Separate priorities
Celine’s POV:
The moon cast its ethereal glow over the corridor as I made my way through the long doorway filled with ancient pictures. My heart raced with anticipation as I approached the grand hall of the Lycan kingdom. It was dark there and not a single guard in sight too. I felt uncomfortable coming here with Lycan king but I had come seeking answers about my mother, a woman whose absence had haunted me for as long as I could remember.
As I entered the hall, I was met with an imposing picture of a figure seated upon a grand throne. It was the previous king, a formidable Lycan ruler known for his power and wisdom. His silver mane cascaded down his broad shoulders, and his piercing blue eyes held a hint of both sorrow and authority even in the lifeless painting.
Approaching the king, I respectfully bowed my head. “Please, tell me,” I began, my voice filled with a mix of determination and trepidation. “I have always wanted to find about my parents but there was no one who could tell me. It’s all on you now. You are my last hope. ”
Lycan King Calle regarded me with a somber expression, and his voice carried a hint of melancholy as he spoke. “Celine, your mother was once a close and dear friend of mine,” he confessed. “She possessed a spirit that was rare among our kind, but she was hunted by rivals who sought to exploit her powers.”
My eyes widened with both shock and hope. The revelation that my mother had been connected to the Lycan king was both unexpected and intriguing. If she was so close to him then why didn’t he tell me earlier about it. My heart yearned to know more, to understand the truth behind my mother’s disappearance.Property of Nô)(velDr(a)ma.Org.
“If you truly wish to know about your mother, Celine,” King Calle continued, his voice gentle yet firm, “you must stay close to me. Only then can I ensure your safety and reveal the secrets that surround her.”
I hesitated, contemplating the weight of the king’s words. He was closing the gap between us now. However, a sense of unease washed over me as his next request left me feeling disrespected and conflicted.
“Kiss me, Celine,” King Calle requested, a flicker of impatience crossing his features. “It is a gesture of trust, sealing our bond, and cementing your commitment to this endeavor.”
I gasped in disbelief and my cheeks flushed with a mix of anger and indignation. I had come seeking answers, not to be subjected to such demands. My nstinct told me to leave, to find another way to uncover my mother’s story.
Without a word, I turned to depart, my resolve strengthening. However, before I could take another step, King Calle’s voice turned cold and menacing.
“Do not test my patience, Celine,” he warned, his eyes narrowing. “If you walk away now, I will never utter another word about your mother. I will never let you meet you! The choice is yours.”
“Why? I can’t do this. ”
Caught between my desire for answers and my sense of self-respect, my mind raced. I knew that my actions carried consequences, both myself and for the possibility of learning about my mother’s fate.
“Celine, I have my desires too. You need to understand the closeness between us will only bring positive aspects to your life. ”
In a moment of desperation, I made a decision that left me conflicted. It was just one kiss and I would know about my mother.
Stepping back toward the Lycan king, I mustered my courage and leaned forward, pressing a chaste kiss upon his cheek. It was a compromise, an act I hoped would appease him without compromising my own principles. I felt him shiver under the touch of my lips.
However, as I pulled away, my heart sank as I locked eyes with Alpha Tyrion, my angry mate and crazy protector. The anger and hurt in his gaze were palpable, his trust in me seemingly shattered in that moment.
My heart weighed heavy as I sought to explain the misunderstanding to my mate, Alpha Tyrion. I knew that the kiss I had given the Lycan king, Calle, had been a compromise I never wanted to make. I yearned for Tyrion’s understanding, his unwavering support, and the reassurance that our bond remained unbreakable.
With determination etched upon my face, I made her way towards Alpha Tyrion, longing for a chance to explain. However, before I could reach him, King Calle intercepted my path, his presence commanding and his voice laced with authority.
“Celine, my dear,” King Calle began, his tone both gentle and manipulative. “I understand your desire to clarify matters with Tyrion, but let us not forget the delicate nature of our partnership. Revealing the truth to him might jeopardize everything we’ve worked towards, including the knowledge about your mother.”
My brows furrowed, torn between loyalty to my mate and the urgency to uncover the secrets of my mother’s past. My heart ached, knowing that I had unintentionally caused a rift between Alpha Tyrion and myself.
“I… I can’t keep secrets from Alpha Tyrion,” I stammered, my voice laced with guilt. “He deserves to know everything, especially if it concerns our relationship and my quest to find my mother.”
King Calle’s eyes narrowed, his desire to keep me under his influence evident. “Think carefully, Celine,” he warned, his voice stern. “If you reveal this to Tyrion, I cannot guarantee that I will share any more information about your mother. The choice is yours, but remember the consequences.”
My resolve wavered as I glanced over my shoulder, locking eyes with Alpha Tyrion, who stood a few paces away, his gaze fixed upon us. His features contorted with a mix of confusion, betrayal, and hurt. The weight of my actions bore down upon me, threatening to crush my spirit.
Unable to bear the tension any longer, I approached Alpha Tyrion, my steps slow and heavy. I took his hand, silently pleading for understanding, my voice barely above a whisper. “Alpha Tyrion, there’s something I need to tell you. Please, let me explain.”
Alpha Tyrion’s gaze met mine, his expression a tumultuous blend of anger and vulnerability. Without a word, he guided me to his personal quarters. Just last night, staying alone with him felt like a peaceful haven. Now, it felt like a battleground, our connection hanging by a fragile thread.
As we entered the room, I took a deep breath, steeling myself for the difficult conversation ahead. I knew that my words held the potential to either heal our bond or drive us further apart.
” Alpha Tyrion, I… I kissed King Calle,” I confessed, my voice filled with regret and sorrow.
Alpha Tyrion’s eyes bore into mine, a mixture of pain and confusion evident in his gaze. His voice trembled with a mix of anger and hurt. “Celine, how could you?” he whispered, his voice filled with anguish. “I trusted you. I thought you were better than that. But no! You are just like your fake father. Always wanting a powerful and rich man! ”
Tears welled up in my eyes as I took a step towards him, my voice choked with emotion. ” Alpha Tyrion, please try to understand,” I pleaded.
“Understand what? Huh? You were kissing him! How long it’s been going for? Is he the reason why you have been so away from me? ” He accused me.
Something snapped in me and the hurt of his words spread like cancer in my body. My mother was my only real connection here and after a while when this contract would end, Alpha Tyrion would go back to his mate. The mother of his child. Even though, his allegations felt like a dagger in my heart, I didn’t want to correct him.
“If you can still care for your ex, Ava, then I can befriend anyone too. My actions were driven by the love I have for my dear one, for our future together. I never meant to betray you. In the end, it’s just the contract which binds us. ”
Silence enveloped the room as Alpha Tyrion’s features darkened, his anger giving way to a flicker of feral side. His gaze hardened as he reached out, roughly wiping away a tear cascading down my cheek.
“I don’t care for Ava, but you are my mate, Celine,” he said, his voice filled with anger and determination. “We are bound together, and I will always remember what you think about our bond. Just because I slept with Ava in past, it doesn’t give you a reason to go behind men. I don’t care about your family or anything. You need to know you belong to me now! ”
He was screaming like a lunatic and I shouldn’t have brought the worst example to him because it definitely worked in the wrong way.
“But I do care for that person. You will never understand how it feels to be an orphan. I will do anything to find the love and warmth at least once. ”
He clenched his jaw, ” Touch another man and see how I burn the world! ”
With that, he left me alone and I cried falling on my knees. I never intended to do it this way.