Chapter 6

Cassian’s P.O.V.

“My Lord, Alpha Magnus is requesting an alliance for his pack’s protection. I have checked the records…”

After four hours, my Beta was back with a detailed report, narrating the tale of the Ember Howl Pack’s deteriorating condition. Those useless details were getting on my nerves as I pushed through another round of punishment push-ups. Sweat beaded down my bare back, dropping on the marble floor, but nothing could wash away the faint trace of Liora’s scent lingering on my skin.

Warg growled inside me, still restless.

“You know what, marking our mate is better than exercise and lengthy reports.

You are just wasting time, Cassian.”

I ignored him and pressed harder, my muscles burning with each descent. Beta Damon’s voice cut through the tension as he turned the page and continued.

“Despite the growing rogues’ attacks, Alpha Magnus has been gambling, wasting the pack’s money. His people are starving.

They really need your mercy.”

Gritting my teeth, I pushed once more before rising to my feet, ready to put an end to this nonsense.

“I already know that part, Damon!”

I said curtly, grabbing a towel to wipe my face. Rescuing the Ember Howl Pack was never my priority. In fact, I didn’t want to come here in the first place because of Alpha Magnus’s gambling habit.

No matter how much money I was going to lend him, he would waste it, destroying his pack with his own hands.

However, my mate’s presence in this territory caught my interest, and now, I was keen to uncover the ugly truths hidden beneath the veils of politics and flattery.

As I dismissed Damon’s report, he put away the files and stepped forward, handing me a water bottle.

“Alpha Magnus is the only relatable thing to that mute maid, Cassian. Killing your defective pups and banishing them is quite common in our world.

So, what else do you wish to know before preparing a contract?”

Damon’s sudden shift from ‘My Lord’ to ‘Cassian’ received a glare from me, but he knew me well. After walking through thick and thin with me, Damon was more than a friend now. In fact, he was the only trusted person I could rely on.

I drank half the water bottle and poured the rest over my head, cooling the heat that was driving me crazy. My tone was clipped with determination as I ordered.

“Send word to Alpha Magnus. I am ready to sign the contract.”

Damon’s head snapped up.

“You… what??”

He gawked at me, confusion wrinkling his brows.

“But why this sudden change of heart? You weren’t ready to give him a single cent before. This… this doesn’t make any sense.”

I smirked, slinging the towel over my shoulder as I headed for the exit.

“Sometimes, not knowing is part of the fun, Damon!”

He groaned audibly.

“This isn’t fun, especially when it involves werewolf packs, contracts, and your temper, My Lord.”

Although I ignored him completely, he bugged me for the rest of the night. His frustration was as constant as my own heartbeat. Predictable, loyal, and completely harmless.

Even through the entire drive to the meeting hall the next morning, Damon tried to pry answers from me.

“Is it about power?”

“No!”

“Territory?”

“Of course not!”

“Don’t tell me it’s because of that woman, Cassian?”

That one almost made me chuckle. I shook my head and entered the massive meeting hall, glittering like it was some sort of pack’s festival.

Glancing at the decorations and cluster of guests, Damon muttered under his breath.

“It’s excessive for just a contract signing.”

“Alpha Magnus always had a taste for spectacles.” I said, my voice flat.

“The more he decorates, the more desperate he will be.”

We were talking about this cheap banquet when, right on cue, Magnus appeared, his chest puffed out, sweating under his own fur collar. His eyes darted towards Damon, mistaking him for the man in charge.

“Beta Damon!”

He greeted eagerly, almost tripping over himself to get closer.

“It’s an honor to meet King’s right hand. When will His Majesty arrive?”

Utterly amused, I folded my arms, watching that usual scene. As I rarely attended gatherings, people had the impression that I was a horrible monster, shameful to show my face in public. It wasn’t the first time that the host didn’t recognize me.

Damon inclined his head politely, masking his smile.

“Well, Alpha Magnus!

Allow me to introduce you to His Majesty.”

Then he looked at me, speaking proudly.

“The great lycan king, Cassian Veyraith, is here to grace you with his presence.”

Alpha Magnus’s face lost all of its color, confusion flickering before he blurted out.

“What? What do you mean?

The King is… ugly.”

The room went still, grave silence stretching until it became unbearable; even the guests held their breath. I tilted my head, meeting his eyes with a faint smirk.

“Do you think I am hideous, Alpha Magnus?”

He took two steps back, caught between denial and terror. And to his luck, his Luna Thalia swept into the hall, sliding her arm around Alpha Magnus’s stiff frame.

“Welcome, Your Majesty.” She said smoothly, tackling the situation.

“What a great honor to finally meet you. Please forgive our delayed welcome.”

I gave her a curt nod, though my patience for practical vibes was razor thin. Behind her came her daughter, Beatrice Ebonshade. She was the kind of woman most Alphas loved to flaunt by their sides: tall, blonde, and every curve precise to draw attention.

“Your Majesty.” She purred, her voice dripping with rehearsed sweetness.

“We have been waiting for your arrival.”

She reached for a glass of wine from the table, her hips swaying just enough to make her mother proud. Then she approached me and lifted the glass, speaking daringly.

“A taste of our finest wine, to welcome you to the Ember Howl Pack.”

Her long fingers intentionally brushed mine as she held the glass up, gazing at me with a sweet smile. I looked down at her hand, then at her finely painted face. She was indeed pretty with glowing skin, but her overconfidence bored me.

So, I ignored that impudence and addressed her father curtly.

“Is this another method to waste my time, Alpha Magnus?”

Beatrice flinched at the sharpness of my tone, and Magnus gasped, immediately bowing his head so low that it might snap, stammering.

“F-Forgive us, Your Majesty.

Kindly… kindly give us another chance to serve you properly.”

He gestured hastily towards his daughter, coming to the point.

“Beatrice is well educated, intelligent, and pure. She is capable of serving you in every way you desire.

Please allow her to stay by your side.”

That offer alone soured my mouth, making my lycan snarl. Damon acted like my true subordinate and voiced obvious questions, raising his brow.

“Why Beatrice now? What’s the problem with that girl you offered last night?”

The silence that followed was thick enough to choke. Alpha Magnus paled visibly, unable to utter a single word. But his Luna stepped forward with her signature snake’s smile.

“There must have been a mistake, Beta Damon.”

She spoke calmly. “The girl from last night was a mute slave, working as a maid in the pack house. Beatrice was supposed to serve His Majesty, but there was a mix-up. We apologize for the inconvenience and…”

She went on and on with her fake apology, but my mind was stuck on the words ‘slave maid.’ I cut in, my voice low, slicing through her excuses like a blade.

“There is no need to apologize now, Luna Thalia.”

Then I nodded, and Damon acted fast, announcing seriously.

“His Majesty has accepted the offering from the Ember Howl Pack. Liora will accompany him to the capital city as the king’s woman.”