The White Wolf Chapter 119: Helpful Arrangement

Their eyes met locked on each other’s gaze. The dinner carried on but the world around them seemed to fade away.

He wanted to reach out and touch her. Wondering what it would feel like to have her wrapped in his arms. What did her laugh sound like he wondered? Realizing he had never heard it and barely even heard her voice.

It became too much to bear. He did not know how he could go on this way. He fought the urge to declare her his in front of everybody in the room.

Clenching his fork, Enzo gripped it to keep from reaching out to it.

A nudge on his arm, had Enzo startling out of his trance.

“You’ll ruin the flatware if you keep that up.” Alpha Tinzen who had been seated next to him this evening said looking at his hand.

His eyes blinked. Then again till understanding reached his mind. “My apologies, I would hate to ruin the Queen’s flatware.”

The older Alpha laughed but went back to his meal. Enzo dared to look back to find she was no longer looking at him.

“How did your round of golf go? With the Prince and King, it must have been an intense match.” Tinzen inquired making polite conversation.

“It was fine, perhaps we will have time for another round during our stay,” Ruhn replied.

Enzo noted the way the beta did not elaborate on the game. Did something happen? He was half tempted to ask Gabe but then decided if he needed to know he would tell him.

“The Queen has a younger sister, yes?” Ruhn asked switching the topic to Morgan.

“She does but is not yet of age,” Bridgett spoke up with a sound of glee in her voice. “My daughter is off of age if you would like to meet more eligible females.” Her smile almost caused Enzo’s meal to reappear.

A look of disappointment passed his face but Enzo could not tell if it was for him or the prince. “No need to trouble yourself and send for her. I was merely trying to learn more of the Queen’s family.”

Bridgett went back to eating her meal, visibly unhappy with his response. The next course was served and Enzo ate the food mechanically not even noting what it was.

He was startled out of his stupor to see Ruhn getting his sister’s attention. “Alpha Henry asked you a question.”

“Please forgive me Alpha, would you repeat the question.” Her discomfort was evident, preferring to remain in her silence than speak.

“I was just saying that I have the perfect jewel to compliment your dress, it would be my gift to you.” He nonchalantly waved his hand and smiled at her.

She looked to her brother and the prince at Alpha’s Henry’s insistence but neither helped her as they were engrossed in their conversations.

“That is too kind.” She paused looking for the words. “But I don’t think I can accept such a generous gift.” She tried as nicely as she could to not accept but he would not have it.

“You are a guest in our kingdom, it is only right that I give you a gift.” He could not be deterred and would not accept her decline of his gift.

Enzo’s annoyance built up within him by the second till it spilled over “Our kingdom? Are you the king now Alpha Henry.”

“Of course not, I would never try to overstep my bounds but as an alpha it is my duty to “ Henry defended himself visibly repulsed by the gamma’s reprimand.

“Your duty is to do as your king commands.” He spoke with authority. He would probably receive a talk from Gabe about letting it go later but at the moment he didn’t care.

Henry studied the gamma, stopping his meal. The group around them listened carefully to what would happen next “Very well, my apologies Cynthia but I must save the jewel for another time.”

“Thank you, Alpha Henry.” She said grateful for the end of the conversation. Stealing a glance at Enzo he swore there was a glimmer of affection in her eyes.

His heart bubbled in excitement, wanting her to look at him again and bestow him with her gaze.

Their end of the table fell into an uncomfortable silence. A new course was served and discussed amongst the group. The venison tartar seemed to be exceptional and gathered praise.

Enzo kept stealing glances at Cynthia praying to the goddess it was not noticeable. Thankfully his dining companions seemed to be more concerned with furthering their stations than caring about his actions.

To distract himself, Enzo looked around the room. Gabe was playing his game working an angle on an eastern court member with his mate dutifully sitting by his side.

Judy seemed content to pick apart annoying lunas as if she were swatting flies, likely annoyed by the presence. Her cup of gin was surely not helping the situation but the Queen mother had a tolerance to rival any alpha.

Luca fussed over his mate going so far as to cut her food for her into tiny pieces to prevent her from choking. The sight of the mated pair together caused pain to Enzo’s heart. Unable to bear it he looked away.

His eyes settled on Alpha Silver who looked lost in thought and blatantly disregarded the Alpha speaking to him. Something was definitely on his mind.

What had happened to him? Was he losing his mind? He battled internally. Normally he would be able to deduce what the problem was. It was his job but now it was as if his cognitive abilities had turned to mush.

Any task he tried to perform, he would find himself thinking of her or looking for her. It became torture where he set as her scent engulfed him. It was as if he were high on the best drug. Like most drugs, she was addicting.

Barely any words were said and he wanted more. One more word. One more look. He begged. He craved her.

Tinzen struck up a conversation with the beta. “I have heard, and correct me if I am wrong, that arranged mating is common in the Eastern Kingdom.”

The alpha’s genuine curiosity had been rare amongst those at court as he never seemed to be furthering himself. It was a nice break from the obnoxious alphas.

The topic perked Enzo’s interest as he had never heard of such a custom. In their kingdom if a fated mate was never found some wolves would pick a mate. Perhaps a wolf whose fated mate had died. Others would opt to live alone hoping one day to find their other half.

Enzo had resigned himself to believe his life would be one of solitude. Spending his days alone. Till she came but he could not have her or she did not want him. He could not decide which was worse a life of being alone or rejected.

“It is.” Ruhn took a bite. “While we do follow fated mating, at times it is better for mating to be arranged.”

“Such a wonderful concept.” Bridgett chimed in. “Some mates are just unsuitable for each other. You cannot have an alpha mating an omega.” She said dramatically.

“It also furthers alliances in some cases,” Ruhn replied matter of factly, not seeing anything wrong with the arrangement.

“Surely some would prefer a fated mate.” Alpha Tinzen’s mate said in horror.

“It is what is best for the nation. Take my sister for example, she has not found a fated mate so our father arranged for her to be mated soon. This way she is no longer alone and our packs are stronger.” Ruhn said nonchalantly as if he were speaking of the weather.

Enzo’s world came crashing down as the words sank in.