Chapter 17

ALPHA LUCIUS’S POV

The battle had gone the same way as every other one I have fought in my life. It ended with me clearing them up and reminding them why I was the alpha king and why they couldn’t go against me. It did serve as a temporary distraction from thinking about my unruly mate, but the moment it was over, I found myself going back to thinking about her.

It was getting harder to convince myself that I didn’t care about her. Now, I truly believe what they usually say about mate bonds and how they make you feel the worst of things and still crave people no matter what they do to you.

I needed more distraction, and I knew exactly how I would get it. Instead of going home, I discharged a few more of my men and left the most trusted ones, and we started our journey to the tiny village up the hills. With a good disguise, most people won’t know it's me.

Rose awaited me there, my mistress, a secret I kept well-guarded from prying eyes. She was the only thing that made me sane in