Elana the alpha queen paced her room anxiously; sensing the sudden change in her son. Lucas had felt so different to her, she saw the murderous glint in his eyes and it scared her. He'd been the obedient son, never arguing or questioning her decisions but not only did he show his dissatisfaction by talking back at her, he was ready to defy her.
She picked the ochre envelope that was sealed with an imperial stamp from the table, peeling through the contents she gazed at it, eyes trailing every words with a grimace. The peace treaty she had fought to keep was dangling on by a thread and the gods forbid Lucas tries to play a fast one on her, he could jeopardize her entire plans.
All he needed to do was keep Alpha Alder on a leash by marrying his daughter till she found a way to get rid of him for good.
"come to my room, Reed." she mind linked her beta.
In the next two minutes a knock resounded and she spoke to him to enter into the room. He bowed courteously at the sights of her.
Folding her arms to her chest she spoke, "what has my son been up to lately?"
"Nothing out of the usual. He goes out to hunt occasionally, tends to the clan member's needs at Brookesbridge, then he spends most of his time on the training ground with the pack. "
She hummed, still not satisfied, "when he's not training?"
The beta, sensing her restlessness through the bond stared at her face, studying her expression. "what exactly would you like to know, Alpha."
"Everything! I want to know everything. Did anything unusual happen lately? Did you see or notice anything?"
His face marred with lines of worry, "Not that I know of. He's been spending time with Thalia since she arrived three days ago. I also saw him with Lyle."
She scowled at the mention of that name, remembering how he'd been the cause of her daughter's defiance. Hating how she'd chosen to disgrace her by marrying a gamma and a nobody when she'd wanted an alpha for her.
"Lyle?" she gritted out. "He's back?" she suddenly felt her insides churn with fright, wondering if he'd been the cause of her son's sudden change.
"Yes." Reed nodded. "He returned today. I heard he brought with him captives."
"Captives? That I know nothing of?"
He stuttered. "I..I through you've been informed."
"Obviously not, since you seem to not find it a necessity to inform me." she mocked, eyeing him with disdain.
He fell to his knees, bowing in apology. "I'm sorry, alpha. I thought Everett informed you."
"Rise," she said nonchalantly, watching him skitter to his feet. Not wasting time, she spoke again, "Tell me about these captives you speak of."
"He caught an antherion and her werepanther entourage at our border."
Elana's eyes widened in disbelief, "Those things still exist? Why are they even here?"
"I don't know. All I know is that they're being kept at the beta's dungeon. Should I bring them to you?"
Her gaze flitted from the beta at the doorway to the envelope in her grasp, she scowled again, "No, not yet. There's no time to entertain distractions. Just keep an eye on them for the time being. Untill I decide what's best to do with them. Keep an eye on my son too, do not let him out of your sight even for a minute. Do you understand?"
He nodded. "Yes, alpha."
"Get me Thalia. I would love to have a word with her."
★★★
Lucas hesitated at the door way, knowing fully well he couldn't face Thalia. Not when he just discovered he had a mate he'd planned to keep a secret.
It was selfish, he'd reckoned but he'd had a glimpse of the mate bond and was unwilling to let go even at the expense of having to deceive her. He held unto the door knob, turning it.
He cringed hard the moment he steeped into the room, another shewolf's scent filling his nostrils hadn't bode well with his wolf as it snarled in anger in his mind, wanting to bask only in the scent of his mate. He examined the room with a four poster bed, monotone wallpaper and a desk and chair on the other hand, wondering if it'll be right to avoid her for a while.
Sensing his arrival, Thalia walked out of the bathroom right at the other end of the room with a towel tied firmly to her chest, she smiled when she saw him and he returned a frigid one.
"What's wrong?" she asked, her fruity voice etched with worry. She walked over to where he stood unmoving, patting his back.
Lucas hesitated, sighing, "Nothing. Just stressed."
Her hand moved to his face, palming his cheeks he slowly relaxed into her warmth, reminding his wolf they had to keep it together if they wanted their mate alive.
"does this have anything to do with Lyle's arrival?"
"No. It's just..." his voice trailer off when he leaned against the doorframe, his head ripping back and his eyes shutting close. "Have you ever thought about finding your mate?"
She frowned, confused, "Why would I want to find my mate? When I'd Soon be mated to another?"
"What if our mates are somewhere out there? How would they feel? How would you feel if you were to find them, right now?"
"I'll feel nothing. Mate or not, I don't want to be with anyone if it isn't you, Lucas. You're enough for me." she smiled.
A grimace formed on his face he rubbed at his temples, knowing fully well she'd only said that because she'd never experienced the power of the mate bond. No one could resist it, no matter how stong willed they thought they were.
"What about you? Would you leave me for a mate?"
His gaze held hers, he scrutinized her for what looked like seconds before he replied, "I don't care for a mate. You're all I need."
His hand grabbed unto her arms and he tugged her to himself, letting her wrap herself around him she giggled, enjoying the attention he gave her.