Lucas POV

Few hours earlier

The guests were finally coming in and the hall was lively with people.

That I didn't really care about right now.

It's been 24 hours 16 minutes and 42 seconds since I last saw my mate. I had so much work piled up that couldn't even go back home. Even when I come back she's either asleep or tired from spending time with Daphne.

I've only had 3 hours of sleep and a lot of coffee not to fall asleep.

"Your Majesty" Alpha Jacob bows, along side with his sister Layla.

"Welcome" I nod, as they made they're way to mix in with the crowd.

It took a lot of will to be present for this, being the fact I hated crowded spaces.

I could hear Ashton growling at the back of my mind asking for his mate.

I could only imagine what she could be doing right now, I really wanted her to be here in my arms but I hate to pressure her with the Luna stuff and the attention.

"Son?" I turned to meet with my parents.

"Yes. Mother. Father" I nod and did a brief hand shake.

My mom was dressed in a floral white dress, her hair lovely styled and my dad in his tuxedo.

"Dear you don't look alright are you okay?" My mother asks looking concerned.

"Don't worry, I am fine. You know I have a duty to uphold" I brief. She nods her understanding though I knew she worried.

"It beens years since the last moon festival happened, I wonder how this eclipse will be, huh?" My father chuckles.

"Hopefully, it's gonna go as planned" I sighed unsure of my control on Ashton.

"Aaah and what about your sister?" Mom asks.

"She's on an important task" I quickly cover up so not  to tell them about Iris.

"Oh? An important task? That's good" she smiles and I was glad the conversation ended there.

As everyone mingles and talks, I take the opportunity to get back to my room upstairs.

Ashton is clawing out of me.

"Mate!"

I fist my hands trying to hold control "a few hours....a few hours then we're outta here" I try to reason with him.

Even though I craved her touch, her smile, her eyes, her laugh, her scent...Damnit! I snapped.

I need my mate!

Ashton wants to transform and just take off into her arms. But I couldn't, after this whole important shit I'm gonna spend all my time with her.

To calm myself I broke through the ceramic table cutting through my hands but I didn't feel it. I just needed something to take my anger out on.

"Alpha?. Lucas you okay in there?" Adrian knocks. But eventually opens it.

"What the- what's going on man? Are you okay?"

I turned to him, Ashton at the surface of my mind.

"Mate. Mate is lonely without me" Ashton growls angrily through me.

The growl makes Adrian to submit to avoid me thinking he's a threat.

"The guests are waiting for you. It's almost time" he reminds me. Making me regain control and my hand was already healed by the time I head to the main ball.

I fixed up myself and waited for my introduction.

They announced my parents entry first before mine.

"WELCOMING HIS ROYAL MAJESTY, THE ALPHA KING. KING LUCAS!"

The trumpets played and then the doors opened I walked In as they played, my cape dragging behind, reaching my throne I raised my hand to stop the song.

I faced the crowd to address them.

"MY PEOPLE. WELCOME. WE ALL KNOW WHAT TODAY IS, A SPECIAL DAY  CELEBRATED EVERY HUNDRED YEARS. AND TODAY AS WE CELEBRATE THE SOLAR ECLIPSE WE HOPE FOR BETTER DAYS AHEAD!"

Applauded claps filled the hall as I finished, then all the activities began.

I saw people immediately mix up and engage in one activity or the other, but was totally uninterested in it all.

I would rather be at home with Iris on the couch than being here.

"Your majesty?" I turned to meet with Alpha Jacob. "Jacob" I nodded.

He cleared his throat as he spoke. "You don't need to create any conversation to speak to me, in fact it's better not to even be here" I point out immediately not even sparing him a glance.

He gets the point and leaves, while I take a moment to breath and regain my control.

I try as much as possible to avoid meetings and talking to other people, trying to control myself since the eclipse was happening, though some where daring enough to approach me.

The moon was then visible, and I could feel my control slipping.

"Isn't that beautiful. Isn't it your majesty?"

I turned to the person talking to me, Ashton was already on the surface now.

I scoffed. "If only you would have shut up" staring down at Steven, the Alpha of the blue river pack.

"Huh?" He looked confused.

"Your life would lasted longer if you had shut up" I clarified. I knew, Steven, and what he was capable of. It sickens me how irresponsible he was of his pack despite being in his middle forties.

He was taken aback at my response and fear crossed his eyes, Ashton eyes glowing. "I'm sick of your name. I rather have you removed. From now on you're no longer an alpha" I gritted as I shifted him aside.

The whole room went silent but I wasn't done. I went up to alpha Dolan, friend to Steven.

I've heard of the nonsense they did in the past but turned a blind eye but I think I've had enough of their shit.

The next thing I knew I saw myself choking down Dolan and everything turning red.

I didn't realize I had rage shifted cause of Ashton finally took control. I first went for Steven before biting down on Dolan, I was focused to tearing them apart but I couldn't, I had some consciousness to stop Ashton full attacks but I couldn't hold on much longer.

Then it hit me.

The scent.

A familiar sweet scent.

I did a low growl at the figure coming to me, but it had my scent on it and it's only one person that can have my scent.

Mate?

It looked like she was dressed in my black hoodie and black pants.

And where she came closer, it seems like she was talking to me.

But I couldn't hear what she was saying clearly.

Ashton growled lowly untill, we connected and sniffed in her scent covered in mine
Finally coming back to his senses, Ashton realized what he had done and purred for her forgiveness by benting his head to her.

For him it was a way of apologizing and accepting the comfort she brought him.

"C'mon let's get out of here huh?" She smiles and pets behind my ears making purr in agreement.

From the corner of my eye I could see other coming close to her and immediately jolted to warn them off.

When she stood to leave I followed suit and growled when people came too close to my mate.