Golden Lycan

Chapter 7

Unknown POV

The plane ride was uneventful. I slept through most of it. Upon reaching the airport, I was ready to get to the hotel and shower, eat and take a nap, in that order. My appointment at the university isn’t until 1pm, so I had plenty of time to relax. Arriving at the Luxor Hotel, I checked in and took the elevator to the Penthouse floor. There were only 2 spaces on the top floor and I was occupying both. One space for my personal use and the other is a penthouse suite of rooms for my 2 companions. Stepping off the elevator, I pulled out my phone and called my mother to tell her I had arrived safely. Picking up after only two rings, I heard, “Hello dearest, I am assuming you have arrived in one piece?” mother is always the easiest of my parents to deal with. “Yes ma’am. We are just arriving at our rooms. The flight was pleasant and, from the looks of things, these rooms are more than expectable mother. I appreciate all of the work you did arranging all of this; you have out done yourself once again.” Hoping to finish this call quickly so I can get some rest, I finished with, “I will call again this evening or maybe tomorrow. I have to see how these meetings and introductions proceed to know how the rest of my day will play out. Speak again soon.” Just as I was about to end the call, I could hear another voice call out, “Is that him, has he arrived.” Recognizing the voice of my father, I could hear mother respond, “Yes, he is fine and in his hotel room. He says he will call again later, darling.”

Knowing what is to come, I brace myself for the conversation with my father. “Let me speak with him please. Son, I am glad to hear you have made it in one piece. Have you contacted King Raymond to let him know you have entered his territory? We must make sure we follow protocol and pay our respects. He is expecting you and he has a proposal I think you should be open to consider.” Wanting to end this conversation swiftly and pleasantly, I responded, “I will make the call to King Raymond as soon as we finish father, I assure you.” Saying our farewells. I hung up the phone. Searching in my bag, I locate my phone charger and an outlet. Plugging my phone in to charge, I take a seat on the couch and look more at my surroundings. This suite consisted of 2 bedrooms on either side of the large living/sitting room. There was an eat-in fully stocked kitchen and a small office just off the side of that and 3 bathrooms. One man did not need all of this space, but mother would never book anything but the very best and biggest. That was just her style.

Sitting contemplating the call I promised to make, I felt my eyes start to close and think to myself, I’ll call in five minutes. When I opened my eyes, next it was to hear a loud knocking at the door. Getting up to open the door, I looked at my phone and saw that it was almost noon. Walking swiftly to the door, I opened it to find Riccio and Beckham, my two closest friends and companions while on this adventure in the states. Well, for them it’s an adventure to get out and possibly find a mate. For me, it is just business as usual. Stepping back to let them inside, I know they are just doing as instructed and making sure I get to my appointment on time.

Riccio walks in and goes straight to the kitchen area. They are staying in the other Penthouse suite, so their room should be basically identical to the one I am staying in. Opening the fridge, he pulled out a drink of some sort and, says to me, “Man, it’s a good thing we came when we did, did you enjoy your nap?” Nodding in agreement, I pick up my phone to make the call I should have made hours ago. After my brief but purposeful chat with King Raymond, I headed to take my shower and get ready for this meeting.

Thankfully, some kind soul had already unpacked most of my clothes and hung them up for me and finding my suit was easy. Once dressed, I take a minute to make sure everything is in place and check one last time in the mirror. Looking back at me is the same man I have seen for the last 30 years. Well past taller than average, bigger than most, I stand out in a crowd no matter where I go. Mother always says I remind her of a great lion, all golden and strong, a king amongst kings. After finishing my inspection, not a hair is out of place and this navy-blue-pin stripped suit was the perfect choice.

Ready to head out, I walked back out to the living room area and grabbing my briefcase I headed towards the door. There was no need to inform anyone that I was ready, everyone already knew the plan for today. So, when Riccio and Beckham fell in step beside me, out of the door and to the elevator, we looked like a well-choreographed group. We also present a very intimidating trio. I may be the tallest of the three of us, but my two friends were no different. Riccio was about 3 inches shorter than me but matched me in muscle. Beckham was only about an inch shorter than me and while he wasn’t as broad as myself and Ricco, he was by no means small.

Having grown up and trained with these men, I knew that they would have no problem watching my back or facing any enemy that might come our way. Thankfully, the last thing we would have to face over the next few months was a threat or an enemy. I would be working and they would be my driver and assistant.

The first meeting went more than smoothly. I was completely satisfied with the job I had agreed to take temporarily. Touring the campus where I would be working, we were walking to the Science and Engineering building when I noticed we had gathered what looked to be a small crowd. Mostly, females seemed to have a lot of interest in nothing at all but staring at myself and Beckham. It took my new boss several tries to get them to go about their classes. Finally, with the threat of additional campus volunteer work, they went about their business. Just as I was entering the building, I was hit by the faint scent of strawberries and Honey Suckle. It was most distracting, what was even more confusing was that my Lycan half, Mateo, was very restless and overly stimulated by this scent. Turning my head, I try to locate where the smell is coming from when I meet the most amazing hazel eyes I have ever seen. Mateo whispered the word “Mate” in my head, but by the time I recognized what was happening, she was gone from the window. Wanting nothing more than to search those eyes, I am drawn back to the Dean of Students and the other facility members.

Thinking that I would be able to find those eyes and that delicious smell as long as I continued into this building, I tried to keep calm and listen to the descriptions of whatever he was talking about. I have only one focus at this point in time and I need him to take me to her. Walking towards the conference room, I was hit by the scent yet again, this time it is growing stronger as it seemed to be coming right at me. Stopping, I stared at this beautiful creature. Everything around me seems to fade and all I can see and hear is her. She is amazing. Butter pecan brown skin that looks as smooth as untouched silk. Green hazel eyes, high cheek bones, full plump brown lips all surrounded by dark brown curls that defy gravity. Nothing I have ever laid eyes on is more breath taking than her. My word, I am in Love at first sight. This beautiful brown queen is my mate, nothing else seems to matter. Each step she takes brings her closer to me. I wanted to walk to her but my feet seemed pinned to the spot.

Once she is standing before me, my eyes never leave her face. When she speaks, it is like her voice reaches to the deepest part of my heart and soul and I know I can listen to that sound for the rest of my life. Questions are asked and I even managed to respond at one point but I have no clue what I said. As I am lost in the sight, scent and beauty of this creature, I fail to realize how much time has passed and all of a sudden, she is walking away from the group, from me. Before I can bring myself to do or say something to stop her from leaving, she and her companion are gone. Only her intoxicating scent lingered behind.

“Well, that was a little odd. I have never seen her like that and to run out of here so quickly… what could that have been about?” The dean asks. No one has an answer. So I ask a question of my own. “Who was that?” Someone in the group answers. I’m not sure who, as I was only interested in knowing her name and how and when I could see her again.

“That was Prof. Grayfur. She is one of the newest and youngest members of our faculty. I’m sorry she left so quickly. We couldn’t make proper introductions but, she will be at the staff mixer tonight. We can introduce you to her as well as several other professors you haven’t met.” Says the unknown voice.

I want to go find her now, but I know that would raise too many questions. The mixer tonight will have to be good enough for now. As the group continued into the conference room, I followed and proceeded to spend the next hour discussing plans and ideas for my new job and the department I will be running. I only half listen to most of it, my mind is somewhere else. I have found my mate.

After the meeting, I texted Beckham to have him bring the car around. As we are heading back to the hotel, I am noticeably quiet. “Hey, you okay man? I have asked you about three times if you want to grab something to eat before we get to the rooms and you haven’t even blinked.” Finally realizing we are stopped and in the hotel's parking garage, I finally decided to tell my oldest and best friend what happened. “I have found my mate and she has taken over all of my thoughts.” As I relay the complete encounter to him, including a very detailed description of what she looks like, he also takes a few minutes to absorb the revelation and implications of me finding my future queen.

“Congrats, my friend. This is amazing news and your mother and father will be so happy that their son and future King as at last found the queen. You lucky dog, one day in America and you find the one person the moon goddess designed just for you.” He is genuinely happy for me. Finding a mate is a dream come true for our kind. Some Lycans never find their destined mate and just take a chosen mate so we don’t have to spend our very long lives alone.

“Thanks Beckham, as you can probably tell, she is the reason I seem to have been out of sorts. The good news is you will get to meet her tonight at the mixer at Dean Sherman’s house. Listen, I’m not ready to make any big announcements yet. I would like to at least make sure she accepts me as her mate before anyone starts making wedding plans. So, no one is to know other than the three of us and I will tell Riccio as soon as we get upstairs.” Knowing I could trust this man with my life, I knew he would go along with my plan without question. “Alright my friend, as you wish, your secret is safe with me.” After agreeing with me once again we both head up to the room. Riccio is already waiting for us and I waste no time in telling him exactly how my day went. He is completely on board with keeping my finding a mate quiet. His only concern was how she would react once she knew exactly who I am. “So, she doesn’t know your name or who you are and you only know that her name is Grayfur? Wait, isn’t that the family name of the King we are supposed to meet tomorrow?”

After throwing out the statement, we all pause to take in the possibility that my mate is somehow related or connected to the most fearsome Lycan King in all of America. Pulling out his laptop, Riccio starts to do some digging to see what information we can find on King Raymond. Never in a million years did we except to find little to nothing about any connections my mate may have to the King. After searching online for hours, we find that while King Raymond has four children, there are no names or pictures of his children since their infancy.

“This man keeps a very tight lid on his personal life from what I can tell. There is plenty about him and even his parents, even the death of his beloved wife, but nothing about his children. What is he hiding?” This question from Beckham was the exact thought running through my own mind. “I guess we may get some of the answers either tonight when we see your mate at the party or tomorrow when we meet with the King himself.” Beckham answers his own question before either myself or Riccio have a chance to reply.

“Whatever the reason, we will know in due time. For now, we need to get ready for this party. Which one of you is going with me?” I asked them both. Almost in unison, they respond, “Why can’t we both go?” Knowing that neither of them would back off because both of them would do anything to be there when I see my mate again. “Fine, you both can go, but how are we going to explain why you both are there? They already know Beckham as my assistant. Who shall we say you are?” Showing up with my assistant seemed plausible. Adding another unknown person may be harder to explain.

“I can be your other assistant. Or even better, a colleague you were thinking of hiring as a TA. That cold work I do need something to occupy me while we are stateside. I have nothing to do at the moment.” Thinking to myself this just might work, I nodded in agreement and headed to my room so that I could shower and dress. As I walked away, I called out over my shoulder, “Well go and get dressed. We leave in 45 minutes.” Hearing the shuffle of feet moving I know they are going to their own suite to get ready. As I looked through my closet, I chose my attire and then headed to take a quick shower. The closer I get to seeing her again, the more excited and nervous I get. My mate will be within arm’s reach in just a short while; I hope all goes well.