Chapter Twenty-Four #2
I caught her eye, and I lifted a brow. She must have caught the tiny flick of my brow because her lips curved up for a second. “I’m fine here. Thank you.” I answered as I took the full tray in my hands.
I stood there for a few more minutes as the last wave of guests filtered in.
Garith and Verity grabbed a flute from me, and barely even looked at me, which I was grateful for but not surprised.
He says Omegas are the backbone, but they aren’t important enough to even look at. I smirked as they turned away.
“Have you heard anything from the King?” Garith whispered to Verity as they took seats in the back.
“No. But like I said, there is no fucking way he would show up to this.” She looked over at the crowd and lifted her lip. “It’s beneath him.” She looked at Garith. “It’s beneath us. Why are we even here?”
“We need to keep Vince happy…for now.”
“Why?” She sighed as she sat back and I heard her cast a bubble around them and their voices were gone. I cast a counterspell that allowed me to listen in, and I focused on keeping my face flat as I held the drinks. “He failed to syphon the children for fuck sakes dad, he is a waste of space.”
Garith turned to her. “You were a part of that plan, Verity. If he failed, it is because you failed. And I don’t think you want me to really tally up every time you have failed me these last few years.”
Verity looked wounded. “But-”
“But nothing. You were an accident born from a fling with that whore of a mother you had. When you found me and I realized you were my child, I took you in because I had a use for you. But every fucking turn, you have disappointed me.” He shook his head.
I heard a rush of excitement ripple through the crowd.
The unsuspecting members of the audience from this pack, and surrounding packs, all grew excited.
Garith furrowed his brow, the mask obscuring half of his face, but the confusion was still clear.
He turned to Verity, waiting for an answer, but she just shook her head.
She opened her mouth, but before she could an Omega ran to the end of the aisle. “Please stand and bow to his Majesty, King Rowan Lukos.”
A hush fell over the crowd as Rowan stepped up to the end and held out a hand for a mask.
His dark hair was ruffled in a way that had both of my wolves rumbling, and I had to fight to keep it inside.
His shirt was partially open for everyone to see the mating mark on his neck, and there was another gasp that went through the crowd.
“The King has found his mate.” Someone whispered and there was a squeal. “I wonder who she is.” There was another pause. “And what is happening to his fianceé?” Rowan smirked as he heard the whispers, but he just slipped the mask on and adjusted his shirt, exposing the mating mark even more.
Our mate is perfect. Nix sighed as she settled against our barrier. I felt my eyes flash, and Rowan must have caught it because his smile grew wider. Then he glanced around the hall, quickly meeting my eyes, and then strutted down the aisle to a seat in the very front.
Brandon preened in the front, obviously extremely proud that the King took time to come to his mating ceremony, but as his eyes landed on his father, there was a flash of triumph.
Vince looked back at an Omega and nodded once.
The Omega came over to me and grabbed a flute of champagne, and I watched as she dumped something silver into the glass.
I whispered a soft spell. “Iti shoner tugu sinti floura notka.” I watched as the silver particles flashed bright white, eliminating the effects of the toxin.
Thankfully, from a distance, it just looked like a rush of bubbles.
The Omega hurried up the aisle and handed Rowan the glass of champagne, and he took a sip.
Garith turned a full glare toward Verity. “I thought you said he wouldn’t fucking show up. Are you really so fucking useless, that brANDON outsmarted you?” Verity’s mouth wagged in the air as she tried to figure out what to say. “And who the fuck did Rowan mate?”
Verity froze for a second as if her brain were processing what Garith had just said. “What did you just say?”
Garith leaned in. “I asked you, who the fuck is Rowan mated to? Did you not notice the blazing mate mark on his neck that he did everything in his fucking power to show OFF!” He screamed the last word.
Verity shrank back from his anger. “I didn’t see. I was too surprised he showed up.”
Garith leaned in. “Well, since you are his fucking fiancée, I would go find out who took your fucking spot,” he growled as he grabbed her arms and pulled her around his lap and forced her out into the aisle. “Now.”
I whispered another spell to listen to the conversation that was about to happen in the front row. I also pulled my phone out discreetly and sent a quick message.
Amy: They put some silver in your drink. I neutralized it, but act accordingly when it’s time. I stuffed my phone back into my pocket as Garith looked over his shoulder at me. I straightened my spine and readjusted the tray so it looked like I was struggling a little with it.
“Hey handsome.” I heard Verity whisper as she slid into a seat next to Rowan. She leaned in to kiss him, and I had to hold back my two wolves as a vicious snarl ripped through my mind.
“Don’t touch me.” Rowan’s words had her freezing before she was close enough to touch him.
“What are you talking about?” She played dumb. “I’m your mate.”
A warning rumble came from the front row, and I had to fight the smirk that wanted to dance on my lips. Smart man. Nix settled when she heard his warning.
Rowan turned his head slowly, pulling his shirt collar all the way off his mark, and even from back here I could see the burning white-blue of his eyes. “Do not insult my mate with your lies. You are no one to me except a mistake.”
Brandon and Derek looked at each other and smirked, enjoying the show from their vantage point.
Verity did her best to look wounded. She sat back with a cry and pointed at his neck. “You chose a mate?” Her words got a little louder, pulling the attention of the crowd.
Rowan rolled his eyes, and his fangs descended with a snap. “Are you stupid? Or are you just trying to dig up drama?” He turned to look at her with a wide smile. “Anyone can see that this mark is a Goddess-given mate mark. I found my destined mate, not something the council forced me into.”
Verity’s hand flew to her mouth. “You found your Goddess-given mate?” She looked around. “I thought Lycans only mated Lycans.” She glared at Rowan, and my wolves padded closer to the wall between us.
Kill her. Nix’s voice was low.
Megan settled against the barrier. Or I will.
I sent calming thoughts to my wolves before they ripped out of me and settled this on their own.
But it wasn’t working, and I felt a ripple of fur dance down my arms. Rowan looked back and must have caught something in my look or my body because between breaths, Erubus came running from the trees in my mind.
Nix and Megan both leapt up to meet him. Calm down, mates. His voice was full of laughter as he rubbed both of them. You are struggling because the she-wolf is near me?
Nix growled low. I don’t like it.
Megan snapped her teeth together and flashed her fangs. She almost touched you.
Erubus nudged his nose against Nix’s neck and breathed in her scent.
I love you, my queens. He turned to Megan.
And you, little one, surprise me. Vicious little wolf.
He licked her snout before he licked Nix’s.
Stop making it difficult for Amy. You and I both know she would never stand by and allow anyone to disrespect our bond.
Nix looked back and forth between him and me, and then nodded. Fine. Go back to your human.
And make sure the whore doesn’t touch you. Or else. Megan growled low, earning another chuckle.
Erubus turned to face her. Keep threatening me, mate, and I might just take you up on the offer. He snapped his teeth next to her neck. A little pain won’t hurt either of us. He ran off, leaving Megan a little wide-eyed.
I laughed in her face. Why are you surprised by that?
I don’t know; it was just unexpected. She shook herself as I turned back to the scene at the front. Vince had walked over and joined the conversation.
“My King, I am so happy to have you join us for my son’s mating ceremony.” Vince shook his hand, and I could see the blazing rune on his forearm.
Son of a bitch.