Chapter 3

She hesitated before she began, “Xandar, a scar is normal among warriors, more so among Gammas. If you check the bodies of the other Gammas here today, you’ll find that many of them have scars as well. Some may be worse than mine. I know a few Alphas and a handful of Lunas who have such scars from fighting alongside their pack. This really isn’t a big deal.”

He listened to her words, and his eyes softened at how she shoved her own ordeal aside to put other warriors and pack leaders under the spotlight of bravery.

No one knew that, at that time, whatever Lucianne said only made their king more certain that there was no one more qualified to lead alongside him as his queen.

His heart ached when his gaze returned to the scar on his beautiful mate. When he bent down and was close to kissing the scar,

Lucianne abruptly retracted her arm as she uttered, “Perhaps that is not the most appropriate thing to do, given this setting.”

He had completely forgotten about the people around them. He only saw her. With those words, he was pulled back into reality. He smiled, making the Lycans in the room stunned.

The King never smiled. Never.

Xandar was happy that Lucianne was not submissive just because he is king. He then said, “You’re right. I would like to meet your pack leaders, Lucianne. Introduce us?”

“Of course.” She smiled, and waved her Alpha and Luna over.

They walked towards the King and bowed, their heads still facing the ground as Lucianne said, “These are Alpha Juan and Luna Hale of the Blue Crescent Pack, your High—Xandar.”

She abruptly decided against addressing Xandar by his title when she saw, from the corner of her eye, that he was about to make a fuss.

“Heads up, leaders of the Blue Crescent Pack.” Xandar said with a smile. When their heads were raised, Xandar thrusted out his hand in Alpha Juan’s direction, “I want to personally thank you for leading the rogue attack up North last year. The rogues would’ve continued to wreak havoc if it weren’t for your pack’s leadership and contribution.”

The King remembered reading a report on the successful annihilation of one of the strongest rogue packs in the previous year, and had long known the Blue Crescent Pack was at the forefront of the victory. It was said that this pack held the trust of the other packs, and was respected for the leadership displayed.

There were many testimonials from other pack warriors who thanked the Blue Crescent Pack, saying that they ‘had learnt a lot’ in terms of strategy and combat.

Alpha Juan and Luna Hale were both stunned by the King’s graciousness. It was no secret that one should just be grateful to not get killed. It was not customary for the King to hand out praises.

Juan took the King’s hand and shook it once before he admitted sheepishly, “As your subjects, we are more than grateful to assist in your endeavors, Your Highness. But my Luna and I cannot take credit for the success last year. We may be the largest in size in our pack, but our Gamma, Lucy,” Juan motioned in Lucianne’s direction, before continuing, “was the strategist, the best trainer and warrior, be it on the battlefield last year or within our own pack. I’m her subordinate when it comes to training. She was the one who led us to victory.”

Lucianne was biting her bottom lip. When she knew what Juan was going to say, she tried to stop him through their mind-link but he didn’t bother listening to her. Her eyes were fixed on the ground as she prayed for the moment to be over.

She couldn’t see it but Xandar’s eyes beamed with admiration for her. When he noticed that her eyes were pinned to the ground, he frowned and asked in concern, “Lucianne, what’s wrong?”

Lucianne shook her head and responded meekly, “Nothing. Just tired.”

He nodded in understanding. Most wolves had to travel a long way to Lycan territory so it was a given that they would be drained when they arrived.

He turned to face everyone as he announced, “My fellow subjects, I thank you for making the trip here. Let this night be the beginning of a worthwhile collaboration between packs and species. Please have some food if you haven’t already. I would like to meet every one of you. Give me a few minutes. I will be right back to thank every pack who has assisted me these past few years. Enjoy the evening.”

The speech left everyone surprised. The King was never this welcoming. It was no secret that he hated this night every year. But now he was not only welcoming them with open arms, he promised to thank the helpful packs personally!

Disregarding the stares, he turned to Lucianne and said, “Lucianne, you should get some rest. Let me walk you back.”

She looked at her pack leaders in panic but Juan said, “We’ll be fine, Lucy. Go. You hardly slept last night.”

Xandar’s heart clenched again with Juan’s words but he chose to say nothing. When his hand fell on Lucianne’s small waist, she gasped and stiffened but made no move to push it away. So, he left his hand there as he led her out of the hall.

As soon as they were out of the building, Xandar asked, “Why didn’t you sleep last night?”