Magnus

I am looking through some mail and correspondence along with some financial reports when there is a knock on the door to the hut that was provided to me.

"Kom in!"

Thane walks in and he is not wearing his warrior's clothes anymore. Not that he went full-on formal as is the dress code for the party. He is wearing a tight t-shirt under his jacket and a pair of jeans.

"Ja?"

"Jag ska till festen."

"Bra," I nod and give him leave to go to the party.

Before he gets the chance to close the door, Sigvard storms in and comes straight to me and my desk. Without a warning, he scatters all the papers on it and looks at me with a smirk.

"Dress up! We are going to the party!"

"I will as soon as I'm done here."

I gather the papers he has thrown all over and sit back down on the desk. The moment I let them down, Sigvard goes on and throws them around all over again.

"Sig!" I stand up.

"What?" He smirks. "Are you going to smack your King over some stupid papers? Suit up, cousin. Party!"

"You are insufferable, Sig," I shake my head. "How many parties you have per night at the palace?"

"What does that have to do with anything?"

"Aren't you fed up?"

"Never! A party is a party!"

I look into his playful eyes and I sneer. Sigvard is younger than me, a product of a carefully placed match between his father and his mother. Seldom does the crown prince look for his mate. It's all politics and bloodlines. But Sigvard wants to stop this stupid tradition and his smile tells me he will simply not give up.

"A party where the future Queen might be attending, right?"

His excited face drops. I am dead on. He hasn't given up yet. He is stalling to the point he gives his mother and advisors daily heartaches and his subjects something to constantly talk about. But he hopes that his destined is somewhere out there and that she will be everything he dreams of.

"She could be," he says and smiles again.

"Give up, Sig," I reply and shake my head. "Your job is a serious one and the last thing you need is to think of your female all the time."

"Cold, cous," he chuckles. "So, I need any other woman my mother chooses for me and never feel complete."

"Complete? A woman to complete you? Bullshit."

"Goddess, you are getting more stone-hearted each day."

"Don't be naïve, Sig. Plus," I bite my sorrow down, "you will be putting her in grave danger by naming her the Queen. Those who want to hurt you will go after her."

I can see that he has never thought about that before. It's harsh but it is the truth. Anyone wanting to hurt the Alpha King, make him bend to his will, simply tear him apart, will go after the Queen. There is a reason the Kings marry out of convenience. No emotions are involved.

"I am done with your bleak nonsense. Let's go to the party."

Sig always disregards things that are unpleasant to him but I see that my words have found their target. He raises an eyebrow to me threateningly and I get up. I am not putting any effort on tonight either. It's just a stupid party.

And the moment we step into the tent, my thoughts are confirmed. Hormones are high and I get all that disgusting, nauseating feeling being surrounded by idiots looking for a female and desperate housewives looking for a male.

All eyes fall on us and especially Sigvard. It's known that he is still unmated and there isn't one single woman that doesn't dream of being the next Queen. Add to that the fact that the King is leading the most luxurious life and that Sig is looking good, and he is by far the most popular male in the Hunt.

As for me, I am glad that most women look at me and look away. That's better, I am happy my reputation precedes me. It saves me a lot of time. My enemies think twice before messing with me and women avoid me. Sure, there had been a few to try and be the Luna of my pack and why wouldn't they? It's a big, wealthy pack that provides for all its members. But after they all got shot down hard, the rumor traveled' and now most females keep their distance. It's safer that way.

"Find us a Luna," Henrar whines.

"You know we can't have a mate."

"Maybe the Goddess won't give us one but we can choose one. A powerful, beautiful female to give us pups."

"Stop this."

I make my way to the elevated area where the table of the King is set. Some representatives of the North American tribes are there and they all pay their respect to Sig. The Alpha King rarely visits the event.

In turn, they all glance at me looming over Sig protectively and they withdraw their eyes. Being called The Butcher has its perks. The last thing I need is to mingle.

"This is lovely," Sig takes a calculated step towards the edge of the platform. It seems casual but I see his eyes scan the area with anticipation and I sense him sniffing the air. He is looking for his mate. And by the darkness coming over his face, I can tell that she is not here.

With a combination of anger, sorrow and boredom, Sig takes his place in the middle of the big table and signals everyone to start the feast.

"Jag är ledsen," I whisper to Sig when I sit on his right.

"Yeah, I am sorry too," is all he says before going back to being his usual bubbly self.

I scan the area mostly for possible threats. I see Thane gulping a beer and I instantly know that neither my warrior has spotted his mate. I doubt he will hunt tomorrow. He is a hopeless romantic and wants to wait for his true mate.

I see some couples forming. They are drawn to each other, stand close together, their bodies touching. Some males drag their mate away to mark her under the bright sky. Some keep up civilized appearances and eat while they exchange heated glances.

As my look roams the place it stops on a female. She is a dark-haired and has a pair of plump lips that are currently tight. Her crossed arms tell me that she doesn't like what the male talking to her is saying. When he leans in with a sly smile on his face to whisper something in her ears, I see her dark eyes narrow and her fists tighten. When he leans back to let her answer, she glances down at his pants and then wiggles her little finger at her.

"Feisty," Henrar catches my attention. "I don't see anyone claiming her and she is past the age."

I do not answer him but keep my eyes on her. She raises an eyebrow and pats the male on his back before swinging her hair and turn away. And as she does, she reveals a low opening on her dress that lets her firm back show.

"Strong," Henrar keeps bugging me.

I know I have to turn away to make him stop but I keep my eyes trained on her till she vanished in the crowd. Better that way.