The Bully's Hated Mate
The Bully’s Hated Mate – Chapter 56

LICIUS’ POV:

We arrived at the Beta’s house faster than I would have liked and my attention suddenly focused on Cassia’s every expression.

I was worried that she may not be comfortable even after telling me so many times how okay she was to be going to the dinner of the man who replaced her father and who was the father to Ariadne.

I didn’t want to believe she was lying as she kept up a tight smile on her lips as we alighted from the car.

I had been here on so many nights but today, the house looked different to me.

White pristine walls with gold filter lining the pillars, the house stood gigantic on the thick dark soil and looked even more monstrous as I viewed it from outside.

A butler ushered us in through the open doors with haste. I believe he was frightened of my father.

As we walked into the house, a chandelier greeted us with its dangerous dangle. I was tempted to stretch my fingers and touch it but Cassia already beat me to it.

We looked at each other and laughed, sharing a joke only us could have known.

Our sudden outburst of laughter seemed to invoke figures from the house because in walked the Beta, Damon Cedric, and from the corner emerged Ariadne with the nastiest scowl she could muster.

I heard Cassia suck in a sharp breath as both of them drew closer. The Beta’s smile is warm and inviting, and Ariadne’s tight smile is irrevocably irritating.

The Beta shook hands with my father and then with me, and then took Cassia’s hand and bowed before her, which of course Cassia being Cassia, curtsied right back.

“Welcome to my humble abode! I am forever pleased to always host your Eminence every blue moon, every year. It is an honor to be in your esteemed presence my Lord and lady.” Damon Cedric let out.

My father chuckled and lightly tapped him on the shoulder, and Cedric took that as a cue and started to lead us to the pristine dining hall.

While nothing here matched the quality of the palace by one percent, it was always nice to leave the surroundings and the common sights of the palace.

Their house was almost refreshing.

The smell of cooked food warmed its way to me and I couldn’t help but sniff. Cassia heard me and gave me a funny look.

I gave one right back and somehow, my eyes connected to Ariadne’s and I could feel the look of hatred perfectly mixed with anger fueling something inside of her.

I immediately turned away.

We were shown to our seats while the guards decided to wait outside the doors that now enclosed us in the dining hall.

Normally, we carry a lot of guards wherever we go but since it was Damon’s house, we only took a handful just in case and nothing out of formalities.

I sat down with Cassia by my right hand side and Ariadne across from us, and her father at the South of the table and my father at the North of the table.

Our food started to come in with our drinks being served first.

“Reports on the well being of the kingdom?” My father suddenly said out of the blue.

The spell the food had cast on all of us suddenly disappered when my father spoke.

“We’ve been doubling our forces recently.” A serious tone suddenly set on the table.

“Doubling? Why?” My father asked again, his gaze intense on Damon.

“We heard rumours that the rogue packs were doubling their army and recruiting even more from neighbouring kingdoms and even from our own.” He said, his tone catching even more on the deadly tone.

I looked to Cassia who also looked to me as my hands slid under the table and touched her thighs.

“And how did you come about such information?” My father asked again, his hand fisted on the table as mine decided it was the right time to explore Cassia’s dress.

“An informant came to us last week to tell us what he had witnessed from the rogues, having placed him there as a spy to watch their movements.” He answered.

” Hmm.” My father said, urging Damon to continue. “What else did you hear from this informat?”

I gathered more courage to travel to the v of her dress, silently cupping the area, and Cassia gave a short gasp and a blush started to spread across her face.

Ariadne suddenly hit her leg on the table, bringing the meeting and everyone’s attention to her as she kept her gaze on me.

“Sorry, Sire.” She said quietly but her eyes never left mine.

I could see the fury that stormed and simmered evenly in her eyes.

If looks could kill, then I’d be long gone before I even got down from the car.

“We also heard that the rogues have a new leader. He is rumored to be powerful and could strike at any moment.” He said, his voice strong on the last part.

I had stopped my shenanigans even though something dared me to continue to defer everyone and do as I pleased.

“And what are we doing to stop this new rivalry?” My father questioned again.

“We’re doubling our men and positioning them across the kingdom, even the palace holds more guards than the rest, but we are also arming the guards better.” He said.

” And what about their training? Is that going well?” My father asked.

” Yes, sire. It is. We’ve had one of the best training sessions all year, we are mentally and physically prepared to extinguish our foes and put them where they belong. Six feet under.” He said and smiled a large smile.

There was a reason why father chose Damon Cedric, it was because he was fierce and the most Noble soldier my father ever trained.

He was the best at his field and he loved not just the wars, he loved to win them. An extraordinary man and beast.

“The arms, do you need more?” My father asked again, bringing me back to reality.

“Yes, sire, there is nothing as beautiful as to hear an unlimited supply of firearms. I love the wars and I love to win them everytime.” He said and gave an even wider smile, one which my father returned.

“Yes, you sure do. You’re a great asset to the kingdom and I implore you to continue the good work. Thank you!” My father sang out, and Damon Cedric stood up.

His glass raised.

We all raised ours in unison, including Ariadne who had never kept her eyes away from us.

The more she looked at us, the more I felt her scowl get deeper, her frown wider and her fury bigger.

She could at least fake a smile or just frown but anything with Ariadne had to be extra or nothing.

“To this great kingdom! To its magnificent ruler, and to its prosperity!” Damon shouted.

” To the people, to my son and his mate, to you! My fiercest soldier! May you continue to keep us safe and sound, and may more battles be won by you!” My father said.

” Cheers!” Damon Cedric shouted and like people on remote control, everyone drank their wine except Ariadne and Damon Cedric.

The wine tasted funny, as though it had gone bad or there was some form of soap in it. It created a sort of lump in my throat and I cleared my throat to relieve it of whatever made it feel stuck.

I took the glass to my lips about to take a sip more to further erase whatever made my throat suddenly itchy when my father’s utensils made a serious clank.

We all looked at my father and then someone started to laugh.

At first it came as a chuckle and when I turned, it was Damon chuckling. His chuckle graduated to a snicker and rose to a full blown laughter.

The room suddenly felt hot and tight, and everything was happening at once.

My father’s utensils made another sound and as I turned, I saw that my father was holding his throat.

I tried to breathe and speak but all that came out of my lips were strangled cries as my father began to cough.

Heavily.

He coughed three times and on the fourth time, b***d spurted out of his lips in a flash.

Confusion paraded his face as I watched his face contort in pain as he couldn’t stop coughing.

He coughed and b***d accompanied it.

Something was undeniably wrong.

I tried to reach my father but my movements were extremely slow and the light in the room was starting to give out. I watched as my father continued to cough b***d.

My mind worked faster than my hands. I knew that my father had just been poisoned.

Poisoned by Damon Cedric, his own beta.