The 5-time Rejected Gamma & the Lycan King novel Chapter 3

Lucianne got out of bed at 4 a.m., brushed her teeth, dressed up and grabbed a bag with a water bottle before making her way to the ground floor and exited the building through the backdoor. She jogged to the nearby forest behind the hotel and stripped behind a tree. After placing her clothes in her bag, she shifted.

 

 

 

 

 

Her white wolf with sapphire eyes had an unusual feature – a striped tail of white and grey. She never knew why. She scoured through any book she could find on the oddities of werewolves but there was nothing on striped tails. Those who had seen her form always pointed out this peculiarity of hers. Some said she had an unknown gift; others said she was cursed. It never bothered her in terms of functionality so she just shrugged off these comments.

 

 

 

When her paws hit the grassy ground, she held onto her bag in her mouth and ran into the forest. The cool breeze was invigorating. The gentle rustling of the wind was a sound she loved, and the endless rows of trees drew her deeper and deeper into the forest. She only stopped when she heard the gushing sound of water from a river.

 

 

 

 

 

There, she sat by the riverbank and looked at her reflection. Lucianne then stared at the sky, and took a deep, satisfying breath of freedom. She did this every morning back in her pack. The stillness gave her the space to clear her head. The quietness offered her some peace.

 

 

 

The first ray of light was her cue to dash back. She ran through the forest from the path she came from, shifted back to her human form, dressed and entered the building before taking the elevator up to the seventh floor. As soon as she walked out of the elevator and turned around the corner of the corridor, she heard the sound of heavy footsteps coming to a halt. Lucianne was scrolling through her phone as she walked, so she didn’t see who it was.

 

 

 

Suddenly, her body was tugged forward, and she slumped into something hard. “Oof!”

 

 

 

“Goddess, I was so worried! Where were you?!” The person who had his head buried in her hair exclaimed.

 

 

 

Lucianne pressed her hands on the hard surface of his chest to part their bodies, and when she felt the sparks and registered the scent of acacia wood and forest trees, she realised that it was the King. When their gaze locked, she saw worry, relief and some anger in his eyes. “Oh, it’s you. Good morning, your… I mean, Xandar.”

 

 

 

He gently tugged a stray hair behind her ear as he asked, “Where did you go this morning, Lucianne?”

 

 

 

“I went for a run in the forest at the back. Why? Did something happen?” She asked.

 

 

 

Xandar pressed their bodies together once more, and the sparks intensified. He then buried his head in her neck as he whispered, “I couldn’t hear anyone in your room, and your scent in the corridor was faint. I thought something bad happened to you. Don’t do that to me again, Lucianne, please. I can’t afford to lose you.”

 

 

 

The sincerity in his voice pulled at her heartstrings but she reminded herself of her previous mates and remained calm as she uttered, “I’m sorry that I worried you. But there aren’t any attacks around here, are they?”

 

 

 

“No.” He whispered into her ear, and his warm breath tickled her skin as he continued, “But that doesn’t mean I would be any less worried if I didn’t know where you were.”

 

 

 

She tried to keep herself composed as she uttered, “You could’ve asked Ethan. He saw me leave.”

 

 

 

Xandar’s body stiffened, and his grip on her shoulders tightened as he pulled away to look at her face. His eyes were fierce, and his tone was laced with jealousy as he asked, “Who is Ethan?”

 

 

 

With furrowed eyebrows, Lucianne answered simply, “The guard at the backdoor. Six feet. Dark. Short hair. He is a guard of this place, isn’t he? Or you could’ve asked his partner, Benjamin. He guards the front but I think he saw me leave from the back this morning.”

 

 

 

Xandar’s body relaxed, and he smiled in bliss as his thumb traced her cheek. He thought about how amazing his mate was to learn the names of the hotel guards. The King chuckled lightly for no reason other than how happy he felt when he was with her.

 

 

 

 

 

Lucianne’s phone beeped, pulling her gaze to the screen. She then looked back at the King, and asked, “Was there anything you need? I have to get ready for breakfast. I should get there before my Alpha and Luna.”

 

 

 

He took a glance at her phone when she held it up, and saw that it was a reminder for her to get ready. He was so worried that he hadn’t noticed she was in a tracksuit. He reluctantly released her as he said, “I won’t keep you. I should go get ready as well. I can’t wait to see you at breakfast, Lucianne.”

 

 

 

She managed a polite smile and walked past him. He watched her unlock her door and disappear from view when the door closed behind her. Xandar was rooted at his spot for another five whole seconds before he entered the elevator and left the building like a grinning monkey.

 

 

 

For once, he contemplated what he would wear for the day. He never really cared about clothes. When one is in a position of power, subordinates will bow to you regardless of what one wears. But now, he wanted to look his best for his mate. After putting on a teal green shirt and finishing the look with a black tuxedo, he ran his fingers through his dark, thick hair a few times until he was satisfied with the way it looked in the mirror before leaving his room and driving to the dining hall.

 

 

 

The moment he stepped into the hall, everyone who was present bowed his way, and the initial chatter died down instantly. He caught sight of the person he was looking for, and felt a pang in his heart when she, too, had her head down and knees slightly bent.

 

 

 

 

 

The King forced a smile as he announced, “Heads up, everyone. Please help yourself to food and drink. Wolves, you need not wait for the other Lycans to arrive. As far as I’m concerned, both species are of equal importance. Please start.”

 

 

 

Some older Lycans were particularly displeased by what their King just said but most of the younger ones were pleasantly surprised. Many whom the King had spoken to the night before walked up to him with the sole purpose of greeting him. ‘It feels different’, he thought. In previous years, wolves and Lycans would approach and greet him but it always looked obligatory. This year, he felt their sincerity oozing when his subjects wished him ‘good morning’.

 

 

 

He made a beeline to his mate, who had her back against him when he was approaching her. She was speaking to Luna Lyssa, who was listening attentively until the Luna noticed his presence and bowed in greeting. “My King. Good morning.”

 

 

 

Lucianne turned ever so gracefully in her turquoise dress. The sleeves reached her elbows and covered her scar. There was a glass of water in her hand. Her head was beginning to tilt downwards when Xandar held her shoulder and lifted her chin up as he pleaded in a whisper, “Lucianne, you don’t need to bow to me, please. It really hurts me when you do that.”

 

 

 

Lucianne was shocked to hear that the King was hurt to see her bow to him but she stubbornly muttered, “It would be rather odd if I don’t though, especially when everyone else’s heads are down.”

 

 

 

He smiled and reached for her cheek as he said firmly, “It won’t be odd because you’re my mate. I will not have you bow to me.” With that, he took her hand and lifted it up to his lips before pecking a sweet kiss on the back, and said, “You look beautiful.”

 

 

 

He had offered her the same gesture the night before but that didn’t mean Lucianne was any less shocked. She tried to say something, “Uh… thank you, Xandar.” He never knew his name could sound so good until it came out from his mate’s lips.

 

 

 

“Sit with me for breakfast?” He asked with hopeful eyes.

 

 

 

She hesitated, and glanced at Luna Lyssa before she asked, “Can I have a few more minutes with Luna Lyssa? We were just finishing up our discussion.”

 

 

 

“Of course.” He grinned, once again feeling proud of her selfless nature.

 

 

 

“Apologies, your Highness.” Luna Lyssa said.

 

 

 

He waved his hand in the air with a smile and said, “No need. It brings me great joy to see a fruitful exchange.” His graciousness and understanding earned him a smile from Luna Lyssa and Lucianne. He got lost in his mate’s smile and moved closer to her before slipping his arm around her waist.

 

 

 

Lucianne gasped softly, and tried to ignore the sparks and warm sensation from his arm and hand. She then cleared her throat, and spoke to Luna Lyssa about her training plan. “Luna Lyssa, you need not worry about the Blood Eclipse Pack, I can assure you that they are nothing like the rumours being spread about them. They are fierce, yes. But that’s only because they have to be when the rogues attack. We’re all like that when we fight. Their Alpha is understanding and generous. He will help you.”

 

 

 

“Would it be possible for you to introduce us at tea later? I was hoping that, since he knows you, he’ll be more willing to offer his warriors to train our pack.” Luna Lyssa suggested.

 

 

 

“That wouldn’t be a problem at all, Luna Lyssa. I should also introduce you to Luna Lovelace from the Midnight Pack. Their warriors are very well-trained as well, and their pack isn’t very far from yours so perhaps you would want to consider collaborating with them in the future.” Lucianne smiled and uttered in response.