The Curse Of Rejection

AYSU sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ Findɴovel.ɴet website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

“What…” Aysu scoffed while she fully turned her heels and faced Gideon. “How are you here?”

“I m et-”

“There you are!” A jolly voice distracted Aysu from Gideon’s response. And that statement was from an averagely tall man who had a naturally bold expression etched on his face. At first glance, Aysu could tell that the expression was thanks to the fullness of the man’s eyebrows. “Our esteemed guests, you are welcome,” he greeted, his teeth on full display.

“Oh, thank you,” Ximun replied. “You are?”

“I am Chief Lambaba.”

Aysu stifled a laugh before it could spill. At the same time, Ximun managed to be serious.

“Chief Lambaba. You sent a very comfortable carriage. Thank you for your hospitality.”

“Oh please.” The man laughed heartily. “You defeated our greatest enemy, that was the least I could do.”

“Well, all thanks is to my wife, Aysu,” replied Ximun.

Aysu who was trying to silently converse with Gideon faced the Chief.

“Chief Lambaba,” she quickly disguised an incoming laugh with a cough, “we are grateful for your hospitality.”

“My highest thanks is to you, Madam Aysu. And must I say,” he took a step closer, “you are truly the embodiment of beauty. How delightful would it have been if you were still a single wolf?”

“Oh well,” Aysu smiled slightly. “I am not a single wolf. I am wonderfully married to my mate.”

“Well, who knows what will happen in the future.” Chief Lambaba laughed. “Please, come in, the party is waiting for you.”

“Oh.” Aysu faced Gideon again.

“Is that young… man with you?” Chief Lambaba asked.

“Well…” Aysu paused to wonder if she could wait till the end of the party to hear Gideon’s words. She couldn’t. “Yes, he is.”

“Oh, that’s great. Please come in. This place is yours for today.”

“Thank you for your welcome, Chief Lambaba,” Ximun said.

At the same time, Aysu circled her hand around Ximun’s arm.

And without hesitating, she headed to their mind link.

‘How are you not laughing at his name?’ she asked, her mind going ballistic with the laughter.

‘It is quite a battle in my mind, Aysu. Anyway, what is that man doing here? How did he find us?’

‘I have no idea. But we’ll question him once we get to sit down.’

‘Do you think your father sent him?’ Ximun asked, his concern not hidden.

‘We will know very soon. Also, this is a means to know what’s going on in the Night Crimson Pack.’

‘I hope those council members haven’t made a mess already.’

Soon, the mix of elegant music and subtle noise welcomed Aysu and Ximun. And the moment they stepped into the middle of the square-shaped dinner set-up, applause from every angle filled the room. So did some whistles and howling.

Then, Chief Lambaba took over.

“Everyone, within hours, this delightful couple managed to do what even I, the chief of this pack, failed to do. They defeated the Lycan wolf that tortured us for years. So, without arguing, it is certain that we are indebted to them forever. So, let’s raise our glasses to Sir Ximun and Madam Aysu for their great help in defeating the Lycan Wolf.”

The man then howled thrice and the crowd did the same after which they downed the drinks in their hand.

“Also,” Chief Lambaba continued, “let’s raise our filled cups to the women of our packs who have endured the worst ordeal. They have come back to us and we could not be happier. So, to our women, may you continue to be happy.”

Chief Lambaba led another howl and once the cups were raised, Aysu, Ximun and Gideon were led to one of the best seats at the party.

Now, Aysu made sure Gideon sat in their middle so that they could properly hear what the man had to say in response to the many questions they were about to pour in front of him.

And once they settled, Aysu didn’t pause.

“So, Gideon,” Aysu rested her elbow on the table while she tilted her body in his direction, “how are you here? Who told you to come here?”

“I heard it from Omex.”

“Omex told you?” Aysu found that had to believe. While she was barely used to the operations of the palace in the Night Crimson Pack, she was more than certain that there was no way Gideon knew Omex while she was still there. “How do you know Omex?” she asked.

“I don’t,” his eyes lazily moved and he bit into his lip, “particularly know him. I just overheard him speaking to your father.”

Aysu felt something spark in her head. “He told my father where we are?”

“He did. Aysu, I don’t know what your father is thinking but I had to come here as quickly as I could to warn you. Beta Richard is now a menace, Aysu. He is not the man we grew up with. So, believe me when I say that he might consider ending your life once he is able to find this place.”

“Gideon, is it?” Ximun asked.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Kill that accolade. When did this happen? When did Omex give up the details of our location to Beta Richard?”

“Well,” Gideon narrowed his eyes, “about six days ago?”

“That doesn’t sound right, Gideon,” Ximun said. “It hasn’t been five days since we left.”

“Uh… Actually, it has been a week since you left.”

“Are you sure you got your timing right, Gideon?” Ximun asked, his thick voice demanding.

“Guys, I think this place is stranger than we think. They operate on a system we are still unfamiliar with, so it is possible that time moves differently here,” Aysu said.

“But we journeyed for almost two days, Aysu. There is no way a week has passed in the Night Crimson Pack. Anyway,” Ximun continued before Gideon could add to the conversation, “now that Beta Richard knows our location, we have to build a strategy to attack and defend. I am sure he is coming here with the intent to create chaos and I don’t want to do that to these people.”

“I don’t want that either,” Aysu added. “Once this party is over, let’s start working on a plan. I am sure with Jindo in the picture, we will be able to generate a foolproof plan.”

Ximun nodded curtly and Gideon asked, “Who is Jindo?”

“He is a friend.” Aysu relaxed her pose. “How are you, Gideon?”

“Uhm…” His eyes lowered. “After uh… I learnt of Magnetino’s death and after you were banished, things became blurry for me. And to top that, Beta Richard is on a killing rampage.”

“He is killing my people?” Ximun almost roared, his voice loud enough to attract the attention of every other person. “What the fuck are those council members up to?”

“Alpha... Xi-Ximun,” Gideon tried to calm the man. “Please.”

“Sir Ximun,” Chief Lambaba strutted to their side, “is something the matter?”

“No,” Ximun responded with sharpness in his tone. “I just overreacted to a piece of information.”

“Well,” the chief held his chin, “it seems to me that you are awfully angry. How about a quick dance to alleviate your anger?”

“Huh…” Ximun laughed while Aysu remained quiet because she found the whole scene interesting. “I’m fine with sitting here. I don’t wish to dance.”

“I wasn’t asking you to dance with me,” Chief Lambaba laughed. “I was just asking if you would love to be entertained with a dance?”

“Oh,” Ximun said. “I had no idea.” He glanced at Aysu to check if she also thought the same as him. She did. “Well, I don’t mind being entertained with a dance.”

The chief retreated his steps and after two claps, the fast-tracked music changed into a stringy, sultry tone. Soon, a veiled woman who was barely covered in her lower region stepped into the middle and with precise moves, she serenaded the crowd.

But her moves soon became suspicious when she started to inch closer in Ximun’s direction.

Aysu narrowed her eyes at the woman while she watched her every move.

The dancer, oblivious to the dangerous look on Aysu’s face, climbed on the table without regard for the items that were on it. Then, with her back arched, she let go of her veil to reveal her face.

When Aysu saw that it was Shannon, she got to her feet, but the crazy woman didn’t mind what was going on around her. Without stopping her sultry moves, she inched even closer and pressed her lips against Ximun’s without warning.