Chapter 50 50
Roman's Pov
“What the hell is going on?”
That's the first question I get when I walk into the council room.
“I think you'd have to be specific with your question?” I stood at ease, crossing my arms behind me.
Elder Ivan had been grumbling and brooding since I arrived, which was the same as his usual demeanor. Ivan was a royal pain in my ass and did not hesitate to prove it to me.
My annoyance ratcheted up another notch when he examined me with those cold grey eyes. What the fuck was he so mad about?
“The question is for you.” He snorted.
“What?” My back teeth clenched before I caught myself and relaxed.
“It is almost the mating Ceremony and you still haven't claimed your mate.” he scoffed, turning his gaze to the band of Elders sitting around him. The old fucks nodded in agreement.
What the hell!
Of all the people I'd be trapped here with, I didn't think it'd be them.
“Having second thoughts?” A tiny smile cracked the ice in his face and I wanted to put a crack in his face.
“Oh no,” Linda chirped happily. “Jason would never. He is so in love with Chloe. They will definitely get married soon. It's tradition.”
Tradition?
Then it hit me. The culture of the Northern Rogues are much different from that of the Western Wolves. In my pack, my Beta's, Gamma's, and Delta's are free to choose to be bonded to their mates or not. They are not obligated to get married during the mating ceremony. I had forgotten the same doesn't apply to these people.
Damn.
‘But I do what to marry Maisie.’ My wolf grinned. ‘Don’t you?’
‘Why do you think? I can't breathe properly when she's not near me.’
“We want you to decide as soon as possible or the Beta title will be stripped from you.” Ivan finally concluded.
Seriously?
“Alright,” I exhaled sharply. “I'll discuss with my mate and hear what she has to say.”
“And if your mate doesn't want to get married soon?” Ivan raised a brow.
“Then that's what will happen. We will get married next year.” I replied softly.
“But that's not —” Ivan trailed off when a familiar voice spoke up.
“I don't think you should speak to him in that manner, Elder Ivan.”
I turned to see this person. It turned out to be the goody-two-shoes — Rayes.
Ivan's face turned red. “And why the hell should I watch what I say to him?!”
“He saved Dominion Industries and our pack in the process. If it hadn't been for him, none of us would be here so I suggest we accord him the respect he and his mate deserves.” Rayes looked at me and nodded.
I hesitated for a moment before I nodded back.
I turned to the council and smiled. “If that is all, I'd like to return to my suite. In the meantime, I'll be working on a project and wouldn't want to be disturbed. Thank you for your time.” I turned and walked away.
‘The nerve of that asshole!” My wolf growled.
‘I know, right?’
“Beta Jason!” Rayes called behind me.
I didn't stop walking. Instead, I stuffed my hands in my pocket and increased my step.
“Beta Jason!”
This time I stopped. He had taken a harsh tone to call my name this time.
“Yes?” I looked over my shoulder.
He stopped in front of me and exhaled softly. “We need to talk.”
“Sure.”
“But not here.”
“Then where?”
My wolf told me it was a trap and I shouldn't follow. I had to remind him who we truly were. I was the Alpha of the Northern Rogues. No one could best me.
We stopped in what looked like a customized gym room and he turned to me with a pair of boxing gloves. Finally, a challenge.
“I didn't think you were the type of man to speak with his fists.” I grinned as I took the gloves.
“I'm not. I don't speak at all.” His eyes darkened.
“C'est la vie.” My grin grew wider.
I rolled the sleeve of my shirts to my elbows before I picked the gloves from the table and put them on.
“Shall we?” Rayes was shirtless. He had lean muscles but he wasn't fooling anybody. I knew this wolf could pack a punch. The second he moved, I smiled. He was fast.
“Who are you to Chloe? And don't even try to lie to me!” He snapped.
The taste of copper filled my mouth when his fist connected with my jaw. When my vision cleared, I attacked back.
I slammed into him and he grunted. My uppercut had caught him beneath the chin.
“She's my mate, you bastard!” I took another swing at him and he managed to dodge it.
“I don't smell her on you.” He lunged forward.
My brows pinched. “So you go about smelling people's mates now?”
“I don't! I just need to be near her and I'd notice. She doesn't carry your mark.” He roared as he neared me.
I caught his fist just in time for it to reach my face. “You're wrong.”
His eyes widened and his fist began to tremble in my hand.
“Chloe carries my mark and she is my mate. The next time I see you come near here or so much as breathe near her, that…” I tightened my grip and heard him wince. “... will be your last day on earth.” Then I gave him a shove and unstrapped the gloves.
Silence filled the room as I began to unfold my sleeves. Maisie will throw a fit if she sees me unkempt.
Laughter cut through the air and I turned. Rayes was clutching his stomach as he laughed. His eyes met mine and he smiled. “I knew you were her mate.”
I blinked, not understanding where this was going. “Excuse me.”
“This was a test, Jason,” Rayes rose to his feet. “and you passed.”
I crossed my arms over my chest and let him continue.
“As you know, our pack tradition states that every wolf appointed the role of Beta must receive the blessing of the Moon Goddess if he hasn't.” he explained.
“I'm well aware.” I gritted my teeth.
“So you know you have to marry Chloe at the next mating ceremony. It should not linger.”
“Of course.”
He frowned. “Do you also know that you might not get to marry her?”
“What did you just say?”
Rayes sighed then looked at me. “There are many female wolves who are willing to kill to take Chloe's place. I'm afraid Chloe is their next target.”
“Do you know these targets?” I didn't have time asking stupid questions. I needed to get rid of the competition before they got rid of my mate.
“Only a few. That's what I wanted to make sure you were truly Chloe's mate.” Rayes said.
“I don't care about that. I want names, Rayes.” I bit out.
“Fine. I'll send it to you as an email. But beware… these people are very powerful and they don't want you to marry Chloe.”
I cracked my knuckles. “Well, I'll find them before they even say a word.”