Oh, but it matters.

“Excuse you? Listen, buddy, just because I let you join me and share the little secret I've been hiding doesn't mean that you can talk to me as one of your servants. Come on, man, get a life. Enjoy yourself here; I'm out.” Vlad snarled, throwing the half-smoked cigarette on the ground and stomping on it.

No matter how kind, the male would never let anyone treat him as lower and disrespect him while staring right into his eyes.

Vlad had heard about Luciano before - Alpha Vincent was rumored to be relatively straightforward and rude by nature. Thus far, he didn't have to compete side to side with the egoistic prick and was quite happy about that; now he understood why.

How could a person approach a stranger and state such things?
Was the Alpha delusional or just crazy?
What was it about some high-rank wolves, thinking that they were much better than others?

It was understandable, a commonly known fact that an Alpha could be a little too into himself, especially around shifters of lower ranks. But then again, Vlad hasn't met another shifter, besides wolves, whose egoistic, narcissistic nature would go overboard.

He knew a few pumas and hyenas - those who always tried their best to respect everyone and treat them as equal. Was it really only wolves that acted in such a disrespectful manner?

“My apologies, I didn't intend to sound rude or address you as a servant. It's more than clear that we are carrying the same rank and until the competition is over - none of us would get higher than others. I never meant to disrespect you, but I guess that's what people think whenever you're as honest as I am.” Luciano chuckled, his eyes still glued to stars.

It seemed funny how he never felt like this before - staring at the night sky and wondering if she was too. Nevertheless, they'd be under one sky, but the moment matters more.

The Alpha would rather share it with Seth in his arms, her head leaning against his chest as she used to - both enjoying the silence and intimate privacy.

But, of course, it was impossible, at least for now.

If the matter was something Luciano could take in his hands without visible consequences - he would leave the territory tonight, look for her and return only minutes before the next competition round.

With or without her.

If he failed to find Seth, Luciano would do the same thing over and over again until she was where she belonged - sleeping on his bed, wrapped in his arms.

“Alright, you have exactly five minutes to explain. I didn't join the competition to gather more enemies than I already have; I would rather see this as an opportunity to build the lines of allies or gain some contacts with other Alphas. Everyone knows that becoming your enemy is stupid, so I'd like to avoid such a possibility.” Vlad was more ready to leave and stay away from the delusional Alpha.

Slowly, he turned his back to Luciano, his senses heightened - just in case, if the Alpha was a man who would try to streak an attack while his opponent had turned his back on him.

Of course, nothing like that had happened before, or at least Vlad hasn't heard another exaggerated rumor.. But there was always the first time for everything.

“I don't need five minutes. I approached you because of the scent that caught my attention - you're reeking of her. Seth, a puma shifter. Pretty sure this explains enough, or should I elaborate a bit more on the topic?”

Vlad turned around abruptly as soon as he overheard her name. No way the one and only Alpha Vincent just mentioned Seth. The possibility that he knew the woman was near to none, this had to be a joke. No, it better be a joke.

“What is the meaning of all this? Did you, an Alpha, just approach me to point out that you know the woman whose scent I carry? Is this a joke? Have some self-respect, you're an Alpha, god damn it!” Usually, he was calm and collected - keeping in mind everything his mother taught him. Now, Vlad had to remember that his mother also added that a good woman was worth fighting for.

In his eyes, Seth was more than just a good woman or one night stand. Vlad had fallen for her within a few minutes; there was something utterly irresistible about her, something he couldn't fight or resist.

“No, quite the opposite. I approached you because you're sleeping with the woman I've claimed to be mine.” A knowing, smug smile spread on Luciano's lips.

He could have told Vlad about countless times he had Seth in his bed, underneath him, on top of him, and all those little experiments they had around his house.

But he didn't, only because it would be too easy to announce himself as a superior without getting to know a bit more about what connected this man to the woman he had chosen.

Perhaps it was his pride or the respect he had for the women, who ended up in his bed, but Luciano never spoke about his past, involving others, to any other stranger.

Whatever he shared with his women was only his business; everyone else wasn't worthy of finding out the details. Besides, if he was to become a King and if someone knew details about the complicated relationship between him and his chosen Queen - many would start to doubt his abilities.

Among wolves, it was commonly known that a man held power over the relationship.

Such views on personal life were centuries old, and many would do anything to keep them alive. Shifters didn't tend to change their ideas or traditions unless something big happened - big enough to prove them wrong.

“Last time I checked, she didn't have a mark, or did you hide it? Then again, I've checked everything, so I'm pretty damn sure there is none.” With two sentences, the tables had turned.

Luciano felt the rage boiling in him while Vlad smirked. He chose his words carefully, intending to push Luciano's buttons, and judging by the look on the Alpha's face - he succeeded.

“Did I mention a mark? No, I didn't. I've voiced my claim on her. Due to some unfortunate events, she has been taken away from me, and I'm still here, stuck in the competition.” Alpha Vincent didn't view the conversation as a simple discussion or as an exchange of words.

When the younger Alpha decided to play by his rules, Luciano never thought that he could copy his approach.

It was one thing if he did anything to intimidate others, but receiving the same attitude in return pissed him off.

Maybe Vlad had no idea what he was capable of, but soon, he would have a chance to test Luciano's limits.

The Alpha had to face many obstacles during his earlier years, way too many to count. This wouldn't be his first or last. Getting crowned as the next King was just a mere detail of his grand plan; the real victory would come after he would find Seth.

She had no idea about things coming her way - she might escape an Alpha, but she can not hide from the King.

“Alright, so to make any sense out of this - we are sleeping with the same woman?” Vlad popped Luciano's thought bubble, bringing a finger to his chin, deep in thoughts himself.

To say that the whole conversation was a surprise would be an understatement. Who would have thought that staying away from others to have an occasional cigarette would lead to meeting Alpha Vincent and talking about women.

That would be a thing friends could do, not a complete stranger.

Who cared if Seth really did have a past with this man?

For all Vlad cared, she could have had millions of partners before him; it didn't make her less worthy as a woman.

Besides, having someone with experience was more likely to end up in a great relationship - Vlad had always thought that women like her knew what they wanted.

Of course, everyone would have some confusing moments even with loads of experience, but it still didn't take away one's worth.

“Mhm.” Luciano hummed, curiously watching the Alpha.

Meeting someone so calm and rational was a rare opportunity. If any other Alpha ended up in his place, standing against Vincent - they would freak out or try to fight him. This one didn't do a thing other than copy Luciano's approach.

“Damn it, how could I miss the scent of another Alpha on her then? I mean, I did catch a glimpse when we first met, but there was none the last time we got to see each other.” Vlad mumbled under his breath.

The Alpha slowly realized that he didn't ask Seth if she had a boyfriend or a lover the last time they met. Everything happened too fast - a simple walk ended up in passionate kisses and an unforgettable night. Not to mention the little bit of fun they shared in the shower.

The Alpha had to shake his head to get rid of vivid details his mind threw at him.

Memories over the time they spent together made his dick twitch, and standing in front of another Alpha with a hard-on might be a quite challenging situation to explain.

“Mind if I ask when and how did you meet her? Not that it's my business, just plain curiosity.” Luciano smirked.

He suspected that this man might be the one he's been looking for, but then again - this wasn't the first time they met. Luciano tried to think back; there had to be something that already connected them both to Seth.

The Alpha's lips parted a little.

He had met Vlad before, but the encounter left his mind way too quickly. Back then, and today, he didn't carry even a hint of the scent Luciano had caught in Seth's cabin.

There must be another man involved, no way could she have slept with both of them and suddenly had a pile of her friends' clothing in her home.

If anything, Alpha Vincent was more than ready to dig to the bottom of this- sooner or later, he will find out the truth.

“Over the weekend a while ago. I was on my way to the city when I noticed her sitting by the road. I wouldn't have stopped the car if I didn't notice that she's been crying, so like a gentleman, I am - I stopped to make sure she's okay. That's about it.” Vlad grinned, remembering the day when he met Seth.

He did take a significant risk back then; nights were dangerous everywhere, and many creatures used an innocent approach to lure their victims closer.

All Vlad could do was to feel relief that she wasn't some sort of weird, blood-sucking weirdo, waiting for someone to feed off. Talking about dodging the bullet.

“Did you take her home?” Luciano couldn't stop thinking about the scent he caught the other day.

It wasn't Vlad, nor any other Alpha he had met in the games. He couldn't find anything even slightly alike while looking around the Council house or servants and guards' rooms.

The outsiders were kept under a strict schedule; there was no way a worker could bring someone in. Even if a guard helped her, that would be listed on the paperwork, but the only guests in the territory were brought by Alphas.

“I did, but between us two - nothing happened back then. We had some ice cream, watched some movies and kissed. Then we went to bed. Separate rooms.” To ease the visible tension, Vlad decided to confess.

There wasn't anything to hide in the first place, but judging by the way Luciano kept clenching his jaw - someone might die tonight.

While the Alpha kept thinking about something, Vlad took his time to observe him.

The man was obviously tired - dressed in a professional, high-end suit, yet his face gave out all those nights he had spent awake, the slightly dark circles under his eyes, messy hair, and bruising on his knuckles.

No one had to have an actual fistfight during the last week, so Vlad could only guess that the injuries were left after the Alpha attacked a wall or any other heavy object.

Whoever was the reason behind his rage, Vlad felt sorry for the person and moment when Luciano would face them.

“Was there anyone else besides you two in that house?” Alpha Vincent questioned Vlad, taking a step closer, observing him suspiciously.

Both men didn't trust each other, but none had a reason to give any trust, to begin with.

Thus far, they were in competition for a title, and now - the competition grew to a new level since a woman was involved.

“Yeah, my friend. Why?” Vlad scratched the back of his neck, wondering why Luciano would ask something like that. How was the question relevant to the discussion they had?

“What's the name of this said friend?” Luciano smirked, a spark of mischief dancing his eyes.

If Vlad didn't know better, he would assume that the Alpha just found the missing piece of his puzzle.

“Again - why?” Vlad raised an eyebrow.

“Trust me, I did not approach you to cause any trouble. We're having a friendly chat, discussing a woman both of us obviously have decided to claim. Let's say I want to find out if there is more competition than just one man.” Luciano chuckled.

His wolf had decided long ago that no man would ever be worthy of becoming their competition, especially when it came to women.

In time, the Alpha started to believe in Demon's words, so the whole thing around Seth began to seem rather ridiculous. Why would anyone else try if he was involved?

“My friend wouldn't be a competition - he drank too much, so I let him stay over, that's it. He didn't meet Seth since she slept in the guest room and my friend had a room of his own. I wouldn't worry about anyone who has no clue about her existence. Even more, he would question me if he found out that there was a woman staying over at my house, no matter what species. If anything happened, let's say they ran into each other, my friend would tell me. He is the type of person who would stick his nose into business, which isn't his, just for the details. So, again - he has no business in this, and he doesn't know Seth. Let's try to keep this whole thing as cultural as we can, okay? It is between me, you, and her. There's no need to involve extra people.” Vlad stated with confidence.

It was partly true - he would never view Dominic as a competition. Plus, since they have been close friends since childhood, it would be evident to Dominic that Vlad could have a crush on the woman, and he wouldn't do a thing if he met Seth.

She was the first female to stay over at his house in a long, long time. That would be the biggest hint for his friend to back off. Hopefully.

“We wouldn't involve him; all I'm asking for is a name. There are millions of more shifters with the same name - do you really think that there is a chance that I could go after your friend and actually find him among the insane numbers of others?” Luciano wanted to laugh, perhaps sound a little more friendly, but he couldn't.

The name was all he needed to get to the said friend and check if he was the blame.

“Not that it matters but it’s Dominic.” Vlad groaned, rolling his eyes.

He reached in his pocket to grab another cigarette and lit it, eyeing Luciano. The grin on his lips seemed to mean only one thing - trouble.

The silence nearly killed Vlad; he wanted to know more - any piece of information would be more than welcome, yet he didn't expect what Luciano had to say next.

“Oh, but it matters.”