Mateless Alpha

Chapter Three

Third Person's POV

"Alpha, please, I did not do it, please spare my life!"

The desperate plea echoed through the chamber, the terrified voice of the man who was kneeling on the cold terrazzo floor ringing with fear. His eyes pleaded for mercy, his very life hanging on a thin thread.

In a swift and merciless motion, Adonis's hand shot out, grasping the hilt of his sword. With a single fluid movement, he brought the blade down,cutting the man's head from his shoulders. The head tumbled to the ground, rolling across the floor like a discarded toy, a gruesome spectacle that sent shivers down the spines of all who were present.

Gasps filled the room as the blood from the severed neck sprayed out in a crimson arc, painting the floor. As the lifeless body slumped to the ground, a chilling silence engulfed them, broken only by the soft sound of blood dripping from the blade of Adonis's sword.

He took to ruling the pack when his father died a year ago, yet the title of Alpha was beyond his grasp. The reason lay not in his lack of prowess or strength, but rather in his steadfast refusal to take a Luna. Women in this pack are considered important, especially when it comes to ruling. She is seen as the helper and advisor and a man's ability to care for and protect his wife is seen as a reflection of his capability to lead the pack. Hence, without a bride, they could not crown him as their leader. He acclaimed that position himself and has since been ruling with iron hands. He puts curfews on them and has forbidden them from mating.

"Next!!

He roared. The command sliced through the air, a sharp edge of authority that brooked no delay. Adonis, a figure of commanding presence, sat on his throne, his posture rigid with expectation. Around him, the pack members shook uneasily, their gazes flickering with fear and deference. An old woman was ushered into the dimly lit throne room, her steps slow and steady. Walking behind the woman was a young woman who, despite the fact that she was scared of the Alpha, had an angry countenance.

"What is her offense?" He pointed at the old lady, his eyes fixed on her trembling figure. The young lady was urged to talk and it took her a while to open her mouth, her attention on the dead body of the man who had just been killed. Summoned to speak, the young lady's lips trembled as she struggled to find her voice. Her eyes flickered nervously between the Alpha and the grisly scene before them, her fear clear in the charged atmosphere of the throne room.

"Young lady, are you ready to talk or are you ready to die for wasting our time?" The Beta asked, a stern reminder of the consequences of disobedience. He stood at the Alpha's side and was the same Beta of Alpha Maximus, Adonis' father.

With a deep breath, the young lady steadied herself, her eyes hardening like steel beneath her fear. Though her heart pounded with fear, she knew that silence could mean death, and she dared not squander this opportunity to speak.

"S-s-sorry. T-this woman is my mother........" she started with a startled tone. "And she has killed my husband with her magic."

"Magic ? I thought my father banned magic! Take her to the dungeon!" She is to remain there until she dies." Adonis bellowed, his brow furrowed in disbelief at the mention of forbidden sorcery. Without a moment's hesitation, he issued his decree, condemning the accused to a fate of imprisonment until her dying breath.

The old lady couldn't defend herself and even if she could, she was not given the chance. She was dragged away with tears. Her daughter seemed indifferent as her mother was being treated in such a manner.

"Next!"

"Sir, that is all for today," the Beta informed as he stepped forward from his position beside the throne. Without warning, Adonis stood up from the throne and stormed out of the room. In the comfort of his room, he collapsed into a nearby chair, his breaths coming in ragged gasps as he attempted to steady his racing thoughts. The weight of his decisions bore down upon him like a crushing burden, his actions weighing heavily on his conscience.

What he had just done had been no easy task. The judgments he had passed, the lives he had altered, it all gnawed at him with an intensity he could scarcely bear. Despite the facade of strength he projected to the outside world, inwardly he wrestled with doubt and uncertainty.His subjects might not believe it, but he hates the style of his ruling, yet there was nothing he could do to change it.

"No, this is the right way, Adonis. You are doing just great. You can't be unhappy for them to be happy," he murmured to himself, his words a feeble attempt to reassure his troubled mind.

Ever since the tragic loss of his mate, Adonis had wandered through life like a ghost, haunted by memories of what once was. The happiness that had once colored his world had faded into distant echoes, replaced by a profound sense of emptiness that seemed to stretch on endlessly. He was told she died shortly after the incident with his mother. He was later brainwashed that she committed suicide and because of that, her mother decided to leave Visiondale forever. His mother forbade everyone from talking about it and soon, it was an issue of the past. To Adonis, it wasn't. He still bleeds when he allows himself to dwell on the memories, the pain of loss a constant ache that refused to fade and since the bond between them has been broken, he has become weak and he tries to hide that weakness behind wickedness. He has built a thick wall around his heart and if ever he looks at a woman, it's because he wants her in his bed and not in his life.

A knock sounded on his door, forcing a deep groan to escape from his lips as he got out of his chair and moved to stand by a window.

"Come in!"

The wooden door creaked open, revealing Eugenia, one of his concubines, as she sauntered into the room with a seductive sway of her hips.

"You called for me, Alpha?" she purred with a coy smile, her voice dripping with honeyed sweetness. She was clad in a see-through satin off-shoulder dress, its fabric delicately tracing the curves of her body, revealing more than it concealed. Intentionally, she pushed the sleeves down so that a major part of her breast would be exposed.

"I don't recall that!"

"Oh, really?" her tone was laced with playful innocence as she advanced further into the room, a smile still playing at her lips. "Beta André said you needed me."

"I said I don't recall asking for you." He seethed with his back still facing her. He looked through his window from where he could see almost his entire kingdom. His attention was fixed on the kingdom stretched out before him, a silent reminder of his responsibilities.

"Okay, no problem, Alpha," Eugenia cooed, undeterred by his rejection as she continued to advance towards him. "Since I am already here, how about I make you feel good? Besides, you seem to be in a sour mood. What is bothering my king?"

She moved gracefully across the room, her steps calculated until she was standing behind him.

With practiced ease, she began to knead his tense shoulders, giving him a massage, her touch gentle yet insistent.

Adonis felt the tension in his muscles begin to melt away as her touch worked its magic and had almost given in to her seduction, but a sudden realization snapped him back to reality. Immediately, he pushed her hands away.

"I want to be alone!" With the tone he spoke with, she knew better than to persist.

Ishtar's POV

We have survived two days of Ryan being in his new school without any problems. The fees of this school was more than that of his previous school. That didn't really matter. What matters is that he is well looked after and the credibility of the school is quite high. It gives my baby more security and the kids there behave like kids.

Grateful that I have been able to solve his educational problem, I got comfortable with work, making last-minute changes for a client whose wedding would come off over the weekend. I am supposed to meet her in about thirty minutes and I think I should get going now.

I put my laptop to sleep and carefully stowed it in its bag. Along with my phone and purse, I made my way across the office and headed out the door, arriving at my PA's desk.

"Paula, when Mavis arrives, please inform her to fetch the bouquet. I've already instructed her on the required color. Also, ensure the caterers have the correct orders. I'll be meeting with Mrs. Rodriguez first, then with the decorators."

"Okay ma.........." Paula's sentence was cut short by the ringing telephone on her desk. I continued past her, catching a snippet of her introducing herself to the caller.

"Ms. White? She is.............."

"Wait, ma'am! The call is for you. It's Ryan's new principal."

Oh my, what does she want? I sighed, retracing my steps to retrieve the phone from Paula. I could have instructed Paula to inform her that I wasn't available, but Paula shouting my name ruined that plan.

"Hello, Mrs. Alvarez."

"Ms. White, can I see you in my office now?" Her tone was far from friendly.

"Now? Like, right now? Is my son alright?"

"Yes, Ms. White, right now," she answered, brushing off my second question.

"Okay, I'll be there..."

The call abruptly ended, rudely snapping me out of my thoughts. What on earth is wrong with this woman? Instead of feeling angry, I found myself more anxious. If she's acting like this, something serious must have happened because in the two days Ryan has been at her school, she hasn't shown this kind of behavior before.

I was silent for a moment, the phone still pressed to my ear. It was Paula's concerned voice that brought me back to the present.

"Ma'am, are you alright?"

"Call Mrs. Rodriguez and let her know I'll be a bit late. Something's happened at Ryan's school, and I need to go there immediately."