The Alpha's Temptation

A spark of electricity zinged up her body and Lerna became restless. She bit her lip as color rose on her cheeks. She reminded herself of the boundaries she was going to create between him and her, and tried to control her emotions. "Oh, nothing much. Tania was telling me about Eltanin and me. It's—uh—personal stuff." She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, wondering what she was going to do next. And what was she telling him? What did he want?

Before she could think more, Rigel was standing next to her, invading her personal space and she became flustered. Lerna wasn't good at creating boundaries, but she managed to create some back at Hydra. However, where Rigel was concerned, she thought she lacked in her conviction of enforcing them.

He narrowed his eyes and asked, "What about you and Eltanin? What personal stuff can be there?"

"What is it to you? And what do you want?" she asked, getting utterly agitated by the response that her body was giving. It was simply… involuntary. She really didn't want any of this and hated the discomfort that was coming with it. This is how she was feeling in his presence these days.

He looked at her for a long time and said, "We need to talk."

Lerna got up from her place and strolled towards the table and leaned her hip against it. If she wasn't going to build the mental boundaries, how about the physical ones? "Okay… what is it?"

He stared at her as his mouth opened and closed like that of a fish. Then he turned his head to face Tania. "What is it that you two were talking about?" he sounded jealous. "What is there personal about Lerna and Eltanin?"

Tania gaped at him for a few seconds and then looked at Flora. Flora smiled, bowed and said, "I would like to take a leave, m'lady. If you want me back, please send me a message, else I am in your room." Tania gritted her teeth as Flora left her alone between a fighting couple.

Rigel tapped his foot as if to gain back her attention. Tania let out a deep exhale. "It would be better if Eltanin tells you about it."

"Even you can say, Tania," he goaded her.

"Ooo…kay…" Tania pursed her lips. Then she looked in his eyes and said, "Lerna is Eltanin's stepsister."

Disbelief tumbled down his stomach which twisted into hundreds of knots. "What?"

Tania was anticipating the shock. She nodded lightly. "Eltanin's mother, Taiyi, is Felis's mother. And Lerna is Felis's half-sister. Which means—" her eyes rounded as she looked at his face on which anxiety and disbelief was written all over. "Which means that Lerna is in a way Eltanin's sister also."

"Calaman's horns!" Rigel rasped. He whipped his head towards Lerna who also seemed to process the information.

"That's true…"

"How did you come to know?" Rigel asked, feeling a thousand shades anxious and panicky. "How did Eltanin take the news? I hope he is fine. Does Felis know about it? Goddess, Eltanin and Felis share the same mother? How? Where? Why?"

"Ho. Ho. Ho." Tania put both her hands in front. "Stop those wild thoughts to run so fast."

"But—"

Tania got up. "It would be better if you ask Eltanin about it. He should be the one giving you details and not me!" Tania didn't know what all details she should divulge. Eltanin and Rigel were thick friends. It wouldn't be wise to tell him everything in Eltanin's absence. "In fact, why don't you two come over to my bedchamber in the evening when Elty is there? And we are going to talk about it." Saying that, Tanya padded to the door and left.

Rigel's brows creased and he looked at Lerna. She stared back at him, her face flushed. "That's a very strange piece of information!" he said to her.

Lerna was already struggling with her emotions that were all over the place. Though she wanted to talk about it to Eltanin, she just remained fixed in her place. "It is…" she murmured.

Rigel understood her reluctance. He let out an exhale and said, "I—I am sorry the way I left you last time. It wasn't my intention. I behaved rudely and was unkind. I'm sorry."

Lerna's mouth dropped to the floor. This was the last thing she was expecting from him. An apology. As she stared at him and reflected on the situation, she thought maybe she shouldn't have been so strict. So she parroted, "It wasn't your intention." She was feeling torn. "Then what was your intention?" she asked.

"I am extremely worked up. I am stuck in a situation where I feel that if I say something I will regret it later."

Lerna mused at what he just said then she said, "Did I do something wrong or did I do something that you would regret?"

"No. Not at all. He took a step towards her, his eyes full of concern. "You are perfect."

"Then did I make you mad?"

"Hell. No!"

"Then why are you worried that you would do or say something you would regret?"

He stabbed his fingers in his hair and blinked several times as a steady gaze became unsteady and dropped to the floor.

Lerna waited as the silence between them became deafening.

He swallowed a lump that was forming in his throat and eventually he let out a long exhale. It is not your problem Lerna. The problem is mine. But you haven't done anything wrong or you didn't do anything wrong. This is completely my fault. However, going forward I have a plan for how to deal with my circumstances in the future.

"Oh really? Can you tell me about this plan?"

"I need to excuse myself from you for some days. And when I am ready, I will come back."

Realization dawned upon her, and with all that tension left her body. Of course! How could she miss this? Why didn't she see it earlier?