Chapter 73: Chapter 73
Lucas
I paced my room angrily, stomping my feet as I went along. The ground shook underneath me and my bed rattled but I cared less. They could not contend with the storm raging inside of me. I had asked to be left alone and so far, no one had bothered me. I didn't want to see or speak to anyone.
She liked someone else? How was I supposed to take that?
My hands were shaking and I wanted to tear something, anything apart in order to steady them. She couldn't like someone else; she didn't have the right to. But she wasn't mine either and I had no say over whom she could love or not. Then, why did her words haunt me so?
It was early afternoon and birds perched on my sill, chirping cheerful tunes. I was not in the mood to pay any attention to them so I shooed them away and laid on my bed. A cool breeze circulated round my room, aerating the ambience and reducing the heat of the afternoon. I threw an arm across my eyes, shielding it from the fierce sunlight.
“My Lord,” Ryker suddenly spoke from behind my door. “The Lycan King demands your presence.”
My senses were on alert immediately, shifting my thoughts from the troublesome Miatta. I promised myself to deal with her case later. My father demanded my presence and just like any peasant in the pack, I had to appear before him without delay. He was probably done rutting with the two slaves Miatta had seen him with and was seeking company or he wanted to complain about something. Whenever he complained, heads rolled in accompaniment and the pack lived in continuous fear of their king. I was his son and soon, it would be up to me to right the wrongs and change some rules.
I arose from my pallet reluctantly to honour my father’s call. Ryker bowed as I walked past and fell him behind me at once. Ryker might be tough and mean looking but he had a mate and three pups that called him father. His mate, Pippa was the quiet type, the stark opposite of her mate and she wove garments for a living. He loved his family a lot and lived for them.
“Do you know why he seeks my presence, Ryker?” I needed a clue, anything to get me prepared for whatever he had to throw at me. I was his only heir, the Potential Alpha and he was always testing my decisions. He had put Miatta’s life in my hands on her very first day in our land and I could tell that I had not done as he had expected. Beta Logan was absent from the court, a strange act indeed
“My Lord, I am sorry but the Lycan King did not give a hint but I must tell you that he is in a rather pleasant mood. I discern that this call is of a good purpose,” Ryker suggested, his hands clasped behind his back. I could not blame him; my father had a way of hiding his emotions until the perfect time to strike. It was why he was feared across the lands and his name brought terror to the ears of Alphas out large. He never negotiated, wanting to have his way at all times.
The doors were opened by the courtyard guards and I was ushered in warmly. My eyes quickly searched out the form of my father seated on his throne and engaged in a weird activity. A slave was naked on all fours and a bowl was placed on her back to support the bowl from falling off. She was clearly strained from holding one position for a long time and barely managed to keep still. Perspiration dripped down her belly and the bowl shook, just as the king reached for a piece of the meat in the bowl.
“F–forgive m–me, Master,” she pleaded once she saw the switch in his grasp. He held a rough, long twig and from the marks knowing her back and bottom, he had previously used it on her. She shivered from fear, anticipating the lashes and waiting for them to descend. He snapped the twig in the air and it landed cruelly on her battered behind. She whimpered, not daring to bawl out loud or to try screaming. She tried to remain still afterwards, her body shaking vigorously from the effort.
“Good day, Father,” I saluted him, falling on a knee in obeisance. Ryker did the same with two knees instead and stood aside afterwards. Father raised his gaze at me, putting his whip away.
“Rise, son. Here, sit beside me. Just a moment. Silvia!” he thundered and his captive attuned to his wants, presented herself in a hurried off to her feet. She however knelt down before him humbly, waiting for his next instruction. I took a seat beside him, watching the pitiful show in disgust.
“Why did I punish you, Silvia?” he asked innocently, a blank look on his face. His emotions were under the throne, hidden away to rot for eternity. Silvia was sorry for whatever it was she had done and she looked the part.
“Because I have been a naughty wolf. I apologize for playing the flirt, Master and I promise never to do it again.” She fought off tears bravely and she glanced up at the ceiling. Father grinned dangerously, his pride bigger than himself. He stretched out a finger and the wolf crawled to him, kissing the red ruby in the ring worn on his third finger. While she was distracted, he gestured at the guards standing by the door. They came at once, bowing in reverence to royalty.
“Take her back to my sleeping chambers,” he decided, patting her hair gently. “I am not done with her punishments. Be a good girl, Silvia and let Kareem tie you up as before. I will not be long.”
She nodded in acceptance of her fate and was escorted back to the Hall of Kings. She had a black bracelet on her wrist and it resembled something I had seen before. Silvia was beautiful nonetheless and had a pleasant body that drew to her.
“You sent for me, Father,” I started, not wanting to spend more time than was necessary in his company.
“Yes, I did. In a week, we will be celebrating the Moon Festival which I am sure you are aware of. I have high hopes that you will meet your mate after so much disappointment. I refuse to pass my throne over to a son without a mate! It would be a insult and a disgrace to the heritage before me. In that light, you are to visit Athena this evening. She will look into your future and I advise that you burn offerings to the Moon Goddess before you leave because if she finds nothing worthwhile, you will never be king.”