Chapter 6

Byron his beta from a distance. He merely just turned back when he'd gotten when he bowed before speaking.

"Alpha, the queen would like to see you?"

Lucas groaned in frustration at the mention of his mother, wondering why she'd returned so early.

"She's returned?" He was forced to ask even though he knew the answer.

"She has. She said it's important you meet with her now." He replied.

"Alright,"

           †★†★†

Lucas pondered hard on why his mother had requested his presence when they neared her chambers. He'd wondered what was so urgent she couldn't wait to tell him. He'd somehow secretly hoped it wasn't another bad thing that could get him over the edge and completely ruin his day. Deeming it enough for one day.

He snapped out of his thoughts as they halted in front of a door. The door pulled opened and he turned to Byron.

"Wait here," he said.

"Okay."

Walking into the large chambers that had belonged to his mother alone, her guard by the door bowed, moving away to the side. The luxurious queen's chambers doubled the size of the court room and looked like a royal chamber from medieval times. Unlike their nature to be out in the open his mother had been different. She made sure everything belonging to her was elaborate. From the dining room, to her room.

Taking fast strides into the open door leading to the dining room he spotted some of the queen's maid hurriedly setting the table for her majesty's lunch.

They bowed as they noticed him approaching

"Where's the queen?"

"In the pool." They replied.

The alpha nodded, walking into another corridor, pulling the huge doors open. Finding his mother leisurely resting in the pool being washed by her maids her head snapped in his direction when she caught his scent. Her hazel eyes narrowing into feral slits.

"Mother, you sent for me?"

"Leave us!" She ordered, the maids hurriedly scurried away. Lucas settled himself in the sofa opposite the pool.

"I did. It's about your ascending."

"What about it?" He snapped. His tone clipped with annoyance.

Ignoring his distaste in the subject she'd mentioned, she continued on.

"I've heard rumors of Edon's son wanting Thalia for himself. And you know their tribe has a lot to offer her father." She paused, waltzing out of the pool while he turned to look away, she grabbed a robe beside her, puting it on.

Deducing the outcome of his conversation with the queen, a part of him strongly hoped the son of Edon would succeed in winning the heart of Thalia's father and he would gladly hand her over to him. She walked towards him stopping when she'd gotten in front of him. Her arms wrapped at her chest.

"We need to quicken your ascension. We cannot wait until three full moons. You have to claim her in two." She ended brusquely.

He scowled at her words, "but Thalia and I agreed on three full moons. Besides, her father agreed to it."

"Then change your agreement!" She growled. "I have spoken to the alpha about this and he's agreed to it."

"What?!" He lunged out of his seat,"You discussed that behind my back without consulting me?! Are you forgetting it's my mating we're talking about here?"

How could she?! Anger rippled through him at her words, every pore in his body seeped with rage. He'd known his opinions on issues never mattered to her, but he hadn't thought she would try to infringe her decisions about his mating on him.

"Luca! "She growled, moving closer. Her hands lifting my chin. Her wolf eyes gazing into his.

"Everything I do, it's all for you and your sister. I have to secure your territory amongst the other tribes. Ever since your father's demise, I have struggled to keep this clan together. I have also made some great sacrifices for you and this tribe, never forget that!" she warned. Her brows crinkling.

She placed a warm kiss on cheeks, stunned when he flinched, backing away from her when his eyes shifted to his wolf's.

"You cannot continue to make decisions for me. We've all made sacrifices too. And as much as you are an alpha, I am too. Let this be the last time you'd try to force your decisions on me! Never ever do that again!!"

He turned away infuriated and irritated by his mother. He sensed the anxiety rolling through her. She feared, feared that he'd never talked back at her, neither had his wolf gazed into her eyes so intimidatingly like it'd just did.

           ~~~~~~~~

It was time. 

The sun had set and they'd all gathered at the arena when he arrived. Upon seeing him, they curtesied.

"You sent for us alpha," Byron spoke, rapping his knuckles together.

"I did. But before I divulge into the issue at hand, are you sure you weren't followed?" he asked. He couldn't risk anyone finding out he had a mate, or much worse, that she was an antherion and a prisoner.

"We weren't followed," they all replied unanimously.

"Good," he huffed. "A while ago, Lyle brought in two prisoners from the borders, and I found something really troubling." pausing, he stared at their faces. Noticing they all looked eager to hear what he had to say.

Jessie's brows furrowed on instinct, a low growl rumbling from his chest. "Speak on alpha, indulge us in your troubles,"

Lucas heaved a burdened sigh before letting the heavy words out, " One of them is my mate."

"Fuck! The Antherion! I knew something was odd," Lyle grounded out as realization dawned on him.