Chapter 83: Chapter 83

A Peacemaker

Miatta

“He let you go? The Lycan King let you go?!” Yvette shrieked, unable to believe her ears. The rest of the slaves parted for her to come to me and I stood still, unafraid of her. I shrugged as if the matter itself was that simple to comprehend. The Lycan King was not known to forgive any offender and he had done so twice where I was concerned. The knowledge that all her scheming had been in vain was presumably killing her.

“You mean to tell me also that he took away your collar as well, knowing fully well how dangerous you are to the rest of us?” she ranted on, smoke almost churning out of her ears. I was about to shrug again but a naughty part in me wouldn't let me be.

“The Lycan King did not. I was not so honoured. The collar belongs to the Lycan Prince and it was he who took it away, quite gently, if I must say. My sins have been forgiven and forgotten, Prefect.”

Yvette frowned intensely, shaking her head in disbelief. I couldn't find her accomplice anywhere but her group stood behind her as always for moral support. “No! It can't be! No!” she screamed violently and launched herself at me. I stepped back to avoid her, my hands clasped tightly behind me. It was too early to have a confrontation with Prefect Yvette. Addy saved the day as usual, literally coming to stand in the gap between Yvette and I.

“We are supposed to be celebrating. The Moon Festival triduum starts today and this is how you choose to honour the Goddess, Yvette? Shame on you. You will not drag Miatta into your sin. Come, Miatta.”

I turned to follow my friend and I was inwardly glad that she had returned to her old self. She wasn't cocky anymore but at least, she stood up for me when my own group leader had not. She was like an older sister to me and I trusted her judgment. Embarrassed beyond imagination, Yvette took to her heels, the sound of her loud weeping echoing in the silence. Addy led me to her corner and gave me a proper bear hug.

“I missed you more than I thought I would,” she teased me and I poked her in the ribs, eliciting a bout of laughter from her. When she was done, she grew serious and held my hand. You have been forgiven by the king and now, there is someone who would appreciate your forgiveness.”

She looked behind me at someone whose feet were walking tentatively towards me. Without gazing behind me, I knew it was Ryan and I was surprised to find out that I wasn't angry anymore.

“Miatta, I—” she mumbled pathetically and lost courage halfway. I eventually met my eyes and she lowered hers, ashamed of what she had done.

“Why did you do it, Ryan? That's all I really want to know.”

She gulped down a difficult lump in her throat and twisted her palm nervously. “It was Miatta. She—She promised to take me under her wing if I told her a secret of yours. She must have seen us talking and thought I knew something. I was selfish and so foolish that I fell for her lies. I am so sorry, Miatta. My guilt has murdered me in ways that I cannot relate to you in words. I can't even look at myself, knowing that I—that I—” She choked on her remaining words, tears clogging her throat. I pulled her in for a hug, wanting to end her suffering. Her conscience had done the job I was supposed to and I saw no need to punish her any further. Addy wiped some sentimental tears, happy about our reconciliation. Soon, everyone had tears in their eyes and there was some wild hugging. Just like that, the proud princess had become a peacemaker.

Lucas

Miatta had assured me she would return soon but after thirty lonely minutes had passed by, I started getting pissed. Ryker had abandoned me in my misery to escape my sarcastic tongue, my form of lashing out my anger. She had a way of making me angry and happy at the same time. I couldn't wait to create our mind link so I could bug her senseless.

“My Lord, Miatta is here,” Ryker fortunately announced before I was reduced to going to look for her.

“Let her in,” I replied and sat up on my bed, crossing my legs leisurely. I put on a neutral look; she didn't have to know how much her absence had troubled me.

The door creaked open and the scent of fresh lilies filled my room, her signature fragrance betraying her. I ordered my wolf to settle down and it whined loudly, shaking its tail at me. Miatta however was unaware of the problem she was causing.

“I have returned as I said and—oh! You—you are naked!” she yelled and swiftly turned her back to me. At first, I thought she was not pleased with what she saw but judging from the change of her scent, it seemed she was rather flushed than disappointed.

“What’s the matter? Don't wolves strip in the pack you came from?” I teased her, watching her eyes redden the more. Her fists were balled besides her and her breathing was all over the place.

“Just. . . put some clothes on, please. Why? Why would you lie around in your room naked when you know that I was on my way?”

She was really bothered by my nudity and somehow, it made me feel powerful. I slid off my bed and sauntered to where she stood backing me. She didn't deserve mercy for making me wait for her to return. The closer I got to her, the more intoxicated I got, drinking from the pot of her delicious scent. When she least expected it, I bumped into her back deliberately and she gasped, creating some distance between us.

“Miatta, does my nudity disturb you?”

“N-n-n-no,” she stuttered, my fingers toying with the strands of her hair. The dark locks were soft and cool, a cascade of silly tresses that got to the middle of her back. I tossed them over her shoulders and rubbed my knuckles up and around her skin.

“Are you sure?” I bit down on my lower lip to prevent bursting into laughter. “You don't sound exactly relaxed.”

“Lucas, p-p-please put on some clothes or I will leave right this minute.” Her voice was shaky yet I knew she meant every word. I planted my lips against her ear, licking at the pulse there. She moved away again but was stopped by the door with no escape.

“Goddess, the way you say my name. . .no one says it quite like you do.” She was as taut as a violin string and I knew I had teased her enough. I withdrew from behind her and put on my pelt, amused by her sudden demand for decency.

“I'm un-naked. You can turn around now.”

“By the Goddess, if I turn around and find you—”

Tired of talking, I dragged her closer to me and deposited her on my bed, her eyes wide open and her mouth ajar like an angered oracle. I crawled on her like the animal I was and grinned down at her cute frown.

“What would you do then, mate?”