THE SIGMA'S MATE

CHAPTER 5 - POTIONS

The table reserved for the usage of the royals is crowded with Lazarus's favorite warriors and Belavinas family. I am happy that the revenge twins have not yet left after the battle. Their efforts there have certainly raised their standing with the remaining ten territories making up the Authority. Now I just need to decide which one will further my plans. The positions near Lazarus are filled, which is fine by me. In fact, it places me right on the opposite side closest to the twins. Jayden joins me, seating himself beside Benjamin while I take a seat beside Alec.

"Nice to see you up and about again sister." Lazarus says in greeting, offering a small smile from the other side of the table.

I hum in my throat, "I am well rested, thank you."

"Well you slept for like a week so I can imagine so." Malcolm adds his two cents, earning a backhand to the chest from a horrified Benjamin.

The two best friends are quite polar opposites. Malcolm, with his shaven hair, ringed fingers and boyish charm, has no filter while Benjamin, with his dark complexion and shoulder-length dark hair boasting a single braid, is too prim and proper for his own good.

"What are you smacking me for?" Malcolm complains bitterly, seeing no issues with his earlier statement, "I was genuinely concerned that she had fallen into a coma or something!"

I laugh despite myself and I am joined by some of the others. Malcolm just has this way about him which puts everyone at ease. You cannot help but like the youthful Malcolm. The atmosphere feels lighter, happier. But it doesn't take long for me to feel broody again. I tap the glass of alcohol placed in front of me. I love my brother, I really do and I thought he loved me too. I thought he would do anything for me. It didn't matter that Callan was always there when it came to emotional support. Lazarus was a good brother in many other ways. But he's only just got me back and he is rushing for the crown again. Ready to tear down everything our family has worked together to accomplish. Everyone returns to the meals as I'm offered a menu by the designated servant for the royals. I scan the dish options for the day and make my decision relatively quite quickly. It's the perfect opportunity to observe them without it being too obvious. My eyes fall on my brother and his mate first. He's changed. He seems happier than before. Lighter. Whatever reservations she had about the relationship has clearly been put to bed. The two look like lovesick fools. My heart tugs. I want that. I want that so much and I will have it. I just have to play my cards right. Malcolm teases the royal couple, earning a sharp glare from Lazarus while Belavina laughs behind her hand. She's the perfect lady and a perfect warrior. She's everything that a highborn male would want at his side. She meets my gaze as if she can feel my eyes on her. Caught in the act, I smile, lift my glass to cheers her silently and then take a slip. Red wine!

Gosh this stuff is bitter.

Belavina smirks at the face I make before responding in kind. My assessment still stands, Belavina is too risky. I move my gaze to Laura and Moira. It's unlikely the blonde hair, blue eyed twins will go running to my brother should I start asking uncomfortable questions. Moira chats away, her face animated with excitement as she converse with Alec, who has his head tilted in her direction, listening intently to whatever she has to say. Laura on the other hand focuses strictly on her meal. She looks almost as unhappy as I currently feel. I don't think I've ever seen her smile, not that her time at the palace gave her any reason to. I wonder if her family knows that she sold Alaric out to protect Alec. I wonder if they would forgive her.

Alec. My wolf prompts.

That's it!

I don't know why I didn't think of it sooner! Laura is the obvious choice! Lazarus threatened her with violence and death to gain the intelligence he sought. I will have to find something equally as appealing. My eyes find Alec again and the wheels in my head start turning. He is a beautiful male, there is no doubt. I could see why Laura would fancy him with such high cheekbones and almost feminine lips. His hair is also just as black as mine. I've only known a few people with naturally black hair and it suits him. If it wasn't for the muscle evident and the height, I would think him too pretty to be a grown man. It's obvious that Moira and Alec get along well, and they make a fine looking couple too. Though I'm sure Laura will disagree.

I hear his movement before I feel his proximity. Jayden leans over, close enough so only I can hear when he whispers, "If you stare any harder at him, he might combust." He remarks dryly.

"We cannot have that now can we?" I tease, giving him a flash of my grin.

Jayden smiles half heartedly and remains silent for a moment or two before I see his lips part again.

"Have you thought about what I offered?" Jayden asks expectedly, his warm brown eyes examining my expression.

My back stiffens. "I still don't know why you would want to tie yourself down like that. What about your mate? Do you not want to put her needs first?"

His charming smile turns sad. I see his internal debate before he answers, "I felt her die a long time ago and her soul has not returned in another."

Werewolves live much longer than humans. It is not uncommon for young mates that die to be reincarnated as if their souls are continuously drawn together, even in death. Unfortunately, it does not always happen. I cannot help wondering if Callan will get a second chance at happiness or whether I would be able to ever meet his soul again.

I make an o with my pink lips, "I'm sorry."

He shrugs, looking down at his glass as if it is the most interesting thing he has ever seen. "She could not have been that old." He says in a low voice.

The buzz of the hall and the constant conversations of the table seem to fade into the background as I turn my focus from my scheming. Jayden is a handsome man. Not in the beautiful almost feminine way that Alec is and not in the sexually feral way Alaric is, but still very nice to look at. I almost think that he is finished speaking on the subject, thinking nothing strange since I know Jayden's dislike of conversations in general. But he surprises me.

Sometimes…" His words appear to be choking him, "sometimes I wonder what happened to her or if I will pass the spot that I was supposed to meet her in and know."

Raw, honest emotions. How bizarre of Jayden. How different he appears here from the distant, withdrawn warrior I've always known. I have no words for him when I see the shadows of melancholy cross over his features. Still, I am reluctant to accept his generous offer. He could meet another woman who has also lost her fated mate. He could still be very happy. But he could never put her first if he swears the Vaspraes pledge to me. I dislike the idea of rejecting him after he just opened up to me and luckily I am spared from doing so with the arrival of our orders. I let his words hang between us and he did not ask me again.

***

I put on my prettiest sun dress and white block heels before making my way to the garden tea. The sun is in the blue sky and shining brightly this spring morning, hinting at the summer to come. But I'm not only strolling about the gardens for the scenery, I've extended a royal invite for Lady Laura to join me in one of my favorite spots in the palace. Tea amongst the trees, what a charming idea. Vines with purple flowers bloom above my head as I find a spot amongst the rose bushes. Beautiful, intricately designed glass tables sit under the shaded pergola. A moment later, the Female Alpha of Sundora appears. She hesitantly takes a seat, her gaze finding mine and holding it. A waitress comes forward offering refreshments which we both accept. I rub my hands on the material covering my legs, wiping away the evidence of my nervousness. She seems nervous too. I can tell by the way she sits, her back stiff and perfectly straight. I hope I hide my emotions better than she does. Any signs that I am not in complete control here might lead to an undesirable outcome. That just wouldn't do, I need her to say yes.

Once the waitress is gone and I have Laura alone, I ask sweetly, giving her my brightest smile, "How are you, Lady Laura?"

She smiles mockingly. She never entertained my attempts to be friends even though I tried my best to make her stay here better while in Lazarus's care. Although I'm not overly shocked that she rejected me with wordless answers and blank stares. I thought she had at least warmed up to me since then.

"I understand you royals well enough to know that you didn't invite me here for small talk. What are you wanting, Princess Lyra?"

I keep the smile plastered to my face even though I dislike her uncaring attitude. I've always admired her straightforwardness even if I don't appreciate it right this minute.

I cut to the chase, "I want to make a deal. One I think you might find appealing indeed."

"Oh?" She raises a blonde brow in surprise, "That's strange. I cannot think of a single thing that you could offer that I would want. But more importantly, I can't think of anything that I could offer you in return."

"I disagree." I grin over my glass before taking a tiny sip of the liquid, "You see, I am aware that the Sigma is actually Alaric Castor, the first child of Barcalou." Laura's eyes narrow in suspicion. I smile charmingly, "Isn't that strange? Why would you and Moira have the throne while the male heir has nothing?"

Laura looks as if I have just insulted her entire existence, "He is not the child of the late Female Alpha of Barcalou, while my sister and I are."

"Who is his mother then?" I ask.

She seems confused, "Is this what you want? To talk about Alaric? I don't know what gave you the impression that I would be open to discussing my family's affairs."

I sigh, disappointed, "You certainly didn't have a problem speaking to Lazarus when you sold your brother out." I bat my long lashes at her, "Tell me, do your sisters know?"

Laura's face turns red. Her nostrils flaring slightly as her cold gaze criticizes me. "Someone's life was on the line."

I wave her excuse away with a flick of my wrist, "I know, Alec is a looker, isn't he? But I'll get to him now." I stare at her with all the airs of a queen, "First, who is Alaric's mother?"

She seems reluctant to disclose her family's personal information. But with the threat of exposure hanging over her head, she hardly believes that she has a choice - not that I would ever scoop so low.

"She was our fathers true mate - not that they ever completed the bond. He was already mated to my mother. My mother struggled to have children as is commonplace amongst the supernatural. She didn't know about our fathers true mate until Alaric was born. Then she had Moira and I. She thought her mate would be happy with her, but he could never stay away from his true mate. When Belavina was born, their mother died suddenly and our mother took over the care of Belavina. Alaric never wanted to be associated with her because he blamed her for his mother's death. It's the reason why there are no records of him connected to our family."

Intrigued, I ask, "Did your father also suspect your mother of killing his true mate?"

Laura smiles cruelly, "There's a reason why Maximo was able to overthrow my parents so easily. My mother was not perfect, but at least she was kind enough not to hold grudges against kids. She treated Belavina as her own and she did her best to win Alaric over."

I nod my head in understanding. A rare woman indeed to take on the role of parent to a husband's mistress, "Where is Alaric now?"

Laura scoffs, "How am I supposed to know?"

Her words confuse me. Surely they cannot be true? "Do you not know where your brother resides?" I question distrustingly.

"Alaric is very secretive."

"I want to meet with him, and you are going to make that happen. In return, I will offer you a chance to be with Alec. A single night."

Her lips part ever so slightly. I can see the internal struggle. The desire to cover up her obvious want of Alec.

"How?" She asks ever so softly.

I place the clear vial of liquid on the glass table. It was not easy getting my hands on a potion like this, but it is worth it. The moment Laura's eyes fall on the expensive potion, I know I have her right where I want her. I have to keep a straight face to hide the excitement bursting in my chest. I cannot wait to see him.