Chapter Eighty-One – Lose appetite.
Jaden’s POV
He was my mate’s brother, I had a weird urge to treat him better, to know him better.
Ray thanked the servant, who served him with a smile, then helped his mate get a spoon. We were on the dining table.
I glanced at Jake who was eating happily and then at Jonah who was staring at one of Ray’s warriors who was pretty.
I rolled my eyes, returning to my meal.
“If you’d tell, what is the result of the search for the Lycan?” Ralph asked, breaking the silence.
“It was unsuccessful.” was only Ray’s reply. He was more interested in watching his mate eat than reporting on the search.
Ralph smiled, understanding. I admired how Ray stared at her, like he was seeing her eat for the first time, love in his eyes and all.
Could Rihanna be like that? Having utmost love and fascination for something related to me?
My appetite was slowly leaving me. Jake looked up at me and my food, he nudged me as he was on my left. “Not hungry? Is it about the Lycan?”
His voice was low but Ray at his side picked it up and turned to me. I shook my head.
“That is already being handled. It’d be resolved soon. If not, we all are more than capable to handle him.”
The lead warrior, Cara frowned, looking me in the eye. “That’s being handled? By who?”
I glanced at Ralph and then at Jonah. “Well, the Lycan was first the prisoner of Silver Pack so they are actively hunting for him, like you are.”
There was an unreadable glare in her eyes as I mentioned Silver Pack surely she shouldn’t have hatred for them.
Their Alpha was literally her mate’s twin.
“News I got was that they lost him. They are supposed to be looking for him. Not us.” She replied. Her mate frowned slightly.
Jake snapped his head at her. “Didn’t my brother say that? They are looking for them already. And Chris sent you guys here for what again?”
Ray’s mate glowered at him. “What do you mean? To find the Lycan of course…” She gave him the ‘ridiculous’ look.
“‘Cause he lost it at first?” Jake mocked. “Or why will he feel guilty? Don’t blame Silver Pack. Ask your mate, the Alpha saved him.”
“She is his sister, of course, she will.” Cara huffed.
“Then give her some respect!” I interjected, looking her in the eyes. “Respect your mate’s sister.”
Ray had a smirk on, he picked a piece of meat and chewed on it slowly.
“Fine. Let’s hope she really gets the Lycan.” Cara sighed.
There was silence again but Ralph broke it before it got to a minute. “Why don’t you like Rihanna, Cara?”
Ray dropped his fork and gazed at him.
Ralph ignored him. “From what I know, she live a quiet life at Black Hills before Chris’s rejection that made her leave…”
“That wasn’t why she left!” Ray interrupted.
It wasn’t? We were all staring at him.
“She didn’t leave cause of Chris but everyone. Even me, okay? Black Hills just sickened her. Now can we eat, in peace?” he asked Ralph.
Ralph was still ignoring him, and waiting for an answer from Cara but she ignored him as well.
He exhaled. “Fine, those who still have appetite, should eat.” He left his food and walked out.
I had the strong urge to follow him, my appetite had finally left me. Jonah rose from his chair and walked out as well.
My eyebrows raised, why was he leaving? He followed the same route as Ralph and made me assume he left because his Beta did.
Ray was looking sorry for scolding Ralph. He dropped his fork, maybe loosing his appetite.
From the corner of his eyes, he glared at his mate. Of course, she had caused this.
His warriors were oddly quiet and enjoyed their food, it made me proud.
“We made the meal specially for you, don’t feel bad if those two aren’t hungry.” Jake chuckled, trying to lessen the mood.
Ray picked his fork again. “Thanks.”
My mind link was tugged on and I rose from my chair. The person trying to connect was my Lead Warrior, he was around the border.
It could possibly a Lycan attack or a unique visitor. Ray looked at me, sulky. “Are you leaving too?”
I smiled and shook my head. “I have a visitor at the border, I’d go check. I’d return so enjoy your meals. And maybe we’d talk privately later?”
He nodded. “Sure.” and began eating with more alacrity.
I patted Jake as I strolled off, passing the host mantle to him. I’d be handling the Alpha position.
“Yes, is there a trouble at the border?” I hurried my feet towards the door, whilst asking the lead warrior.
He made a heavy gulp, then exhaled sharply, like he was injured. “Alpha, it’s a visitor…”
I sped to the door, out, through the forest and stopped at the border within seconds. My eyes flamed while I looked around for him.
My pack wasn’t about to lose an official. But then my eyes died down when they fell on her. My wolf came to the surface.
I looked down. “Rihanna, you came?”
“Yes, and was greeted with violence again. Black Rose is really the violent pack in the kingdom. My father used to say.” she judged.
I looked at the lead warrior accusatory. He shot at her? But on his arm, was a claw mark and she had none.
“Of course, once bitten, twice shy, I didn’t let the violence get me but rather be violent. Don’t worry, he’d heal.” She smirked.
My wolf howled in support but hurting my official wasn’t very commendable. “I have Ray and his warriors, you can go in. I’d meet you.”
As she left, I went to the lead warrior. His glare on her only left when she was out of sight.
I wrapped his arm with the extra bandage I always had. “Don’t hate her.” I pleaded.
He faced me. “She isn’t likeable, Alpha.”
My wolf scoffed in disagreement but he wouldn’t understand. I gave my lead warrior a painful smile.
“Don’t worry, I’d tell her to come through Rose valley whenever she visits, that way you’d never cross paths.”
He smiled broadly. “Will very much appreciate that. Thanks for the help.” He tapped his bandaged arm.
I nodded with a smile but it fell as I turned away. If the pack didn’t like her, how will they accept her as Luna? If she became Luna.
My wolf scowled at my thoughts. Perhaps he was only interested in having a mate, but as an Alpha, I was interested in getting a Luna.
As I walked back to the building, I saw her still at the door. “Did you want me introducing you first?” I questioned.
She smiled gently then looked away. “Introduce me as what? Your people don’t really like me.”
I halted my steps. Had she overheard the lead warrior and I? She didn’t look like she did, she might already know they didn’t like her.
“And I don’t care. The hate fuels me to be the bitch they hate. More hate, more wins. By the way, the Lycan attacked.”
Her earlier words that I wanted to address became irrelevant as she added the last part.
“Attacked your pack?”
She snickered. “Attacked a slave. He wasn’t so brave to directly my pack. He even used rogues.”
She undermined the Lycan too much. It wasn’t a test of bravery but statics. His small attack could make her pack lose fate in her.
And that’s her strength, having who believed in her. And if she didn’t, she’d be a walkover.