Auden's pov
I felt annoyed as hell as I stepped into the room adjoining my office, which I used in receiving important guests. My tie came off almost immediately, and then I tugged on my hair before I could stop myself.
I've never cared for rumors.
Since I could remember, I was never bothered by all the misconceptions flying around about me, cause it made people wary of me and there, which benefits me immensely.
However, what I do hate with so much passion, is the rumor that I somehow force myself on women.
My mind returned back to how terrified Ivory had looked, like she genuinely believed I'd force myself on her. As if I'd ever be that babaric. I might be a monster in a lot of ways, but that's a line I'll never cross.
The door opened just as I was about to sit and Matt, my first and right hand beta came in, bowing in respect before stepping forward. "Your majesty, pack alpha Jaden just sent a text."
I frowned. What the fuck did that fool want now?
"He asked if the wedding is gonna hold tomorrow and if you'd like him to attend?"
I rolled my eyes in annoyance.
"Absolutely not, shut the self invite down."
He nodded. "Noted, sir."
He was still staring at me instead of leaving instantly and I just knew he wanted to say something. I focused on his face as I spoke next.
"What is it? Spit it out."
"If I may, your highness, I don't think this is a wise move. You could have taken someone else as a mate, someone of a high class and with a great reputation. Even though this woman is of a respected gamma family, she's known as the outcast of the pack. The council members might not—"
I snorted. "They'll have no other choice but to, and I'm sure of this decision. I have a reason for everything I do, you should've known this by now, Matt."
Matt bowed. "I'm aware, your majesty and I'm sorry if that came off as rude. I was just making my opinion known as your beta."
I nodded in understanding as I waved him off. I knew he'd never be stupid enough to try to question me. Matt became my beta immediately after I got on the throne and we've become friends to an extent, but at the end of the day, he was my beta and therefore has to respect me.
The door opened at that moment and I watched as violet waltzed in, commanding the air with each confident strut as usual.
Violet and I are cousins, but we've been friends since I could remember.
She stopped in front of me, her hands coming down to start unbuttoning my shirt while she frowned in disapproval. "You look so stressed, Auden. Have you even eaten yet? And a bath? You need to eat, and then get a lot of sleep!"
She faced Matt next, scowling. "Why did you let him stress himself to the extent of him getting eye bags?!"
"Leave him, vi. It's not his fault." I sighed out, massaging my forehead with my thumbs. I could feel my head pound, and I was aware I needed a lot of rest. But there's just so much to do and get in place because of the coming doom which was fast approaching.
Violet was already pacing around and sending for some maids to set the table for me and I didn't bother stopping her. It was either letting her do her thing whenever she gets in her overprotective mood or sit through her whines.
"I'll go clear up your schedule for tomorrow." Matt announced with a respective bow and I gave him a firm nod.
"You do that, and ensure that the news of tomorrow's wedding has been spread across the entire pack."
"Will do that. Would you like her family to be invited?" Matt that as he began to walk towards the door.
"That won't be necessary, their presence would be irrelevant. Ensure that security is tightened. She tried fleeing tonight and might just try to do that again." I instructed and he nodded again before slipping out the door.
"She tried to run away?!" Vi demanded, looking shocked.
I nodded and Vi gasped, looking horrified and annoyed.
"How dare she?! I hope you punished her?"
I snorted. "Nah, no point in doing that."
She was terrified enough.
Violet stopped in front of me, her arms folded and her face in clear disapproval and I just knew what she was gonna say next.
"I'm not gonna change my mind about her, Vi. This is just for a great cause and nothing more. You know this." I reminded her and she let out a small huff, her lips pursed.
"Despite knowing that, I don't want you with someone that looks like that. She's hedious, and has no scent. The pack is gonna reject her. The council would throw a fit as well. Can't you carry out the grand plan with someone else?"
"You know I can't." I reminded her and she huffed again.
I saw no point in pointing out to her that ivory's not actually hideous, she also has a scent. But why can't anyone else pick that up? It was mild but it was present and when I spoke to her in my room a while ago, her rosy scent was sour and burnt.
"Stop worrying about me, vi. I have this under control." I got to my feet as I spoke, holding her shoulders for a moment.
"But—"
I shushed her. "The pack would have to deal with it, and as for the council, they can suck my dick for all I care."
"Auden—
"Enough, Vi."
She frowned, huffing but remaining silent. I stared down at her face for a few moments before leaning down and softly kissing her hair, then I stepped away.
"Go get some rest, Vi. You overwork yourself too much. And tell Matt to send Miko over." I instructed, and now she was full on scowling as expected at the mention of anyone I use to fuck.
She opened her mouth to speak but a firm look from me had her snapping her mouth close before she turned around and left.
A sigh left my mouth after she was gone.
Vi was sometimes too much and her constant dislike for whoever I'm fucking is a part of that.
And I knew the dislike was just because of her protectiveness, cause she'll always insist that I deserve something better and more meaningful than emotionless sex.
But this was what was best for me. A meaningless fuck here and there to get the edge off and that was it.
Vi has always been like this towards me even before I lost everyone I cared about.
But after that incident which broke something in me that can never be replaced, she was the only one I had left, which brought us even closer and made her this fiercely protective.
I believe her finding her mate soon would make her finally focus on making herself happy and also prioritizing herself as well.
That way she'd barely have time to be so worried about me.
When the door opened, I expected it to be Matt arriving in tow with an overeager miko.
But instead, it was my second beta, Bret, and he had a worried look was etched over his face as he rushed over.
"Your majesty, the council members are here. They've all called an emergency meeting to overrule your decision to take your new bride without their consultation."
I frowned, irritation washing over me.
"How dare they call a meeting in the middle of the night?" I barked and Bret jumped, an alarmed look washing over his face.
"Ah… they claimed it was very important, and…"
I waved him off. "Tell them to go back home. I won't be seeing them tonight. And as for my decision to take a bride, my decision is already final and I expect to see all of them at the wedding tomorrow."