Royal Outcast

Chapter 13

Liviana’s POV

{Flashback to yesterday…}

“Your majesty! Your majesty!”

“Aunt Livi!”

“Ugh!” I groaned as I stopped training my powers as Dillon’s voice continued to echo in our link.

“What is it, Dillon? This better be good” I said impatiently.

“It’s Lucas” he immediately replied. I froze for a second at the mention of my son’s name.

“What about Lucas?” I asked.

“He… uh… how do I say this?”

My brows furrowed.

“By using your words that’s how” I told him.

“Ehh... you see… Lucas might have caused a bit of trouble...”

I frowned as I massaged my temple.

“Again?” I said in disbelief.

“Yes, but he has a pretty valid reason now… I think”

I raised a brow at that.

“A valid reason?” I asked both curious and doubtful.

“Yes”

“And what reason might that be?” I asked as I crossed my arms in front of my chest as if Dillon could see me. He could not in fact see me.

“Well, Lucas has found his mate and it seems she is not very fond of him… so he may or may not have caused her to faint for whatever reason”

I stood still at the news. My son has found his mate.

“He has found her where?” I asked.

“Here in the orphanage we’re currently visiting”

“And?”

“Well, as per Lucas, when she saw him, she looked rather confused and even scared. He said she even stepped back when he tried to go near her and before he could reach her, she suddenly just fainted. Now, Lucas is extremely upset and displeased at what happened”

My brows furrowed again. That’s a bit…

“And the girl? How is she?” I asked feeling more worried about my son’s supposed mate more than him.

“She’s still unconscious in the orphanage’s clinic”

I pursed my lips.

“And Lucas?” I asked.

“He’s… letting off steam. He stepped out a while ago with a pair of guards. They went to on a… run in the nearby forest that’s surrounding the orphanage”

I sighed as I massaged the bridge of my nose from stress.

“Do not leave Lucas alone with the girl. You and I both know how his wolf acts out when distressed in foreign lands” I reminded.

“I understand, aunty”

“Update me from time to time, Dillon. If you can, ask about the girl as well and report to me” I said.

“Yes, your majesty”

I heaved a deep sigh.

“Thank you, Dillon” I said.

“Always, your majesty. I should get going now as well as I have just been informed that his highness is almost back”

I nodded.

“Go and… good luck” I said.

“Thank you, your majesty.

Then, the link was cut.

I looked up at the sky. So… he has finally found her. His true mate.

I am not too sure whether I’m glad or not but considering how Dillon described their first interaction, it doesn’t seem very… ideal.

Not that every first meeting should be ideal. Even my first time seeing my own mate wasn’t very… preferable.

I had resisted him for a long time before giving in but the way I have comprehended Dillon’s report, it seems their case is different.

She seemed scared of Lucas? To the point that she literally fainted?

I had ran away from my mate upon meeting him too but it was not because I was afraid of him. I simply did not want to meet him because I had very different priorities back then. Fear shouldn’t even be a thing you’d feel when meeting your soulmate. Nervous, I can accept but fear?

I wonder why she felt that way.

Or maybe it’s a matter of what did she see to make her feel the way she did?

{ End of Flashback…. }

After that, Dillon kept me updated all throughout their visit.

So yes, I knew of how my son treated his mate so carelessly.

But that conversation shall be between him and I on another time.

As we started eating, I turned to talk to Seri, my son’s mate and I immediately noticed her looking down while scooping out a spoonful of food.

I was just about to get her attention when she… wiped her eye.

I glanced at Lucas who was eating his food with a sulking face as I had warned him not to make deal out of our servers helping his mate.

He was too possessive, and it was annoying and inappropriate considering how well behaved his mate was.

Lucas looked up at me with a “What?” look on his face.

I squinted my eyes at him in displeasure.

I already knew why Seri was crying over what’s supposed to be a nice dinner.

This poor girl must dearly miss her family in the orphanage she was basically forced to leave. Of course, she’s not feeling good.

If I had been in her place and my ‘mate’ did that to me, I would have had his neck because how dare he or anyone try to even drag me away from my loved ones in their own terms without considering how I would feel.

But then again, I had grew up in a pack where I knew I had complete control over. Of course, I had worked hard for that power and authority but I also had an outstanding support system by my side then.

While this poor young woman has…

I sighed.

I glanced at Seri again and she was now eating her food silently.

I cleared my throat as I smiled softly before turning to Seri again.

“Seri, dear” I called her softly.

“Yes, your majesty?” she replied attentively and politely.

“Do you mind if I ask you a few questions? I would love to know more about you since you will be staying with us” I said with a gentle tone.

Seri seemed hesitant as she gulped but she slowly nodded.

“If my questions are too personal for you, you don’t have to answer them. I simply want to know a bit about you, so we are not completely clueless” I explained. Seri nodded.

“I understand, your majesty” she replied, and I gave her a small reassuring smile.

“Hmm…” I hummed as I thought of questions to ask her.

“Do you have any hobbies, Seri?” I asked first.

Seri seemed a bit surprised with the question. Maybe she thought I’d question her about her past.

I believe that conversation should be initiated by her. All I want to know right now are things that I could possibly provide for her comfort during the duration of her stay her with my family and my people.

Seri nodded.

“Yes, I do, your majesty” she answered. I smiled.

“What might this be if you don’t mind me asking?” I said. Seri shyly pursed her lips before answering.

“I like to play musical instruments. Listen to music. Create music” she stated shyly.

“Oooh. That’s so nice, dear. None of us in the family has even a little bit of musical talent. Finally, we have an artist among us” I cooed. Seri immediately blushed.

“I’m not good enough to be called an artist, your majesty” she said tucking a piece of her behind her ear as she blushed.

“Oh I’m sure that’s not the case” I said with an encouraging smile.

“We currently don’t have any musical instruments in the palace. I think that might have to change. Don’t you think so too, Lucas?” I suggested as I turned to my son who seemed to be quietly listening to our conversation.

Lucas stopped midway into shoving a spoonful of food into his mouth before clearing his throat and looking at his mate.

“What instruments do you wish to have? I’ll have someone pick out a few” he said.

Seri immediately shook her head and her hands as she turned redder.

“Oh no I don’t believe that’s necessary. I already have my ukulele with me. That’s really all I need” she said.

“Having other options are good too. There’s not much to do around here, you see. Unless you’re fond of training with the other wolves” I told her. Seri stopped as she seemed to be processing what I just said.

“Training?” she said. I nodded.

“Yes, dear. Swordsmanship, combat of all sorts. Is that something you’re interested with?” I asked her. Seri pursed her lips.

“That wouldn’t be necessary, mom” Lucas butt in. I looked at him with a raised brow.

“That’s not your choice to make, sweetie” I said with a hint of annoyance in my tone. Lucas frowned as he looked at his mate.

I turned my attention back to Seri and she was looking at Lucas with a nervous look on her face.

“Seri, darling” I caught her attention again.

“Don’t mind Lucas, Seri. Whatever it is that you wish to do or learn here, you have my blessing as long as it is of good intent” I said. Seri slightly smiled and I gave her a reassuring smile back.

“Thank you, your majesty” she thanked me.

We continued eating and I asked Seri a few more questions regarding her interests.

As I continued conversing with her, it quickly came to mind how polar opposites Seri and Lucas were. Like complete opposites.

While this young was so soft spoken and polite, my son had a sharp tongue whose words could easily cut into anyone.

Seri looked like a gentle and harmless orange cat and…

I looked at my son. He gave me a “What now, mom?” look. I slightly frowned and shook my head in disbelief.

My son looked like a feral hound with his rugged look accompanied by a constant frown on his face.

Among him, his dad and his brother, Lucas had become the most aloof one.

Though that really wasn’t the case before.

Before that incident happened. It completely changed Lucas, and I don’t blame him. Not one bit.

But I don’t necessarily support the person he came to be after what he went through.

Then, at the same time, I understand that he did what he felt he needed to do to… survive.

I sighed.

“Are you okay, your majesty?” Seri suddenly asked me.

She must have caught me sighing.

“Oh! I’m fine, darling. Thank you for asking” I said.

We finished eating and chatting after some time and I knew I had to talk to Lucas about what happened back in the orphanage.

For starters, I wanted to hear his side of the story and go from there.

“Seri, dear, you wouldn’t mind if I borrow Lucas for a bit, won’t you? Dillon and the maids will accompany you back to your room and if you ever need anything, just let them know” I said to Seri.

Seri glanced at Lucas for a moment and then looked at me as she lowered her head.

“Of course. Thank you, your majesty. It was a pleasure to have had joined you for a lovely dinner” she politely said, and I smiled as I reached out and gave her a gentle pat on the head.

What a lovely child she was.

Seri blushed and smiled shyly.

Then, I turned to Lucas, and I motioned for him to follow me which he did since he didn’t really have much of a choice. He knew better than anyone that we were bound to have this conversation one way or another.

We quietly walked through the hallways and into my office. Lucas closed the door behind him and I walked to my table before turning to face my son before leaning on the edge of the table and crossing my arms.

“So… care to tell me what happened?” I started as Lucas walked to a couch and sat down.

“Didn’t Dillon already tell you everything?” he replied. I slightly rolled my eyes.

“I want to know what happened from your perspective” I said. Lucas sighed.

“Look, mom. I was just as surprised as you were to have suddenly found my supposed mate in the middle of basically nowhere” he stated.

“Finding your mate is one thing. Blackmailing her and harassing her to come with you is another. I’m pretty sure that’s one of the things I focused teaching you guys not to do” I told him.

Lucas sighed.

“I know that I might have… overreacted” he said as he avoided my gaze.

“Overreacted is an understatement, Lucas. You laid your hands on her to a point where you hurt her. You were out of control. Your wolf was out of control. Again” I stated and I watched as his jaw clench but didn’t say anything.

“How long has it been since the last time you lost control of Idris?” I asked him.

Idris was his wolf. He’s an even bigger headache that Lucas himself.

“I don’t know” Lucas answered with a defensive tone.

“Not long ago. Literally last week. Remember how you almost killed one of the guards from another prestigious pack because he happened to mention a literal flower which also happened to be a name you dislike so much?” I said with a raised brow.

Lucas frowned as he looked away with a guilty look. I sighed.

“I get it, sweetie. You have ‘triggers’ but you have to do better in trying to get a hold on your wolf. We should be the one controlling our wolves and not the other way around” I reminded him.

Lucas clenched his jaw as he looked down.

“I understand” he said.

I stared at him for a moment before sighing.

“Seri seems like a fine young woman. I can immediately tell from our conversation over dinner that I like her” I told him and he looked up at me.

“She’s okay” he said.

I rolled my eyes.

“I understand she’s not the type of she-wolf you’re usually into. But you and I both know that your personal preferences aren’t always very… preferable” I said.

“We have completely different interests” he told me.

“And I wasn’t interested at all with your dad back then either. If anything, I wanted your dad to leave me the fck alone. Many years and 3 kids later, I’d say we’re doing better than okay” I said and Lucas slightly chuckled.

“The thing is, you guys were chosen to be mates for a reason so treat Seri well because you don’t want to regret not doing so” I said.

“Don’t let what happened in the past be the reason why you mistreat your mate. Seri wasn’t the one who hurt you, Lucas. She wasn’t the one who betrayed you so don’t treat her like sht” I told him.

Lucas clenched his fists before heaving a deep sigh.

“I’ll… try my best” he muttered as he looked at me.

“You better. It’s bad enough that you took that poor young she-wolf away from the only family she has. Seri deserves better” I reminded him.

Lucas became silent and I walked up to him and gave him a pat on the back.

“Get it together, sweetie. You’ve only got one true mate in this lifetime. Don’t give her any more reason to not want to be with you” I said before leaving him alone in my office.

Now, I just watch.