THE SIGMA'S MATE

CHAPTER 9 - POLITICS

We slip from the ceremony venue with multiple eyes trailing after us in curiosity. Belavina seals the door behind us as we enter into a private reception room. The guests and music are almost completely closed out with only the faintest of sounds leaking through into the thick silence of this room. Lazarus appears agitated, fussing with his blazer and running a hand through his golden locks. I'm the only child from the royal family that looked like my late father. Both Callan and Lazarus inherited their looks from our mother. Sometimes, in moments of reminiscing, I find myself staring teary-eyed at her life-like portrait in the palace's museum and it's as if I am looking at the female version of my brothers. Of course, they have their differences. For one, mother is forever smiling in her portraits, frozen in time, while Lazarus is always frowning in displeasure or just blazing mad. Like right now for instance. I hadn't been thinking of how he would react when I cast the Pearl family from the luxuries of court and now I wonder why he even cares. Belavina takes a seat on one of the bright red chairs, looking obviously annoyed with the whole situation and I can hardly blame the poor girl. It's taking time away from their celebration - from their special day.

"Is there a problem, Laz?" I ask politely, folding my hands delicately in front of me.

Lazarus huffs out a harsh laugh, "Is there a problem?" He shakes his head as if he cannot believe the words coming from my lips, "What is going on with you?" He questions.

I frown, pouting my plump, bottom lip slightly, "I don't understand why you are so upset?" I ask innocently and I don't miss Belavina narrowing identical coloured eyes to Alaric as if she can see through the entire act.

"You have done far worse to far higher up nobles than the Pearl's and yet you are acting as if I have made such a great error." I scold gently, not wanting to poke the beast more than necessary.

Lazarus raises a brow, "What did the Pearl's do to deserve that kind of punishment?" He demands.

I shrug my slight shoulders casually, "Well, I actually promised her death, but it turns out that I am not as ruthless as I would like to be."

Lazarus and Belavina exchange a look of concern. Concern! It annoys me greatly. What do they have to be concerned about? Lazarus turns his scrutinizing gaze to meet mine again. A gaze that no doubt has sent shivers down others spines, freezing whole bodies in place but his hard stares hardly bother me. I am in no danger of being beaten or killed by my last living brother. Still, I greatly dislike how he is looking at me as if I am the problem here.

"Why Lyra?" He demands in a snappy tone.

"Because their family has betrayed us, Laz and not just their family." I laugh despite myself at their shocked faces, "The Sigma has far more connections within our court than you could ever imagine." I tell him with a sweet smile.

Belavina presses her fingers to her forehead as if trying to prevent a major headache. "Oh goodness." She mutters.

Lazarus stalks forward, his eyes searching mine. His tone changes to one of confusion, "How do you know?"

I turn my back on him, waving his question away, "You have your secrets and I have mine." I tell him as I make my way to the doors that will lead me back to the crowded hall, "Don't embarrass me like that again. Next time, find out what's happening before you try to challenge my authority so openly."

His words make me pause. They sound strained, perhaps hinting at some hurt feelings. "You should have come to me. Confided in me."

I turn back to consider him. He stands in the cosy, well-lit room with his shoulders slightly hunched and a crease on his forehead. He is my beloved brother. The last one I have left in this lifetime. My heart softens. My brothers raised me from a young child despite their own inexperience and their advisors telling them to just leave me to the nannies. They were active in my development, always attentive to my needs. In the past, I would have turned to him without hesitation. But things have changed. Lazarus has changed, and the older I grow in this world of politics and games, I find myself learning that to rely on someone fully is like dancing with death.

I reach a small hand out to open the door, a bitter taste in my mouth as I reluctantly turn back to look over my shoulder one last time, "When have you ever responded in kind? I am not a child anymore. I know that you meet with your special warriors and advisors behind my back, making decisions for the crown and changing our lives without even a single word to me.” The words sound empty, deprived of emotions, “I do not owe you anything."

I walk away with a heavy heart and a lump in my throat, leaving the heavy wooden door to click back into place as I return to the venue decorated to look like another world. A beautiful world of blossoming flowers and clear trickling streams. I glide over the clear glass and white marble floors to one of the refreshment tables constantly manned by multiple servants. A chocolate treat catches my eye and I greedily pop it into my mouth. The rich milky texture has my taste buds humming in delite, improving my rotten mood immediately, so I take another two and a glass of dry red wine from the enthusiastic waitress.

"That was quite a show. A disgraced noble family and an enraged princess." A deep voice sneers near my back, startling me.

I quickly calm my nerves with a smug smile. I knew the moment I saw his face earlier that he wouldn't be able to help himself. I could have bet my position as Princess that I wouldn’t have to find him, he would find me. I didn't have to wait long. I strain from turning around despite everything inside of me just wanting to lay eyes on him. My wolf growls as I ignore her.

"We all know that everybody likes a show." I say coyly, more cherrifully than the situation calls for.

"How considerate of you."

I swirl around, my dress swirling along with me to look up into the face of the only man who has ever made my heart jump, skip and turl. Handsome is too plain a word for such a fine face. He is breathtaking. His unusual dark auburn hair, full redish lips and intense hazel-honey eyes makes the thought of autumn months come to mind. His demeanor is cold and forbiddening, but the warmth behind that stone wall promises nights of pleasure and wonders that my innocent mind can only imagine. I just need to break through, show him that I am worth the risks he'd rather not take.

"Don't look so stern Ric," I complain, turning my back on him with difficulty and continuing down the long table displaying treats and eatables. "I've had enough people scolding me with their eyes this day."

He follows to my great surprise, one step behind, "I didn't peg you as so malicious."

There's a calmness about him that is unsettling. It gives the impression that he always has everything under control. I pop a morsel of a milk tart into my mouth, making him wait for my response. He is not as impatient as my brother and stands in silence watching my mouth work. I swallow hard.

"That's because you think that you have me all figured out." I giggle behind my hand, "You think you already know me just like the rest of them."

"You are not as complex as you believe yourself to be." He taunts mockingly.

I take his insult on the chin. Bickering with him will not get me closer to where I want to be. He can say whatever he wants, but I've already won this day.

"There is no need to be nasty Ric." I reprimand and he lifts a brow at the use of my new nickname for him. "I know you didn't bother to grace me with your presence simply to throw insults at my personality." I watch him closely, lavishing my eyes on his beauty, a beauty that should belong to me. "So why don't we discuss why you are taking up my time."

"I think you know very well why I am here." He answers the question vaguely.

I grin, "Yes actually I do. It was a clever plan really and it did serve its purpose well." I search his lovely face, with all the desire I wish I could hide from his knowing gaze.

I sense that I make him uncomfortable. I know that I obviously feel more than he must because I could never turn away from this as easily as he has.

"You made a mistake." I say simply.

"You made your point with the Pearl's. You wanted to find me and so here I am." He sneers angrily as if it is a sacrifice that he is being forced to make.

It stings the edges of my heart just a little. That's exactly what he wants to do - hurt my feelings, crush the emotions I have raging inside of my soul for him. But that seems like an impossibility. He is all I think of nowadays. Everything I do seems like a shadowy dream until he arrives. It's as if he opens the curtains and lets the light in. Suddenly everything is brighter, my senses are sharper and all of my emotions are so much more intense. It's addictive.

I laugh breathlessly, "The Pearl's were only the start." I confess.

He steps dangerous close, towering over me imposingly. My eyes widen at his daring move, my heart jumping with his proximity. “I'll warn you once princess. You do not have enough power in this world to take me head on. Don’t make an enemy of me."

I shiver under his intense gaze, “I’m not scared of you.”

“That would be your first mistake.” He mutters, close to my face.

I could reach up and touch him if I really wanted to. I glance around, worried that someone might be watching a little too closely. Alaric wants to intimidate me with those threatening words but all he accomplishes is lighting my blood on fire.

"Not everything is about you Alaric." I say sternly into the small space between us. “I have different plans for your followers.”

His eyes darken. He is about to respond when something catches his attention over my shoulder. I turn my dark head to see what or who it might be… the scarred Alpha Paul is almost upon us. Alaric is already gone when I look for him again. I hide my disappointment at his sudden adsense, my wolf whining bitterly.

"Princess Lyra." Alpha Paul calls, approaching me with a beverage in his hand. He offers the glass filled with a smooth golden liquid to me and I accept, placing my empty wine glass on a table nearby.

"How thoughtful of you, Lord Paul." I comment with a smile.

The one thing I truly envy about Lady Laura Castor is that she never fakes a thing, not even something as simple and easy as a smile. I've smiled so often in the last month when I'd rather cry, too many times to bother attempting to count. We clink our glasses together and take a sip. The bitter liquid slides down my throat and warms my belly. I do my best not to pull a face.

"That was a rather ruthless thing you did to the Pearl's. Perhaps you do have a chance against your brother." He says with admiration.

"Unlikely at this particular moment, but the tables are turning." Just too slowly.

Lord Paul watches me closely, "I thought it strange that you were asking us about a man who we had not seen, and yet you seemed so convinced that he had been with us. I thought of what the Sigma asked us to do and then I watched you go to every single person that I've figured out over the years to also be attached to his name. You've known my family for a long time now and…"

"And you are hoping to establish whether I am going to tattle on you to the big bad prince. Huh?" I ask, "No, I have something different in mind."

"Such as?" He prompts

"I want your vote. You are well respected and your willingness to back me will sway others to do the same."

"Was that the Sigma now?" Paul asks changing the subject from votes, but we both already know that he knows the answer, "Strikingly similar to Belavina, wouldn't you say? I can only think of one reason the Sigma would make us wear his scent - why he would be hiding from you. You are his mate. That alone is dangerous information."

"Careful Paul, the Sigma won't like that kind of talk." I warn playfully.

It seems to annoy the usually calm and collected member of the Authority and I'm starting to worry what he is about to say next when I spot Lady Laura heading this way. I've never been more grateful for Laura's appearance.

"Don't forget about your vote." I tell him just before Lady Laura greets us. Lord Paul frowns at her clearly unwanted arrival and takes his leave with a bow.

"What's his problem?" Laura asks.

"I don't think this day went quite how he planned. Give me good news, Laura."

"Your meeting is set. Tomorrow morning at ten. Don't be late, he hates that." She warns.

"Perfect. That's perfect."