"Alpha," Nico, Alpha Royce's Beta knocks and opens the door to the Alpha's bedroom.
Royce was standing in front of the gold long frame mirror, already dressed up and ready to leave for school. He arranges the collar of his black designer jacket in a way his ironed white shirt underneath won't get rumpled.
He turns the side of his face, loving how neatly he trimmed his hair. He chuckles at how perfect he looks and then he spares Nico a short glance.
"What is it?" He asks in a gruffly tone.
"The black Sedan is a registered vehicle rented to Pastor Baldwin for six months," Nico hand over Baldwin's profile with his pictures attached to it to the Alpha.
"He is a new settlement with a wife and a son," Nico hand over Mylo's profile with his pictures also attached to it.
Royce immediately dumps Baldwin's profile on the floor as soon as he notices Mylo's profile. He takes it from Nico, not bothering to look at what it's says, he stares at the boy's picture, looking into his eyes.
"Pretty," He muttered sharply, looking up at Nico, "He will be a good fuck."
"He was the one in the car you saw yesterday. He had just resumed and does not know anything about the city. He is just a church daddy's boy and does not deserve your attention."
Royce rubs over Mylo's hazel eyes in the picture, "He had Ryker's attention and that means something. He was literally watching the car drive out of the premises, Nico. Ryker can't even sit still for a cold water to turn hot. He is uninterested in everything except basketball. This boy is important and he is exactly just my type."
He drops Mylo's profile on the table and picks up his backpack.
"Who knows what my brother might be planning?"
"I overheard Beta Lenn complaining about some unpunished scapegoat. I dig into it, the boy stood up for Alpha Ryker's play things."
Royce wants to hear more about this anecdote but he decides to hurry downstairs when he hears voices arguing and it is none other than his father and Ryker.
~
"Ryker, I asked you a question," Alpha Colton asks with a balled fist, his tone growing deep with anger, "Were you unaware of the dinner last night?"
"No, I just didn't see the reason to attend, father."
Alpha Colton hissed, his anger growing stronger.
Beta Oziel steps in, bowing respectfully. A great man who retired from the state matters to become the family's butler.
"Young master please, refrain from annoying your father this early," Oziel begs Ryker, trying to calm them both, "Your father waited for you to come home all night."
"Does the sound of that make any sense to you? I didn't ask him to," Ryker glares at his father, "You can not control me."
"You're being disrespectful towards our father, brother," Royce stands by the stairway, "If you can't respect others, respect yourself and stop throwing tantrums like an infidel wife."
Ryker regards Royce with an intense urge to kill him. He looks at Royce silently, squarely.
Royce does the same, daring Ryker with his eyes, daring him to say something or do anything that will make their father feel even more disappointed in him.
"Stop it, both of you," Alpha Colton commands, letting out a tired breath as he rubs his temple.
"Since you both are finally present, there is no need for anyone to fight. Ryker, the White Cloak Pack are yet to pay their revenue. It's been four days since I gave you that mission. Royce has made the First Quarter Moon Pack to pay their revenue, one they have been holding for two years in just two days. This is worth millions. What about you?"
"I told you to give me seven days, it's not over yet, father," Ryker crossed his hands over his chest, keeping his cool, "I'm not in a hurry to spill innocent blood over a few millions. Is this why you wanted me back for dinner? To listen to Royce's achievements?"
"You watch your tone, Ryker," Alpha Colton warns, displeased, "The both of you should get ready to welcome your Luna in 14 days."
He takes a seat and sips on the valerian tea made to induce rest for his stress filled mind.
"Alpha Danica will make a good wife and Luna to you, Royce. Same with you, Ryker. Alpha Vita is a good girl and she is the only daughter of Alpha Griffin. The Alpha King who rules the West Lanterns and the lands beneath."
Ryker scoffs unbelievably, "Are you joking?"
Royce is quiet, his expression plain and covering up the anger rising inside him.
Ryker doesn't hide his feelings on this subject, he looks at Royce, "Are you happy with this arrangement?"
"What does it matter?" Alpha Colton counters him, "Until I choose my successor among you two, both of you have to qualify in each step for a fair competition. Alpha Danica is the only Alpha daughter of Alpha Conrad, Ruler of Eastern Lantern. These are good deals and with good qualities and benefits. I don't need to point out what we can benefit from them.With the West and East on our side, the South and Central Lanterns will be nothing for us to worry about."
"Father is right, an Alpha needs a strong Luna to rule over the most powerful lands," Royce supports the cause, making Alpha Colton's lips curl in a smile of relief, that at least one of his sons is seeing his life vision.
"You should hurry up and introduce us, father," Royce bows at his father, a jovial smile on his lips.
"I have already made arrangements for them to transfer to Northern Lantern University to further their studies. I want you both to protect them and care for them until the official engagement is announced," Alpha Colton said, his tone final.
Ryker clenches his fist, knowing it's futile to argue. As long as Royce agrees it means he automatically agrees to it too.
But not in this case, "I'm already going along with this fair competition of yours, father. I'm not going to get married to this trophy wife, cancel this arrangement."
Alpha Colton slams his fist on the table warningly, having enough of Ryker's impetuosity, "Enough!"
Ryker scoffs, a condescending smirk on his lips as he walks out of his father. He would rather die than get married against his own will.
~
"Remember your number one rule of life, stay invisible," Baldwin advises Mylo as he drops him off, before driving away from the campus gate.
Mylo does not have the courage or strength to utter a single word as his body feels too frail today.
He squeezed his face in pain, cross hanging his backpack. He clutched his stomach, standing in a listless position as he felt intense pain and aches all over his body.
"Mylo!" Zeke, who was quietly pacing around the campus gate, waiting for Mylo to show up, just couldn't hide his excitement when he noticed the boy.
He did not really notice at first that Mylo was unable to walk or notice his lethargic movements. He happily throws himself on Mylo, hugging and squeezing his ribs, "You are finally here, I have been waiting for you."
Mylo shuts his eyes, controlling himself from bursting into tears, his tone harsh, "Get your hands off me! Do I know you?"
Zeke takes a step backwards, surprised at Mylo's attitude. But he finally notices the multiple angry red welts and whip lash marks on the younger shoulders.
He gasps quietly as he looks away, lowering his head in shame, "I'm sorry, I was too excited. I did not realize you were hurt."
Mylo arranged his shirt, hiding any evidence in sight, "Mind your business and stay away from me," He gathered all his strength and went on his heels.
Zeke frowns confusedly, worried about Mylo's appearance and overall health state. It seems the boy looked paler, skinnier than what he saw yesterday. It seems he did not also get any sleep last night and hadn't had anything to eat for days.
"Let's go to the medical center, Mylo," He runs after the boy, walking beside him, "I will go with you."
"Why are you bothering me?" Mylo doesn't understand. Zeke should be avoiding him like the rest. After their conversation in the restroom and in the hallway yesterday, they should both be going their separate ways.
"You saved my life and I…I thought about it. Let's be friends," Zeke stretched his hand forward, asking for a handshake from a fuming Mylo.
"You are mistaken. I only did that because it was the right thing to do," Mylo continues on his heels, even faster this time.
"I don't care what you think. No one has ever talked to Alpha Ryker that way, not even the professors."
Mylo's shoulders slumped as he was starving, he hadn't eaten anything for days.
Yesterday at the dinner, Catherine didn't allow him to eat, telling the new church members that he was fasting for the church location in the city. Telling them he was closer to God than he looked, especially after Baldwin told Catherine about Mylo's behavior in the car.
He was flogged mercilessly when the church members left and his ankle was tied to the dining table. He slept naked on the cold tiled floor, his body trembling.
He has enough problems on his plate already and staying invisible is what he should do.
And this Zeke guy will not cause him any trouble.
"If you keep harassing me, I'm going to report you to the authorities. You should avoid me while you still can," Mylo tells him sternly.