CHAPTER 21

CHAPTER TWENTY ONE
The atmosphere stilled as the Lycan king walked majestically into the precinct where the werewolves abound. No sound could be heard but the sound of his footsteps making contact with the ground. He maintained his majestic walking step until he approached the pack house where a couple in distress and an unwanted villainous mate held a heated conversation in which he was the topic.
Hearing the way he was addressed changed his mood so when he walked into the pack house, his thunderous voice, tinged with anger, reverberated from the door: "I asked a question. Who dares to refer to me in such a manner?"
The anger that he felt was directed to everyone that was present in the room, save for Avyanna who was also that the receiving end of the banter. Baron's gaze pierced through everyone that looked at him and trembled. His loud voice had woken a lot of sleeping wolves so in no time, the pack house was graced several wolves that dared to enter the house when they heard the Lycan King's roar.
Nancy shivered in true fear as Baron's gaze reached her, so sensing such magnitude of fear from Nancy, Baron did not remove his gaze from her. To him, he had seen the person that smeared his name.
Slowly and baronial, he walked closer to Nancy, Ericson, Avyanna, and will, pointed a finger at Nancy and roared quietly: "How dare you!"
"I... You..." Nancy muttered trying to find her words, secretly hoping and praying that Ericson or someone else would save her from the danger posed by Baron.
"You what?" Baron asked, reducing his volume but maintaining his angry tone. The gathering crowd stood and watched as the terrifying Lycan King put fear into Nancy. He sensed the crowd look at him so he turned to look at them, one by one. As he looked, they slowly bowed to give him his respect. The Lycan King was in a territory that was not his but because he was royalty; the werewolves were obligated to give him that respect because he deserved it. Besides his aura was also too powerful that a wolf would easily bow to.
The Lycan King's extemporaneous appearance and roaring in the pack house had spooked Avyanna. She was surprised to see the gentleman that she danced with the previous night send shivers down the spine of her people. She was entertained by it, yet shocked at his sudden appearing; she did not expect to see him so soon, at least not for another day or until she summoned him again. She assessed his appearance as she stood, crossing her arms and conspicuously grinning at his show of power.
She couldn't help admiring him as she stared at the way he dressed. The way his outfit fit perfectly with his body structure, and the powerful aura that he emitted made her excited.
Baron, on the other hand, couldn't help but admire Avyanna even though he was angry at a lot of things. His attention was divided between admiring Ayanna in her short gown, and angrily staring at Ericson and everyone else.
Nancy, on her part, still trembled but finally managed to mutter some words of apology to Baron, "I am sorry. I never meant... to refer to you in such manner. I am ..."
"Aren't you just an Omega? How dare you mutter my name! If I wasn't such a peacemaker, I would have your fangs for this."
"I am sorry." Nancy cried.
"I would punish you in ways you cannot imagine for smearing my name." For some reason, Baron enjoyed inflicting fear on Nancy, watching her vibrate in fear, and acting cold towards her. He sensed a hostile energy lodged somewhere deep in her persona that was yet to resurface.
Ericson, out of respect for the Lycan King and for the sake of peace to reign, intervened. "She has expressed remorse. Would it please the Lycan King to watch her perish rather than forgive her in her own home?" Ericson made sure his tone was not offensive yet he ensured that it was authoritative. He moved towards the trembling Nancy to offer her his form of support.
"Since you've asked, it would please the Lycan King to not have his name smeared by such ..."
"Werewolf?" Ericson cut in. He was not okay with the Lycan king showing such power in his territory so he made power moves with his words at any opportunity he had. Ericson was aware that he too put a stain on the Lycan king's name so while he showed authority, he was careful to not aggravate Baron any further.
"Werewolf. I believe I was not the only talked about." Baron said.
"Whatever do you mean?" Ericson asked.
"I believe I heard her question the lady of the pack insultingly too." Baron gestured at Avyanna.
"I didn't. I promise, I just asked an honest question." Nancy sobbed in her defense. Avyanna's countenance returned to that of anger; anger directed at Nancy and her fake humility.
Avyanna slowly shook her head in disappointment and bowed it. She couldn't believe how the person that was supposed to point out Nancy's disrespect to her was supporting it. The Lycan king who had no business with it was invested in her and whoever disrespected her but her husband remained unfazed by it. He even supported it.
"That is not very alpha-like of you; letting a lower creature disrespect your lady that way." Baron expressed disappointment in Eric for letting Nancy speak to his wife like that.
Ericson then volleyed his gaze from a disappointed Avyanna to a scared Nancy. He thought deeply, for a moment, about what the Lycan King said then he said, "With due respect, I apologize for the Omega's attitude but I think you are already jumping into conclusions here simply because you have developed a liking for my wife."
"Ohh that is true and I won't deny that fact but I would like you to mind your tongue and not say anything you like about me."
Ericson was aware of the fact that the Lycans were stronger than the werewolves and that no werewolf wanted to mess with the Lycans, for they knew it was a battle they would lose. That is why everything he said, no matter how authoritative, was still polite, to say the least.
In the heat of the moment, Nancy whooshed to Baron's feet and begged for his forgiveness, "Please. Forgive me." She wailed.
Baron grew angrier as he saw her kneel before him, just as he stared at her in anger; contemplating ways to hurt her, Avyanna intervened.
"She knows not what she does. Forgive her." Avyanna said, cooling the temper of a very murderous Baron.
Avyanna couldn't deny that she still cared for Ericson and, consequently, she didn't want his mate to get hurt by Baron's wrath; that is the only reason why she intervened. It wouldn't have hurt Avyanna to see Nancy's face get bashed in; it would have made her happy.
"Very well then." Baron replied, ignoring the Omega at his feet. "Show me around the pack house as we conclude our discussion from last night." He stared at Avyanna and offered his hand to her.
"Ask one of my warriors to follow you." Ericson cut in sharply. His possessive and jealous side was laid bare as he spoke.
"No, I will not. I insist the Luna escorts me. Don't you want to treat your guest the right way?" Baron asked with a smirk.
"Of course I do. But my wife is..."
"I will escort him. He is my guest and he should be treated as such." Avyanna said sternly. She walked to Baron and took the hand he offered. "I will be a moment."
The pair walked out of the house to its environs, discussing.
Baron was able to fully gaze upon Avyanna's beauty without any hinderance. He admired the way her laps shone under the sunlight. The grey short gown she wore complimented her skin tone and her scent pleased Baron. She smelled really nice.
"That was intense right there." Baron said.
"Just a regular day in my life. I had no idea you took your insults to your name really personal."
"It wasn't more of the words, rather who said the words. What is that Omega's deal?"
"Who? Nancy? That is... Pfft. I'm getting used to her annoying attitude because as it is right now, I don't think I have a say in her matters." Avyanna was not sure about letting him know about Nancy because she felt she would be tempted to let him also know about her past life, so she just said, "She is a real pain in my ass."
Baron smiled. "I believe she is who was with him last night, instead of you."
"Yes she was." Avyanna changed the topic of discussion, "What brings you here anyway?" Avyanna asked.
"I came to see you."
"Why?"
"We have unfinished business from last night. I told you that I take every one that I work with personal. I keep them really close. From the look of things, your people are not ready for an alliance."
Baron felt the primal gut feeling of being close to his mate. His insides fluttered as he utilized every ounce of his self-control to keep himself in check and maintain a smile as she spoke with Avyanna. Looking at her smooth skin, in a sexually pleasing dress didn't help the condition.
Avyanna felt attracted to the Baron more than she did the previous night but she couldn't understand why. It must have been the way he looked or the way he saved her from a humiliating and very embarrassing moment, either way she enjoyed his company.
"I have not discussed my plans with anyone here yet asides from you and I intend to keep it that way for a while."
"I would take that as a privilege then." Baron placed his hands mockingly on his chest.
"You can say anything you want but I have my personal reasons for doing that."
"Last night, we talked about your wolf."
"What about my wolf?" Avyanna was surprised at the quick change in the discussion and why he kept on asking about her wolf. She wondered if he knew the truth or he was trying to make her talk, but why?
"Where is she?" Baron growled.