The Alpha King's Unwanted Mate

Chapter 10

Elena's POV

We didn't take long to arrive back at the packhouse.

"Drop everything you're carrying with the head cook and tell her not to do anything until I come back," Mother said as she set down the bags in her hands and hurried into her room.

The head cook was busy with her usual kitchen duties. As I placed all the groceries we had brought from the market on the counter, she turned in my direction and stopped what she was doing.

"Welcome, Your Highness," she greeted warmly.

I had started getting used to this kind of greeting. The head cook was always the first person to show me such great respect.

She stretched out her hand toward me.

"May I hold your hand? Um... I'd also like to show you the delicacy I've prepared for the pack before we leave for the Mating Run."

I was about to take her hand when Mother walked in, already dressed in her cooking attire. Seeing the two of us facing each other, she stared for a few seconds before breaking the silence.

"Elena, leave her. Let's try making Varlok's favorite meal."

"Sorry, Mother. I almost forgot. Where should we start?" I asked as I stepped away from the head cook.

"This way."

Mother led me into another compartment of the kitchen. It was much smaller than the one the head cook used. I followed behind her.

She unwrapped a large piece of meat. When I looked closely, I realized it was a vampire's liver. We had bought it from one of the sellers at our usual market.

"What we're about to prepare is called the Alpha's Portion. I think you've heard of it before?" Mother asked.

"I'm not familiar with royal delicacies," I replied. "I've never heard of it. My parents never talked about it at home."

"That's alright. Today you'll learn how to prepare it, and you'll also get familiar with Varlok's favorite dishes."

Mother lit the stove and began cooking while I stood beside her, watching carefully and helping by handing her the ingredients and utensils whenever she needed them.

When she finally finished cooking, I carried Varlok's tray while she led the way to the dining table where he usually had his meals.

We found him already seated, waiting for his food.

His eyes widened before he spoke.

"Mother... you know you're not supposed to do this."

"What is it, Varlok?" Mother asked, looking at him expectantly.

I studied his expression. He turned his face away from Mother and remained silent.

At first, I thought I was the reason for his strange attitude, but when his eyes drifted back to me, they seemed to say otherwise.

Guilt crept into me, and I instinctively moved farther behind Mother.

Ignoring his hesitation, Mother placed the meal before him.

"Taste it and tell me what you think. It's the Alpha's Portion."

The name of the dish seemed to ring a bell. His expression brightened almost immediately.

"This is good. I love it," he said after taking a bite with his fork.

Mother smiled before turning back toward the kitchen. I quietly slipped away and followed her.

As we entered the kitchen, the head cook and two other omegas were carrying trays of prepared food into the pack hall. The visitors and pack elders were about to be served.

Not long afterward, Mother and I got ourselves ready.

"Varlok will be taking us to the venue in his car," Mother had told me earlier while we chatted in the kitchen.

The ride to the Mating Run felt as though I was alone in a self-driving carriage, even though several people were seated around me.

People gradually started arriving, some alone and others in groups. As the ceremony began, it became obvious that there were quite a number of unmated wolves in the pack.

The unmated males were seated in the front rows while the females sat opposite them. They were called out in groups to dance so the males could choose their preferred mates.

I sat beside Mother where she had chosen to sit—among the crowd but only two rows from the front.

The performances began, and I immersed myself in watching.

Then, all of a sudden, I saw Varlok stand up and walk straight toward one of the dancing groups.

His attention settled on a slim girl with delicate features and tired-looking eyes.

The sight made my chest tighten.

Why was Varlok looking at another woman?

Mother had spent days telling me he wasn't the cruel man everyone claimed he was.

She had slowly filled my heart with hope, and I had begun believing he might choose me when my next heat cycle arrived. I thought that keeping me here, together with everything Mother had told me, meant my dream of becoming bonded to the pack's royal family might finally come true.

But what I saw before me shattered every bit of that hope.

Varlok's POV

I sat in the front row. Beta Harla was on my right, followed by the other unmated males.

The young women arranged themselves for the ceremony and began dancing.

They were all beautiful, and their graceful movements made them even more attractive.

If I ignored that particular girl, I thought to myself, I'd be missing out on what could have been an interesting love story.

She danced well too.

It was obvious she had put her whole heart into this occasion.

I stepped forward until I stood before her.

I lightly touched the edge of her garment and slowly circled around her, pretending to admire every curve she possessed.

As I did, my eyes met Elena's.

She looked utterly heartbroken.

For a brief moment, guilt tugged at me, but I quickly buried the feeling.

Whatever was going through her mind was hers to deal with, I told myself.

I continued observing the girl as she played along with my inspection.

The next time my gaze drifted toward Elena's side of the gathering, I noticed a crowd forming around her.

"Someone has fallen unconscious!" I heard someone shout behind me.