LYALL.
On getting back to my chambers, I found Sheila seated on the bed, awake. As soon as she saw me, she slid out of the bed and walked towards me, a frown on her face.
"I woke up moments ago and I didn't find you in bed," She said, checking me out. "Why do you have a cloak on? Don't tell me you went for a nightly ride again?"

Laughing, I pulled off the cloak. Of course, she thought I had gone for a ride. I could latch onto that definitely. Thankful that I had put on a cloak, I nodded. "Yes. I did."
She followed me to the balcony where I leaned against the chrome banister. "Is something wrong again? I know you usually take rides when you're bothered about something really serious. So tell me what's it?"
Sighing, I raked my fingers through my hair. "It's just a lot, you know? I'm glad you're back anyway," I stroked her cheek and pulled her close to me, placing my chin on her head as I stared into the night skies. "Things went sideways when you left and I am just glad to have you back in my arms."
She tightened her hold around me and sighed. "I understand, honey. I missed you too. Even my parents could tell that I did."
My mind wandered away as she spoke. All I could think of was the look on Aria's face. Like she hated me. She definitely hated me. I could tell from the way she stared at me when I went to see her. I couldn't even threaten her with punishing her friend because she was going to hate me the most.
How could I pull this off? Knowing well that I couldn't stay away from Aria no matter how hard I tried?

No matter how much I wanted to keep Sheila in the dark about this, I knew I couldn't do that. She was going to find out anyway. I'd been moving dangerously these past few weeks and a couple of people had seen us together intimately. Sheila was in charge of this place as much as I was. Of course, she could make anyone tell her anything by threatening to punish them. My beta was the only one exempted.
All in all, she had to know at some point and it was getting really close. Her finding out and getting really close.
"Lyall?"
I looked down at her. "Yeah?"

"Want us to go back to bed?"
Sighing, I nodded. "Of course. We should."
We went back to bed and I pulled her in for a cuddle, staying awake and thinking of the disaster to come. I knew I couldn't avoid it no matter how I tried. It was inevitable.
I slept into the early hours of the morning.
*****
I woke up to kisses from Sheila. Lingering back in bed, I let her do what she was doing and she didn't even stop until I blinked my eyes open.
"Good morning, my handsome King," She smiled, and like a feline, she crawled up my body, leaving traces of her caresses as she advanced and when her lips touched mine, I hissed.
Sheila was good in bed. Not a novice like Aria. In the past, she'd set my body on fire and that had been one reason for me not cheating. She could satisfy me more than any woman out there could.
But with Aria, there was a burning. It didn't matter if she was good at pleasuring her. All I wanted to do was satisfy her. All I wanted to do was pleasure her until she was unable to move or even mutter coherent words.
Sheila was good but Aria was phenomenal. She incited several emotions in me at the same time. Who could resist those feelings that matched the ones read in books? Absolutely no one!
It was why I was so thankful for those who knocked on the door moments after. It was why I was kicked out of bed immediately, apologizing to a startled Sheila who gathered the duvet around her chest.
When I pulled the door open, Trenton was standing there. "Good morning, Alpha Lyall."
"Morning. Why are you at my door this early?" I nodded.
"The elders are calling for a meeting."
"What?"
He nodded. "They're waiting already. I made them wait for an hour just to appear at a ridiculous time."
"Good. I'll be out there in no time. If they can't wait, then they should leave and reschedule after informing me."
Sheila climbed out of the bed and walked towards me. "What did he say?"
"The elders are calling for a meeting," I replied.
"This early?" She asked, a frown evident on her face.
Shaking my head, I shrugged. "Nothing is ever worth informing them. I don't know how they expect me to appear before them as early as six. Can you imagine? It's like they're now my King and I have to bow to them. Rubbish."
"I wonder why they're asking for a meeting," Sheila lowered her head. When she looked up at me, she had a sad smile on my face. "Probably to talk about how I've been barren for almost six years?"
She lets out a bitter laugh and I draw close to her. "Hey, look at me." She lifts her head to me. "That doesn't matter."
"You know it's a lie." She sighed. "They're going to suggest that you find a woman to put your seed in. They have always been talking about it. I'm sure they know I'm back and are waiting to remind you once again."
She was right. I had to be truthful about that. Aria came to mind again and I felt like a terrible person for hiding this from her. Of course, it would have been really easy to tell her if Aria was just any woman I wanted to be a breeder for me. But Aria wasn't. She is my mate. My fucking mate. It was going to infuriate Sheila.
Sheila patted my chest and kissed me on the cheek. "Go ahead. I'm going to see my friends at the manor today anyway."
"Have a fun day."
The elders were all waiting when I got to the throne room. I noticed how silent they immediately went when I walked in. This time, I didn't take a seat on my throne. I wanted to show more authority and standing did the job.
"To what do I owe this impromptu summoning?"
The elders looked from one man to another and one of the elders cleared their throat before standing up. I could tell from how slowly he pushed to his feet, that he was hesitating to stand up. When he finally did, he cleared his throat.
"Your majesty," he bowed. "We heard that the Queen has returned from her trip."
"And how does that involve you all calling me for a meeting?"
He glanced at the others and they willed him to speak. He nodded and faced me again. "It's been five years, your majesty. Almost six. The Lycan Confederate is starting to wonder why an heir hasn't been provided."
This was utterly ridiculous. "I believe that is a lie warped up by you lots, right? The Lycan Confederate doesn't concern itself with an Alpha birthing a child or not. So what is the deal with you all?! Why have you all chosen to lie?"
Another elder pushed to his feet and presented a letter before me, his head bowed. "We got this letter last night. One of the messengers said it came from the scribes."
Snatching it from him, I broke the red seal. Of course, they were speaking the truth. A letter had really come from the Lycan Confederate.
His Majesty, Alpha King of Silver Water.
News is getting to us that the games will be held in a few months' time. You are to appear with your family— wife and an heir, preferably, as they would be identified and placed into the list of the next Alpha Kings of their respective bloodlines.
The Lycan Confederate.
I looked up at the men. Of course, they had chosen to follow a wrong approach to this but it wasn't far from what they were talking about.
Shit.
They were right. Things were getting tighter as time went by. Somehow, I knew I had to reveal Aria on time. I knew I had to.
I handed the letter back to him and faced the men. "I would see to it."
"But Your Majesty, it's in a few months. The games. Your wife must either be pregnant or with a newborn baby. How is that going to happen?"
"I suggest we find a breeder for him," Another man said. "It's the only way. My apologies, Your Majesty, but your wife is barren and unable to bear a child."
"I'll think about it." These were my last words before I exited the hall.
On getting outside, one of the guards rushed towards me and bowed. "Your majesty, your brother has arrived.”