Crimson Red's Embrace: Rise of the Rejected Mate

Chapter 5

“Are we already complete?” Chancellor Ironclaw asked in the room.

“Good. Now, I want everyone to know that we have captured a dozen of rogues. Ruthless and aggressive rogues. And the highest rank of all packs will have it.”

Everyone were murmuring while looking at me as I sit confidently.

"Queen Lilac of the Wild Flower Pack," Chancellor Ironclaw proclaimed, his voice carrying the weight of authority. His eyes locked with mine, and I met his gaze with a steady nod. It was an honor to be recognized.

“She will have the rogues. I know she can take care of them.”

"Thank you, Chancellor, for your great trust," I replied, my voice clear and unwavering. "It's a pleasure for us in the Wild Flower Pack. I will ensure that justice is served to these... rogues." The word lingered on my tongue, a bittersweet reminder of the darkness that threatened our world.

As I spoke, my attention was drawn to Luna Sunshine, who stood nearby. Her eyes, once vibrant and fierce, now held a haunted look.

It was as though she had witnessed something unimaginable, something that had shaken her to her core. In that moment, I couldn't help but smirk.

I saw her frightening eyes, like she has killed someone, and she was found guilty.

Where is the fierce Sunshine I knew before, huh?

"Impossible," I heard her whisper. The words reached my ears like a distant echo, barely registering in my mind.

But when she stood up on her seat and looked at me, her eyes widened in disbelief.

"Lily?!" she screamed at the top of her lungs, her voice piercing through the room.

I watched as the guards rushed to calm her down, their attempts at soothing her falling on deaf ears.

Chancellor Ironclaw, always composed and regal, sighed in exasperation. "Ah! If you please, we're not kids here anymore, minimize shouting. Shall we?" he said, casting a nod towards Sunshine, who finally settled back into her seat.

But Sunshine's agitation refused to wane. Her voice trembled with a mix of fear and anger as she pointed an accusatory finger at me.

"No! Why is she here?! She's not supposed to be here! She's dead!"

Her words struck me like lightning, sending a jolt of confusion through my veins.

I blinked, trying to make sense of her accusation. "I don't know what you are talking about," I replied, my voice barely above a whisper, tinged with disbelief.

Give me an Oscar for my acting award!

Sunshine laughed, but there was no mirth in the sound. It was a bitter, sarcastic laugh that echoed through the hall. "I knew that you weren't dead! You were hiding the whole time!"

The room fell silent, and all eyes turned to me. I could feel the weight of their gaze, their scrutiny.

My heart pounded in my chest, and a mix of apprehension and frustration welled up inside me.

"Hiding?" I c****d my head to the side, shaking it slowly as if she had gone mad. "If you meant to say hiding in my office room the entire year to work my ass off, then yes."

Sunshine's eyes narrowed, her brows furrowing with a mix of confusion and anger. "You're f*****g with us right now!" she blurted out, her voice laced with venom.

Chancellor Ironclaw's voice rang out, cutting through the tension with a hint of anger and irritation.

"Alpha Daniel," he said sternly, his gaze fixed on Sunshine. "Did your wife forget to take her meds today?" He looked around the room, scanning the faces of our pack members. "What's wrong with Charcoal Hiss's Pack today?! They're going nuts!"

Whispers filled the air, a cacophony of confusion and disbelief.

I looked at Alpha Daniel, his once intoxicated gaze now focused and sober.

He was staring at me intently, and his words cut through the air like a knife. "Our apologies, Chancellor. We just think Queen Lilac was someone... we knew from the past."

My jaw clenched tightly. This wasn't how it was supposed to be.

I expected him to lose control, to go wild with emotions as he realized that his long-lost mate stood before him.

He shouldn't be calm; he should feel the rage of my wolf surging through his veins!

"Oh, that's why you're acting like that, huh," the Chancellor interjected, turning his attention to me. "I apologize for their behavior, Queen Lilac. The annual meeting isn't always like this. You know, drama?!"

"It's alright, Chancellor," I replied, my voice steady as I gestured a dismissive wave. "Please proceed to the agenda of your meeting."

I could sense the Chancellor's favor toward me, perhaps because it was my first time attending the annual meeting. Unlike the others who had been here every year, I was still a newcomer.

Beta Isabella had given me a quick briefing on what to expect, so I had some idea of how things worked.

But then, Alpha Dmitri raised his hand, a mischievous grin playing on his face as he continued to look at me.

His sudden enthusiasm surprised everyone. "I have a question."

"Yes, Alpha Dmitri from the Crimson Red Pack! Finally, wooh! This is new," the Chancellor exclaimed, his voice filled with amusement.

"You've never wanted to participate in a discussion during the annual meeting. It's nice that you're indulging in our conversation. What is it that you want to ask me?"

Alpha Dmitri's grin widened, and he responded, "My question is not for you." The Chancellor's attempt to laugh off his embarrassment was evident.

"Sure, sure, who do you want to ask, then?"

"It's for Lily—I mean," he paused, hiding his smile behind his palm, clearly relishing in teasing me, "I mean, Queen Lilac," he emphasized my title. The Chancellor couldn't contain his amusement, gesturing towards me with an encouraging wave.

"What will you do to the rogues?" Alpha Dmitri's voice turned serious, and the atmosphere in the room shifted.

I glanced at the Chancellor, silently hoping he would intervene and spare me from answering such a question. "I refuse to answer a state secret question," I declared, frustration creeping into my voice.

"State secret, hmm?" Alpha Dmitri chuckled, his amusement unwavering. He seemed taken aback by my response but thoroughly entertained.

"Come on, kids. I'm not up for this game you're playing. Answer it, Queen Lilac," the Chancellor drawled lazily, his tone indicating he expected compliance.

I let out a weary sigh and turned my gaze back to Alpha Dmitri.

The room fell silent, awaiting my response. "What do you think will happen to the rogues when we catch them?" I posed a question of my own, deflecting the focus from me to him.

"It depends on who catches them," Alpha Dmitri replied, his voice now tinged with seriousness. "This is why I asked a question, Queen Lilac. What will you do to the rogues?"

My glare intensified, a storm brewing behind my eyes. "Kill them," I stated firmly, my voice cutting through the room like an icy blade.

The atmosphere shifted, tension filling the space as my words resonated with finality.

Alpha Dmitri's eyes widened, his grin fading as he processed the gravity of my response.

Everyone gasped but nodded in the end.

“What else can we do to them aside from killing, huh? That’s the only option we have,” I asked, sitting on my seat comfortably.

“Wrong,” Alpha Dmitri replied and looks at me dangerously. “I expect great answer with you, Queen Lilac, given with your reputation. I thought you exude beauty and wisdom, but not enough with my liking.”

I sat there, frozen in place, as Alpha Dmitri's words hung in the air, echoing through the room.

I locked eyes with Alpha Dmitri, my gaze filled with a mix of defiance and caution.

"I'm not trying to impress you, Alpha Dmitri," I retorted, my voice laced with sarcasm. The room fell silent, awaiting his response.

I braced myself for his next move, prepared for any counterattack he might launch.

To my surprise, Alpha Dmitri nodded and grinned, seemingly unfazed by my sharp remark. "Okay?" he raised both hands in a gesture of surrender, his gaze sweeping across the room.

My mind raced, searching for a response that would divert attention from my true intentions."So what option do you think is so great other than killing the rogues?" I asked him.

I couldn't let Alpha Dmitri suspect me any further. I had to play this carefully, or everything I had worked for would crumble before my eyes.

"Make them a pawn," he declared, his words cutting through the tension.

The room erupted with murmurs and whispers as everyone absorbed his proposition.

My blood ran cold as Alpha Dmitri's gaze lingered on the members of the Charcoal Hiss's Pack seated at the table. Panic gripped me, but I dared not show it.

I sat motionless, my mind churning with conflicting thoughts. I couldn't speak. Revealing my true identity now would jeopardize everything I had fought so hard to achieve.

I needed to remain composed, calculating my every move.

I needed Alpha Dmitri on my side, not as an enemy. I had to maintain control of the situation, even if it meant suppressing the raging storm of emotions inside me.

But as he continued to voice his suspicions, a realization struck me like a bolt of lightning. “I heard there are syndicates coming from this room who kills their co-pack member ruthlessly. They used rogues to cover up their crimes. My parents died while helping a stranger. I believe my parent’s case is connected with the syndicates.”

His words hinted at a connection between my past and the syndicates responsible for my parents' death.

Could he possibly know who I was?

The thought sent shivers down my spine.

With the meeting adjourned, Chancellor Ironclaw sought time to ponder Alpha Dmitri's suggestion. I cursed under my breath, frustration seething through every fiber of my being.

The rogues, my key to gaining power and securing my position, were slipping away because of his meddling!

Walking out of that room, Beta Isabella tried to calm me down, but my rage was all-consuming. I couldn't afford to let my guard down, not when my true identity was hanging by a thread.

"There's a possibility that the rogues will not be in my hands because of that fool's suggestion!" I exclaimed, my voice laced with anger and desperation.

Beta Isabella reached out, attempting to offer solace, but my mind was too clouded to accept it.

"He's been eyeing me the whole time... because he wants to steal the rogues from me!" I seethed, frustration and resentment seeping through every word. The weight of the situation threatened to crush me, and I struggled to regain control.

"Queen Lilac, the annual meeting is meant to forge alliances, not enemies," Beta Isabella whispered, her voice a soothing balm amidst the chaos within me. I tried to steady my breathing, forcing myself to listen.

"Please, calm down, and let's try to talk with Alpha Dmitri," she suggested, her tone filled with reason and wisdom.

"I can't talk to him. His presence just irritates me!" I exclaimed, frustration pulsing through my veins. I raised my hands to massage my temples, hoping to relieve some of the stress that had built up inside me.

"He's behind you, miss," Beta Isabella whispered, her voice barely audible. "Good luck. Remember what I told you." She blinked twice, a subtle signal of encouragement and support.

It was a small reminder that I had the strength to face this challenge head-on.

"Hmm, did I hear it correctly? My presence has an effect on you?" Alpha Dmitri's voice cut through the tense silence.

I turned to face him, his hands casually resting on his black pants. My gaze unintentionally wandered to the bulge between his thighs, but I quickly averted my eyes, disliking the effect he had on my body when I looked at him directly.

"Dream on," I retorted, my tone dripping with sarcasm. The nerve of this man to assume he had any impact on me.

"Hey, I'm sorry about earlier," he said, his voice genuine and apologetic.

"You should be," I shot back, still harboring some lingering anger from our previous encounter.

"Seriously, Queen Lilac—"

"Jeez! Stop calling me that, please." The mention of that name still made my skin crawl. I couldn't shake off the discomfort it brought me. Dmitri chuckled at my reaction.

"Okay! Fine! What do you want to be called?"

"Lilac," I replied firmly, my voice leaving no room for negotiation.

He froze in his tracks, an unexpected expression crossing his face. "Is something wrong?" I inquired, curiosity getting the better of me.

"No," he replied, his jaw clenching slightly. "I just remember someone from before who has somewhat similar name as yours." His words hung in the air, and I couldn't help but feel a twinge of concern.

Did he recognize me? Had he encountered me in the past? The thought sent a shiver down my spine.

Damn. I hope it wasn't me.

I'm pretty sure he has bedded a lot of women named Lily or Lilac before.

I pushed the unsettling thought aside, not willing to dwell on it further.

Instead, I maintained my composure and nodded in response.

"Okay, what about her?"

He shook his head, a wistful smile on his lips. "I was crazy. Sorry again, about that. Uhm, where are we in our conversation, hmm?"

"The rogues. I want them, Alpha Dmitri. Please stop fighting me to get the rogues," I stated directly, my determination shining through my words.

He let out a sigh, his shoulders sagging slightly. "Fine, but I have a favor to ask."

My eyes sparkled with a glimmer of hope. Could it be that easy?

"What favor?" I asked, my voice eager yet cautious.

"Be my ally and don't kill the rogues... yet," he proposed, his gaze fixed on mine.

I bit my lower lip, contemplating his offer.

It wasn't a bad idea to eliminate the rogues, especially if it meant forging an alliance with the Crimson Red's Pack—the second strongest pack in the world.

We both be an unstoppable force.

I gestured my hand in front of him, a sign of agreement. "Deal," I said, my voice firm and resolute.

He extended his hand, accepting my offer. Our hands met in a clasp, sealing our unexpected alliance.

"Deal," he echoed, his voice filled with determination.