True Alpha's Chosen Mate-Chapter 289: Prologue

Back in the day, vampires and werewolves were rivals, locked in what mortals called a classic standoff situation. According to history, the last war between both races resulted in grave casualties more than all the years combined. Hence, the vampires locked themselves away from all the races, only to rule in the night sky while the werewolves resided deep in the forest where they ran freely during the day.

As years go by, history remained just as what was told, but the practices and beliefs slowly changed over time. Curious vampires who were sick and tired of being the curious cats snuck out of the mainland of vampires. It was the same with wolves, who believed the world stretched far and wide, and they had more place in this world than just a secluded part of the world.

That was how the Cross Kingdom was established. A land reigned by the pureblooded Le Blac vampire clan.

In this place, werewolves... were nothing but animals to be tamed, although not a single one who tried succeeded. Therefore, some escaped while others met their untimely death.

If not for the scarce number of werewolves hunted in recent years, many vampires had also lost a limb or two trying to pet one. Worse. Dead. Despite that fact laid on the table, it wasn’t enough for a noble vampire to not desire to own one. If anything, the challenge thrilled them.

The enthusiasm of the ladies around the marble table in the garden where we gathered for a tea party while they talked about Lucien Highmore’s successful conquest in the northern region was proof.

"I heard they caught a wild werewolf and will offer it as a tribute to the king!"

"It’s been a while since I had seen a live werewolf."

"Well, you might see one since the royal family is hosting a banquet for the victory party of the Duke’s knight brigade."

Their giggles and excited remarks filled the Hacan Garden in the fortified castle atop the mountain of Southcross. I listened to them in silence, enjoying my cup of tea.

"Lady Callie, are the rumors true?" I snapped my eyes when Lady Yvonne of the House Baptista, the daughter of Marquess Baptista, asked me with curious eyes. "Did Sir Lucien really catch a werewolf and will offer it to the king to secure his position as the heir?"

The side of my lips curled up, feeling their attention slowly fall on me. The bottom of the teacup clinked softly as soon as I put it back on the saucer.

"Who knows?" a subtle smile dominated my face as my eyes gloss over their seemingly disappointed expression. "It’s too early to say he will secure the title of the heir when the game in our house simply started. Although my brother Lucien is one capable man, so were my father’s other children."

"Oh..." they smiled awkwardly as they bit their tongue, getting the hint of my remarks.

"I invited everyone to this tea party to talk about something else since I had been hearing Lucien’s name a lot. However, it seemed his effect on people is far too impressive than I expected. I am lost for words." As my words were killing the warm mood around the table, I fluttered my eyelashes so tenderly. "I don’t blame you, though. Your excitement is reasonable, but keep in mind, if this rumor reached the king and my brother didn’t have a werewolf as a tribute to offer him, my dearest brother might lose face and bring shame to our house."

"Everyone knows the duke’s temperament. He will surely find out the root of this rumor and will cut the tongues who spread it," I added while keeping my smile, completely severing the mood and replacing it with negativity. "Very well. My apologies if I can’t stay longer to accommodate you. I have some important matters to attend to. So, I will excuse myself first."

I planted my hand on the armrest, pushing myself up. As soon as I stood, everyone gathered around this table also stood up.

"Thank you for inviting us, Lady Callie," said the daughter of a baron, who I invited just because her family had a newfound wealth in their involvement in commerce.

"Please forgive our rudeness, Lady Callie. We’ll surely keep your advice in mind." Yvonne also spoke as she curtsied, followed by their own sentiments before I left without a word. 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

*

As I walked back to the castle and left the ladies in the garden, I was certain they would go back home. No sane vampire would stay in this madhouse all alone.

But unlike my attitude towards their discussion, my pair of golden eyes glinted with amusement.

"Lucien," came out a whisper, sneering at the thought of that man.

Lucien Khalid Highmore. The third son of Octavian Highmore, who was the notorious Duke of Southcross. I had lived and survived in this madhouse for far too long and I knew this rumor didn’t start with him. Matter of fact, I was a thousand percent certain it didn’t come from him because... it was me who started it.

It was true that Lucien had caught a werewolf during his conquest; I had planted my loyal people in his shadow to keep track of his movements. So when I heard he caught a werewolf, even without knowing what Lucien would do to him, I already started the rumor, which spread like wildfire.

As I imagined his expression once he returned, I smirked. "I bet he’s angry." I giggled mischievously as there was no greater pleasure for me if Lucien would lose face.

That man was my toughest opponent for the title of the heir. Therefore, taking him out of these wicked games our father dear started long ago would benefit me. Even so, deep in my bones, I knew this wasn’t enough. That man was stubborn and this situation might or might not give him a setback.

Either way, that was none of my concern. I had bigger things ahead of me.

"Welcome back, my lady." My trusted maid, Lisha, welcomed me through the castle doors with a polite bow. "Sir Raoul had been waiting for you."

’Hah... perfect.’