The Alpha's Temptation

Every muscle in his body strained. Fafnir clenched his jaw, cursing himself for what he had done to her during the night. "If you can forgive me, I will--" he stopped. He considered what all he could give her.

Tabit turned her head over her shoulders and raised her eyebrow for him to finish his sentence.

He swallowed down his trepidation and said, "If you forgive me princess, I will give you a necklace of the best pearls one can find in the whole of Araniea."

Tabit stifled a laugh. He was so cute that she felt like squeezing him tight and kissing him senseless, but she wanted to delay her pleasure. "And how will you do that? Ask King Eltanin?"

He shook his head. "No, I will get it on my own. I will go to Stourin and fetch it for you. In fact, I have one back at home also and if you like it is yours."

She tapped her chin, loving him more than loving the bribe he offered. "Hmm... I will have to think," she replied.

Fafnir pumped his fist in the air at his first hopeful victory. He knew he should sweeten the bribe further and she would forget about what happened between them. But what exactly happened? The question was like a thorn in his heart that he had to dig out of his flesh.

"Can you go to Stourin on your own, without the king's help?"

"Of course! I am a half merman-half werewolf."

Tabit's eyes became wide. She didn't know this part of the General. "Half merman? Really? You mean you have that beautiful tail?"

"Yes, I do," he said proudly.

"Can you show it to me? What color is it? Can I touch it?" Tabit couldn't help but look at his legs.

"Sure, I will show you one day." That seemed to ebb her curiosity a little. "So what happened between us?" he asked again.

Tabit chuckled, obviously enjoying the secret that he was crazy to know about. "You held me in your lap for the whole night," she said in a low voice and then suddenly turned back. She wanted to see Fafnir's reaction and she laughed when he behaved just as she predicted. He blushed heavily. She loved him so much. The General of the Draka army, the brute who was known for his battle tactics and merciless ways of winning, was blushing. For her.

They reached Draka after three hours when they should have reached their two hours back. The king ushered his queen to their wing in the palace. However, before leaving, he ordered, "Tabit will be staying in the palace. She will be under my protection until--"

Fafnir gritted his teeth. His hands fisted tightly.

Eltanin measured Fafnir's behavior. His brows furrowed and his aura became commanding. "--until I talk to Rigel about you two."

"In that case I will be taking up my official residence in the palace because Tabit is not safe," Fafnir said stubbornly.

"What do you mean she is not safe?" Eltanin growled.

Tania shook her head. She grabbed Eltanin's hand. "There is no harm if the General stays in the palace to personally look after the princess of Orion. Is there?"

"No there isn't," Eltanin replied, his anger coming down. He had to talk to Rigel about marrying Tabit with Fafnir, else who knew that these two married in haste, breaking all the laws and traditions. He really was in no mood to face another flak from the public. Tabit was a princess and there were some protocols to follow before she got married. At the same time, the sword of impending war was hanging on his neck.

Tania tugged him to their bedchamber. It was already evening and she was too exhausted. As for Tabit, the servants came around her and guided her to the guestrooms. Without a doubt, Fafnir followed her. In his mind he was wondering how he could be near her.

His official residence was in the south wing, but Tabit was going to be in the west wing of the palace. And the two places were wide apart. How about he took a room adjacent to hers? At least that way, he would be able to look after and protect his unclaimed mate.

The thought that other unmated werewolves would hover around her was enough for his claws to elongate. Moreover, he couldn't stay without her now. The past six days had been hell and he didn't want to undergo hell all over again. So he decided that he was going to send a letter to Prince Rigel, asking her hand in marriage to him.

When they reached the west wing, Fafnir walked with Tabit all the way to the room she was going to stay in. "If you have any problem, even if it is in the middle of the night, just call me, and I will be there for you!" he said.

Tabit poked her tongue in her cheek. "Even in the middle of the night?" she said.

"Yes!" he replied firmly.

"Okay," she said innocently. "Then I may call you in the middle of the night."

Fafnir felt good. Useful even. He turned to the servants and said, "Bring my belongings to that room." He pointed to the one that was right in front of Tabit's.

"But your official residence is that side," a servant said, baffled.

"So what?" Fafnir roared. "Get my things here!" And now he suspected that the servant was trying to flirt with his mate. "And after that your services in this wing are not needed. Do you understand?"

The servant started shaking. "Yes General," he rasped and scurried away.

Satisfied that he had sent away a lewd bastard, he turned to Tabit. He opened the door for her and she stepped inside her room. When they were inside, she asked, "Where do you stay, General Fafnir?"

"My house is not very far from the palace." He came near her. "You would love it and if you like, you can make changes in it."

Tabit went to sit on the edge of the bed. She leaned her hands back and said, "You are saying as if we are getting married tomorrow."

--

Hydra Kingdom

General Alphard was sitting with King Felis narrating the latest developments. "When do we attack?" he asked. "The army is ready!"