07. Proposition

Disappearance?

My ears perked. What did Beta Darius mean? What disappearance was he talking about? Something was happening to the women slaves? 

I opened my mouth and was on the verge of asking the Lycan King what the beta just said, but King Elio said, “They ran away.”

Beta Darius scratched his forehead. “I don’t think that was the case, Your Majesty. All their things were still there. No evidence of being forced. Just nothing.”

“Investigate.”

“I’m already doing it, Your Majesty. I believe someone wanted to taint your reputation.”

There was nothing to taint with. The Lycan King’s reputation was already ruined before for being bloodthirsty. He killed for pleasure until his mate came and brought light to his dark world. But our pack, no. A specific member of our pack killed Eva. And the Lycan King was back to being a ruthless bastard.

“I don’t care.”

“Your Majesty. They will use that against you to oust you from your position.”

That would be better. I want him to be stripped from his position and suffer like how we suffered. 

The corner of King Elio’s mouth lifted. “I want them to try.”

“Ahm. Excuse me. Is it alright to talk about palace affairs in front of a stranger?” I interjected. “Are you not afraid I will use that against the two of you?”

King Elio gave me a bored look. “Do whatever you wish.”

“Your Majesty, aren’t you going to introduce me to him?”

“That’s not how you will talk to your king.”

“But I am your mate.”

Beta Darius’s eyes bulged. “Mate?”

“Unfortunately, she is my mate. Never wanted to have one again. Quite bothersome. If others find out, she is my mate, they will kill her.”

As if he will care if I am dead or not.

Plus, the way King Elio said those words seemed like he was the unluckiest Lycan on earth, which was the opposite. It is who should be I who will feel that. Not the other way around! 

Beta Darius beamed. “Really?” But he easily wiped it when he realized the expression on his face. “I mean, I did not expect your mate to come from the Howling Pack, Your Majesty.”

“You heard what the wench said a few years ago, Beta Darius. My mate will come from that disgusting pack,” he spat. 

“My pack is not disgusting. It is your attitude that is repulsive,” I retorted. 

Beta Darius' expression changed and hardened. “I have to support the woman. Not all of them are evil, Your Majesty.”

“My beta. How can you always see the goodness of others? They will use it against you as your weakness. Look at what happened to me. They killed my precious Eva and made my life miserable.”

“Excuse me, Your Majesty, but you were the one who kept on making your life miserable,” I interjected.

Beta Darius stared at me with disbelief. Disregarding him, I continued, “Yes. Your mate’s sudden death hurt you. But it is not right that all the Howling Pack should suffer because of what the others had done. We are innocent! All the women sold were innocent and had nothing to do with your mate’s murder!”

I did not understand why Sabrina had to suffer. I did not understand why an innocent woman should suffer! 

“What did you say?"

I gave him a half-shrug. "You heard me, right? And just because you are the Lycan King and my mate will make me shut my mouth."

Damn you! I wanted to add. Everything was your fault, to begin with!

King Elio's fist trembled. His eyes were red from anger, and right now, he looked like the spawn of the devil.

Beta Darius, as his faithful second-in-command, put his hands on one of the Lycan King's shoulders and said, "Please let it slide, Your Majesty. That woman does not know what she is talking about."

"I know what I am talking about. I am not a fool! Everything is your fault! Do you hate me? Fine. I hate you also."

King Elio inhaled deeply, trying his best to control his anger. I know I was arousing his anger. But did I look like I cared? 

He was the reason why we never enjoyed what it felt like to be outside the pack. Just because of his stupid decree forbidding us!

I cannot forgive him. 

"Stay away from me, woman. I might be tempted to kill you," King Elio threatened. 

"Flora. That's my name. You should know each of the people whom you have killed and whom you will kill."

"Darius! Drag this woman away!"

"Right away, Your Majesty."

Beta Darius grabbed my arm, but I yanked it away as if I was burned. I was reminded of my wound when it hurt. Numbing to the pain, I said, "No one is allowed to touch me without my permission."

He sighed. "Where will I take her, Your Majesty?"

"Put her on the East Wing.  Away from me. Let me think further about where I will put her."

Was that bad or a good thing? 

"Will you also make me disappear?"

Beta Darius stiffened beside me. "Stop, woman. You are brave, and I admire you for that. But learn how to filter your words in the presence of the Lycan King. His Majesty has nothing to do with the women’s disappearance."

I bit the inside of my cheeks when I understood what he was trying to tell me. Of course. I should be wise in my words. Besides, if the Lycan King punished me, I could not continue my investigations. 

"Where is the East Wing? I want to go to my quarters."

"Don't act as if you own this place, Flora. Remember, you are my slave. I own you. Act like that. Not like a queen. I rule this palace. Not you beside me. Only me."

Smiling sweetly, even if that was the last thing I wanted to do right now, I said, "Got it, Your Majesty."

"Leave."

"Come on, Flora," Beta Darius nudged. 

I turned my back and followed after Beta Darius.

"Where are we going?" I asked. He was as tall as the Lycan King. I only reached their neck. 

"To the East Wing."

"Will I be sharing a room with the other slaves?"

I can't believe I was a slave now in the blink of an eye. I wonder what Father was thinking by now? Was he okay?

Okay? How would he be okay after his two daughters were taken away from her?

"No." Beta Darius stopped and faced me. He looked at my back. King Elio had gone back to his quarters. Perhaps to take some rest. "You have a lot of questions. But first, let me offer you a proposition. Something you and King Elio will benefit from."