Lycan king

Lucivar's POV

I sat on my throne like the king I was while the council discussed the issues facing the Werewolf Kingdom.

They had said a lot, but I couldn't remember any of it.

"You are too nonchalant for a Lycan King," Auren, my wolf, muttered.

"They are all talking about their interests, not mine," I replied.

"Taxes are what they're discussing, and they are paid to you. Isn't that in your interest?" Auren questioned.

"You and I both know that only bloody matters interest me."

"Even so, you—"

Auren tried to persuade me further, as he always did, but I cut him off.

"Shut it."

Auren fell silent, not because he was obedient, but because he was afraid of me.

"I am not," Auren grumbled.

"Do you want me to shut you off to prove it?" I asked.

He went completely silent. Though I could feel his resentment, I didn't care.

Treasurer Theron stood up.

"Your Highness."

He called cautiously.

I looked up and saw how tense they all looked, the fear they had for me visible in their eyes.

And it felt satisfying because I loved it when people feared me.

Because fear never lied.

Loyalty could be bought.

Respect could be faked.

Love could become betrayal.

But fear?

Fear was always honest..

"What is it?" The words lazily rolled out of my mouth.

"Here is the tax report for the month," he said, holding out a ledger.

I wanted to ask my Beta to get it, but I had sent him on an errand.

So I waved for Theron to bring it over.

He paused for a moment as if unsure of what I meant.

But he still came forward, his legs trembling as he walked. Even though he was trying hard to appear calm.

He stopped at a distance and stretched out his hand to pass me the ledger. It was as though he believed I might kill him if he came any closer.

Then again, I might actually do it.

I took the ledger from him and opened it.

After glancing through it, I looked back at Treasurer Theron.

There was a discrepancy.Even I noticed it.

Which was impressive considering I hadn't listened to a single thing they had been discussing.

"Confess your sins," I said calmly.

My cold gaze settled on him while my aura spread throughout the hall, forcing everyone to sit up straighter.

He opened his mouth, probably intending to lie, but he didn't seem to have the courage.

He fell to his knees.

"I am sorry, Lycan King. I didn't mean to change the figures. It's just that Alpha Ryker hasn't paid his taxes this month, and he threatened me not to mention it. He said he wouldn't allow me to acquire land in his pack if I did."

Auren sneered.

"How stupid. Throwing away his life for a piece of land. He should have known he would be caught."

Judging from the expressions around the room, everyone seemed to agree.

I could feel their shoulders tense as they waited for my judgment.

Especially Treasurer Theron, who trembled frantically on the floor while muttering apologies I was deaf to.

"General Darius," I called.

General Darius immediately stood and bowed.

"Your Highness."

"Bury Alpha Ryker alive."

I didn't wait to see their reactions. I stood up and began walking away.

""Thank you, Your Highness," Treasurer Theron muttered.

"You're welcome," I replied.

The rustling of chairs followed. They must have thought the meeting was over.

Fools.

"Alpha Ryker must need company in the grave," I added casually. "Let Treasurer Theron accompany him."

The hall went silent. I stopped and glanced back.

Their faces looked as if I had suddenly grown a second head. 

Why were they all surprised?

The entire kingdom knew I didn't forgive.

"I thought you forgave me. I even thanked you," Treasurer Theron sobbed as General Darius dragged him away.

He really thought so?

I had assumed he was thanking me for punishing Alpha Ryker.

"Stop pretending," Auren muttered.

I didn't respond.

Instead, I walked away and headed for my chambers.

The moment I entered, I saw Gideon, my Beta, waiting for me.

"Lucivar," he greeted.

He didn't address me as the Lycan King.

We had grown up together, and according to him, childhood best friends didn't need titles.

He sat in a chair without my permission.

""This chair is so fluffy," he said, dropping into it without permission.

The audacity.

I raised my hand in his direction.

Gideon immediately jumped to his feet and nearly fell over himself.

I brushed my fingers through my hair.

"Gosh, you scared me," he muttered.

If he was so scared, why did he keep doing stupid things?

"Report," I said.

He scrambled to his feet and began speaking.

"I couldn't find any leads. But I found a jade pendant in the laboratory, and it belongs to a human."

His report sounded ridiculous.

So the one who had stolen my belongings was a human?

"Find them," I instructed.

Gideon nodded.

Then he added,

"Goldenclaw Academy is about to assign positions to the students. You should go oversee the training."

Student training?

My eyes lit up.

Not because they were talented.

They were all mediocre.

But I enjoyed watching them compete against one another.

It was entertaining.

"Their competition isn't what interests you. It's the bloodshed that occurs during it," Auren argued.

"No one asked for your opinion."

I turned to Gideon.

"Prepare the carriage."