48
Richard
I couldn’t stand the way her mother was talking to me. She was rude and showed no respect for her Alpha King. What really shocked me was when she said she knew where my mate was staying but refused to tell me.
What kind of mother does that? What mother keeps her own daughter away from her destined mate?
“Listen here, woman,” I said, letting my Alpha authority seep into my voice. “Tell me where my mate is staying, or you’ll face the consequences of my anger.”
Instead of cowering like she should have, the woman just smiled coldly at me.
“Alpha King,” she said with obvious disgust, “you don’t deserve my daughter. My baby girl deserves so much better than you.”
I didn’t deserve her? How dare this insignificant woman say such things to me! Women were only good for bearing children and serving their mates. Who was she to judge the Alpha King?
“I’m only accepting her because she finally has a wolf now,” I shot back angrily. “Do you really think your pathetic daughter is something special? Stop acting like she’s some precious gem. She doesn’t deserve ME.”
“Wait, what did you just say?” her father asked, looking completely confused. “You said she has a wolf now? Are you telling me she’s no longer wolfless?”
I smirked at his shock. “That’s right. She’s not the useless, wolfless girl anymore. I think you should ask your wife about this,” I said, looking at the woman who didn’t seem surprised at all. “She already knew her daughter had awakened her wolf, didn’t you? You seem to be the only one in the dark here.”
I turned back to the mother with renewed anger. “Now tell me, woman, where the hell is she?”
“Can you stop all this?” Parker, my wolf, growled angrily in my mind. “Can you stop causing so much trouble?”
Instead of supporting me like he should, my own wolf was taking her family’s side. It was infuriating.
“If we don’t force them or threaten them, how else will we find out where she’s staying?” I growled back at him.
“I’m warning you, Richard. Don’t fight with her parents, or I’ll withdraw my support completely.”
“Fine, fine,” I backed down. I couldn’t afford to have Parker abandon me, especially not now.
The Beta and his wife immediately started arguing about what he had just learned from me. He looked hurt and betrayed.
“Why did you hide this from me?” he yelled at his mate. “Why didn’t you tell me our daughter finally has a wolf? How long have you been keeping this secret?”
“Because I knew you’d react exactly like this!” she yelled back. “You’ve always treated her terribly! Why would I tell you anything good about her?”
“I had a right to know! She’s my daughter too!”
“Can you both STOP fighting in front of me?” I shouted, getting annoyed with their domestic drama. “I don’t have time for your marriage problems. You can continue this fight after I leave.”
I turned to the stubborn woman and said coldly, “Trust me, I’m going to find your daughter and make her mine, whether you help me or not. I’m leaving now.” I looked at the Beta with disgust. “Good day, Beta. Let’s go, Raymond.”
As we walked to where I had parked the car, I felt a headache coming on from all the stress and anger.
“I’m not feeling well,” I told Raymond as I handed him the keys. “Can you drive us back to the pack?”
Raymond took the keys from me, but I noticed he gave me a cold, angry look. His whole attitude seemed different.
During the drive back, Raymond was unusually quiet. He kept his eyes on the road and didn’t speak to me at all.
“Raymond, did I do something to upset you?” I asked my best friend, who was clearly acting strange.
“No, my king. You didn’t upset me,” he said in a flat voice.
“Then why aren’t you talking to me? Why are you acting like this?” I demanded. “I don’t like this new attitude of yours.”
“I’m still the same person I’ve always been,” he said quietly. “My behavior hasn’t changed.”
“You have changed, Raymond. I’m trying to understand who you are now, even though we’ve been best friends since we were children.”
“Really? You think I’m the one who’s changed?” he asked, finally looking at me with disbelief. “Ever since you found your mate, you rejected her even when I begged you not to. You turned your back on everything we believed in. You sleep with different women every night. You even forced yourself on omega sluts in the pack. You’ve changed from a good man into something I don’t recognize.”
His words hit me like a slap in the face. I stayed quiet because I knew Raymond was right. I had never really thought about how far I had fallen. My hatred for that woman had consumed me completely.
“I’m sorry,” I said, trying to sound genuine. “I know I haven’t been thinking clearly. My hatred has blinded me. I don’t want to lose my best friend.”
“Your hatred for your mate has poisoned everything good about you,” he said with a bitter laugh. “She’s supposed to be your other half, and instead you’ve made her your enemy.”
This was my chance. I needed to make Raymond believe I had changed.
“I’m sorry. I’m really trying to find her so I can apologize properly,” I said, putting on my most pitiful voice. “I hope she’ll be able to forgive me and accept me as her mate.”
Of course, I was lying through my teeth. I knew Raymond knew where she was staying. He was the only one who could tell me her location right now. I needed to pretend to feel guilty about what I had done, or I would never get to see her again.
“I deeply regret treating her so badly,” I continued with fake remorse. “If only I could see her face to face, I would be able to apologize to her properly and make things right.”
“Are you really being honest with me, Alpha?” Raymond asked, and I could hear hope creeping into his voice. “Will you really apologize to her and accept her as your true mate?”
“Yes, absolutely. But unfortunately, she’s disappeared, and I have no idea where she could be,” I said sadly.
Raymond was quiet for a long moment, and I could see him struggling with himself.
“Alpha,” he finally said quietly, “I know where she is. I know where your mate is staying.”
YES! Finally! Raymond had fallen right into my trap. I had been waiting for him to tell me this. What a foolish Beta, thinking he could keep my mate away from me.
“What did you just say?” I shouted, pretending to be shocked and hurt. “You know where my mate is, and you didn’t tell me? What have I ever done to you to deserve this betrayal, Ray?”
“I’m so sorry, Alpha,” he said, looking genuinely guilty now. “I thought you didn’t really love her. I thought you just wanted to use her power for your own gain. But since you say you’ve changed your mind and want to make things right, I’ll tell you where she’s staying.”
Perfect. My act was working exactly as planned.
“Please, tell me where she is. Where is my mate?” I asked, trying to sound desperate and loving.
“Do you remember that mate I told you about?” he said. “Her name is Ella, and she’s the daughter of the Beta of the pack where your mate is currently staying.”
“Turn this car around right now, Raymond. We need to go there immediately.”
Raymond made a U-turn and headed toward the pack territory. After a few minutes, I noticed he had gone quiet and his eyes had that distant look that meant he was mind-linking with someone.
I knew he was probably talking to his mate, warning her that we were coming. I didn’t care. Let them prepare all they wanted.
Once I got there, that woman would never be able to escape from me again. She would learn what it meant to defy the Alpha King.
I smiled to myself as we drove toward our destination. Soon, very soon, I would have her exactly where I wanted her.
“You’re making a mistake,” Parker warned me in my mind. “This isn’t about love or making things right. You’re planning something cruel.”
“Stay out of this, Parker,” I replied coldly. “She needs to be taught a lesson. She needs to learn her place.”
“She’s our mate, Richard. She’s supposed to be our equal, not our slave.”
“She’ll be whatever I decide she’ll be,” I said firmly. “I’m the Alpha King. Everyone bows to me, including her.”
Parker went silent after that, but I could feel his disapproval. I didn’t care. He would understand eventually.
As we got closer to our destination, I began planning exactly what I would say and do when I saw her again.
But now that she had a wolf, she was useful to me. Her power could strengthen my kingdom. All I had to do was break her spirit enough that she would never defy me.
The car continued down the road, carrying me toward my mate and my revenge.
I couldn’t wait to see the look on her face when she realized there was nowhere left to run.