The 5-Time Rejected Gamma And The Lycan King Chapter 20

In the car, Xandar suddenly had a question, “Hey, Lucianne?”

“Hm?”

“You mentioned the third and fourth were Alphas.” He said uneasily, “Are they here? In this collaboration?”

“The third, yes. Alpha Brandon from Red Night. The fourth, no. He and his Luna were killed in one of the rogue attacks last year. Alpha Zeke from Blood Eclipse took half of his pack and the other half went to Luna Lovelace from Midnight.” She answered simply.

Xandar looked even more uneasy, “Wouldn’t it get awkward with Alpha Brandon?”

Lucianne then laughed, “No. Like I said, our severance was consensual and amicable. It was awkward at first but then we warmed up to each other as allies and then as friends. His Luna did take a little more time to offer me a smile. But we eventually hit on, mainly because we both had an interest in burning down the patriarchy.” She chuckled and continued, “I mean, it would’ve been awkward if the fourth mate survived. He uh... he’s very pinned on the fact that he rejected me because I wasn’t good enough so he may have caused a scene at the collaboration but I would’ve stayed away if I saw him there anyway.”

“Did he cause a scene last year?” Xandar asked in concern.

“He almost did, on the very first night too. But Alpha Juan threatened to challenge him for his pack if he ever bothered me again so he never tried to do anything after that.”

Xandar’s heart was heavy with guilt. Why didn’t he know this? If he had paid more attention at the meet-and-greet last year, he could’ve defended Lucianne. He uttered in a whisper, “I can’t believe that happened and I wasn’t there to defend you. No one should even think of causing a scene at this collaboration.”

She shrugged, “If it makes you feel any better, you weren’t my mate yet.”

“That,” one hand stayed on the steering wheel as the other reached for Lucianne’s hand and lifted it to his lips to plant a kiss, “Does not make me feel any better. Knowing that someone else was more deserving of you than I was is just a stab in the heart.” He parked his car in his reserved lot before he locked eyes with Lucianne.

“Nothing like that should’ve happened on my watch. Not to you or to anyone else. I’ll be better. I’ll pay more attention, I promise.” He pecked another kiss on her hand.

Lucianne tried to ignore the sparks as she said, “Don’t be so hard on yourself, Xandar. You were on the other side of the room, occupied with Lycan ministers. It would’ve been impossible for you to know what was happening at our end.”

Xandar was almost too afraid to ask but he had to, “Did we— Did we meet last year?”

“No, we didn’t.” She shook her head, “After you spoke to your ministers, you left the room. We didn’t meet for the rest of the month either. As a Gamma, I only had business with the Defence Ministers so I never saw the point to come up to you. You did seem rather busy, and no wolf in their right mind would think of interrupting.”

Xandar slammed his head onto the headrest, frustrated, “I am beyond incompetent.”

“What?” Lucianne asked in confusion. What did she say that made him feel like that?

He took both of Lucianne’s hands, and with remorse and embarrassment in his eyes, he said, “Sweetheart, I’m going to be honest with you. Up until I met you, I hated the annual meet-and-greets.”

She pressed her lips together and nodded as she recalled his demeanor the previous year, before she said, “That much was clear.” Xandar closed his eyes tightly in embarrassment for a second before Lucianne said apologetically, “I think I’ll just let you finish talking first.”

He then smiled at her sincerity and kissed her cheek before he said, “You don’t have to hold back. I deserved it. You only gave me the facts. So uh... I’ve long hated the meet-and-greets, and I will always find a way to leave as early as possible. I’m not my father. He would’ve happily stayed and socialized with his ministers late into the night. Personally, I find that it’s a complete waste of time. I would’ve rather locked myself in my office and gone through a few files. At least then, I’ll be able to be at ease when I go to bed, knowing that I’ve done... something.”

Lucianne was listening attentively. Xandar then stroked her hand once as he muttered, “Lucianne, say something.”

“Uh... I’m not following.” She admitted. “How are you ‘beyond incompetent’?”

He began, “If I had taken an initiative to speak to anyone other than my ministers, I would’ve been more aware of how the werewolves had been faring. After hearing yours and Gamma Tobias’s speeches, I can’t help but feel that I’m no better than Alfred Cummings.” He stared deep into her eyes, “As officials, we had the power to send help but we didn’t. And I didn’t even seem approachable enough for Gammas to come up to me with their concerns.” He shook his head and scoffed as he stared blankly ahead, “What have I even accomplished these years as King?”

Lucianne was biting her bottom lip, stopping herself from speaking. Xandar caught this, and reached out to smoothen her lip with his thumb as he whispered, “What is it? Tell me.”