CHAPTER FOUR: MATE!

The palace of the Lycan King, Wales. 

"Your father made me promise to make sure you are of sound mind and judgment, Wales," Zane the right-hand man and Beta to the Lycan King, Mazmilan, popularly called Milan by the chits, said. They were in the great study at the palace.

Milan rolled his eyes from where he was seated, his hand suspended with the snifter of ale perched in it. From his countenance, one can tell that he was massively bored of having this discussion. "Are you done, Zane?" He slurred dryly. "To be honest with you my dear friend, I need to be laid." He drawled in mischief, taking a smooth sip of his brown booze.

"Laid? Laid? I will dismiss your request as mere demand aimed at getting me riled up, Your highness"

"You know I hate when you call me that," Chirped Milan, about to lose his mind with grumpy Zane.

"Exactly my point. I need you to recognize that is who you are. A King! These women would only drown you, leaving you an em....."

"Enough, Zane!" Milan lifted his hand, cutting off whatever the cranky Beta was about to emit. Zane was his Beta and very good friend, even though they did not see eye to eye on so many matters especially when it had to do with his favorite venture, philandering.

But that did not stop him from doing it. This was him and no matter what his right-hand man thought of him, Milan did not envisage leaving that path, not to mention falling in love, which was to him, a very repulsive idea of lofty mediocrity.

He saw love as a weakness in every man that ever wanted to reign forever. He long made that pact with himself at the deathbed of his father, never to fall in love. He doesn't see himself in that light, and thanks to the great goddess, she answered his prayers and kept him mateless.

"I am sorry, if I had crossed the line, Milan, it's just that....."

"Point taken, Zane, can I have my respite please?"

"But your mother....."

"I am the King and I take orders from none! My word remains the last declaration! She only succeeded in bending my father to her will. That won't work on me" with that, he smashed the bottom of the glass to the desk, and stood abruptly, his half-buttoned loose shirt showing a large part of his torso that was a savorable feast to the hungry eyes.

"I beg your pardon, Milan, be not of dismal heart, I was only looking out for you" implored Zane standing from the brown oak sofa to meet his friend who by this time was standing by the study window, his sharp crystal blue eyes roaming over the plush greens outside.

"I'm not disheartened, Zane, I just don't favor you judging me... You know I detest my mother's wills and yet you allow her to indulge you"

"I don't. ...You know the Queen mother can be very...very imposing" Zane said half-heartedly not knowing how his King would react to his mother being talked down on.

To his dismay, Milan smiled, turning to look at him, his hands brushing through his blond mane "I think I will need a run, it's been a while since I let out the monster... He is growing wild inside"

"I heard that Milan," growled his wolf, Siv.

Milan rolled his eyes, his fingers going to his hair once more, his favorite habit. "Not like I give a two-legged twig how you feel, mucho!" Retorted Milan, patting nerdy Zane on the shoulder and walking out of the study.

Zane had always been his friend right from their wee age. He knew he would pick him as his Beta even before he had to forcefully accept the title. Zane was nerdy but very loyal. Just what he needed. Most times Milan had gone off on him but never has the other taken to heart, the words he said to him in his moments of weakness. He was indeed what Milan needed in his life.

Just as he came out from the hall of the study, "Where are you going to, dear brother?" Came the melodious voice of his major Achilles, Emma. Not only could she bend him with those easy similar orbs of hers, but she could also literally tell him to bark and he would do just that, without an argument.

He shrugged, reaching out to pat her blond hair which was tamed to the top of her head in a ladylike modern fashion, complimenting her dress of intricate gold finish. "The King needs a walk" he simply said with a gleam.

"Can I come?" She asked with puppy eyes "I'm so weary of the palace, I need to see the outside, please brother" she went on to pout.

"Don't do that, Choco. You know I will do anything for you, but this. I have to think without your rattling"

"I don't rattle..."

He seemed to have a certain look on his face that seemed crooked, his eyes pinned to hers in a cheeky way.

Finally, she cocked her head, letting out a coquettish ladylike giggle "Okay, maybe I rattle a little, mama said a lady shouldn't be dreary."

He rolled his eyes and brushed his hands through his hair. "Whatever she says, Choco, but I have to go. I promise to take you out this evening to the park, but not in the open."

"You don't want the ladies to see you? Camila came to look for you, she and mama are in th___"

"I have to leave now. I love you, Munchkin." He leaned in to peck her hair.

"Don't be late!" She called after him as the butler opened the door to let him out.

Reaching out the terrace, he stops at the paved frontage, his hand on his waist taking in the wild expanse of land. The wild evening countryside winter breeze soon hit his face, giving him a certain serene aura.

He smiled. "I think this would do!" With that, he padded down the remaining stairs as the coach rumbled near to pick him up.

"A good day to you, your highness." Greeted, Martins the coachman.

Milan smiled his gratitude and duffed his beaver at him. "Take me to the Goldberg inn and when we get there, you will go up to inform Beatrice that I am there for pleasure, understood?"

"Yes, master" Martins concurred with the Lycans King's order and drove off the palace in their direction.

Everyone knew Milan's reputation as a renowned rake in the kingdom. Most times, in order to save the face of the palace and its dwindling reputation all thanks to him, his footman had to bring these girls over to him to pleasure him and keep him from leaving the place or the public from seeing their King in such blasphemous environments.

His mother was aware of this, which disheartened her greatly. So what he did now, was bring in more women just to hurt her. But in cases like this when his Beta came to give him his usual midday sermon, he would lie about going for walks and run off to delight in a willing light skirts trade.

"What is going on?" He inquired as the coach came to a stop.

"I think...I think there is a problem, master" replied the frantic coachman, knowing he was going to get into trouble.

Milan's pulse roused as he digested what the unfortunate coachman just said. " Martin if you care for your head, tell me you are merely fibbing."

The coachman who was presently handling the problem, huffed in fright, his fidgety hands going all over the machine, not knowing what the problem was "I'm trying master. I swear by the goddess I checked the coach before we left the palace."

What Martin was saying was true. He had made sure everything was intact as he had been informed by the head of omega Lycans.

Never leave the country palace without making sure the coach is in good condition.

Milan exited the coach and looked around the deserted road, his hand brushing through his hair in defeat. He wanted to beat the hell out of the skimpy lowlife but, right now wasn't the time. He would wait till they got home and then, he would serve his punishment as he deserves. For now, he might have to take that run in the forest.

"I will go for a run now, by the time I'm back, for the good of your neck, make sure this hogwash of a machine is working" Milan detailed the words in such eerie air that Martins believed him. Why won't he?

"I swear I will, Master." Martins bobbed his head vigorously, getting to work.

Milan made his way into the thick forest and started running. It wasn't long, he transformed into a giant big Grey wolf, his paws soaking through the mud and breaking every barrier on his way, as he ran without any direction in mind.

Siv loved this freedom! Whenever he was unleashed, he lost his mind and could commit as much malfeasance as he could at that moment. This made Milan be very cautious of his activities when transformed.

Suddenly, he came to a screening halt, his nostrils being hit by an extraordinarily exquisite scent.

He lifted his nostrils and sniffed more, alarmed by what his heart was telling him.

"No! It can't be! The goddess can't play this jest on me." Milan kept saying to himself.

The goddess definitely knew this was the least of what he wanted in his life. Not now, not ever! In a flash, he whirled about to run back the way he came but hesitated, curiosity taking over him.

What could she be doing in the forest? Was she also a Lycan? Of course, she was, this territory specifically belonged to the Lycans and none has ever dared to trespass.

His inquisition rose more when he heard the faint pulse of her heart. "Strange" he mused. Was she sick?

"We have to go to her now!" Siv protested, excitement taking over him, "She needs us!"

"She doesn't need us, Siv. Stop saying that. We don't need her either."

"I need her. And we are both going!"

Not waiting for what Milan had to say, Siv sprinted deeper into the woods, lower branches flapping against its furs fiercely yet, it felt it not. Only one thing in mind. He had to get to her.

Following the direction of the scent, they soon saw it. A hut. It was hidden in the midst of the forest and can only be seen by someone of distinct senses like him.

Milan was appalled by the fact that eventually when he found his mate, it had to be some bush girl in the middle of the jungle.

One step after the other, they soon reached the front of the hut, and then he transformed back into a human.

He lifted his hand to knock but, ego raking over he pushed the cranky excuse of a door inside to look inside. It was dark and cold, and plants were scattered all over the place on the ground. Everything looked improvised as if truly she had made them herself from the woods.

Then his eyes landed on a petite figure lurching on the makeshift leaf bed, her hair pouring all over the place. Her mouth was slightly open as her chest rose and fell as though her breathing was labored.

Is he impressed or repelled? Well, what happened next would determine that.

In a flash, when he was least expecting it, the girl flew off the bed right at his face, her claws retracted and were on his heart, her eyes darkened to black as she bared her teeth and sank them into his neck.

Milan was helpless against her as she tore off every vitality in him, leaving him a shredded doll.

"What the hell are you?"