Chapter 2 - Xander

~A Few Hours Ago

Damn this throne. It was a gilded cage, robbing me of the simple right to be myself. No wonder I felt so numb, so capable of killing without a second thought.

I sat in my private chamber, glaring at the gaggle of old men who were pushing me to the edge.

"We're done with your games, Alpha Xander!" Chief Burdock, the Council chief, barked, trying to bully me into choosing a Luna. "Your father had an heir by your age. The rules were stricter then, but they were respected! You have until the end of this ceremony to claim Gia, or any other suitable she-wolf. Otherwise, I'll watch this pack crumble."

"Is that a threat, Burdock? You can't talk to me like that. I could erase you in a heartbeat," I snarled, my voice dripping with venom.

LI hated how he was using the entire council to intimidate me.

"I'm not afraid of you. You can kill me, but how many of us can you kill? Who will you rule then? You're making this pack a joke," Burdock shot back, his defiance unwavering. His words were like sandpaper on my nerves.

This old bastard!

I was about to crush his hand when Lysander stepped in, trying to calm things down. "Please, not now. Chief Burdock, the Alpha doesn't respond well to challenges from his council. Alpha Xander, other packs are threatening to break alliances if you don't choose a Luna tonight. There has to be a better way to resolve this."

"Let them break the alliances then. It won't hurt my pack," I spat, my eyes burning with defiance.

"But Alpha, we need those alliances otherwise our economy will crumble," Lysander countered, his voice carefully measured.

I stood up, remembering Madam Sia was bringing me some hot she-wolves to entertain me before the ceremony. I couldn't wait. 'Screw the mate bond', I thought, looking down at the council with disgust.

"Get ready for the ceremony. I have things to take care of," I said, dismissing them and walking out, leaving them fuming.

I stormed to my second chambers and kicked the door open, finding Madam Sia waiting anxiously.

Behind her stood three prostitutes, looking eager. They looked fresh, as though Seraphina herself had picked them. A smirk touched my lips as I turned to Madam Sia. "I need a word with you," I said, walking back into the hallway.

"Stay here!" she told the prostitutes, rushing to catch up with me. "Alpha, what took you so long? This isn't like you." She struggled to keep up with my long strides.

I stopped abruptly on the terrace. "You won't bring me any more she-wolves, or even suggest one, without my permission. Understood?" I ordered, not even looking at her.

I could feel her surprise. "Why, Alpha?" she asked quickly, her voice worried.

"The council wants me mated tonight, or at least have someone in mind," I told her, and she gasped, her eyes wide.

"That's too much, Alpha. I don't think you can do it. You love the company of sex workers. Can you handle a virgin and follow the rules?" she asked, skeptical.

Silence hung in the air. "That's my problem," I said, my voice low and dangerous. Then, I turned to leave.

I pushed open the chamber door and saw the three sex workers rubbing their breasts and adjusting their skimpy dresses, like they couldn't wait to taste me and give me the ride of my life.

How could they be so composed and alluring?

If they knew what I was really capable of, they'd run for their lives.

They saw me and sat up, their eyes gleaming. I was ready to bang them right there. I never took sex workers to my private room. My Luna would be the first to experience me on my king-sized bed. These sex workers would be pleasured everywhere else, including the bathroom and the mountains. That's how reckless I'd been. I slammed the door shut and took off my shirt, tossing it to the floor as I watched the she-wolves shed their tiny dresses and crawl towards me like eager pets.

They unbuckled my belt, pulled down my pants, and started taking turns sucking and servicing me. I was like a feast, and they couldn't get enough. I pushed them away roughly, turning them over and thrusting into them like I was playing a game I had to win. I pounded the trio effortlessly, leaving them moaning and soon, begging me to stop, but who were they to tell me when to stop?

By the time I was done, they were already crying.

They'd never experienced me before. That's why they dared to look so thirsty. They probably forgot to ask the others about my stamina.

I kicked them out before leaving for my room. After a cool bath, I left the main palace building and found the council, my new Beta, and my sister waiting. I walked past them, heading towards the meeting hall, only to see something unexpected.

***

"Who is she?" I asked myself, my eyes glued to this miserable beauty on the floor. We were locked in a stare, and I frowned. Then, a strange sensation washed over me, followed by a pang in my heart. "Oh no! Not now!" I almost cried out as I grabbed my chest.

Everyone could see the shock on my face as I looked away from this strange beauty. Then, I saw the confusion on the council's faces, and a sudden smirk touched my lips. Wasn't this what they wanted? "She is the one!" I announced, and murmurs rippled through the hall. "She is my mate!" I finally spat, and the hall fell silent in shock.

Chief Burdock lost his patience. "Is this a joke, Alpha Xander? We agreed on a mate tonight, but this…she looks pathetic." He spat and murmurs of agreement sounded. I guess there were better things to announce this time.

I raised my hand. "Enough everyone!! I have found my mate. Prepare for my mating ceremony that'll hold in three days. Seraphina, clean her up and bring her to me." I announced and turned to leave.