Four

Asher's POV.

“Alpha, we have come with a preposition today, we hope you wouldn't turn down our offer” The first Elder spoke.

My eyes danced across the entire room, drinking in the faces of the elders, with every passing day, their ridiculous demands to see me, increased rapidly.

Over the same issue.

The throne of the Luna was empty as I had no mate.

It's not like I had the powers to grant myself a mate, but for years I have searched for her or him, whatever be the case, yet there was no one.

Or I would like to believe that the time wasn't right yet. Like my Nana would always say.

I maintained my position as the Alpha due to my impeccable strength and wisdom, but the demands for a Luna was starting to cause some uprising in my land.

“Go on” I drawled, trying to sound interested in whatever they had to say.

“We mean no offence Alpha, as we only want the best for the land, and that is why we have come up with a solution of a mate for you” The man added, looking around to seek support from his crew.

“Yes” they all chipped in.

What a great plan.

“Solution for a mate?” I repeated, lifting my brows.

“Yes Alpha, we have arranged a mate for you” Another one seconded.

Arrangements indeed.

I took a good look at each and everyone of them, why was having a mate so important to them? It was like the only thing they exist for now.

Before I could utter another word, the first elder raised his hands and the courtroom doors drew open.

“With the permission of the moon goddess, we have decided to hold a mating ceremony for you, with Miller, the Beta's daughter” he pronounced.

Immediately, Millet walked into the hall, dressed in a long red dress, flowing and a veil covering her face.

What the actual fuck.

Did I come to host a meeting with the elders or to attend my own Mating ceremony with zero idea?

“What is going on here?” I asked, raising my voice.

“Forgive us Alpha but we have seen the relationship between you and Millet, and we think it's only right that she ascend the throne of the Luna, she is loved by the people and very close to you as well, with the blessings of the priestess, you both will live a happy life” Elder Fred stated.

A sadistic chuckle escaped my lips as I threw my head back, laughing at the fucking irony of my life.

Everyone knew that happiness can only be found with a true mate, I was never cut out for the arranged marriage setting, I wanted my mate to love her and care for her.

And that would never happen with Millet. Hell no.

“Asher” Millet called out softly, without taking her gaze off the floor.

“I appreciate y'all for doing this, I can see your true love and loyalty for the pack, but this arrangement cannot happen!” I declared, rising from the throne.

“You haven't given us a choice Alpha! You have refused to choose a mate and we decided to do that on your behalf, believe us we have your best interest in heart” Elder Matt countered.

“I'm not mate less you all are aware of that right? Forcing Millet into this is unfair, for my mate and hers as well” I retorted.

“Asher…” Millet called out again, stepping forward as she placed her hand on my arm, looking into my eyes.

She was the only one, well except my right hand man that could come that close to me and that was because she has always been there.

Right from my childhood, we grew up together with our parents, ruling and guiding the pack until they died.

“I'm sorry Millet, but I will have to reject this alliance, I can't accept” I said.

Tears welled up in her eyes as she looked away quickly, “I understand, I only did this because the elders asked me too” She muttered.

“I know, trust me I will handle this” I assured her, before turning to face them again.

“Finding a Luna is a my task, my problem and duty and so I will handle that, however I do not appreciate the lengths you all are going just to achieve this” I started.

“Forgive us Alpha, but we do have a reason for this, the red moon is coming up in five days and without a Luna, the rituals wouldn't be performed and it's a bad omen for the people of the pack, everyone is worried and living in fear, You have been a good ruler but you will have to compromise for the sake of your pack” Elder Fred countered, leaving me in a tight position.

A compromise.

Why is the moon goddess testing my fate like this? Would I have to live without my mate for the rest of my life?

“Yes Alpha, a compromise!” The elders chanted.

Their voices filled the courtroom, and my ears as well as I gripped the staff tightly. It's been two years since the issue of my mate rose, and for two years I have dabbled my way through it, but not anymore.

There was no room for escape anymore.

“Enough!” I declared and immediately the room went silent.

“Asher…”

“Before the red moon, if I don't find my mate, I will accept your demands but until then, please do not call for my presence anymore!” I stated.

Immediately they all fell on their knees, “Glory to the great King!” 

“Glory” they chanted, as I made my way out of the courtroom, highly pissed with Millet following behind.

“You didn't have to give into their demands Asher” Millet started, once we were out in the hallway.

“I know” 

“Then why did you? I know how much you believe in true mates but I promise you Asher, you will be happy with me, I will be submissive, and together we will rule like we have always dreamed” Millet added.

“Hmmm” I drawled out, taking the next turn when my phone started ringing.

“Asher, this is important to you as it is to me, can you…” 

“I would love to entertain your talks Miller but this call is important, I have to take it” I said, cutting her short as I answered the call.

******

Every Month, this was my routine, come to the clubhouse, inspect the girls that have been sold or bought just to see if any of them could be my mate.

Silva, my Beta and I had already conducted a thorough sweep on all the maidens in the pack, but I didn't feel the slightest attraction to any of them, so settled on this option.

Checking the girls that were brought in and out of the pack.

As I stepped into the clubhouse, there was a slight change in the air, all the annoyance and frustration I had in me coming over, dissolved into thin air.

I found my way through the VIP section and immediately I stepped into the room, a sweet smell hit me as Drake, my Lycan leaped inside of me.

A small growl escaped my lips, drawing attention to me as I felt fire all over my body.

What was this feeling? 

Silva was yet to show up as my eyes scanned the entire room searching for what not until they landed on her.

A frail looking young woman, standing in the middle of three others on the podium, barely clothed.

While others trembled in fear, she stood still, her eyes lost and vacant, like she has given up on life entirely.

Before I realized what I was doing, I was already moving towards her and our gaze clicked.

Instantly she recognized the bond and for a brief second her facade slipped, a tiny warmth flashed through her eyes as she took a step back.

There were a few people in the room; potential buyers as Silva would like to call them but I could feel some eyes on us.

“Mate!” Drake growled, putting my search to an end.

My lips broke out into a full blown smile as I climbed the podium, it's funny how fate is, all it took was a compromise and on that same day I found my mate?

Before I could say anything, she stretched out her hand, putting a stop to my movement as her lips moved, “I..reject you,. whoever you are” 

“Reject me?” I chuckled, “I refuse your rejection my sweet girl” I added and in one swift move, I pulled her into my arms, as my lips found hers, claiming her in public.

I kissed her until she was breathless and when she pulled her apart, her glossy eyes met mine, “Who are you?!” 

My lips curled into a smirk, “I'm yours sweet girl, and you are mine” I growled, and before she could protest, my fangs sank deep into her neck marking her in front of everyone present