Greedy for power

Kaiden stared at Irene's retreating figure and sighed. Oliver then approached him, “She's never going to agree to that, Alpha. You know that.” Kaiden smiled, “If she's left with no choice, she has to. I am her only mate. Would she leave me just because I picked another Luna?”

Oliver frowned and stared at Kaiden, “Alpha, I think what you're doing is wrong. Lady Irene might decide to leave.”

Kaiden swallowed nervously, his heart aching slightly, “Irene would never leave me. That's how much she's committed to our relationship.” he said as he walked out of the banquet hall.

Oliver walked after him, “Alpha, even as she's really committed to the relationship, don't you think she deserves the best?”

Kaiden slowed down his steps and said, “She deserves the best, but she's not the best for me. I love her as a mate, but then, Rene is the most suitable Luna. With her father's authority and wealth, this pack would continue to flourish even in a hundred years.”

As Kaiden said those words, Oliver stopped arguing. To talk about the interest of the pack, Kaiden was right, but what about Irene? Doesn't he care about his mate's emotions?

As Kaiden entered the throne room, the elders bowed in respect as they sat at their appointed seats. Kaiden strode to the front and sat on the throne, his expression cold and detached. Oliver, his beta sat below him and watched the elders.

One of the elders, James, adjusted his robe as he stood up, “Alpha, about the banquet that's coming up tomorrow, we heard you've invited the Lycan king. Don't you think that's dangerous?”

Kaiden raised his brows, “What do you mean?”

James swallowed and said, “Alpha, you must have heard some rumors about the Lycan king, Lord Duncan. People say he's extremely dangerous, and he has the looks of a demon. They say he kills in seconds, and he's extremely skilled while fighting. His name alone instills fear in the heart of people. Do you want to invite such kind of a person to the banquet? What if everyone gets frightened to death!” his voice was laced with fear as he stared at Kaiden.

Kaiden sighed, “Elder James, it's normal for me to invite kings from everywhere during this banquet. During this same banquet, I'll pick Rene as my Luna. It's important for them to be present during this special occasion.” he said. “I'll ask my guards to be on standby in case anything should happen, but I think the Lycan king should be wise enough not to cause any problem.”

James nodded and sat down, “Yes, yes.”

Oliver turned to the Alpha, asking for the permission to speak. Kaiden nodded his head, Oliver then said, “Alpha, there's also another rumor about the Lycan King. It's a rumor because we don't know whether it's true or not.” Kaiden inhaled a sharp breath and said, “Proceed.”

“People say the Lycan King is a man that has lived for over a thousand years. Even after living for so many years, the moon goddess didn't bless him with a mate. So they say he attends every banquet even if he's uninterested only because he was in search of his mate.” Oliver said in one breath. “What if his mate is from our pack?”

Kaiden smiled, “Then there's more power for me. I hope this rumor is true, but the fact that he's lived for over a thousand years is definitely impossible. A Lycan king can't live for more than two hundred years. Living for a thousand years could only mean something else.” he concluded. “And I'm not going to believe that.”

Oliver's face scrunched up in disgust as he stared at his greedy Alpha. He was ready to sacrifice a pack member just for power, just like he was ready to sacrifice his own mate. Kaiden then said, “Enough about the Lycan king. He's only going to be here for a few days because he's a very important guest.”

“Including the other kings?” An elder asked and Kaiden shook his head, “I'm only interested in the Lycan king.” he said coldly, his eyes glowing with greediness. “Even if he doesn't find his mate, I'll give him the opportunity to pick a chosen mate from our pack.”

…

Irene was seated in her chamber, her face extremely pale and thin. In just a few days, Irene looked like she had aged ten years. As she remembered how her mate, Kaiden defended Rene earlier, tears welled up in her eyes.

“Irene, you must be so miserable for everyone to reject you.” she said softly as she played with her hair, “Even my own parents didn't want me. Maybe that's why they left so early.”

“I want you, Irene, and so does our mate.” Iris, Irene's wolf said. Irene grinned, tears dropping from her eyes “Iris, I thought you were hurt so badly that you didn't want to talk to me. Thank you for standing by my side.”

Iris wagged her tail, “You need to get out mate back. Irene, seduce him. Make him kick Rene out. I don't like her.” she said, her voice laced with anger. Irene chuckled, “Iris, it doesn't work that way. I can't seduce him. I'm not even allowed into his chambers.”

“But Rene did. Rene seduced him and now she's even sleeping in his chambers. Rene is the cause of all these! We need to get her out. Perhaps erase her from the face of earth.” Iris sounded desperate, and Irene understood her pain.

Iris was there when she had no one to turn to. She was also there when she got bullied several times. With no friends or family, Irene was able to pull through with Iris's comforting words. Now that their saviour, Kaiden has turned their back on them, it's only normal for Iris to be devastated. “I'll think of something to do about it, alright?” Irene said calmly, soothing Iris raging heart. “Kaiden is our mate no matter what, and we're going to get him back.”

While Irene said those words, there was still an atom of doubt in her heart. Would she really be able to get her mate back?