Three Times Rejected

CHAPTER FOUR

The Sovereign's eyebrows furrowed. He felt offended. Why would this Sentinel assume that he, as Selene's mate, couldn't provide proper care for her? Who exactly did this wolf believe he was?! The Sovereign attempted his utmost to maintain his composure as he stated in a grave tone: "I would never even contemplate causing her harm. She's my mate. I would initiate a war before I permitted her to suffer injury."

"That's reassuring to know. It's been an honor to meet you, Your Majesty." Sentinel Kael bowed respectfully.

The Sovereign smiled diplomatically and said: "Similarly, members of Crimson Shadow. Enjoy the remainder of the evening." He departed with swift steps as he felt jealousy consuming his body when Kael had expressed such profound concern for Selene. If he had remained any longer, he might have killed Kael.

While conversing with a Beta who was managing her pack following her husband's death the previous month, Darius felt a hand glide down his arm seductively, causing him to redirect his attention to glare at the creature responsible.

He demanded in a dangerously low tone: "What the hell do you think you're doing?"

It was the daughter of his Defense Minister, Natalia Hartwell, who smiled coyly at the Sovereign, infuriating Darius further.

"Natalia," her father called out as he approached them.

The Sovereign growled once more. "Should your daughter interfere in one of my conversations again, we'll need to discuss your future and hers, Hartwell."

Natalia appeared stunned but chose to remain silent, keeping her head lowered as her father bowed and apologized: "I'm profoundly sorry, Your Majesty. I should have maintained better vigilance. We'll excuse ourselves immediately."

The Sovereign's glare remained fixed on them until they had retreated to a comfortable distance. He thought about Selene to calm himself before returning to the Beta, with whom he had been speaking, saying: "I apologize for the disruption, Beta Mira. We were discussing the construction projects for a training facility in your pack if I'm not mistaken?"

Beta Mira hadn't anticipated an apology from the Sovereign and felt quite astonished by the sincerity in his words. When the Sovereign recalled where they had concluded their conversation, she felt more encouraged to display her enthusiasm when she spoke about her plans to require every capable pack member to engage in combat training. The Sovereign supported her initiative and encouraged her to submit an application should she require assistance regarding finances or instructors. She expressed her gratitude and committed to keeping his offer under consideration.

When he departed from Beta Mira, Alpha Marcus and Beta Sage approached him hastily and anxiously. They positioned themselves before him and bowed. "Heads up, pack leaders of Azure Moon. To what do I owe this privilege?"

Their raised heads were greeted with the Sovereign's smiling eyes. No ruler in history was recognized for finding meetings with werewolves a 'privilege,' and no shapeshifter would bother offering a smile to their species, let alone the Sovereign himself.

Alpha Marcus glanced at his mate, who nodded encouragingly. The Alpha regarded the Sovereign and spoke uncertainly: "My Sentinel is your mate, Your Majesty?"

Irritation has begun surfacing now. His eyebrows furrowed as he responded: "She is. Is there an issue?"

Alpha Marcus released a 'wow' under his breath before speaking. "Your Majesty, please understand I intend no disrespect for whatever emerges from my mouth next." He cleared his throat and continued. "If you're not... genuine about... maintaining a relationship with her," he swallowed hard before proceeding, "...please release her. I don't want to witness her injured by the mate bond again. I've known her since we were children. She's like a sister to me. It pains me and my Beta to see her hurt."

If Alpha Marcus didn't have a mate, Darius felt absolutely certain that he would have torn Alpha's throat out right then and there purely from jealousy. Sentinel Kael had already exhausted his patience reserves, and Darius was clinging to the final thread of patience he had reserved for the night.

"Why would you assume that I'm not serious about Selene, Alpha Marcus?" he asked, deriving some comfort from speaking her name.

Alpha Marcus said: "My Sovereign, I acknowledge that I don't understand your intention with Sel. Having just encountered you today, I must say that I don't know you at all, so I cannot determine how this... mate bond is going to... develop. All I wanted to convey is that..." he sighed as though he was preparing to make one of the most significant errors of his life, "...she has endured excessive hardship in a lifetime. Please, don't cause her pain."

Alpha Marcus appeared like a man prepared to receive his punishment after he finished speaking. Darius felt impressed with what Selene was capable of accomplishing with her very existence. In one night, two wolves were prepared to face punishment just to inform him not to hurt her, and one was an Alpha.

He chuckled at his own thought before meeting Alpha Marcus's bewildered look as he declared: "Alpha Marcus, my intention with Selene is to court her, mate, and mark her while she marks me, and make her my Queen. I don't understand what I did to make you and Sentinel Kael believe that I would cause harm to my mate, but I can assure you that I can never tolerate seeing Selene hurt, let alone hurt her." He chuckled darkly before adding: "If anything, she hurt me with what she said tonight."

Beta Sage then stepped forward cautiously and clarified: "Your Majesty, please forgive her. It's not our place to discuss her past. But if she chooses to tell you one day, you'll comprehend why she said the things she did."

Darius nodded in understanding as he listened to her speak nervously. He then added with a smile: "You both need not be so apprehensive of me. I wouldn't punish or kill without proper justification. Logic and legality aside, I wouldn't dream of killing my mate's pack leaders who are merely attempting to look out for her."

There was a moment of surprise before they bowed to display their appreciation. Darius proceeded to the next pack and two more later before he took his leave.

When Darius arrived home, he forced himself to work through one file in the rebel intelligence stack before retiring for the night. He looked to the side of his bed, and he envisioned Selene lying next to him. His hand subconsciously reached for the empty pillow and felt the coldness on its surface. His beast whimpered, longing for their mate. He thought about being able to see her the next day and drifted to sleep with a smile.

To be continued...