Chapter 20
1355 Words
Draco’s POV
I had never been more livid at a group of women before in my life. In fact I had never paid much attention to what the concubines did with their time.
I stood in the center of my bedchamber completely naked, I reached for a robe. The steam from our s*x was still thick in the air, and all I could think about was replaying what Scarlett had just said about the other concubines.
What they did, what they had said to her.
Those petty little women I once amused myself with, now had the audacity to torment the only person in this palace who actually meant something to me.
Scarlett was a different species of woman, she had shared my bed, matched my rage and also brought her ideas to the table. She wasn’t just exciting, she was valuable to me.
And while I was gone waging a battle between a pack that was committing treason, they were mocking her family’s death by my hands.
They knew exactly what they were doing.
As much as I didn’t regret my decision to wage war against the Furies pack, I didn’t like her to be reminded of the genesis of our relationship.
If I had the power to erase that memory, I would.
They knew what Scarlett meant to me, they saw it everyday but still… they dared.
There was no label to our relationship, I hadn’t made her the official Luna or even said anything in that respect but I knew some of the concubines were smart, they could see me give her power.
I wanted Scarlett to be the only one left, she was already the only one that mattered.
I had already planned to do this but being on that battlefield made it even more obvious.
I scheduled the meeting to be held a few days after the bounty sharing had occurred and they were happy before I moved on to giving them the information.
I wanted the final gesture to be kind for them, after all they had once been a part of my life even though I was no longer interested in them.
But with what Scarlett was saying, there was no need for the unnecessary ceremony.
I rang the bell again as the guard was slow to come.
I heard the hurried run, then the knock on the bedchamber.
“Send word to all my concubines, tonight, they must meet me at the throne room. No exceptions, no excuses.” I said.
“Yes, my King.”
***
When they began arriving in the throne rooms, they could even feel that the atmosphere had suddenly changed.
They knew something was coming, they could decipher the situation from the way I sat.
Scarlett sat by my side, quiet by composed I caught the way they were very surprised to see Scarlett seated beside me and when I took her hand.
Someone gasped.
Scarlett didn’t say anything but her hand stayed in mine.
I scanned the eyes of the women that had gathered, their faces and bodies were familiar but there was no interest in any of them. There was nothing I wanted from them anymore.
When their initial reaction ended. I finally spoke.
“You’ve all served me with grace,” I said. “Each of you was chosen at one time because I desired you and for a time, many of you satisfied you.”
A few of them bowed their heads.
“But things have changed. Your king has changed.”
I paused and glanced sideways at Scarlett.
Her green eyes flickered with something I couldn’t read quickly.
“I’ve thought about this for a while now,” I continued, “and while my original plan was for this meeting to be pushed further. It has become quite clear that waiting would only be foolish and unnecessary.”
Now the room was fully attentive.
I continued, “From tonight forward, your titles as my concubines is hereby dissolved.”
There were whispers and gasps of disbelief. Then they all went silent.
“I will not be summoning any of you to my bedchamber again, neither will I continue to play along with the idea that your presence here is still necessary.”
I paused, making sure they all heard me.
“I will provide for you, if you choose to remain on the palace grounds and I will make sure you’re very comfortable if you decide to move into any of the packs or cities and territories under my command. You will be given a share of the war bounty as always and each of you will be assigned an omega to assist you in your new life.”
The room almost erupted.
But it was Hanna, of course, who was the first to speak.
“So just like that?” She demanded as she stepped forward. “We’re being discarded.”
“You’re not discarded, you’re released.” I corrected her. “There’s a difference.”
“Weren't we good enough for you?” She hissed. “I mean we’ve served you for years.”
“You were good enough,” I said simply. “But the truth is I’m no longer attracted to you. I’m not going to lie to you or make you feel like there’s still a chance just out of guilt. I’d rather give you all your freedom to find something else, something real. Something that doesn’t revolve around waiting for me to call you to my bedchamber once every three moons.”
Hanna looked like she was about to cry.
But I felt no sympathy.
“Maybe now you’ll find mates that will see you for who you are.”
“My King, is this because of her?” Lirah said, pointing to Scarlett. “Is she the reason for this?”
I didn’t reply.
That was enough for them.
They began making their decisions.
Some, who were a bit older and tired and even secretly relieved, chose to leave. Kina, the youngest concubine was one of the first to choose to leave.
“I’ll go to the city,” she said. “I’ll live a simple life, maybe even start a business. I’m grateful for the opportunity and I chose to leave.”
Others followed.
Two concubines spoke about returning to their original packs, they spoke of returning to their former homes or what was left of their families. They would rebuild themselves with the wealth they’d be given.
Three of the concubines, Hanna, Lirah and one other opted to remain on the palace grounds.
“I have nowhere else to go,” Hanna said flatly. “And I’ve served here for too long to pretend like there’s something left for me in the outside world.”
“You can stay,” I said. “But you need to understand that your place has changed and you will not be given the same role or privileges in the palace. You will not have access to my bedchambers.”
She nodded once, her lips pursed.
Lirah didn’t look at me.
That was good, I was tired of looking at her.
The meeting came to an end shortly after that, they all bowed respectfully.
Then they left, some bitterly and others excitedly.
And when the room was silent again. Scarlett turned to me. “When did you decide to do that?”
I leaned back on my throne. “Before I left but I’d planned to do it after the bounty was distributed as I thought it’d be better that way.”
She tilted her head. “So why did you do it now?”
I looked at her.
“You know why.”
She looked beautifully flustered.
“So do I get to leave too?” She asked softly.
I leaned toward her, voice low and wicked. “Only if you want me to hunt you back.”
“I don’t.”
“Good,” I said, brushing my thumb against her jawline. “I don’t want you to go anywhere.”
She leaned into my hand, and found my lips.
- Writer
