Chapter 11 11
Lucien's pov
My room was a pig sty
Every inch of the room, at least the ones that hadn't been soiled with rotting food was covered in moss and maggots. Rats swept into the room, daring as they sauntered over the trays, knocking them down as they grapled with what was left from probably last night's feast.
The stench was so bad. I had smelt the odour, I filtrating my nostrils like an unwanted guest from the entrance of the pack house.
The shock was still palpable when I opened the door to see what had greeted me.
At the early hours of dawn nothing could have prepared me for what stood before me.
Just as if on cue, a tray, neatly stacked to the side tilted over as thought offering me services for my entrance and crashed over the floor. I stood there, ridden cold with rage and disgust as it splashed over my shoes.
I spat across the floor, in respite, indignant.
Mercy approaches me, her head bowed just as the others who had their back to the wall, head down, their small shoulder quaking.
Blood lust, rage filled my eyes as I watched them. I had put them in charge over one woman, could they really stand there and tell me they couldn't control her?
Lena did this?
She better Deny it. Deny it down to her last breath because she will regret admitting to it.
"Where is she?" Without sparing her another glance, I step back, taking one last look across the mess in the room before shutting the door.
"She's - on her way Your Majesty..." She suddenly dropped to her knees. "Your Majesty I promise you, we did all we could but she was-"
"You were looking for me?"
I could smell her wolf before I saw her. Her golden hair was down, in a way that ascertained her rebellion had been intentional and she wanted to appear unremorseful about it. It didn't look like it was conved through but I sat like a silk curtain about her, down her shoulders and back.
Her blue eyes carried mirth and mockery as she stared boldly into mine, her hands crossed over her chest as she stood there in her robe, giving me a pointed look, like I had disturbed her.
"Lena, tell me you didn't do this? If you've bothered to learn of my busy schedule, you'd be aware I've been going back and forth with preparation for the war, with the Council, with training with infiltrations. I needed my rest. You crossed a line."
"I mean it wouldn't have seemed like that if it had just been a couple morsels of food but it's a banquet in thete I hope you enjoyed the welcome. That's how much is being wasted three times a day, sometimes more than the usual portion..." Her words wavered, her pupils drawing close as she watched me approach her. Before she could stutter any more words, I snatch her wrist and pull her close
"I was hoping you'd deny it." I smirk, staring down at her small throat which bobbed. It was inviting, almost drawing my attention to bite into it, taste her blood again- till she stops moving.
Instantly, I let go of her and step back, rationalizing the thoughts that just crossed my mind. The image of Lena in my arms, dead with a slash to her throat, pale seared through again and I stepped back, as though keeping my distance from her would kill the thoughts.
They do, and I try to reinstate my resolve but she's quick enough to notice the sudden shift between us. Regardless, I ignore her and using the mind link, I have two guards come up, beating thick whips in hands.
I silently nod towards the Omegas including Mercy whose backs are still to the wall, heads bowed.
"50 strokes for each. Next time, they won't let such repeat itself." they all drop to their knees, tears running down their cheeks as they thank me for sparing their pathetic lives.
Just as he guards moved towards them, Lena stepped in, baring their way. I sigh but she barely pays heed to me, her brows drawn together in confusion ad anger directed towards the guards who look conflicted on whether to ignore her or adhere to my order.
"They did nothing "
"Exactly." I notify with a wary tone.
She glares at me and I'm amused at the way her blue eyes light up in rage, like a molten blue flame swirling in a mass of black clouds. It's enchanting and I'm drawn to it, just like her scent has been driving me crazy all morning. However it doesn't help that I'm mad at her. She has the guts but apparently uses it at the wrong time.
"They cannot take punishments for what they didn't do. I did this. All on my own."
"There are five Omegas in total. Do you plan on collecting their strokes. That's 250 strokes." Folding my arms, I lean against the wall, watching her in amusement and mockery.
"I will. If it means they don't get unfair punishment for something I did all on my own "
"You think I wasn't to going to give you a punishment of your own. Lena what you did was abominable and intolerable to me of all people. If you weren't my mate .."
"What? What will happen, Lucien? You'll kill me? Ship my head off to my father? What's the worst you can possibly do. After all, I hold no worth since I'm not Luna material. Just your bed warmer. A tool perhaps."
The corner of my mouth lifts again and so do my brow as the realization hits me. It just wasn't about the wastage of food. It had to do with the fact that she feels out of place in my pack house. I didn't exactly reassure her yesterday after what I said, coupled with the fact that I've been absent most of the time she's resorted to anything to call to my attention.
Even if it meant me being mad at her.
She's too stubborn to admit it. Probably had pride was strongheaded like her father so she wouldn't openly admit it.
I note the tremble in the tone of her voice.
But what was she expecting.
I admit I was drawn to her by her scent, the thought of having my mate. And after the mating ritual was complete, the power surge I felt after she beared my Mark was undeniable, I felt more powerful, faster, even my blood hunger had multiplied and I consumed more flesh than usual, I could feel myself getting stronger by the day.
But that was all I saw Lena as. I couldn't get anymore attached to her than I have already. She of all people should know that.
In seconds I'm behind her. At the speed I move, she's flustered but not enough to react in time. I have her arms bound behind her and silently order the guards to take the Omegas away.
"No. Stop. Please they did nothing!" Her glare is resentful as she turns to me. "Order them to stop right now."
I ignore her and we watch, me in triumph, her helplessly as they drag the non compliant Omegas away, amidst the hostile guards shuffling them across the floor.
"Let go of me right now, Lucien! You're hurting me!" Her words are torn through by a gasp from her lips as I casually toss her over my shoulders with ease before I turn heading to her room.
"Where are you taking me! What are you doing?" She kicks violently, her raging fists coming down in my back quickly but I barely even budge. She growls, half shifting to destabilize my stamina but I get to her room in time and toss her onto the bed.
I watch in satisfaction as she snarls, bouncing on the bed, trying to steady herself before she growls at me, the crimson glow consuming her irises. Her canines Barr at me while I lock the door behind us.
"You didn't think I forgot about your punishment did you?"
I almost chuckle as she shifts back, bones cracking into place, the rage and arrogance clearing from her eyes to be replaced with confusion and horror as she watches me take off my shoes before moving to unbutton my shirt.
One hand on my shirt, I lock the door with the other hand, keeping my eyes trained on her.
"You don't get it do you?" Disgust and disappointment is palpable in her expression but I feel nothing. Only amusement, like I'm watching an entertainer. "The purpose of all I did. You don't seem to get it. At the very least you can pretend you care about how much we waste, how we disregard the Omegas in the packs. All you care about right now is proving your strength, your power your arrogance. Is that all there is to you?"
"What else is there?" I smirk
As I approach her, taking off my shirt and leaving it to lie in a heap on the floor, I noticed that despite her anger, her eyes sneakily peer over my body. Her body, her scent betrays her, but even as I approach the bed, she tactically moves Way.
"You won't stoop that low to take advantage of me." She snarls, glaring hatefully at me.