CHAPTER 5: Royal Responsibilities

LOUIS

“Fuck! That's so good baby”.

With each intensity, the sound of flesh slapping against flesh grew louder.

A coquettish voice was heard saying "I want more” which led to her partner letting out a low growl that caused her mouth to groan even louder.

Banks with Ella, his girlfriend.

They had carelessly left the door open, so it was not my fault that I could hear them. They believed that nobody was inside the house. I forcefully shut their door, not giving a thought to their reaction, but it appears he encouraged her to go on, as evidenced by her louder moan this time. Three months have passed since he started dating her, and nearly every time, I was the one forced to put up with their absurd noise.

Seeing as he was the fifth child, he sure got away with a lot of things. Banks and Ella were very close and clingy, and I was not sure if they were any better than my parents.

Opening the next door, I saw Albert, my younger brother, listening to music on headphones. As I stood there, I could hear the music blasting through his ears. Rather than training, he was busily browsing the internet and glancing at half-naked photos of girls.

Foolish.

I slapped him so hard it resulted in an inertia.

"Bro..bro..bro." He faltered.

I did not change my position or my authority over him. He knew he was guilty and I could have him punished for it.

“How did you get in here Louis?” He said as he attempted to leave the room, "You were supposed to be…”

As soon as he saw that I had not moved an inch, he ran out. After he had left for the training ground, I saw him already receiving his punishment. Though absurd, that was a wise decision.

"The Alpha Darius needs your attention, My Prince." my father’s subordinate told me.

"I will be heading over there."

I set out to see my father, the Echo pack's Grand Alpha. He was the leader of the pack and the entire global werewolf population. All creatures held him in high regard and respected his firm hand over theirs. After arriving, I went to the Council meeting, which I always hated but had to attend because it was my duty and I was unable to avoid it.

The Council members welcomed me inside and said, "You are welcome, my prince."

“Let us move on to more pressing matters, please. Enough with the small talk”. I grumbly replied.

My father was glaring at me, and I returned the favor by glaring back as I sat next to my older brother, Zen.

As soon as the meeting began, there were disagreements and deviant arguments, but they were all settled and solutions offered. Finally, after an hour and thirty minutes, the meeting came to an end—or not.

“We are going to need a Luna for each of you in order to further fortify ourselves. At least that is a sign of protection, as the two of you are getting older and the leadership baton would be passed on," Council member Cecil remarked.

“Indeed, my princes. Many questions have been raised by this issue among the general public. The Princes...”

"And Cecil, what could be your suggestion?" I asked.

“It does not seem like your mate is forthcoming. Furthermore, in the present era, we prefer not to have to wait a long time for our partner. Any lovely young woman could be your wife. I could compile a list, and you could select the items on it”. He realized he was talking too much when I was staring down at him.

"You decide, or mine?" Zen mumbled, but it was audible to all.

Before any of them could respond, he said, "Not interested." Zen found it extremely upsetting to talk about his mate, which I was aware of.

"Prince Louis..."

"You mean your daughters? By the list I presume?"

"Well...No, what I mean is...My Prince."

I fixed my gaze on him until he lost the ability to stammer. Most likely, he recalled that he was a werewolf and a member of the biggest pack. Besides, he was on the Council, so he should have every advantage. Cecil quickly recovered his composure, even though a deep fear was circling his vision.

"No, my prince. That was not my intention”.

"Then, Cecil, what did you mean?"

"I…My Prince. The woman in the pack must be able to run beside you and learn the pack dynamics. Soon, our Alpha would hand the reins over to his sons, who would become Alpha Beta, Lord Commanders, and the ultimate leaders of the pack. We do not know when a mate will show up. My Prince, time waits for no one. It is necessary for us to…”

"I am not interested"

"My Prince."

Finally, my father said, "That is enough." With his eyes blazing and his voice low, he turned to face Lord Cecil.

“For your Alpha, Lord Cecil, what did you wish for? The reins slipping from our Alpha's hands? My demise? How come I never knew you had such envisions towards me?”

"I apologize. I never wanted such a disaster to befall the...my Alpha. I would never speak such profanity," he trembled in terror.

"Horrible things? My sons as well?” His voice became raspy as he spoke.

“It appears that Lord Cecil is not in a good mental state right now. You would not be able to make any more recommendations. Your allegiance appears to be called into doubt," Oscar, my father's beta, responded.

With a knee-bowed salute, Lord Cecil said, "I offer the Council my deepest apologies." As everyone left the Council room, he stayed in that position.

Up until the evening when I got home, my day essentially consisted of meeting after meeting. I relieved myself of the day's tension by taking a shower. The same routine was followed every day, and as time went on, it grew monotonous.

I was lying in the bathtub trying to calm down when the idea of my got into my head. I knew deep down that she was out there and that I would eventually locate her. After five years, I was still firmly convinced that she was real. She will be the best, and I swear to treasure her greatly. Even though I had witnessed unbonded couples cohabit happily, I still yearned for the unending closeness and connection that mates shared. I desired the full, unadulterated bond that the Moon Goddess had formed. At this point, my wolf was lonely and constantly yearned for his mate. Being by myself was serene, yet intensely solitary.

Jamal said to me, "She will be perfect," as we were thinking the same thing. There was a mutual exhalation and a sense of complete calm as if everything had stopped.

She is going to be breathtakingly gorgeous. The one that I hope and wish for. As I listened to Jamal saying "My Luna." He grew solemn and quiet. That night, we both slept with heavy hearts.