Alpha Ryder in a distress stage.

Chapter 16

"Look who finally decided to show up," Alpha Ryder said, as Charles came into the lounge. He felt somewhat disrespected for having been kept waiting for that long. But then, he was willing to let it slide. "I guess I might have to book an appointment to see you the next time I decide to visit," he teased.

"My apologies for keeping you waiting," Charles said, actually not feeling apologetic about choosing the sensationally steamy moments he had spent with his favorite Luna.

He wished that he hadn't had an important visitor to deal with so he would have Maya to his fill. That would have gone a long way to calm his nerves for the stress that lay ahead.

"It's alright. I'm willing to let this slide," Ryder said, standing to shake hands with him. They were not only long-time friends, but were also allies.

"You have no option but to do so," Charles replied with a slight smile curling up his face. He wanted to be done with the meeting as soon as he could. "So, to what do I owe this unexpected visit?"

"Well, I just…" Ryder paused for a moment, as he took a close look at Charles and noticed that there had been something awfully off about him. "Are you alright? You look a bit pale and sick. Don't tell me you got that wasted at last night's party."

"No, I didn't…" Charles sighed. That had been one of the reasons he had been hesitant to come out to meet Ryder in the first place. He didn't want anyone knowing what he was up against, and he knew that Ryder would keep asking until he got to the bottom of what the issue was.

He was beginning to get a bit uncomfortable with having that conversation in front of their betas and the young girl who was there with them.

"Let's take a walk in my garden for a moment, and I will tell you all about it," Charles offered, as he walked towards the exit.

"Alright then…" Ryder agreed hesitantly, as he went on to follow Charles from behind. He wondered what was up with his friend, as he was acting a bit unlike his usual self.

The sun was shining brilliantly over the garden, which Charles had his servants dress every single morning. The brightly colored flowers were immersed in a thickness of green on either side of the walkway, and it was quite a thrilling sight to behold.

But to Charles in his current state, the aesthetics of his garden did very little to appeal to him. His mind was wearied by the much more weightier matters of the prophecy, and whether to share it with Ryder or not.

"So tell me, what's the matter, Charles?" Ryder asked, as they walked slowly, through the long walkway which was in the middle of an endless vastness of plants and flowers. "You don't seem quite yourself."

Charles let out a sigh yet again, as the words were on the tip of his tongue. Ryder was his one and only ally, but then wasn't sure if he could to be trusted with such a secret.

He had shared it only with Maya, as he didn't see how she could use it against him, but then Ryder could use it against him in some way.

It was a tough decision to make.

***

Impossible… Lucas yelled in his thoughts, as the irresistible scent of his mate filled his nostrils, slightly clouding away his senses for a moment. He had to intermittently take glances at Ryder's beta just to remind himself that she wasn't the only one in the room.

"Hello," Lucas was confused and confounded as he was being assaulted by countless emotions at the same time. He was helplessly lost as to what to do. He didn't know who exactly he was passing the salutations to, the man or the girl.

The mate pull was gnawing mercilessly at him towards the girl who had walked in suddenly. For a moment, he had been reveling in fantasies about the young man, only for him to return and run into the strange girl who was probably feeling the same way he was.

This can't be happening… he thought to himself. He had never thought he would ever feel anything for a woman, but there he was, with his knees almost buckling under the pressure of the moment.

"Hello," the girl spoke up first, walking towards him. "You look quite spectacular, mate, and your scent is somewhat irresistible."

"Oh… really?" Lucas's voice quivered helplessly, as he was nervous from the moment. He noticed a slight frown form on the face of the young man. "Thank you… I think the same about you. You look just perfect, like you're everything I have been looking for all my life."

Lucas couldn't believe the words that came out from his lips. He was too sunken in disbelief that he had to pinch himself to keep himself still. Lex, his wolf, just couldn't keep still within him, as he longed to seize the moment.

"What's your name?" she asked, taking his hand in hers.

It was an electric feeling when their hands touched. So electric that almost zapped Lucas out of his body. He wondered how he was still standing on his feet. The frown was still on the face of the young man, each time he took a glance at him.

"Lucas… what about yours?" he blurted out.

"Selene…" she said, almost closing up the distance between the both of them.

***

Freda could feel her heart thumping within her chest, as she contemplated her actions one more time. She stood alone in the kitchen, behind the kitchen table, lost in deep thoughts.

The more she thought about it, her sweaty hands began to quiver as she took out the little bottle which Ruth and Stella had entrusted her to add to Queen Maya's lunch.

Just do it… she urged herself, as she fixed her mind solely on what the reward for her compliance was. It was just too irresistible for her to pass up an opportunity like that.

Without looking, she poured the odorless liquid, and stuffed the bottle back into her dress. It was just a matter of getting it to Queen Maya.

Only one question kept replaying over and over in her head. Would Queen Maya be able to find out?