Louve
Louve was riding in the carriage with both her mother and father. Baron and Baroness Lupin. Louve Loupin was the daughter of wealth and noble peerage. She had been betrothed to Randolf since she was born. Every lesson. Every second of her day was filled with learning how to be the wife of the next King Alpha.
He took it away. Now she was reduced to her mother and father having to find a matchmaker. She only had one more year left to find one. After that, she would be considered old in the marrying world. She was only 23. Her life felt so unfair. She didn't deserve to be led on for over 2 decades.
Her mother and father had told her she was useless unless she married the King Alpha.
She had not had a chance to speak with Randolf since it happened. Would it even be worth it? She wondered. He seemed content with his decision. She wanted to, at least, tell him how she felt.
What was she supposed to do now? The entire society would think something was wrong with her. He married a human. The first King Alpha to do so. It was the ultimate humiliation for her.
"That damned boy will not go unpunished! How dare he try to humiliate our daughter in front of the entire Loux Garoux clan. If he thinks I will sit idly by and allow this to happen, he is a fool and has another thing coming." Baron Rupert said aloud as the carriage jostled side to side.
They were going at a fast pace on the country road, fashionably late to the Pack games. Louve had not wanted to show her face because of the slight from the King Alpha, but Louve's Parents were persistent. They could not wrap their heads around losing an opportunity as grand as this. Louve just wanted to be left alone in private to deal with her emotions.
Her parents did not care. Her mother had come to her the night before and told her what she must do today. If she can not be King Alpha's wife. She must become his mistress. She must garner his favor. She hated the idea. In truth, she didn't know if she was attracted to Randolf.
She knew they were to be married, and the position of Queen Alpha would be hers to take. She felt more pressure now than ever. Listening to her father's tirade made her want to scream. She knew she couldn't. She had very little say in the matter.
"There, there." Her mother, Peach Lupin, reassured her father. "I am sure the King Alpha will make it up to us. Surely, he would not break a long-standing contract between our families without a valid explanation and a righteous compensation." She told him.
Both women watched him mull over Peache's words. He was still visibly upset. He folded his arms in front of his chest, tightened his lips, and looked out the window. He would say no more on the matter.
"Father, we must come up with a suitable backup. If I am to marry now, I should be able to choose whomever I like." Louve said.
Both parents stared at her. Then they burst out into laughter.
"She is adorable." Her mother said lovingly.
"She is. " Her father affirmed. "Poppet, you need us to find you a husband. You don't get to choose. You must trust us and the process. At this point in time, you must weather this storm. We know it isn't your fault, but your name is now associated with a scandal, and we must go into hiding for a few months after this. You will no longer be staying at Canis Manor. You will be home..."
Louve could feel herself growing angry at the infantilization her parents put her through. She wasn't a child any longer. She could take care of herself. She looked down at her lap to hide her frustrations.
"You will do as mummy instructed you to do last night. Do you remember what she told you, my darling?" Her father coaxed.
She felt so uncomfortable, "When we arrive, I am to find his tent and..." She trailed off, embarrassed.
Her parents looked square in his eyes, waiting for her to finish.
"I am to seduce him. I can not leave his tent without him bedding me." Louve almost whispered the last part.
She looked up at her parents. They were still enamored and amused. "Don't be so timid, my darling. You will never please the King Alpha like that." Her father said.
Her mother bobbed her head up and down emphatically at his advice.
Louve couldn't believe her parents were this desperate. They were practically throwing her on the King Alpha now. She found herself reliving the incident in which she had picked up Madame Bouvier by her throat and flung her. All of her anger and rage had been misdirected. Randolf's wife and his father's concubine were human.
They were genetically inferior to her and, in no way, could comprehend the magnitude of the slight and her still having to carry on as a nice, loyal royal subject. She should be upset with her parents. They had pressured and coaxed her from day one. They had made sure their service to the crown did not go unnoticed. Though they had the lowest title, they had the most money.
It was all they cared about. Louve was tired of their monitoring. The only way to get them off her back was to prove to them that she could handle whatever obstacle came their way. Right now she had to seduce her ex betrothed. She had pictured them making love on their wedding night. Now it would seem she was to do it in a muddy field in a tent.
It was so debased. She couldn't bear to think about it. She just had to do it. An hour and a half later, the carriage came to a halt. The footman assisted both women out of the carriage. The trio was overdressed for the outdoor occasion, but that was their way.
They were greeted by their housekeeper, who took them immediately to their tent. Louve was surprised at how much space they occupied in the forest, and how quickly they had turned it into a town. She had never had the privilege of staying on the grounds. She had always been told to stay at an inn a few miles away. She was proud to be among them.
They were all Loux Garoux. She kept her hood up as they winded through the marketplace. Louve was taking it all in. They arrived at their tent with servants ready to cater to them. Once inside, the housekeeper took everyone's cloak, except hers. She knew the plan was set in motion.
"Have fun, darling." Her mother told her as if she were attending a ball.
Louve answered out of obligation, "Yes, mother."
With those words, she went in search of the King Alpha's tent, which wasn't hard to find. Since he was the leader, they set his tent in the heart of the tent. Protecting their Alpha even in sleep. It was the same size as hers. She suddenly felt nervous. What if they didn't let her inside the tent even with the bribe she was sure her parents gave?
She came to the tent entrance. There was no servant to greet her. She looked around and saw no one. She went into the tent. She was pleasantly surprised to see no one inside.
She relaxed a bit. She was afraid of nothing, she told herself. No one was here to see her. knowing her ex-betrothed, he had probably wanted it this way. No servants and privacy.
Since she could recall, he had always been that way. A Loux Garoux who never let you in. He always kept people at an arm's distance. He was not the entertaining type. He was reserved but had a good sense of humor. She knew she could grow to love him and one day bear his children.
She slowly toured the tent. She thought it was well decorated and supplied. She had never had the pleasure of being inside of his quarters...
She felt badly for her thoughts on the ride here. This wasn't just a muddy field.
It was a sacred place, and if she seduced Randolf and he made love to her in this tent. She would be fine with it...
Randolf entered the tent. He had a few hours before he had to be at the first event. His speech earlier was to motivate and encourage everyone here. He went over to the drink caddy and poured himself a glass of fresh water. He took a sip and put the glass down on the small table.
"I wonder if you would care for something much stronger," Louve said.