Chapter 9: A Grand Gathering
Lucian’s POV
I snatched the vase from the table and flung it forcefully against the wall of my study. With a frustrated sigh, I shut my eyes tightly.
My patience is wearing thin; I can sense my temperament growing more vulnerable with each passing day. I’m struggling to figure out what’s happening to me. It’s like I’m yearning for something, an unquenchable longing that I can’t quite define. A deep hunger gnaws at me, consuming my reason entirely. It surrounds me in the blazing heat, melting away any shreds of sanity.
“Sire, you must compose yourself,” Frank, my butler, reminded me.
I let out a growl as I grabbed my own hair, sensing the heat radiating from my body. Anything within hand’s reach on the table turned into my weapon, thrown around without care. I kicked the table, making the office tremble while the glass shattered. Fortunately, the room was soundproofed, keeping the outside world unaware of the turmoil unfolding inside.
I took a moment to catch my breath.
Frank stood by the door, his expression marked with worry. He was the son of my father’s butler, and we had worked together since we were both sixteen. He had been a constant companion throughout my upbringing. The worry marked on his face revealed more than his role as my butler; he was also a dear friend.
“Leave,” I commanded, my voice cold and resolute.
Reluctantly, he left, picking up on the coldness in my voice. I massaged the bridge of my nose, trying to push aside the unmistakable indications. But deep down, I knew what was happening. I was losing control over myself-my patience, my sanity, my very essence. Gazing at my reflection in the glass wall, I observed my dishevelled hair, rumpled suit, and eyes ablaze with fiery red. A burning need consumed me, an unquenchable thirst that no number of women I had slept with could satisfy.Content held by NôvelDrama.Org.
I need to find my mate. It’s the only way to calm the madness consuming me.
“Son, I’m worried about you,” my mother said during our dinner.
“I have everything under control, Mother, no need to worry,” I tried to reassure her.
“Not to worry? I’ve witnessed how you’ve been losing control recently, Lucian. I’m your mother, there’s nothing you can hide from me,” she retorted, her voice wrapped with worry and concern.
I continued to eat, maintaining a stoic expression to conceal my vulnerability.
“Your father experienced the same madness before he found me,” my mother approached me.
“Do not resist it. Let it consume you,” she said, placing her hand on my face.
“I have a pack and a company to lead. I cannot allow myself to be consumed by this,” I responded. Allowing this madness to overtake me would be the gravest mistake I could make as a leader.
“The pack and the company will fall into chaos if you continue to resist it,” my mother asserted.
As much as I hated to admit it, she was right. In this state, I cannot effectively lead.
“You must find her as soon as possible. You are the future of our pack,” she urged.
I looked at her seriously. “I will.”
The longer an Alpha wolf goes without finding their mate, the more the wolf’s aggression intensifies. If left unmated for too long, the wolf will overpower the shapeshifter, eradicating all rational thought.
During the previous week, I had been tormented, reacting sharply to even the slightest triggers. And as my mother had warned, I had been resisting the urge to find my mate.
Still, I shouldn’t rush into things too soon. I’m not ready for such a big commitment, and I’m already overwhelmed with work and obligations being a CEO and an Alpha. I’m not into a serious relationship, I prefer casual encounters without emotional complications. Dealing with clingy, possessive women who always need my attention and affection is not my cup of tea. Marriage isn’t something I’m considering, but finding my mate is a definite priority.
The moment has arrived; I can’t avoid it any longer. It is my responsibility to find a mate and maintain the delicate balance between my pack and myself. And if fate allows, to produce heirs.
“Sire,” I was engrossed in the documents in front of me when Frank entered my office.
“Lord Edward Hess has requested an audience with you.”
“Uncle,” I greeted him, returning his smile as he revealed his golden tooth.
“Ah, nephew,” he patted my back in a friendly manner.
“To what do I owe this pleasure?”
“God, you sound just like your father,” he chuckled.
Uncle Edward had always been the easygoing uncle. He was the second son of my mother’s pack, and I grew up closely with him. Their older brother, Uncle John, held the position of an Alpha. Besides my father, he had been my mentor and devoted ally in the West.
“I just returned from my trip to France and decided to drop here to check on you.”
“Everything is well, Uncle. The company is thriving, and the pack remains strong.”
“Ah, no wonder they call you the King in the North,” he grinned. “I see no ring on your finger, boy. Mating hasn’t come knocking at your doorstep yet?” he remarked, trying to make a joke. However, my lack of response caught him off guard.
“You…” He burst into laughter, and I joined in.
“You know, your Uncle John went through the same thing, and so did your father. How are you dealing with it?” he inquired.
“It’s bloody awful. I don’t like commitment, you know.”
“Well, it’s a hurdle you must overcome as an Alpha. Mating isn’t a choice, you understand. It’s a duty and part of your fate. Face it, Lucian,” he tapped my shoulder in a supportive manner.
“I’m trying, Uncle.”
“Try harder, trust me. You won’t like the alternative,” he said, rising to his feet and adjusting his coat.
“By the way, the Moon Ball is scheduled for the next full moon. House Crescent has been chosen as this year’s host. You are requested and obligated to attend. It might be an opportunity for you to find your mate,” he informed me before taking his leave.
The Moon Ball-a grand gathering of all the lords and ladies who led packs from the North and the West. My uncle had a point. Perhaps I should seize this chance to find my mate and bring this turbulent Chapter to a close.
“Frank,” I called out.
“I have a ball to attend.”