Egyptian Wolf

Chapter 5

Maat’s POV

The morning came quickly as I lay in my bed, still thinking about yesterday.

The memory from yesterday...

I stood with our small group of fighters, waiting for the intruders. I didn't want to expose my wolf as my parents warned me when I was a pup. I have learned over the years that I was the only one with a darker shade of wolf. I am the strongest and fastest in my human form, almost equal to my wolf.

The nagging feeling of that morning was still clear, and it did not go away. I scrunched my nose when the intruders came into view.

Their leader was screaming royal every heavy step he took. He was abnormally tall, had pitch-black hair that rested on his shoulders like a curtain and dark brown skin. His visible blue eyes were snooping everywhere and his clean-shaven face was glistening with playfulness. I felt uneasy just staring at him. His boastful appearance was irritating as hell.

He introduced himself and his men. I looked at dad, who had a hard scowl on his face. I wanted to say something to him, but mom and the rest of the pack came and stood next to us.

Dad took the visitors to his office while the rest of us went inside to prepare dinner, since the sun was slowly dipping towards the west.

I went to the dining hall and grabbed a seat. I creased my forehead and frowned at the Alpha King, looking at our set-up when the women came in and placed food on the table. He even had the guts to ask dad what was going on. I somehow do not understand why the royals are always served meals; it is as if they are born to be lazy and dependent on their subjects. I chuckled internally and focused on my delicious food. However, I noticed that the whole time he was busy stealing glances at me when he thought I was not looking.

After dinner, we excused ourselves and retired to our rooms to sleep.

End of the memory.

It was already 5 am when I glanced at the clock. I wandered into the bathroom and took a quick bath, then put on my long brown skirt that had a low slit on the side, paired with a cream shirt and flat brown shoes.

I took my small carpet from the dresser and went to the kitchen to drink water before heading to the river. Goosebumps were crawling on my skin, but I did not worry because of what could go wrong in this realm?

When I got to the river, I spread out my small carpet on the ground and kneeled. I sat flat on my heels and began my meditation.

It took me 40 minutes to finish. I lifted my nose to the sky, breathing deep in, and that is when I smelled a masculine person. “How long are you going to hide behind the tree?” I asked, without turning my head.

He came out.

“I believe this is what you usually do every morning, hah?” He asked as he walked towards me.

“How am I supposed to answer your question while you have not answered mine?” I moved my head to the side of his voice and glared at him.

He smiled while sitting next to me. “I was waiting for you to finish because I didn't want to be rude by disturbing your peace.” He replied with a grin.

I stretched my legs and sighed. “Yes, I do this every morning when I wake up,” I smirked at him, making him nod shyly.

I drew circles on the ground with my finger until he talked while peering at me.

“Do you have a mate?” His sincere, small, round eyes showed a minor curiosity.

“Wow, Tedros, I wasn't expecting such a question and I like that you didn't hesitate to ask.” I laughed softly, looking at his small cupid-bow lips smile. “I don't have a mate and am not sure if I will meet one someday.” That's what I was always telling myself.

His dark blue iris sparkled with sadness as he furrowed his eyebrows. “How old are you? If that's okay for me to ask,” he laced his baritone voice with an emotion I couldn't understand.

“I am 22 years old... How about you?” I asked him.

He remained quiet for a little while. “I am 24 years old and I gave up on the idea of finding my true mate.” He was tensely thinking, then continued. "But I hope we become friends because I would like to know you if you don't find your mate."

Damn, Tedros is so cute, and I wonder what he meant by knowing me. I cannot assume that he is into me because he is just being friendly with me, right? I internally tried to reason with myself.

We chatted about random things until we heard a twig break. He stood up quickly, took his fighting position and was ready to attack, but I knew who it was.

“Dayi, cut it out already and come here.” I giggled at my little sister's antics.

He stared at me as if I was crazy, then my little sister came out glaring at us suspiciously.

“I was watching the two of you talking and thought I could stay longer just to see what happens next, but I guess my feet were not obeying my mind.” She walked towards us with a grin.

“You have a very naughty imagination, young lady.” I scolded, and she hunched her shoulders.

“Maybe I should let the two of you talk... It was nice speaking to you, Maat.” He gave me a soft smile and walked away with his hands in his pockets.

I looked at my silly little sister, who was staring at me, waiting for me to do something.

“You didn’t join me like I had asked you to. Why?” My eyebrows raised while standing up.

“Like I have told you before, meditating is for grownups and I am not yet ready for it.” She grabbed my hand as we walked back to the house, side by side.

I believe mom set the breakfast table with food for the guests. I walked into the kitchen with Dayi. We were about to take our seats when mom scolded us.

“Oh no, missies, you are going to join everyone in the dining hall right now. I understand that we only eat dinner with the rest of the clan, but I thought we should join our guests for breakfast.”

I slowly slid down my mat, put it against the kitchen table, and walked to the sink to wash my hands with Jendayi.

Immediately, when we got to the dining hall, everyone went silent. We took our seats. Abubakar, Abub and Naunet also came in frowning and I knew instantly that they were not happy about eating breakfast in the dining hall.

I grabbed a plate and put the poached eggs, fish, grilled onions, and grain bread, then poured a glass of water and ate my food quietly.

It annoys me seeing Jefar always staring at me, secretly thinking I don't see him. I glared at him to make him aware.

“Did you know it’s disrespectful to look at your alpha king that way?” He spoke sternly.

“Pardon me, your highness, I am clueless about how to treat royals,” I replied with a cocky smile. "Oh! To clarify what you just said, unfortunately, you are not my alpha." I saw Tedros shaking his head and mouthing “No.” at me.

"Enough Maat," Dad warned.

I scrunched my nose and became obedient and spoke. “I apologize.”

He just waved his hand, saying it was okay. I will learn soon.

After breakfast, I went to my bedroom, lay on my bed, and stared at the ceiling. What did he mean by I will learn soon? I quietly asked myself.

Naunet knocked before coming into my room and sitting on the bed, lost in her thoughts. “I need to talk to you about something.” She muttered.

I studied her weirdness, then nodded for her to talk.

“Remember last night when we left for our rooms after dinner? I kind of sneaked out and overheard the alpha King and dad talking. I did not hear the whole thing but dad is the one who contacted him to come to our realm, but I left as soon as I heard mom finishing in the kitchen…” She trailed off with a heavy sigh. “Maat, I think dad knew about the sudden appearance of the alpha king, and all the emotions he showed us were just an act.” She continued in disappointment.

I didn't know what to say because of the shock. "I can't believe dad would lie to us like that?" I mumbled in disbelief. “Do you think dad set up everything? To think of it, he travelled a few days ago and when he came back he was cheerful, but I thought maybe he got everything on the list from shopping.” I answered while scratching the bridge of my nose.

“Are you going to tell mom?” She asked with her eyes wide.

“No, it's best she doesn't find out because you know how she becomes when lied to.” I smiled at her reassuringly and hugged her.

When talking to Naunet, I realised that what she overheard had got to her and saw the disappointment shining in her prominent eyes.

Late that afternoon, dad requested me to come and join him in his office. I wondered what could be important to my presence. I stepped out of my room, walked to the office, and knocked on the door. I turned the doorknob when I heard him yell, come in, and walked into the room.

Dad was sitting at his desk while Elder Pamiu was sitting with the alpha king on the sofa. Tedros and Walid were sitting on two chairs next to the king.

There was a chair in front of dad’s desk, which I went and sat on.

“Thank you for joining us. However, I called you here because there is something that the alpha king wants to talk to you about,” Dad told me nervously.

I gazed at the king with my head held high.

“Maat, there are a lot of things you will need to learn, especially how you look at me.” He sneered at me with the look of ‘I dare you to speak’ kind of way. I kept quiet, waiting for him to go on. “I came here to negotiate with your Alpha about the alliance between our clans and I have only one condition,” he added, then glanced at my dad.

“What kind of condition?” I was confused. Why was I involved?

He narrowed his eyes at me, agitated. “The condition is you, Maat.” He said as if it was the simplest thing to say.

Tedros coughed and my eyes widened as I stared at dad. “What does he mean?” I asked, observing dad's reaction of remorse.

It was annoying how Jefar said it without care, and it brought my mind back to my talk with Naunet. He said nothing, but looked at me with guilt and pain in his eyes.

Why is he hurt by his doing? I asked myself.

My eyes fell to the ground with so many emotions and so many questions. What about my siblings? What about mom? Does she know about this? I cannot just leave them behind, can I? Do I want to go? Those were my internal battles.

The Alpha King cleared his throat, making me get out of my miserable thoughts.

“It means I am choosing you to be my mate.”

I looked at Elder Pamiu's fallen face, dad's remorseful gaze, and then everyone.

Silence fell throughout the room for a while until I spoke. “So, did you want this to be my decision?” I asked carefully, and he nodded, keeping his expressionless face.

Alpha King Jefar looked at me, studying me, and I whimpered because his eyes gave me the creeps.

“You should also know that you will spend one month at my palace before we meet… Of course, I need an heir and then everyone, including your family, will join you later. A month will seal my agreement with your father.” He concluded with a manic smile.

I heaved a sad sigh, still deep in my heart. I was worried and that nagging feeling came back tenfold. What am I going to do? Does this mean I will never get to meet my proper mate? Mom always said it was a meaningful blessing to have one to be with you for eternity.

Does this mean I won't get to experience it all? Battling with questions that I could not answer.