3 - AJAX'S POV

"Your Majesty, the trade routes in the northern pass require your immediate attention," Lord Draven droned on while he wiped sweat from his balding forehead.

I took a slow sip of my wine and stared blankly at the gold embroidery on his coat.

"The winter snows are melting and the rogue packs are gathering near the borders," he continued to ramble.

I tapped my fingers against my leg and waited for him to finish talking.

The safety of the borders was important but this party was not the place to discuss war tactics.

"We will discuss the grain shipments tomorrow morning when I am not forced to listen to this awful music," I answered in a low voice.

Lord Draven swallowed hard and took a nervous step back from me.

"Of course, Alpha, I meant no disrespect to the festivities," he stammered quickly.

"You are boring me, Draven," I told him straight to his face.

"I apologize for my intrusion on your evening," he mumbled before he bowed low.

He scurried away and disappeared into the crowd of gossiping lords.

I handed my empty silver goblet to a passing servant and let out a long breath of frustration.

The ballroom felt suffocating and far too hot tonight.

My inner wolf paced back and forth inside my mind while he scratched at the walls of my chest.

He hated these noble banquets just as much as I did.

We belonged out in the open forests instead of standing under these bright crystal chandeliers.

I looked around the room and watched the nobles spin around the dance floor.

Several high ranking women batted their eyelashes at me and tried to catch my attention.

Lady Saskia walked past and offered me a flirtatious smile while she twirled her skirt.

I ignored her and looked up at the painted ceiling instead.

They wore expensive dresses and heavy perfumes meant to entice an Alpha.

Their scents just gave me a headache and made my wolf growl in annoyance.

I rubbed the back of my neck and thought about leaving the party early.

I could go back to my war room and review the border maps in peace.

My general, Vargas, stood near the door and gave me a knowing look.

He knew I hated playing the political game with these snobby aristocrats.

A servant walked past me carrying a large tray of roasted venison and spiced vegetables.

The heavy smell of cooked meat and sweet wine usually made my stomach rumble with hunger.

The music played loudly while the dancers moved in a synchronized circle.

Everything faded away the exact second the new scent reached my nose.

Lavender and fresh rain washed over me and drowned out the stench of the crowded room.

The smell slammed into my chest and stole the air straight from my lungs.

My heart hammered against my ribs so hard it actually caused me pain.

My wolf stopped pacing and let out a deafening roar inside my head.

Mate!

The word echoed through my skull and demanded my absolute attention.

I pushed past two talking nobles without giving them a second glance or a word of warning.

"Alpha?" one of the lords called out behind me but I ignored his annoying voice.

I inhaled deeply and let the intoxicating smell pull me across the marble floor.

I scanned the sea of moving bodies and searched frantically for the source of the lavender.

Hundreds of nobles danced in their silk gowns and tailored coats while the musicians played their violins.

The heavy gold jewelry clinked against their chests while they moved across the floor.

I pushed past an elderly duke and stepped over the flowing train of a duchess.

None of them mattered to me right now.

My eyes locked onto a girl standing alone near the open terrace doors.

She wore a deep red gown that flowed around her legs and pooled on the floor.

Her dark hair tumbled over her bare shoulders in soft natural waves.

She gripped the stone pillar next to her so tight her knuckles turned white.

She looked frantic and desperate to find a way out of the room.

She was the most breathtaking woman I had ever seen in my life.

I sent my voice straight into her mind through the newly formed mate bond.

"Where do you think you are going?" I asked her through the telepathic link.

I watched her flinch and take a frantic step backward toward the dark gardens.

She was actually trying to run away from me.

I frowned and stepped forward to close the distance between us.

"Make way for the King!" Conrad shouted over the loud music.

The dense crowd of nobles parted for me out of sheer respect and fear.

I kept my golden eyes locked firmly on her face so she would not escape.

I expected her to lower her eyes and expose her neck to me in submission.

Every single unmarried noblewoman in this room wanted to become my Luna.

They spent their days buying expensive clothes and plotting ways to catch my eye.

They all dreamed of standing by my side and ruling the Argyros pack with me.

This girl looked at me and saw a monster instead of a King.

I walked straight toward her and ignored the whispers of the court surrounding us.

I stopped right in front of her and towered over her small frame.

The smell of her sweet lavender washed over me again and made my fangs ache with need.

I looked down into her wide silver eyes and expected to see awe and reverence.

I saw sheer and unadulterated terror instead.

Her chest heaved up and down while she gasped for air.

Her body trembled so badly her heavy red skirts shook around her ankles.

I frowned again and tilted my head to study her beautiful face.

"What is your name?" I asked her in a low rumble meant only for her ears.

She did not answer my question.

She just stared at my chest and continued to shake.

"I asked you a question, little wolf," I pressed her and took a small step closer.