The Alpha's Temptation

Over the past few days ever since Rigel had met his parents, he had been a little out of element. Even though they had both spent a lot of time together in a cabin in the Eslam forest, these days Rigel seemed to distance himself.

"I am uncomfortable around Rigel these days," Lerna blurted, straightaway getting to the point. She wasn't bred in a way that knew how to hold a formal talk with anyone. And so she always attacked the point immediately.

Tania stopped in her tracks. She frowned and asked, "Why?" This was very unlike Rigel.

"I don't know…" Lerna replied. "He is not present with me with his soul even though his body is there. He keeps thinking of something all the time. I don't know what to do…"

"Did he say anything to you?"

Lerna took a deep breath. "He said that he liked me against his better judgment."

"What?" Tania was surprised. How could Rigel say this to her? "What the hell does he mean?"

Lerna shrugged. Her brows knitted and her lips downturned. "I don't know. He is just too distracted. I know that he wants to go back to his kingdom, but he doesn't want to leave me and go."

Tania patted her hands. She understood Rigel's position.

"He is itching to go back to his kingdom, but his father has prohibited him. His mother and sisters hate me. When they were here, they wouldn't talk to me and they maintained their distance," Lerna said, as bitterness rose in her throat. "I don't know what to do. How are mates supposed to behave?" she asked innocently. "Should I let him go?" The idea didn't bore well with her and she grew restless. "What if he doesn't come back? What if he decides to marry someone else other than me? Or what if his father marries him off to a more suitable princess?" She blinked her eyes and tears started to fall.

"Oh, stop it, Lerna!" Tania scolded her. "Stop pitying yourself!"

"Then what do I do?" she said in a defeated voice. "I can't see Rigel's longing for his birthplace. It's as if his spirit is right there and he is physically present there."

Tania sighed. "That is true… Since he is the rightful heir of the Orion Kingdom, I am sure that he is somehow connected to the spirit of the kingdom. The other day Eltanin told me how a small piece of Ladon's spirit was imprinted on him."

"Who is Ladon?" Lerna asked with curiosity.

"The spirit of the Draka Kingdom. Don't you have one for Hydra?"

She shrugged. "I don't know… Felis never showed me or talked about it…"

"Oh!" Tania couldn't help but feel sympathy for her.

"So what should I do?" Lerna asked again.

"What are you two girls talking about?" Eltanin's voice made them jump.

"Elty!" Tania breathed. Then she placed her hands on her waist and accused him, "How long have you been listening to our conversation?"

He kept his hand on his heart. "That is the most unflattering statement I have heard today. Baby, don't you feel my presence around you? Can you not smell my delicious smell?"

Tania's cheeks heated immediately. It wasn't that hot and winters were settling in, then why was she feeling so hot?

"Aww, I love when you blush for me," Eltanin remarked as he stepped forward and came to stand between the two girls. He traced her blush with his thumb as his gaze locked with Tania's.

She was so enraptured by him that she forgot to breathe and loved how he touched her. Comprehension. "Elty!" She swatted his hands away from her cheek. "How long have you been eavesdropping?"

He tipped his head up as he barked a laughter. "Not long. I just heard that Lerna wanted to know what she should do."

Lerna, who was almost petrified in Eltanin's presence, relaxed a little.

Eltanin turned to her and smiled. "What is wrong, Lerna?" he asked.

She lowered her head and shook it. "Nothing…"

"Then if you don't mind, can I ask you for a favor?" he said in a low voice.

Lerna shot her eyes at him. "Me? Sure!" She was more than ready to prove her worth. All these days she had felt worthless, like a burden on them.

Eltanin held Tania's hand and intertwined his fingers with hers. "Come to our bedchamber. I will call Rigel too over there. And Fafnir."

"What is it, love?" Tania asked as they walked towards their bedchamber. She didn't know what Eltanin had in mind, but although he appeared calm and composed on the outside, it was clear in his eyes that he was thinking something else.

"It is something that only Lerna can help with," he said and then became quiet.

Lerna felt… better. If she was the one who could only help, she was wanting it to unfold it all now. Enthusiastically, she walked after the king and queen of the Draka Kingdom, who happened to be her best friends outside Hydra.

They crossed the corridors and the main hall. Rounding a corner near the breezeway, they were joined by Fafnir. Eltanin had opened his mind link to call him. Fafnir had in turn informed Rigel to come and join them.

When they reached the bedchamber, Rigel was already there waiting for them. His glance flitted to Lerna and his expressions darkened. He was taking a walk through the orchids. He had come back to their room and didn't find Lerna over there. His anxiety was at an all time high when he received the message that King Eltanin wanted to talk to him.

Upon seeing Rigel, Lerna shrank. Slowly she covered the distance between them and went to stand next to him.

"Sit," Eltanin waved at all of them, sounding mysterious. As they took their places, he said to Tania, "Can you make this room soundproof?"

"Yes!" Tania chanted a spell. Blue wisps of magic gathered in the center of her chest and traveled down her fingers. She snapped her fingers. Air rippled around them and then settled heavily.