Prescott’s POV
Seven days count down to the passing down of power to the Lycan clan was theatrical moment ever in the pack. Even though nothing special happens on the day, yet the clan specially made the seven days countdown a memorable one.
Every pub in the town would be filled up with people, toasting to being a member of the powerful species.
I groaned, sliding my hands into my pant pocket as Ulrica kept pulling me inside the town pub. The pub was a bit crowded compared to the normal day when we usually come.
“His Majesty, our esteemed king is here!” a voice howled from the crowd, a dead silence was what followed before others at the pub began to go on their knees.
“Greetings to His Majesty, our esteemed King!” the rest chanted, I groaned feeling a little bored with the formalities of the pub.
I didn’t come here to be treated like a King. What happened to the indifference in the pub?
“Greetings, my loyal folks.” I smiled, waving my hand for them to get back to their business.
“Tsk! Tsk! Such a scene.” Wharton grinned at my back, his voice was filled with mockery and I wish I could just shut him up with a punch.
“Let’s find a table,” Ulrica uttered, scanning through the crowd while leaning her head against my shoulder.
Never want to be here. I groaned, shrugging my shoulder, forcing Ulrica to get her head off me.
“I hope to the goddess you won’t drink past your limit, Today, I swear I’m never going to carry you in my arms if you do.” I sneered, snatching my arm from her grip before plunging into the soft sofa at a corner of the pub.
“If you can’t carry her, I will. I wouldn’t mind carrying our dear Ulrica in these big arms if she happens to lose her sanity.” Wharton chuckled, taking the space on my right.
Ulrica scoffed, glaring at Wharton as she took her seat at my left. “Never ask you to carry me,” she complained, slamming her head on the headrest.
“Then you can have a good night’s sleep here because everyone knows you’ll end up drinking past your limit, and our pretty Prescott here is never going to carry you.” Wharton mocked, he motioned for the bartender and he came running towards us the moment he got called.
“I can hold my liquor, hold your help because I’m never going to need it.” Ulrica defended, She stretched her hand and picked up a chocolate from the many candies that were on the plate that was on our table.
She unwrapped the chocolate and threw it into her mouth. I gulped down, as this little thing she did reminded me of my Nova.
“Let’s see how you play it.” Wharton scoffed before turning his neck to have a word with the bartender.
I shook my head, trying to get the thought of Nova off my head. I shouldn’t have been thinking about her when I decided to let her go.
“Are you new here?” I heard Wharton throw a question at the bartender who kept his gaze fixed on the floor.
“I am not a newcomer, in fact, I served you and His Majesty the last time you came to this pub together.” The bartender beamed, he slowly raised his head and I nodded my head, noticing his familiar face.
“Give us our regular drink.” I groaned, hoping we would get the night over with so I could go back to the Villa.
I had completely healed from the wound that had been keeping me up all night since the attack. I couldn’t wait for the night to be over so I could have a peaceful night’s rest since forever.
“So, what would we be doing during the seven-day countdown?” Ulrica asked, snuggling into my chest while throwing me a questioning look.
I would have been feeling pain in my chest if I hadn’t healed my wound as she gently pressed her head on my chest.
“The usual. This isn’t your first year at the pack, you should know how it’s done, Quit acting like an outsider just because you spent three years in the state.” I rolled my eyes, gently shoving her off my chest.
“The first to the third world be the people throwing unnecessary feasts in the town. Fourth to fifth is hunting days. Sixth is the field day; where anyone who had signed for their funeral would challenge the best warrior to a duet, which doesn’t normally happen. Lastly, on the seventh day, which is D-Day we became the ruler of the nation. The villa gate would be open to everyone in the nation to come to celebrate the great day with the royals; doesn’t necessarily for it to be the Lycans alone. Werewolves…”
“Yuck!” Both Ulrica and Wharton made a disgusting face at the mention of werewolves. I would have joined them in making the disgusting faces because I hated the werewolves as much as they did. But now that I got married to one, suddenly, like an ice my hatred for werewolves had melted to sparkling water.
Not minding the sudden pause, Wharton picked up his explanation and continued from where he had stopped.
“Even the foolish werewolves would have the chance to enter the Villa freely to celebrate with the royal family. At the end of the day, our king right here will bless us with a public speech.” Wharton grinned as he narrated the whole thing to Ulrica, I shook my head before taking a glass from the bartender who walked in with our drinks.
“Thanks for the explanation but I never asked for it. As much as you are aware of the activities during the seven days, I am aware of it too. Don’t be ridiculous.” Ulrica hissed angrily before grabbing a drink from the tray.
Wharton reluctantly grabs his drink, sending his anger to his grip on the glass and I let out a weird laughter.
“Careful or you’re going to spill your drink.” I mocked, gulping down my drink before dropping the glass back on the table.
“Don’t tell me shit.” he groaned, grabbing a bottle of drink and filling up his glass.
Ulrica, her eyes gleaming with a mischievous smile, she turned to us and asked. “So, I’m curious. Aside from me here, who has been rejected by her mate, have any of you found your soulmates yet?” she asked, draining her cup and refilling it with another swig of the fiery drink.
I exchanged a glance with Wharton who was blushing and smiling sheepishly, he then later shrugged off his shoulders when Ulrica pointed at him.
“You tell me, baby Hartie,” she smirked, taking a light sip from her drink.
“Me?” Wharton sputtered, taking a long gulp of his drink as he averted his eyes. “N-no, never. Not interested in any soulmate shitty matter.” His tone was unconvincing, and his cheeks were flushed red. It was clear that the subject of soulmates and mates was making him uncomfortable since he knew I was well aware he had a thing for Ulrica.
He seemed to be trying to play it off as a joke, but it was clear that he was not comfortable with the conversation.
Ulrica’s laugh was widespread, and I soon joined in the weird laughter, even Wharton who was dying of anxiety laughed along.
“Not interested in finding your mate, huh? Boring indeed!” she let out, wiping away a tear of laughter. “My dear Wharton, if you keep this up, you’ll be a lonely old man, a single piece of cake with no one to share it with.” She turned her attention to me, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. “And what about you, my dear young king? Have you found your soulmate yet?” she asked, her face aglow with excitement.
“Me?” I asked, a puzzled expression on my face. Was Ulrica seriously asking if I had a mate? “Of course not! I don’t need a mate when I already have a beautiful wife.” I made a show of waving my hand dismissively, I was playing it cold outside, but inside, my heart was pounding, thinking of the one woman who occupied my every thought.
Wharton let out a mocking chuckle, a sly smile on his lips. “Oops, seems someone’s forgotten that he’s been freezing his wife out,” he said, taking a sip of his drink as if it were the most interesting thing in the world.
I could feel my blood boiling at his words, but I forced myself to remain calm. Wharton has never liked the thought of a werewolf being my wife and he wouldn’t mind teasing me with it, but I wasn’t about to let him get a rise out of me.
“Shut your mouth, Wharton, or I’ll shut it for you. And if I do, you may lose your tongue forever.” I shot him a fierce glare, trying to keep my temper in check. But it was hard to hold back my anger when Wharton was always looking for ways to stir up trouble with my werewolf wife. Ulrica’s laughter only made things worse, and I could feel my patience wearing thin.
“You can’t be serious, my dear King. I’m only teasing, nothing more.” Wharton held up his hands in surrender, but I could see the glint of mischief in his eyes.
“Let’s drop that.” Ulrica cleared her throat, moving her gaze to stare at me with all seriousness. “What if I end up being your mate?” she asked, It was as if the time stopped when I saw that one person I had been avoiding for days, entering into the pub with her eyes sparkling as she stared around the crowded pub.
“Hey, Prescott, don’t you dare zoom out on me.” I could hear a faint voice of Ulrica yelling out my name, she was trying to pull my attention back to herself and her ridiculous question.
I didn’t move, nor did I say anything as I had my gaze glued to the woman who had just made my mind race the moment she entered through that door.
I was still staring foolishly at her until I felt her gaze shift to our table, I hastily stood up from the seat and sped out of the pub through the back door.
My heart was throbbing against its ribcage as I walked down the night with a question popping into my head.
“Why did I run?”