*****CHAPTER 24

ALCOT'S POV
 
"That jerk!"  I cursed under my breath as I alighted from the car with my guards and Sia trailing behind me.
 
"If we are to look at it from the other side, in a way, it is a good thing, my Lord... Sia said something from behind me, but I cut her off rudely.
 
"That's bullshit, Sia." "Have you forgotten how sly and unpredictable the Red Wolf pack could be?"
 
Most especially after causing the death of my brother and my father. I could never forget that, nor could I ever forgive them for it. It was their thirst and greed for power that ruined my life in this way.
 
"I am perfectly aware of that, my Lord." But the elders and all the other Alphas have voted in agreement with the treaty. "You can't go against them now."
 
"I can."  I set my jaw and continued to walk ahead and towards the castle. "I am not just an Alpha." "I am the Lycan King."
 
As we walked further into the castle grounds, the servants who were working outside immediately paused their chores to bow to me. I walked ahead but slowed my pace again as my eyes caught the sight of Mae's dark hazel eyes stealing a glance right at me even though her head was bowed. I suddenly felt conscious of myself and fought to keep myself in check.
 
Forcing myself to look away, I proceeded to walk past them, but Sia's voice caused me to slow down my pace again and turn my head to see her staring at Mae, a small, playful smile playing across her lips.
 
"Hey.  You."
 
What the fuck was she trying to do?
 
Mae glanced around, having second thoughts that Sia was referring to her, and when she looked back at Sia again, she nodded and pointed directly at her.
 
"Yes.  You."
 
With a bit of a frightened look now on her pretty face, Mae straightened her pose and walked cautiously towards Sia, like a lamb about to be slaughtered.
 
"What's your name?"
 
"Mae."  She answered after a short moment of delegating silence. She glanced sideways at me, and I only watched the scene before me, still wondering what Sia's plan was.
 
"Mae…"  Sia nodded at Mae's response and continued to stare at the girl. I noticed how Mae was a little shaky with fright, and it took all the restraint in me not to call Sia to order. With that long, sharp sword in her hand and the armor she had on, coupled with her hard, piercing gaze, I wondered how she never understood just how her mere stares could cause someone to piss on their pants.
 
"Can you do me a favor, Mae?" She planted a small smile on her face again, and Mae again glanced at me as if pleading to be rescued from this bloodthirsty woman before she turned her eyes back to Sia again and nodded her head in response.
 
If Sia doesn't stop this bullying in a minute, I'm going to drag her away.
 
"The Alpha is quite tired from our long journey. "Can you make some chamomile tea and bring it to him in his chamber?"
 
What the hell? Who said I needed a bloody cup of tea? Why was she even doing this?
 
Mae gulped visibly and nodded again.
 
"Y–yes.  I will."  She stuttered a response, and Sia gave her a gentle, comforting pat on the back before walking away again and rejoining me. I gave her a warning glare, and she returned it with what was supposedly a sweet smile before we started to walk away again.
 
As we walked into the castle, I opened my mouth and made to scold her for bullying a poor servant, but she cut me off immediately.
 
"I'm sure you know that I am doing this for you."
 
"What?"  A frown crossed my face, and I looked at her like she had gone crazy.
 
"I am aware that you like her, Alcot. Stop trying to hide things from me. I know you too well."
 
"Don't be ridiculous." I laughed sarcastically at her now, even though a part of me warned me that she could be right. But I would never agree to that. That was complete bullshit. I had never been in love with anyone in my entire life. If I was ever going to fall in love, it wouldn't be with a thief or a slave girl of all people.
 
"Bla bla bla." She rolled her eyes playfully at me. "Just say a quick "thank you" already."
 
"There's no way I'm saying that when you're being all dramatic and making false assumptions. Plus, I don't even need a goddamn chamomile tea. What I need is sleep and a good rest, Sia. "Not some bloody cup of tea."
 
"You're welcome."  She flashed me a smile, and I shook my head at her, tired and surrendering to all her troubles.
 
When we finally arrived at the door of my chamber, the guards remained behind to guard the door while Sia waved me goodbye.
 
"Take your chamomile tea and have a good rest, my Lord." She bowed at me and gave me another playful smile before turning her back and walking away again in her usual warrior swagger. A small smile crossed my face as I watched her walk away. If there was anyone most befitting the role of a Zeta, it was most definitely Sia.
 
After she left, I walked into the room, shutting the door behind me. I took a deep breath and started to undress as I headed towards my bathroom for a quick shower. But I was interrupted by a small knock against the door, and I took a sharp, slightly annoyed inhale before heading towards the door again.
 
The guards should be by the door to attend to little distractions like this, especially now that they know I need to have some rest. I had heard rumors lately about how they escaped duty as soon as I was indoors to binge on wine and women. If I do not take action now, this will definitely continue.
 
Maybe I would have to snap one of their heads off so that they would be reminded about how intolerant of bullshit I was.
 
I did not bother to put on a shirt as I walked towards the door. It was most definitely going to be my mother or Sia. They too had the audacity of a lion.
 
"What do you want again?" I said as I pushed the door open, but my eyes snapped open at the same time a short gasp escaped her lips and the cup of tea in her hand fell to the ground, shattering into ceramic pieces.
 
She stared at me with widened, scared eyes as she took in the shirtless sight of my body and the scars that I had hidden from everyone else for many, many years.