Betrayed By My Mate, Claimed By His Lycan King Uncle
Chapter 90: All hail the beta lord!

Chapter 90: All hail the beta lord!

As the journey wore on, the morning sunlight gave way to the soft glow of a half-moon rising in the darkening sky. Dimitri’s soldiers had marched tirelessly without rest, their loyalty unquestionable. After what felt like an eternity, the towering city walls of Lupien’s pack finally came into view.

Sorayah let out a quiet breath of relief.

Finally, she thought, exhaustion weighing on her shoulders.

The city gates swung open at once, welcoming the returning Beta Lord. The sound of hooves slowed as they entered. The clamor of the people rose in waves as citizens crowded the streets to greet the returning warriors.

"ALL HAIL THE BETA LORD!"

Their voices rang out in unison, echoing through the streets like a tide of celebration. Flags waved, children shouted, and werewolf citizens gathered in droves to celebrate their victory.

Sorayah watched silently, her expression neutral as she sat before the man they were all cheering for.

Dimitri remained seated in the carriage, his eyes closed, seemingly lost in another world. He made no effort to acknowledge the kneeling werewolf citizens outside. Each one who had bowed low at Liam’s command, their foreheads pressed reverently to the hard stone ground as the Beta Lord’s carriage rolled slowly through the city gates toward the palace.

As they approached the inner courtyard, the soldiers and horses veered off onto a different route, peeling away in organized silence. Bringing armed soldiers or beasts of burden into the palace grounds was considered an act of treason. Liam alone led the carriage forward, obeying protocol as they neared the private manor of the Beta Lord.

The carriage soon came to a graceful halt before Dimitri’s manor. Sorayah stepped down first, her eyes scanning the courtyard cautiously. Dimitri followed right after, regal and unreadable.

And just then Dimitri concubine and wife walked out of the manor to greet their husband. Both dressed elegantly in exquisite outfits, golden jewelries as well as heavy and beautiful makeups applied on their faces.

"Welcome back, Your Highness," Concubine Arata greeted warmly, approaching with a practiced grace, her hands gently cradling her still-flat belly. Her smile was bright and delicate as she moved closer, bowing her head slightly in respect.

Before she could fully kneel, Dimitri reached out and caught her hands, pulling her gently to her feet.

"You don’t have to do that." He voiced out, still helding her hands.

"I missed you so much, Your Highness," she said, her voice sweet and low, her gaze drifting lovingly from her stomach back to Dimitri’s face. "The little prince missed you too," she added, tapping her belly with affection.

Her eyes then shifted to Sorayah, lighting up in visible surprise. Her smile remained in place, but her expression revealed her true thoughts. subtle, but readable. Relieved that Sorayah was still alive.

"Welcome back, Your Highness. Congratulations on returning victorious from battle," Mira, Dimitri’s official wife, said smoothly as she stepped forward from the doorway. She slipped her hand into the crook of Dimitri’s arm with practiced familiarity.

Her gaze met Sorayah’s. Though her lips curled into a gracious smile, the look in her eyes was unmistakable....sharp, cold, and filled with disdain.

"Come now, my lord," Mira continued, turning her attention back to Dimitri. "The Alpha Emperor won’t receive you tonight. You should rest. We’ve prepared everything for your comfort."

Dimitri nodded slightly, allowing both women to escort him inside. Sorayah trailed behind them, her movements cautious, her senses alert.

As they entered the inner courtyard, music burst into the air...lively drums, flutes, and harps that harmonized beautifully. Dancers twirled at the center of the compound, their robes flowing like water. A table was already being filled with steaming platters of meats, bread, fruits, and sweet desserts. The rich aromas wafted through the courtyard, overwhelming to those like Dimitri, Liam, and Sorayah, who had survived on nothing but dry bread and water during the campaign.

"Welcome back, Beta Lord!" the gathered servants chorused, falling to their knees the moment they saw him. Heads bowed, they remained frozen in respect as Dimitri strode past them.

"Everyone rise," Dimitri commanded, his tone brisk. The servants quickly stood, though their heads remained respectfully bowed.

"You may continue with the music," he added. "I may not join you tonight, but the celebration can proceed as my wife Mira and Concubine Arata have arranged."

His words were met with cheers and applause. The music swelled again, and the dancers resumed their movements all while servants expression were filled with joy.

Mira leaned close to Dimitri and whispered, "The feast was arranged for you, Your Highness....not for the servants. I planned it alone. Arata had no part in it."

"Perhaps you shouldn’t have wasted your time then," Dimitri replied coolly, not even looking at her. "You know I have no taste for feasts....victory or not. I only attend the ones held by the Alpha Emperor himself out of obligation. You could have just prepared a simple meal without the unnecessary music or dancers. We could have eaten like family and retire for the night as all I want tonight is rest and nothing more."

"She was simply trying to lift your spirits," Arata chimed in, stepping forward with a honeyed smile. "You two had a quarrel before you left for war, and she thought a feast might help. She even distributed food at the market square the day before your return."

Her smile grew sharper. "But it seems Lady Mira has forgotten that even though we now reside within the palace walls, the rules of the manor still apply. There’s no need to flaunt affection before the Luna of this and the Empress Dowager, as though to prove you are the official wife."

"You...!" Mira began, her voice rising with fury, but she stopped abruptly as Dimitri walked away, uninterested in continuing the conversation.

Sorayah lowered her head respectfully and made to follow him only for a hand to shoot out and seize her arm in a bruising grip.

"Come back here, you bitch!" Mira’s voice rang through the hall like a thunderclap.

Before Sorayah could react, a loud, vicious slap cracked across her face, the force of it making her stagger slightly. The sting of it bloomed instantly across her cheek.