal side to regain control of my senses. I refuse to be controlled by a damn scent!

I hated it, hated that someone I despised possessed a scent that brought me to the edge of losing control. This godforsaken bond.

‘MINE!’ My Lycan growled again, louder, more desperate.

With all the strength I could muster, I forced my legs to move, walking away from her and barging into the makeshift court room. 

The pack members rose to their feet simultaneously and bowed. 

“Welcome, Alpha!”

I took my seat and several deep breaths to calm myself and regain composure, trying to erase what had just happened from my mind. 

“The trial may begin,” I announced.