“Now, from the Sovereign Alphas, which of you would like to partake in the challenge?
All nine of them lifted their hands. I suppressed the urge to scoff. Seriously?
Seconds passed. The Chairman was yet to move on to the next phase. I noticed all eyes were shifting to me. Then, I suddenly realized what the problem was.
“Jaris?” The Chairman called. “Are you not…. participating?”
“If I was, my hand would be up. I’ve been attentive, Luca.” My reply stunned everyone.
“Are you trying to say… you are not interested in taking the throne?” One of the representatives asked. He was among those who had visited my Pack
I shrugged, nonchalant. “I honestly have no interest.”
I loved power, but I was already getting enough of that, being the Alpha of Darkspire. Almost everyone would bow to my will. I didn’t feel like getting my hands dirty for the extra position.
“Wow.” Zarek, who was sitting across from me, clapped. “I never knew you were so generous, Jaris.”
I bet he’d be grateful. With me out of the picture, Zarek was the one with a higher chance of winning. Yeah, he could kiss my feet.
When the meeting finally came to an end, I went over to the Citadel’s bar to pour myself a glass of Bourbon.
I’m curious, Jaris. Why aren’t you participating in the Alpha challenge?” Zarek asked as he joined me at the counter.
I forced composure into my bones. Could anyone get him away from me?
“Tell me, is it because you do not have a Luna yet?” He leaned against the counter, staring into my face with that smirk I’d very much love to get rid of.
One of the requirements for participating in the Alpha challenge was to have a Luna. Funny how they thought I couldn’t easily get a Luna if I wanted.
A date for the commencement of the challenge had been fixed, and it was to begin in a few weeks.
“What about the lady I saw you with at the suite? She was quite beautiful.”
‘Is your own woman suddenly not enough, Zarek? It’s a bit shameful to compliment my own woman in front of me.” I swigged from my glass while he laughed.
“Do you think she’d be as loose as Chloe was?” His face grew more serious as he asked. “If she’s tempted, do you think she’ Il cheat on you without hesitation?”
I shrugged. “Chloe left you for me. Take a good look at ‘me, Zarek. Do you think anyone can beat me?”
“You’re not the hottest guy on earth, Jaris. How about we give this a bet?” His eyes beamed. “If you promise not to interfere, I think I can get your woman to sleep with me in seven days.*
I cocked my head to meet his gaze. “Really, Z?”
“Yes.” He shrugged. “Unless you are certain that she’s loose and can easily be seduced.”
“She’s not loose.” My voice came out clipped.
“Then, you have nothing to be afraid of, Jaris. Give me seven days, and I’ll show you how loose your woman can be. Believe me, she’ll be begging to return to my arms.”
LYRIC
The following day, Father and I returned home to the Pack, as did every Alpha.
I was exhausted and simply wanted a shower and a bath, but my sister had a way of getting in the way of my wants. “How was your stay in Blystara?” She asked as I walked toward the door of my room. “Ooh. Looks like you ran into a bit of trouble,” she pointed at the patched part of my head.
It actually didn’t hurt anymore. In a couple of days, the mark would be completely gone.
“I’m fine, Nora. Just go, please.”
She couldn’t accompany us to the funeral as she had something very important to take care of. She had been somewhat depressed since Roderick started treating her like trash. But it really wasn’t my fault.
“I hope the driver was really hard,” she suddenly said when I was about to open my door.
Wait, what? I furrowed my horse as I looked at her. She was wearing a smug smile with her arms crossed over her chest.
“I mean, I did tell him to be really hard on you. I hope you felt every crushing pain for hours.”
My eyes widened like a startled deer caught in headlights. No way!
“That was you!?” I stepped toward her, disbelief clouding my expression. “You hired someone to do that to me?”
She casually shrugged. “I wasn’t there, but I’m sure it must’ve hurt like a bitch.”
“You’re sick! I’ll make sure you pay for this.”
“Oh, really? How exactly? It’s not like you have any evidence. Or do you really think Father would believe I actually tried to hurt you?” She scoffed. “Go in and rest, Lyric. And keep watching your back.”
She walked away, leaving me brimming with rage.
I had gone to father to report the issue to him, but he was so busy with numerous calls I didn’t get the chance to meet him.
I decided to tell him later because there was no way I was letting the little witch get away with this.
I felt a little better after showering and was taking a nap when a call woke me up. To my surprise, it was Jaris.
We both hadn’t spoken since he dropped me off at my suite yesterday.
“Hello? G-“
“How fast can you get to Darkspire?” He cut me off, sounding very urgent.
The remnants of sleep vanished from my eyes.
“Uh…” I checked the time. “I-I don’t really know. It’s-“
“I need you here, Lyric. Now. It’s important.”
I changed into a pair of jeans and a T-shirt and headed to Darkspire. Jaris didn’t tell me what the problem was, and it made me even more anxious.
Reaching Darkspire, a maid was already waiting outside and led me to where Jaris was. It turned out to be the kids’ room. My heart shattered as a hint entered my mind.
I hurried into the room, and as expected, Xylon was shaking in bed. His sister was on the floor beside him, crying her eyes out, while Jaris sat on a chair next to the bed.
Though he looked calm, I could see the worry in his eyes.
He stood as soon as I entered. “When I called, it wasn’t this serious. What took you so long?”
I frowned at his tone. Why was he mad at me? I decided to brush it aside, realizing he was going through a lot of emotions.
“I need a bowl of warm water, please. And some napkins,” I said to no one in particular as I hurried to sit on the bed. Carefully, I placed his head on my legs.
The maids in the room hurried to get what I wa
“And some Cinnamon, if there’s any available!”
Xylon’s skin was like hot coal. He was burning up and shaking terribly. Tears rimmed my eyes. I didn’t want to start imagining how painful this must be for him.
“Don’t worry, everything will be fine. I’m here now. It’s going to be fine.” I spoke in hushed tones as I cradled his face.
Less than thirty minutes later, Xylon was completely fine and asleep on my legs.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.