The Lycan King's Mate

Chapter 3: Accepting Defeat

Dominic's POV

As I gazed down at Amara's form, I could feel the darkness within me stirring. It was a twisted sort of pleasure that I took in seeing her in this weakened state. I watched as her breaths came in shallow gasps, her chest heaving as she fought to stay conscious. The metallic tang of blood filled the air, and I could see the red liquid slowly pooling around her, spreading like a macabre work of art. Her eyes were half-closed, and I could see the pain etched on her face, mixed with a fierce determination that refused to let me see her broken.

But I was not one to be deterred so easily. With a cruel smile, I leaned down and whispered in her ear, relishing in the shudder that wracked her body.

"You see, my dear Amara," I murmured, "this is what happens when you cross me. I am in control here, and you will learn to obey me."

I tightened my grip on the hilt of the knife, twisting it ever so slightly, relishing in the pain that flickered across her features. It was a delicate dance, one of power and submission, of domination and surrender. And I intended to make sure that I came out on top.

As the minutes stretched on, I continued to watch her, my eyes glittering with a twisted sort of pleasure. I wanted her to break, to see the light in her eyes snuffed out, replaced with nothing but fear and subservience. And I knew that with enough time, I would succeed.

"Why are you doing this?" she managed to whisper, she screamed in between her pitiful sobs.

I leaned in close, a cruel smile on my lips as I chuckled. "Because I can, Amara. Because I want to. And because I know it hurts you."

As I stepped back and left the room, I couldn't help but feel a sense of annoyance. For years now I have been at it trying to break this girl, but to no avail. I should expect this, considering her history. As I'm lost in my thoughts making my way to the forest to clear my mind, my wolf, Naga speaks up.

"I keep telling you this will not work. You are stubborn. This is not the way for us to rise in power."

"Quiet! You are suppose to be on my side!" I respond in annoyance.

Naga turns his back to me and lays down clearly not interested in partaking in this conversation any further.

In this moment, I began to remember the past. I remember that night vividly, as if it was just yesterday. The moon was high in the sky, casting an eerie glow over the forest. I had been tracking Amara's parents for weeks, waiting for the perfect opportunity to strike. They were powerful Lycans, but they were no match for my cunning and stealth.

I hovered over the bank that looked downward over The Silver Crescent Pack. I attacked them in their sleep, catching them off guard. Their screams echoed through the forest, but I paid them no mind. I was a predator, and they were my prey. I fought with all my strength, my claws and teeth tearing through their flesh. It was a brutal fight, but I emerged victorious.

As I stood over their lifeless bodies, I could feel the adrenaline coursing through my veins. But my mission was not yet complete. I needed to capture their children, to use them as leverage against their pack.

I tracked Amara and her siblings for days, using all my skills to stay hidden from their senses. Finally, I caught up with them, and I remember the fear in their eyes as I approached. They were just children, innocent and naive, and yet I had no mercy. I attacked them, one by one, capturing them and bringing them back to my pack's territory. Then I decided it was best to split them up, so I had my Beta take Amara's siblings to a nearby pack that was allied to me, The Red Moon Pack.

Amara was the eldest, and the most valuable. She was Alpha Bo's heir. None of her siblings shared multiple elemental abilities bestowed to them as she did. Although, each sibling was still valuable as they all had abilities. Amara had a fire in her eyes that I knew could be useful. I trained her to be a fighter, to be strong and resilient. She was mine to control, and I am going to use her as a weapon against her own kind.

I felt a sense of satisfaction wash over me, knowing that I had succeeded where others had failed. I was a powerful and cunning leader, and nothing could stand in my way.

I huff and shake my head continuing my trek in the forest. As I walked further along, my mind began to wander once more. I couldn't help but think about the lessons my mother had taught me, about the true meaning of strength and leadership. I had always believed that power came from control and domination, but now I realized that it came from something else entirely.

I had to let go of my desire for control and accept that Amara was her own person, with her own thoughts and desires. I couldn't force her to do anything she didn't want to do, and I couldn't let my desire for power and control cloud my judgment.

"I've been going about this all wrong," I say aloud to myself.

I utilized my telepathic connection to my trusted Beta, Adam, and requested that he promptly escort Amara to her quarters. Meanwhile, I was eager to commence reviewing the extensive and meticulous plans I had been concocting for months with The Lycan King, Adrik, under the guise of "business". The reality, however, was that these schemes were all a pretext to seize the throne and reign over this territory, which was rightfully mine. I refused to succumb to Adrik, a petulant and entitled brat who had done nothing to deserve the throne, besides being born into it based on hierarchy. I decided to head back to the packhouse and get some rest, tomorrow I will see what Amara is capable of pulling off for this event.

The next morning, I yanked open the door to Amara's quarters, still seething with anger from the previous night.

"Get up," I said, grabbing her by the arm, pulling her up."There's work to be done."

I practically dragged her down the corridors of the packhouse until we reached the event hall. Suddenly, I turn to her getting uncomfortably close as I began to speak.

"As you are aware, I have been conducting business with the Lycan King over the recent months. Tonight he will be here and you're to decorate this place fit for a King's arrival," I snarled, getting in her face.

"Make sure the meals are perfect. If you fail, my sweet, I will inflict pain upon you in ways that you can only fathom," I finished glaring at her with a sadistic grin that slowly crept upon my face.

Amara nodded, her eyes downcast. "Yes, Alpha. I'll start right away."

"Don't mess this up, Amara," I warned again, my voice dripping with venom. "Or there will be consequences."

As I walked away, I thought about the events of the previous night and how they had all gone wrong. "It's all her fault," I muttered to myself. "If she had just done what I asked, none of this would have happened."

As the day wore on, I checked in on Amara periodically, making sure everything was going smoothly. To my surprise she was doing an excellent job, however, I wasn't about to praise her just yet. I purposely found something wrong and berated her for it. "This is unacceptable," I growled, as I spotted a crooked tablecloth. "I told you it had to be perfect."

Amara flinched at my tone, but didn't argue. She simply fixed the mistake and moved on to the next task. As the day progressed, the tension in the air grew thicker, and I could feel my anger building. "I'll show them all," I thought to myself. "I'll prove that I'm the best leader this pack has ever had."

Finally, the evening arrived, and the pack began to arrive at the event hall. They all looked around in awe at the decorations and the lavish spread of food. I smirked, knowing that I had pulled off the perfect event.

As the Luna and I welcomed the arrival of Adrik and his loyal followers, a sense of unease washed over me, as if he could peer through the façade I had carefully constructed. Despite this, I maintained a composed demeanor and plastered on a gracious smile as I led them into the grand hall. The atmosphere was tense as the two packs sized each other up, with each member's loyalties lying solely with their leader. I could sense the tension mounting as the two factions exchanged cold pleasantries, concealing the underlying animosity that lay just beneath the surface.

As servants bustled around, expertly guiding the guests to their seats, I took a moment to survey the grand hall. Every detail had been meticulously planned, from the elegant floral arrangements to the flickering candlelight that bathed the room in a warm glow. I felt a sense of satisfaction wash over me as I saw the fruits of my labor come to life. My eyes then fell upon Amara, who stood at the edge of the room, her eyes darting nervously around the space. Despite my reservations about her, I couldn't help but be impressed by her handiwork. I strode over to her, my footsteps echoing off the marble floors, and laid a hand on her shoulder.

"You've really outdone yourself tonight, Amara," I said, a rare note of praise in my voice.

"But don't think this is the end of it. The rest of the evening better go to perfection," I added, as I couldn't just praise her and let her think she should slack now.

My eyes bore into Amara as she swallowed hard, a flicker of fear in her gaze, as she absorbed the weight of my orders. Despite her evident trepidation, she nodded in acquiescence, knowing that failure was not an option. I watched as she stepped back, her gaze darting around the room, her every move radiating with precision and purpose. With a deep breath, I turned on my heel, ready to engage with my guests, plastering a charming smile on my lips as I mingled with the crowd.

As I made my way around the room, entertaining my guests, I noticed Amara spill water on one of the pack members. I watched as she tried to clean it up and apologize, but something inside of me triggered, and I became irate. I couldn't believe it. How dare she ruin this event! I stalked over to her, my anger evident as I gripped the collar of her dress tightly, causing her to cower in fear.

"How dare you embarrass me in front of my guests!" I seethed, my face inches from hers.

"I-I'm sorry, Alpha. It was an accident," she stammered.

"It's always an accident with you!" I spat back, my grip tightening.

I prepared to take action, however, Adrik swiftly intervened, seizing me by the arms and forcing me backwards. I heard him bellow out the words, "MATE, MINE!"

As I stumbled backwards and collided with a nearby table, sending it crashing to the ground in a cacophony of shattered china and glass. My temper flared and my eyes blazed with fury at the audacity of Adrik to undermine my authority in front of my own pack. Then to further address that my special prized slave was his mate no less! I sprang to my feet, my muscles coiled with tension as I glared at Amara. Without hesitation, I reached out and seized her arm, my grip tightening like a vise.

"That's enough, Dominic! What do you think you are doing?!" Adrik boomed loudly.

I turned to face Adrik, my expression twisted in anger."This is none of your concern, Adrik. You're a guest here, and you have no right to interfere, and who are you to dictate how I run my pack?"

"I am the Lycan King, and your actions reflect on all of us," Adrik responded firmly. "Furthermore, I will not tolerate mistreatment of my mate," he said, indicating towards Amara.

"Every pack member is my concern, including your slaves," Arik replied, his eyes locked on mine. "Release her. NOW!"

I noticed the King's beta and gamma inch closer flanking Amara on either side. My jaw clenched but I sigh lowering my head as I feel Adrik's aura and dominance take its toll on me. I begin to speak only to be silenced once more. But now to endure further chastisement which enrages me further. I struggle to listen.

Raising his hand to silence me, he took a step forward, his gaze locked onto mine.

"I am not interested in your flattery or empty promises, Dominic," he stated firmly, his tone leaving no room for argument.

"What I am interested in, is the welfare of both my pack, all surrounding packs in my region, and the safety of my mate. You will not lay a hand on her again, or any member of this pack for that matter."

"Your ignorance is not an excuse for your actions," he stated firmly, his eyes never leaving mine. "Remember that my pack and I are watching closely. We will be taking our leave now," he announced, his tone indicating that the conversation was over.

He watched as my face twisted in anger, clearly I'm not used to being talked to in such a way. However, he stood his ground, refusing to back down. The room was silent, every pair of eyes on us as we locked horns.

I attemped to storm off, Isabella stepped in stopping me, as she then turned to Adrik with a fierce glare, her eyes narrowed and her jaw clenched tightly. The intensity of her emotions was palpable, and I could feel the heat radiating off of her body as she approached him. The king stood his ground, meeting her gaze with a calm and steady expression, even as his wolf growled low in warning. Her anger was clear, and he could tell that she didn't approve of Adrik's actions. But he was resolute in his decision to protect his pack and my mate, my slave, MY PRIZE, and he refused to back down. As she stood before him, I knew he could feel the tension in the air, like a coiled spring ready to snap at any moment.

"I apologize for my husband's behavior, King Adrik," she said, her voice shaking with anger. "He does not always see reason."

As my wife spoke this my jaw tensed even more.

"Your apology is noted, Luna Isabella," he replied, his voice calm but firm. "But I will not let this go unaddressed."

As the packhouse emptied out, I was left alone to contemplate my next move. My mind was a flurry of conflicting emotions, and I knew that I needed to clear my head. With a deep breath, I made my way towards the forest, hoping that the calm and quiet of nature would bring me some clarity.

The crunching of leaves beneath my feet echoed through the silent forest as I ran, allowing the sound to soothe my restless mind. The trees towered above me, their branches reaching towards the sky, and I felt small and insignificant in comparison. Yet, I knew that I was the Alpha of this pack, and it was my duty to protect them and ensure their prosperity.

Hours later, as the sun began to set, I returned to the packhouse. My Beta, Adam, approached me, concern etched on his face. I appreciated his loyalty, but I knew that I needed to face the truth. "Alpha? Are you alright?"

"I'm not alright," I confessed. "But I can't let Adrik take what is mine. I need to find a way to get her back."

Adam placed a hand on my shoulder. "You need to let her go, Dominic. She's not yours to control. She's her own person, with her own thoughts and desires. You need to accept that and move on."

His words stung, but I knew that he was right. I needed to accept that there was more to being a leader than control and dominance. As I mulled over his words, a new thought came to me. Manipulation. It was a tool I had yet to fully utilize.

"I need to speak with the pack warriors," I said. "Meet me in the clearing."

Adam nodded, though I could see the doubt in his eyes. I had never been one to play politics or manipulate situations, but it was time for a new approach. If Adrik wanted a war, then a war he would get. It was time to show him what true strength and leadership looked like.

The air was thick with tension as I addressed my pack warriors. My voice was measured, yet filled with an obvious anger as I spoke of the loss we had just endured. The warriors, sensing my fury, growled and howled in agreement. I knew that they were ready to fight for our cause, to prove to the world that we were not to be underestimated.

As I gave my orders, I could see the fire in their eyes. They would do whatever it took to bring Amara back to us, to teach King Adrik a lesson he would never forget. I couldn't help but feel a dark satisfaction at the thought of Amara's siblings being used against her. It was a cruel tactic, but necessary. The Red Moon Pack had brainwashed them, and it was time for us to show them the truth.

I issued my final command to the pack, urging them to train hard and prepare for the battle to come. They dispersed, their determination palpable in the air. I was left standing alone, my mind buzzing with plans and strategies.

But even as I plotted my revenge, I couldn't shake the feeling of doubt that lingered in my heart. Was I truly doing the right thing? Was it worth risking the lives of so many for the sake of one woman? As I pondered these questions, I felt a heavy weight settle on my shoulders.

I knew that I had to push these doubts aside, to focus on the task at hand. For better or for worse, I was the Alpha of The Black Moon Pack, and it was my duty to lead them to victory. Adrik's crown and Amara, my prized weapon, would be mine, or I would die trying.