Jake's POV
The black market was where slaves were being held and sold. My mother had hated the functioning of black markets to fulfill a part of her last wishes.I had to wipe out the existence of the black market but I couldn't do it ignorant of how it works. Steel my Beta told me about a location of one of the black markets and we decided to check it out. The setting of the place disgusted me,the state we found the she wolves made me wonder who brought up the whole market thing.
Several buyers came around and I decided to get a slave too so I wouldn't seem suspicious, whoever was running this place isn't someone to mess with. Taking a look at the young girls I wasn't moved to buy one,that was when Carl my wolf brought my attention to one and I settled for her.
I told my men to have her blindfolded and treated carefully. I just felt the need to keep her, getting to the pack. I told Steel to take care of her, while I got prepared for the offering ceremony which we Lycans do.
"Darling you look good" Anabelle my soon to be Luna said as she checked me out.
"You too." I smiled at her. Anabelle is my girlfriend. She stood by me when I took on the title of the Lycan King. She had offered great support to me,and she deserved the position of Luna.
"She isn't our mate!" Carl replied.
"Whatever, we aren't fated to have one." I replied him, drawing Anabelle closer and inhaling her scent.
"I only want my mate!" Carl growled, scaring Anabelle.
"I'm sorry." I took control and pushed Carl back.
"He doesn't like me." Anabelle shivered, pulling away from me.
"He will with time." I reassured her.
"It's been four years now,why doesn't he like me?"
"Nothing Anabelle,with time he will." I drew her closer.
"Because I'm not your mate right?"
"Let's not ruin this moment, okay,it's the offering ceremony and you'll officially be introduced to the pack." I assured her and gave her a tight hug.
"Sir it's time." My Gamma walked in to inform us.
Anabelle and I arrived at the ceremonial hall. The offering ceremony was held annually by the pack members to show their allegiance to their king,it was a thing we Lycans do and that's because we're stronger than normal werewolves.
"What about her?" Carl asked.
"Who?" I answered.
"The girl with Steel." Carl replied.
"I'm going to investigate her background and have her initiated to the pack." I explained to him.
"Okay."
"Why are you curious?"
"You seem to care about her,you suggested we bring her here too."
Carl didn't answer and went back to my head, he was still angry with my relationship with Anabelle. Because of the things I had done,the moon goddess had cursed me to be mateless. So I had no other choice but to start a relationship with another.
My Gamma announced my presence,and I went inside but the intoxicating and captivating scent of vanilla with a blend of rose filled the air.
This had me take a slower pace to the podium looking around to see where the scent came from. It couldn't be my mate right? I was fated to be mateless right?
My eyes roamed around and I found the source of the scent. It was the slave girl she was standing beside Steel.
She must have sensed something our eyes locked and that was when she made a loud growl shocking the pack members.
"Mine!" Carl wailed his tail in approval of his mate.
It took my entire being to force Carl back and maintain a calm disposition.I mindlinked Steel to take her back to the cabin.
Thankfully the pack members weren't suspicious and I was able to address them.After the ceremony I left the hall angrily not giving room for the elders and the members to embrace.
"Did you know she was our mate,was that why you asked to pick her?" I asked Carl as I stomped angrily into my office.
"No," Carl rolled his eyes.
"Then why didn't I feel the matebond at first?" I said as I untied my tye in anger.
"I don't know,but at least we have a mate." Carl replied.
"Not for long, we can't have a weakling as mate!"
"Don't call her that!"
"I'll have to reject her,we came a long way, we can't jeopardize it now." I tried to explain to Carl, having a slave as a Luna will mean the end of me, Anabelle was enough.
"Jake, are you okay? I'm coming in." Anabelle's worried voice called from the door.
"I don't want her here,I wouldn't guarantee her leaving this office alive!" Carl warned.
"Ana I need some time alone, wait for me in my room." I answered her.
Ana departed and I was left to battle my thoughts with Carl.
"Carl we don't need her" I tried to reason with him.
"WHAT YOUR PROBLEM MAN!" Carl growled loudly.
Seeing Carl state I just needed to make him see reasons why we don't need her.
I took my phone and gave Steel a call.
"Hey man, I can feel your anger through the pack bond." Steel answered.
"What about the girl?"
"She's asleep." He replied.
She had the nerve to sleep when my wolf was going crazy,one more reason to reject her. "Bring her here first thing tomorrow.