Kyrell's POV
"That slave really has some nerve," Alpha Bruce muttered angrily as he picked up his glass to empty the content into his mouth.
His head was neatly wrapped with a band-aid. I'm guessing that whoever was involved must've hurt him pretty badly. Ignoring his words, I only took a sip of my wine.
"Can you believe that whore?" He spat angrily while the other Alphas offered words of consolation. "Hitting me of all people with a vase. I should have her killed and hanged in public for such insolence."
"Is this how you train your slaves Alpha Ryan?" Bruce questioned, "If so, then I am utterly disappointed."
"I'll make sure that she gets the punishment she so rightly deserves Alpha Bruce," Ryan assured him. "You don't have to worry about that."
From the corner of my eyes, I could see Bruce's consort trying her best to change his fowl mood by doing everything she can to please him but was failing miserably at it. He looked pretty upset and offended.
Even I am curious about the slave that he was referring to. Was she the one that ran into me earlier or someone else?
Whoever she was, not only was she stupid but she was also foolish. How could she risk her life like this knowing fully well that her slave master wouldn't take it kindly with her.
"You haven't uttered a word since we gathered Lycan Kyrell, is everything okay?" They asked but I only nodded once in response.
I am not much of a talker neither do I enjoy meetings or gatherings such as this where Alphas come together to show off their slaves and talk about their non-existent achievements but I have no choice than to attend.
It is a requirement that all rulers of the seven prominent packs must at least come together to communicate to foster positive relationships so here I am against my will and better judgement.
Deep down, I know that none of the Alphas here have good intentions towards each other. These meetings are only just a facade to keep up appearances.
Even I have a lifelong feud with Alpha Ryan and his family. We are mortal enemies that don't usually see eye to eye on certain occasions due to our differences but I have to put it aside on such occasions. I hated it but there was nothing I could do.
"Don't let his silence bother you," Alpha Darius spoke next. "It's usually the quiet ones that are more loud behind closed doors."
"I can assure you that he's probably waiting for the night to end quickly so that he can go back and enjoy the comfort of a woman in his harem." Another spoke and they all burst out laughing.
I wish I could share their sentiments or jokes but I am not interested to say the least. If anything, my mind kept thinking about that slave girl that I had met by accident some hours ago.
Despite trying to block our encounter from my head all evening, I still couldn't ignore the fact that for the first time in twenty-five years, my wolf is excited which only means that she was my mate.
And I also can't believe that it was a slave, a traitor and a woman from an enemy pack. That alone changes everything.
Although, I can't deny that the girl is undeniably beautiful. Despite being a slave, she still had this aura around her. The way her long black hair that cascaded down her waist and her oval shaped lips had me tempted for some reason.
Just thinking about it has my wolf agitated and restless so I chose to ignore it completely.
Normally, I was supposed to help her out Ryan's clutches. In fact, I was almost tempted to but sadly, I wasn't interested in getting involved. I don't want a mate and I most definitely don't want any woman in my life.
The feast finally came to an end and it was time for me to disperse after everyone had decided to call it a night.
Alpha Ryan had prepared reservations in his palace for the night but I refused to stay. I knew that I wouldn't be comfortable sleeping here so I opted to leave despite the other Alphas disapproval.
It's not like I care what they think anyway. After bidding them farewell, I took the route that led outside where my carriage is parked, someone approached me and bowed her head in greeting.
I recognized her as Keira, Alpha Ryan's sister. We have been introduced to one another on such occasions before.
For some reason, she had always tried to start a conversation with me but each time she does, I found a way to tell her off but it only made her more persistent.
"My Lord, are you leaving?" She asked when she noticed that I was on the route that led outside the palace. "Won't you be spending the night here?" Her lips stretched into a shy smile as she struggled to meet my gaze.
"I took the liberty of securing the perfect room for you so that your stay here would be comfortable."
"I am not interested but thank you for your kind gesture," I inclined my head at her but my response only left her disappointed.
"But—"
"I have to be on my way so if you'll excuse me," I said and walked away without giving her so much as a backward glance.
I arrived outside the palace only to find out that Declan, my Beta was no where to be found. I specifically asked him not to move an inch so where the hell did he disappear to?
"My lord!" Someone called from afar and I tuned in my wolf ears and Declan's voice sprang through. He was looking for me.
"Walk through the main exit Declan, I am outside." I commanded in a deep voice and a few minutes later, Declan came rushing towards me.
"Thank goodness I found you. I have been looking everywhere for you. I thought that you had left without me already." Declan panted, for some reason he appears to be out of breath.
I studied him carefully and my wolf picked up the smell of sex emanating from him.
"Were you really looking for me Declan? Or were you busy with some other business that I should know about?" I stared at him with intent as I spoke while Declan tried his best to avoid my penetrating gaze.
"Forgive me, my lord." Declan ducked his head, feeling embarrassed.
"You do not have to apologize." he stated "You are an animal after all. Your wolf must have needed a little skin. I just hope that the woman in question is still alive because you have a ferocious appetite."
He laughed at that statement, "I'll take that as a compliment then."
"And what is that supposed to mean?"
"Well, between the two of us, you're the one with a ferocious appetite. You possess two animals, the wolf and cougar so we both know that your appetite for sex is simply insatiable. Sometimes, I wonder how your sex slaves are able to put up with you without burning out."
"What happened to your arm?" Declan pointed out and that's when I realized that he was staring at a small scratch on my arm.
I didn't even notice it until now.
I studied the wound that Declan was referring to. Maybe I had gotten it when I potentially saved that slave girl from falling earlier. She must've scratched me by accident. It was barely noticeable so I'm certain that it will heal soon.
"I was involved in a little fight between a slave and her master when we arrived earlier." I told him plainly as I started to walk away, leaving him to follow.
"They attacked you?" Declan's eyes popped out in fright and I could hear the edginess in his voice.
"Actually, the slave in question was my mate trying to escape but then her master caught up to her and my wolf decided to get involved." I responded nonchalantly with a straight face.
Just thinking about the incident had me in stitches.
"You found her your mate? Here? After all these years?" Declan asked with glee, "This is incredible news, My Lord. Where is she? I'd like to meet her too. Shouldn't we be taking her back home with us?" Declan asked, scanning the entire premise as we walked by. He was very excited and I honestly don't know why.
"If I didn't know any better, I'd think that you were the one who found your mate and not the other way around." I rolled my eyes at him.
"I'm just so happy for you." He mused, his face filled with smiles. "So where is she?"
"I don't know and I do not care to know either." I brushed off the question like it meant nothing because obviously, it doesn't.
"I know that I already anticipated this type of reaction from you but you have to find her My Lord." Declan pointed out but I ignored him.
We arrived at the place where our carriage was parked just around the corner and got in to sit down.
"I do not wish to get involved with her. She is one foolish girl and there's no doubt about that." I said to him and the smile on his face disappeared almost immediately.
"She is Alpha Ryan's property and even if she wasn't, she is a traitor from this pack. People like her rubs me off in the wrong way. Plus, you of all people should know that I don't need a mate or a woman in my life."
"But didn't you just say that your wolf got agitated?" Declan was forced to ask "Isn't that you already involved?" He pressed.
"I did not rescue her. If anything, I left her to face her problems. We probably won't see each other again and that's all I wish to say on the subject." I changed the topic which only meant that I didn't want to discuss the issue any further and I think that Declan got the message because he didn't speak on it anymore.
I know what must be going through his mind right now. Declan has been in my life way longer than anyone and he knows all my troubles as well as everything that I've been though. I know that he was only concerned and looking out for me because he is my best friend but my decision is final.
"Has everything been arranged for our arrival back home?" I asked, resting my head on the soft headrest behind me.
"Yes, My Lord." Declan responded as he gave instructions to the rider.
"While you were at the meeting, I sent a message home to inform them that you would be arriving soon and that everything should be put in place before we arrive at the borders of our pack." He informed me.
"Good." was all I said before shutting my eyes briefly. I always do this when I'm thinking about something or don't want to be talked to but in this case, for some strange reason, I was thinking about that slave girl.