Lyell's Point Of View
A guard came in with a large blanket. I shifted back to my wolf form and he handed it to me. I tied it around my waist and turned to face the several mean eyes in front of me.
"What? Am I turning y'all on?" I mocked as I swept my hair backwards.
"This is no playing time, Lyell!" Valko yelled. I turned to him with questioning eyes. "What do you want, Valko?" I ask calmly. I faced the other members of the council and asked the same question. "What do you all want? Name your price. I can take her in exchange for whatever you want, right?"
"That is not the problem, Alpha Lyell. You declared a sacred bone as your mate! I don't think you understand the gravity of your statement. You're going against the fundamental rule guiding us wolves. This is basically treason!" Henry, the head of the council, fired as he stepped forward. He came to stand face-to-face before me. "You cannot do this. People see you as a significant figure in all of the continent. I don't think you know the amount of regard that's given to you all around the continent. What would people think if they find out you're making this decision."
The rest of the council gave concurring murmurs. I hummed uninterestedly and looked away from him.
"Let me get this straight." I say as I begin to pace, my index finger supporting my chin. "So you mean you'll still have this opinion even when I offer you my gold mine?"
The hall went silent at my declaration. It was more like a shock silence.
"What do you mean?" Valko's thick voice echoed.
"What do you say? My gold mine in exchange for her."
"Al.. Alpha Lyell, you're offering such an expensive price for this girl. That...that sacred bone is not even worth it."
"You will address her with respect!" I thundered, making Henry to cower back. Yeah, that's what I thought. "If you think that's not enough, I can put in a good word for you at the Northern Empire. I hear you need more physicians down here."
They glanced at one another in disbelief. From their faces, I could see they were tempted. They mumbled between one another as they discussed. It's such a mouth watering price that only a fool would reject. My gold mine is the biggest in the continent. They would make a fortune if they make good use of it. I happen to turn to Valko, who has this displeased look on as he conversed with the council members. They should be fast with their little meeting, I'm missing Aleena already. The thought of seeing her beautiful doe eyes made me smile.
"The offer won't be on the table for long if you keep delaying." I say as I played with my fingers.
"We've reached a conclusion."
Took you long enough.
"So...what's your conclusion?" I ask.
"We'll... we'll take the offer."
A smile was forming on my face until Valko yelled.
"Henry!"
"Do you have a problem with the decision, Valko?" I ask him with raised brows.
"Aleena is not leaving this pack so far I'm alive!"
Murmurs of disagreement erupted among the council after Valko's declaration.
"What do you mean?" I ask him, challenging him with my eyes.
"I don't want your price and you're not leaving with the girl."
"Alpha Valko, I don't think you understand what you're saying. We have the biggest gold mine in all of Wol in the palm of our hands and you're saying you don't want it?" Henry asked.
"I said what I said." Valko said with finality
"It's just a useless...." The bastard paused the moment I threw him a glare. Complete that statement I dare you!
"I...I mean, it's just a human girl. She's of no use to the pack nor to you so why? Or...is there something more we don't know about? Do you, perhaps, have a relationship with this girl?"
"Relationship?" Valko questioned.
"Does Alpha Valko fancy the girl?"
"Has she bewitched you?"
The council members threw different questions at Valko. I, too, wanna know. The Valko I know wouldn't reject this type of offer but why is he bent on not letting Aleena go?
"Enough!" He thundered as his eyes turned red and his fangs grew.
"Non of you have the right to question my judgement. I am your alpha and I say Aleena is not leaving Redblood!"
"With a due respect, your majesty, but we are against your judgement. It's better you accept now or we'll proceed without your consent. This is for the good of the pack. You know how short we are on physicians and the Northern empire are known for producing the best physicians. What's better than having some of them work for us?" Henry tried to make Valko reason with him.
"You have to consent to this, your majesty." Another pressed. I folded my arms where I stood, watching them as they chattered. Let's see how this will end. Valko turned to me. I winked at him and blew a little kiss. I laughed silently at how furious he looked. He picked up his coat from his seat and stumped out without a word. Henry came to me and said, "Your gold mine."
"Yes, I promise."
He eyed me in suspicion before he nodded. "Fine, you have the girl."
"Thanks, Henry."
I turned to the door. My joy knew no bounds when I found Aleena by the door, looking at me. I flashed her a bright smile and mouthed "hi" . I jogged to her.
"Alpha Lyell, I..
"We're going home, Aleena."
She arched her brow. "What do you mean?"
"We're free to leave."
She still stared at me in confusion. Her eyes went to my chest. "Do you have an habit of walking around half naked?"
I grinned. "Gosh, I've missed you."
She furrowed her brows. "Aren't you cold?"
"Are you worried about me?" I said in a babyish tone and she cringed.
"What happened in there? Alpha Valko looked furious."
"Don't mind him. All you should think about is the fact that we'll be together from now on."
"You mean, we can leave?"
I facepalm myself. "That was exactly what I said."
"So...when are we leaving?"
"Now."
"Now?!" She exclaimed and I nodded.
"But...
Before she could protest further, I took her hand and pulled her along. Her rants were like music to my ears as I pulled her along.
Valko's Point Of View
"Valko! Valko!"
"Leave me be, mother."
I threw my robe angrily on the couch and went to the wine cellar. I opened a bottle and gulped it down furiously.
"Valko! Come on!"
She snatched the bottle away from me and slapped my chest. "Get yourself together!" She snapped.
"You don't understand, mother."
"I do, I completely do so how about you sit down and let's talk without you injuring yourself!"
She took my hand and pulled me to a chair. She sat me down and took a seat opposite me. She didn't say anything for about five minutes, allowing me calm down. When she noticed my calmness, she finally spoke.
"Valko Viceroy." She calls calmly as she took my hand. "You're making a big mistake, son."
I attempted to speak but she raised her hand. "let me finish." I leaned back and she continued. "Your brother...I mean, Lyell is offering a very good and fair price in exchange for the girl and you're still adamant? Why is that? Do you..." She narrowed her eyes at me for sometime before realization took over her face. "You fancy the girl, don't you?"
"What do you mean?"
I ask even though I know exactly what she meant.
She frowned. "Don't play dumb with me." She said sternly. I sighed in relief and nodded softly.
"Valko!" She exclaimed and I sighed in frustration. She asked and now she's shocked? I don't understand mothers sometimes.
"What? I fancy her, so what?"
"She is a sacred bone! A forbidden clan to show any form of love! Even Lyell is making a huge mistake by declaring her his mate and you? You too? Did...did she bewitch you both or something?"
"Mother, no. You can't understand."
"Then make me understand! What you just said, let no man aside me hear it! It is an abomination!"
"Mum!" I drawled in annoyance. She folded her arms, glaring at me as she shook her feet in anger. I sighed.
"You are going to let that girl go."
"But...
"Do you want people to raise their eyebrows? You're aiming to be as great, even greater than your father and Lyell is reaching that peak faster than you are. Are you gonna let a mere maid push you further downward? I know what you went through before you reached this point, Valko and I won't let you destroy your years of work with your own hands!" She fired with finality. She stared at my face for sometime and facepalm herself.
"I don't like yelling at you, Valko. I'm sorry."
I smiled and nodded.
"Please, baby, let the girl go. You know what would happen if the council go against you, right?"
Yeah. That means bad news for me.
"Yes."
"Then make the right decision. Promise me you will."
"I promise, mother."
"That's my son. Come here."
She stood up and spread her arms. I went to her and embraced her warmly. "You'll find someone else, just let her go."
Find someone else, huh. Find someone else I see.
Aleena's Point Of View
"Are you done?" I asked for the second time since he started dressing.
"I'm done now."
I turned and my eyes met with the ones of a dashing prince. He's dressed in a simple grey long sleeved turtle neck and a black silky trouser but why does he look so... eatable?
"Done eye raping me?"
I quickly looked away. I'm not ready to be teased by this man. I can't believe I'm leaving with this man today. Not as a maid, but as his mate? All these still feels like a dream. A knock came at our door and Aloha Lyell went to open it. It was a guard.
"Alpha Valko says you're free to leave with the maid."
"I was going to leave without him agreeing anyway. Tell him I love him."
This Alpha!
He left the door and came to me.
"You heard that, sunshine? We're leaving."
***
"Do you really have to leave?" Valerie whined as he held onto me, crying. We've been like this for the past five minutes. She wouldn't let me get into the carriage.
"I'm gonna miss you."
She sniffed and let me go. She cleaned my tear filled face with her palm and held my shoulders. "Are you sure you're gonna be okay?"
I nodded and she turned to Alpha Lyell. "If you hurt her of she gets hurt, I'm going to kill you!" She threatened and Lyell nodded with a smile.
"I'll protect her, don't worry, mum."
"You better protect her!"
She hugged me one last time and pecked my cheek. "I'll visit you from time to time." She promised.
"Don't worry, I'll take care of myself for you. And when I get hurt, I won't hesitate to call for you straightaway."
"That's my girl."
After another minute of hugging and saying goodbye, Valerie let me go. I continued to wave at her even after the carriage began to move. I'm really going to miss her. I faced Alpha Lyell, who was sitting opposite me.
"Don't worry, you're not leaving her forever. She'll visit you from time to time."
I nodded and sniffed. I know but it's still sad leaving her. I feel like a child being separated from her mum to study abroad.
"Gosh, you're such a baby." He says as he came to sit beside me. He brought out a clean napkin from his pocket and used it to clean my face.
"Stop crying. You'll get your eyes all swollen up."
He patted my back, trying to calm me down.
"You better keep your promise and not hurt me or else she'll kill you."
"I know better than to break my promise. That girl can be scary."
He sounds like they know each other well. Well I wouldn't be surprised if they do. I faced the window and admired the scenery as the journey continued. I'm leaving twenty-three years of my life behind and going to start a new one without any idea of what's waiting for me at the other side. I felt something fall gently on my shoulder and I turned.
He's asleep? I adjusted his head on my shoulder and gave his cheek a soft pat. He looks adorable while asleep. He must have been stressed the past couple of days. He deserves to rest. I held his palm gently and whispered, "thank you."
A small smile appeared on his face as he snuggled closer. Gosh, so cute. I faced the window again. Starmoon Pack, here I come.