6

RONAN

Against my better judgment, I found myself walking through the entrance of Lord Bailey's residence.

Knox hadn't given me a moment of peace all week. He insisted I brought the omega to the White Citadel, or he would inform the council that I had found my mate.

The only person with the audacity to force my hand that way was Knox.

"Your Majesty!" Lord Bailey hurried toward me, bowing deeply. "I... I had no idea you would be visiting today. This is such a wonderful surprise!"

His fake excitement ticked me off.

"I also didn't know I would be here today," I muttered dryly. "Where is she?" I asked, going straight to the point.

"Wh-who..?" he asked.

My gaze turn cold, and he visibly gulped. Did I look like I had the luxury of time?

"I would go and g-get her for you," he stuttered, looking at his guards indecisively, before hurrying off.

The moment he disappeared, I began to make out chaotic noises within the compound. Low growls echoed through the place, making a slight frown settle on my face.

"Is the full moon out tonight?" I asked.

"Yes, your Majesty," the sentinels responded.

Five minutes went by and Lord Bailey still hadn't returned with her. My patience was beginning to wear thin.

"Where is..."

The words died on my lips when a strange flood of emotions hit me out of nowhere. I stilled instantly, my senses sharpening.

That was odd.

I was still trying to understand what was happening when it hit me again, much harder.

Realization dawned on me quickly and I dashed toward the source of the pull before I could stop myself, cutting through a group of frenzied male wolves.

I could feel myself getting closer to her.

Just then, I caught sight of two males assaulting a she-wolf. A sharp scream followed and I instantly recognized that it was her. I had never felt such level of rage before.

"MINE!!!"

The word left my lips before I knew it. I made for the bastards and everything happened in a blur.

One moment, I was tearing them off her and hurling them aside. The next, she was looking up at me, shaking with palpable fear.

The full moon shone on her face, making her teary eyes glow like silver.

Beneath her eye, I noticed a long scar that stretched down, toward her upper lip.

I frowned at the sight, unable to remember seeing such an ugly scar the first time I saw her.

More growls echoed around us, and I turned to find even more men approaching.

"STAND DOWN!!" I commanded in my Alpha tone, forcing them into subservience.

Not thinking it through, I bent and swept her frail figure into my arms, walking out of there. I hadn’t gotten far when Lord Bailey appeared, clearly shocked to see her in my arms.

"Please come this way, your Majesty." He gestured toward the corner he had just emerged from. I followed, and he led us into the main house.

We passed through two hallways before coming to a stop at a door. He pushed open the door and I walked in and placed her on the bed.

She slowly curled into herself, knees pulled to her chest, her face hidden against them.

She looked broken and weak, clearly not in the right frame to take a trip to the White Citadel that night.

I turned to Lord Bailey.

"Please prepare extra rooms for me and my sentinels. We will stay the night."

He looked between me and the girl, then looked around the room.

"This room was specially prepared for you, your Majesty," he said, sounding disappointed.

So was he expecting me to share a room with the omega?

My irritation must have shown on my face, because the next moment, he gave a nervous smile.

"Your rooms would be prepared immediately, your Majesty," he said, before rushing out.

After Bailey was out, I turned to the folded figure of the omega on the bed.

"You have tonight to put yourself together. You are leaving with me for the White Citadel by morning."

She remained unmoving in her curled up position on the bed, but I could see the subtle look of surprise in her eyes.

Having said what needed to be said, I turned and walked out, already expecting an uncomfortable night ahead.

I didn’t like sleeping in beds that weren’t mine, and she had just ensured I would have to.

**************************

THE NEXT MORNING.

I tore my eyes away from the two girls still crying onto each other’s necks, fast growing irritated. One was the omega mated to me, the other her friend… or sister? I wasn’t sure. I didn’t care.

"Please promise you’re going to send word as often as you can, Lyra," her sister cried.

It only then occurred to me that her name was Lyra. At least it wasn’t an ugly name..

I was shocked when I saw her face clearly that morning. That scar looked worse than the previous night. Quite horrid.

"We are leaving now," I announced, already done watching the two omegas drag out whatever that was.

Just then, a middle-aged woman rushed in and pulled Lyra into a hug.

"Oh, my sweet girl," she cooed, kissing her forehead.

"Jocasta!" Lord Bailey snapped at once, likely trying to caution the woman.

Having seen enough, I turned and walked out of the hall, my sentinels trailing behind.

I reached the waiting carriage and lingered for a few moments before she finally joined us. She had only a small satchel in her hand, and I wondered if that was all she owned.

One of my sentinels assisted her into the carriage, and I clenched my jaw at the thought of having her that close to me for the next hour until we reached the White Citadel.

The door of the carriage was shut and after a few moments, we departed.

For the entire hour we rode to the Citadel, she sat beside me like a statue, just how I preferred it.

When we arrived, my sentinel assisted her down the carriage and I silently watched as she gazed at the structure of the palace, completely awestruck.

I let out a low scoff.

"Follow me," I ordered, making my way in through the rear entrance where fewer people could see us. We headed for the kitchen, and as expected, Katya was there, supervising.

"Your Majesty!" She rushed to me immediately, and everyone in the kitchen froze.

"You should have sent for me rather than coming here." She gave an uneasy smile.

"It's fine, Katya," I shook my head.

Just realizing everyone had frozen behind her, she turned to them in disbelief.

"Carry on, will you? It’s almost time for breakfast," she said.

"Your Majesty!" they all chorused before returning to their respective duties.

Katya then turned to me again.

"This is the girl I told you about," I said.

"Oh," Katya whispered, turning to her. "Welcome to the White Citadel..." she trailed off, looking at her expectantly.

"Lyra," the omega rushed out. "My name is Lyra."

"Welcome, Lyra. My name is Katya, and I'm the Chief Maid. I will help you settle into your duties more conveniently."

"O-kay..." Lyra nodded slowly.

"I gathered you have experience as a maid in Lord Bailey's residence. What duties were you assigned to while there?"

Instead of answering Katya, she looked up at me, a mix of emotions in her eyes. But the pitiful look of disappointment stood out.

Wait...

Was she thinking I had brought her here to make her my Luna?