Chapter 6: Reality Of The Game

Kieran’s POV

I looked on with a satisfied smirk as red-hot jealousy tore Lady Seraphina from the inside out. What is a potentially powerful Luna, if she has to fight for the love of her much desired Alpha with a lowly Omega?

She stared hard and clenched her teeth. “Until you say so?" 

I didn't reply. I only stared back. 

She dropped Lyra’s hand carelessly and stomped towards me, angry, but trying to keep it together. She glared at me with glassy eyes.

“So, it's true after all?" 

My thoughts paused and redirected themselves.

What was ‘It’ exactly? Whatever it was, it means a whole lot of scandal to me.

“Believe everything you hear, Lady Seraphina ,” I taunted.

She took another step, almost closing the gap between us completely. Her cheeks shone red, but I didn't let my gaze falter. She should have abandoned the idea of being my Luna since the day I first rebuffed her show of affection towards me. 

Desperation still filtered densely out of her voice. She was choking back a tear 

“You dare humiliate me before all these lowlifes because of that filthy Omega?" 

My eyes trailed her index finger and fell on My Lyra once more. The poor thing quickly lowered her eyes and looked away. 

This very occasion should have been one of so much great pride for her had she not been an Omega. Now, it would only count as a thing of shame for her. 

I returned my gaze to Lady Seraphina . The pain was now too much for her to bear.

"Omega, she is; but filthy? I think not,” I said, trying to protect My Lyra against the Pack force. "It's those who feign interest in my affairs because they have eyes for the throne that should be considered filthy.” 

I raised a brow as I watched her expression shift from pained to lost to angry, and finally guilty.

"Whatever that meant, Alpha Kieran, I think I am way beneath it,” she made a sloppy attempt at self defense.

I'd always sensed the strife silent, but with much more negative energy since the last mating ceremony. I'm sure there is more to come. I made a low, guttural laugh to increase the scorn.

“You may leave now, Lady Seraphina . I can handle the rest," I said but I could see how angry and livid she was, and that ignited the fire within me. 

A silent storm formed in her eyes, some omegas trembled, sensing the tension in the air. She stomped out not without looking back at Lyra, who was quivering where she sat.

I approached to help her up but she quickly jumped to her feet, her head still bowed, and her scattered locks of hair shielding her face.

“I'm fine, Alpha. I can manage myself." 

Her despair was so palpable that I wanted to hold her and savor it out of her completely and all to myself. Her innocence killed me slowly; if only she knew.

“You will return at once to my chamber and finish the cleaning." 

She stopped like a dead clock.

“Alpha?" 

I rolled my eyes, knowing she had heard me properly the first time.

“You shall continue the cleaning, omega, or you face the consequences of disobeying my orders!" I made sure my voice carried such authority that she doubled over and whimpered. 

How fragile!

I looked around at the others.

"Don't you all have something to do?!” I barked. "What are you all still doing here?”

Everyone went running in all directions without saying a word. 

But there she was, still kneeling with heavy sobs rolling down her frail body. All I could think of was…

Focus, Kieran.

“Why are you still here?" 

She stopped crying and went quiet all of a sudden, her eyes snapped up to meet mine. She feared me after all.

She looked so fragile, broken and helpless. Yet, a part of me remained unmoved.

I knew I had to be firm, but a part of me ached to show her kindness.

“I can't be with you, Alpha. Reject me. I'd rather be marked by a fellow omega than be treated less than trash that I already am because of you." 

Heroic.

I let out a painfully mocking laughter and swirled on my heels.

“I'll make sure you are tied to the stake and flogged if I get to my chambers before you and find you not doing what you ought to be doing, right?”

I think the threat worked, because no sooner had I set to return to my room had she staggered back ahead of me. 

Silently, the turnout of events amused me.

When she was out of sight, the weight of my decisions made the air above my head heavy. 

This is only the beginning. I have stepped on the toes of two council members: Elder Mordecai, and Lady Seraphina . How many other toes did I have to bruise for this cause?

But she is my mate. I will not let her down because of society. Let society be false, and fate be true. 

She is my destiny, as I am hers.

“Alpha Kieran!" 

I turned to see a guard bowed on one knee before me.

“You may rise." 

“Lord Vance requests to see you, Alpha." 

The name, and the circumstances of the day left me no choice than to be convinced that this visit was nothing good or peaceful.

“Show him in." 

His bulky silhouette walked into the courtroom as the doors were shut behind him. He cleared his throat as he straightened his shoulders, sizing me up with the eyes of a watchful predator.

"Lady Seraphina has reported something unheard of to me, but I refuse to let your noble reputation be tarnished on account of the emotional words of an enraged woman.”

I nodded and chuckled.

"Lord Vance, War General of the Blackfang pack, it is well of you to uphold my character.”

A smirk crossed his lips, and I caught wind of it. Another toe I've stepped on, but not so sorely, I hope.

"This has nothing to do with you, Alpha Kieran. I am only upholding the pillars of the values the Blackfang pack was built on.”

"Is that treason?” I asked, shooting him my most dangerous look, warning him not to cross the line.

"If there's anyone in danger of treason, it would be one who humiliates anyone of noble descent before an Omega.”

The message came clear. I exhaled steadily, doing my best to show no signs of being bothered. 

Lord Vance came up to me.

“Even the slightest defect in character and morals, and we, the council, shall produce an even stronger Alpha." 

My eyes narrowed into slits as I took in the weight of the threat: Play by the rules of the game, or lose your head for going against them.