The Ruthless Alpha and His Slave Mate

Chapter 3: A Forbidden Outcome

“You don't want a mate?” She opened her eyes.

“Yes.” He answered firmly.

“We have no choice but to organize the mating ceremony. It's mandatory that you find your mate during that ceremony. Your father didn't rule without a mate,” Iris said.

“At least he was happy with his mate. What's the point of having a mate when all you get in return is pain?” He asked.

Iris closed her eyes for a while. When she opened them, she looked at Damien with a serious expression on her face. “The mating ceremony is a must, Alpha. It's inevitable; you can't stop it, no one can stop it. It's tonight.”

“Tonight?” Damien exclaimed.

“Yes. Call the Elders, speak with them and get everything ready for tonight. I will be coming to perform the ceremony,” She said.

Damien knew she was serious and there was nothing he could do about it. This was one thing he wished he could change. He didn't want to go through that hell again. He barely survived it the first time. Goodness knows if he would be able to handle it this time.

Iris noticed that he was in deep thought and snapped her fingers, jerking him back to reality.

“It's going to be fine.” She smiled.

Damien sighed and started walking out. She watched his retreating figure sadly. She knew how he felt.

Damien got back in the car and rested his head on the wheels. What he desperately tried to avoid had found its way back to his doorstep.

****

“How did it go?” Connor asked as Damien got down from the car. He had supervised the slaves as told and was about heading to the field where the warriors usually trained when he saw Damien's car entering the compound.

“Call the elders.” Damien ordered and walked into the castle.

Connor was confused. What exactly was going on? Why did Damien look so dejected? Did Iris reveal something upsetting to him? He had plenty of questions to ask, but he would do as he was told first.

A few minutes later, the pack elders were seated in their respective seats. They had worried looks on their aging faces. The fact that the Alpha called them at a time like this meant there was trouble somewhere. The look on his face also gave a hint. Damien didn't know how to begin and just sat there in silence.

“Alpha, your silence is killing us! We have been here for 30 minutes, but you haven't said anything.” Elder Blaine complained.

“What is the problem, Alpha?” Elder Dan asked.

Damien sat up and exhaled. “The new packs that emerged sent their second letter of threat.” He paused.

“What! They really don't know who we are. They're new and already causing trouble.” Elder Raymond retorted.

“That's not all. They are threatening us because the pack has no Luna. As a result, I visited Iris,” Damien said.

“What did she say?” Elder Gavin asked.

Damien sighed. “The mating ceremony will be held tonight. She's asked you all to get ready.”

“That's good news. You'll finally have hope, especially if she's from this pack.” Elder Raymond beamed.

Damien said nothing. Why were they happy about this when it made his heart ache?

“We need to pass the announcement, so the people would be prepared.” Elder Dan smiled.

Damien gestured for them to leave with his hands. They didn't hesitate and left the throne room.

Some seconds later, Roman entered. He frowned when he saw Damien sitting like someone who just went through a terrible heartbreak?

“Brother,” He called.

Damien sat up the moment he saw Roman. “Where have you been?” He asked.

“I was in the garden.” Roman answered.

“Doing what?” Damien frowned as he asked.

Roman bit his lips. He knew he was going to get punished if he told his brother that he had been reading in the garden, and he wanted to avoid lying because he sucked at it. How about changing the topic of discussion? That would do.

“I heard there's going to be a mating ceremony tonight,” He said and just as expected, Damien's expression changed.

“I don't want to talk about it. Just leave!” He ordered.

Roman sighed. “Okay, but know that_”

“Don't start with those poems of yours.” Damien cut in. He knew Roman so well.

Roman chuckled. “I was only trying to be nice and comfort you.”

“I don't need it. Now, leave quickly.” Damien looked away.

Roman walked out of the throne room and came face to face with his mother. “I don't think he wants to see anyone now.” Roman said.

“I just want to know if what I heard is true.” She replied.

“It's true, mother. Let's give him some time to himself.” Roman held her.

“I hope he will be okay.” She sighed and followed him.

****

The full moon was already out and the night sky was lit up by its rays. There were sticks rooted to the ground with torches on them. The sticks were made to form a circle around the area of the clearing. The elders were standing in front of the torches, and everyone else had taken their place behind them. The moon was high in the sky, illuminating everyone in its light. Damien stood at the center of the circle of elders, waiting until he was called. Everyone kept their eyes focused on him.

Iris appeared with her Scepter in her hands. She was wearing a white regalia with beads around her waist. On her neck was a necklace made from seashells and her silver hair was let down in waves. She chanted a few spells and danced around the fire torches for some minutes. When she stopped, she looked into Damien's eyes.

“Come forward,” She ordered.

Damien reluctantly came forward. Iris chanted and danced again. She took a white powder and threw it in the air then took a step back, leaving Damien to stand alone.

“Find your mate, Alpha.” She smiled.

Damien sniffed the air and caught her scent; that scent made his wolf leap for joy. He felt a sudden wave of heat sear through his body. His senses heightened, and his body boiled as a fruity flavor endowed with perfume lingered at the tip of his tongue.

Before he could realize it, his feet had moved, and he found himself leaving the mating area and heading to another part of the castle-the slave quarters. Iris, Connor, the elders and people present followed him. They wanted to see the lucky girl chosen by the moon goddess to be their Alpha's mate.

“Too bad it wasn't the Alpha that supervised us. Now he is getting mated. Gosh, I'm jealous of whoever that lucky girl is.” Gwen groaned.

“What's your deal with the Alpha anyway?” Tessa chuckled.

“You're still new, that's why you haven't known him. He is like the most beautiful Alpha in the world. Wait until you see him at the mating ceremony, I swear, you'll fall in love.” Gwen beamed.

“But we aren't allowed to go to the mating ceremony.” Tessa stated.

“Oh, I forgot,” Gwen sighed.

Tessa was about to chuckle when a unique scent stung her nostrils. Her wolf jumped and her hair stood. She sniffed, wanting to take in that beautiful scent. It was driving her crazy and made her whole body vibrate. It was like wine mixed with scented roses and honey.

“Are you okay?” Gwen asked, when she saw how weird Tessa was acting.

Tessa left what she was doing and started walking away. Gwen followed her immediately. They got to the halls and Tessa halted on seeing Damien.

Immediately Damien saw her, he stopped walking and stared at her in disbelief. Sparks ignited through them, and he could feel his wolf say what he didn't want to hear.

“MATE!” His wolf growled.

“A SLAVE.” Damien mumbled.