Chapter 87: Chapter 87

Miatta POV

Evening came and not soon enough. I was high-strung from the sexual tension between I and Lucas. He made sure to sit apart from me, respecting my wishes but I could tell that he was walking on a tight rope. Some slaves had brought his meal and I had received the leftovers, eating juicy meat for the first time since I entered Red Bone Pack. They returned to take the dishes away and Lucas exited his big and comfortable bed, giving me room to take a long nap.

Hours later, a hand tapped on my shoulders, rousing me from my dreams. I opened a drowsy eye, flat on my back to avoid ruining the pretty dress. Lucas stood at the side of the bed and I could see the darkness beyond the window. The drums had begun, its fast and energetic beats reaching my ears and filling me with excitement. He helped me down by the hand and escorted me out of his room where his bodyguard was waiting for us. The loyal warrior bowed to him respectfully, bending from his waist.

“Your booth is ready, my Lord. Allow me to show you to it.”

“Very well. Lead the way, Ryker.”

We fell behind the warrior, following after him. Lucas let go of my hand and I could see that he had done it unwillingly. I missed having contact with him and I could not explain exactly why. I wasn't even supposed to like him, mates or not. The night was charming and the bonfire in the middle of the sandy grounds drew me to its flames. I could see the groups of slaves in their various colours and I remembered where mine was, in a torn heap in Lucas’ bath shed. My feet led me towards the direction of my group but Lucas tugged me back to his side. I cast him a questioning look and he shook his head, scattering his locks with his long fingers.

“Tonight and for the rest of the festival days, you are not a mere slave. You are my Lady of Honour and you shall sit by my side to enjoy the show.”

Lady of Honour? It sounded pleasant to my hearing but I suppressed a stupid giggle. My days of freedom were limited, according to him and by the end of the festival, I was back to my place in the dark room. I planned to savour the moment for as long as I could. Thus, I slipped my hand around his arm, grabbing his forearm possessively. He gazed down at me, surprised by my actions.

“As your Lady of Honour, I believe you are to escort me to our booth adequately, isn't it, Prince Lucas?”

He paused, withdrawing himself for some seconds and choked on a laugh. “It is, my Lady. Pardon my rotten lack of manners and permit me to show you to our booth.”

Ryker walked ahead of us until he stopped at a temporary booth made of leaves and wood. It was elevated on a hillock and we sat on warm bear fur. My arm was still interlocked with his and he allowed me lean on him. Suddenly, a horn blasted and the whole assembly of wolves arose in their various ranks. Lucas got up as well, helping me to my feet.

“The Alpha, the Lycan King, the Conqueror and Supreme Ruler of the Lycanthrope is approaching!” a lycan yelled for somewhere out of sight. The entire atmosphere was electrifying and goosebumps grew on my flesh. A colourful entourage preceded their leader, female and male dancers alike. At the end of the parade was the Lycan King flanked by three warriors: one on each side of him and one in front of him. His slave was stark naked and collared with a tight, rough rope which was occasionally tugged by the brute that was her owner.

“Look away, Miatta,” Lucas whispered from the corner of his lips. “It’s easier that way.”

Enraged but unable to do anything about her situation, I did as Lucas said and took my eyes off her pitiful condition. Once the king was seated, the rest of the pack bowed low in reverence and sat down as well. Beta Logan got up and questioned his king with his eyes alone. The Alpha nodded, giving his silent commendation.

“With my master's blessings,” Beta Logan announced, shaking his fist in the air, “let the contest begin!”

Lucas

I sat beside Miatta, monitoring the happenings of the night. Ryker informed me when Athena arrived and I saw her sit cross-legged underneath her prepared booth. I could not catch her eyes at all so I diverted my attention elsewhere. The contest had begun in earnest after Beta Logan’s energetic proclamation. Usually, it was my father who started off events and now he was relegating such an important task to his Beta. I was next in line to his throne and so he should have assigned that duty to me instead. It didn't seem like a big deal but it was to me.

Clapping ensued as another group of dancers finished up. Their leader was my half-sister, Addy and she winked at Miatta after their performance. She had been enchanting, leading her group in a complicated yet artistic dance that had most of the male lycans literally wolf whistling. However, she was offlimits just as her mother was. My father was that jealous.

“What are you thinking about, Lucas? You have been distracted since the contest began,” the inquisitive Miatta beside me demanded to know. She had been quiet all this while, sometimes involuntarily swaying to the music from the drums.

“I was just thinking how grand it would be if you got up and danced a bit at the end of the contest.”

The question must have stunned her to silence and she snapped her head around to glare at me.

“I don't dance, Lucas. I was a princess, yes, but I was trained in martial arts and self-defense. I can string a bow and hunt a boar but I cannot for the life of me follow a single dance routine.” Her tone was serious, not loud but firm enough that I knew she was being serious. It was an awful shame because I thought she had the most athletic body I had ever seen, one that if she was taught properly, she could use to put even Addy to shame.

“It's okay then.” I soothed her ruffled feathers and subtly kissed the top of her head. We drifted our attention back to the next set of dancers. It was Yvette's group and they were the last to perform. Yvette stood in lead, her outfit the kind that left little to the imagination. The hem of her black dress stopped several inches from the middle of her laps and she seemed to have no underlings on. Sweat dripped off her face as she danced with reckless abandon. Miatta glanced at me sideways and followed my line of sight. Instantly, her mood was ruined and she diverted her attention elsewhere, searching through the crowd earnestly.

“Are you looking for someone, Miatta? Perhaps I can help.”

“No. You won't know him,” she tossed over her shoulders and the pronoun she had used at the end of her dismissive sentence drew me aback. She was looking for her lover in the crowd while I was sitting next to her. Two could play at that game, I thought as I exchanged stares with Yvette.