The Alpha's Temptation

"All hail the princess!" The courtiers shouted as they sank on their knees and placed their hands on their heart that moment Lusitania wore her tiara. Feeling a thousand shades of awkwardness, her gaze drifted to Eltanin who was sitting on the first chair on the left and watching her. He smiled and blew a kiss to her which made her blush a deep shade of red.

Biham noticed the way King Eltanin was flirting with his daughter. He immediately became protective as a scowl appeared on his face. The girl had just become the princess and this shameless man had already started with his flirtations with her? Did Eltanin think that he would give away his precious jewel to him? Never!

Once they sat on the throne, every courtier introduced themselves to her. Tania had to bow to all of them and accept the gifts they brought. It was not until evening that the court was over. A formal dinner was announced an hour later. It meant that she only had an hour to rest and get ready. Tired and antsy, she made her way back to her room. "I don't want anyone to disturb me for the next one hour," she said and closed the door behind her. She needed the quiet to absorb what all was happening around her. It was happening at a lightning-fast speed and she wondered if her boring life would ever return. She kicked open her sandals, removed her gown and plopped on the bed in her thin shift. Her eyes closed soon.

Strong arms curled around her and pulled her close to his chest. As if not satisfied, he moved her over his body and grasped her waist by one hand and neck by the other. He stroked her back gently.

"I don't know what to do…" she said in a tired voice.

"You did just fine for the day, Tania. Let your instincts guide you." He kissed the crown of her head.

"I want to go back with you."

He chuckled. "Tomorrow."

She buried her head in the crook of his neck, inhaled his woodsy and male musk scent and drifted off in deep slumber, feeling calmer.

---

"You will be going to the Draka kingdom tomorrow," said Biham as soon as Sirrah entered his bedchamber. He had called her to his chamber in order to talk to her about Tania's journey.

Sirrah's brows creased. "Why?" she asked as she sat on the couch. "Haven't you already insulted me enough by ignoring me in all of the occasions that were supposed to be held for Lusitania? You haven't even invited Morava. Have you forgotten our association so soon? I was your wedded wife before Lusitania came into your life, and this is how you treat me?"

Biham smirked. "As if you are happy about those occasions?" He took his cape out and hung it on a chair before sitting opposite to her. "King Eltanin has extended his invitation to Lusitania to be his guest for the fire festival. You will go with Lusitania to watch over her. You have to make sure that he doesn't try to attract her. Keep Lusitania away from him and let her meet him only when required. Do you understand?"

"What?" Sirrah spat. "You want me to be Lusitania's nanny? How can you even expect me to look over the girl whose mother had nearly stolen my husband?" She didn't feel the need to hide her hatred for her. "Why don't you go with her?"

"Shut up!" Biham's voice boomed in the room and Sirrah winced. "Another wrong word about Kinshra and I will rip your throat off!" When he got her full attention, he leaned forward. "Now listen to me carefully. Lusitania is still bonded to Eltanin as a slave. She is still bound by the blood oath. You have to make sure that her oath is severed and that she is free from him."

Sirrah let out a rough exhale. So, Lusitania was still Eltanin's slave.

"Do you understand?" he asked.

Shaken out of her reverie, she nodded. "I have a condition before I accompany Lusitania."

Biham gritted his teeth. "No, you are in no position to throw deals, Sirrah. Either you go or I use my authority against you. What would you prefer?" He was so angry with her that his aura spilled out and Sirrah was forced to submit.

"Before you use your authority, please listen to me." She knew that if she defied the king's orders, he would do everything ugly other than executing her. A thin film of sweat coated her forehead as she tried to speak against his force.

"Speak."

"Is it possible for me to take Morava with me? She is under house arrest in the palace. You don't want to see her. If she will go with me, I will make sure that she apologizes to Eltanin and that she mends herself properly."

"The king of Draka has clearly said that he is not interested in Morava," Biham snarled. "Why are you pushing her luck?"

Sirrah got up and knelt in front of him. She clasped her hands. "Just once more, Biham. Only this last time. If things don't go the way they should, I will bring Morava to Pegasii and she will never ever be allowed to leave its territories."

Biham's face scrunched as he gnashed his teeth. "I don't want to risk it, Sirrah. Morava has done enough damage."

"I promise that there will be no problems this time. I want to use this opportunity to rectify her mistakes and improve her nature. This lesson is long overdue." She touched his thighs as she gazed deeply in his eyes.

After a tense silence, Biham nodded. "If I hear one mistake, I will put Morava into dungeons or dispatch her to the Hydra kingdom where Felis will gladly receive her. As such she is of no use to this kingdom."

Sirrah shuddered. "You have my word."

---

Eltanin woke up when the maids pounded her door. "You have to get dressed, love," he said as she stirred a little.

She lifted her head and kissed on his lips. "I wanted to thank you," she said, feeling his shaft hardening against her belly.

"For?"

She kissed him back. "You know what." Her eyes twinkled and he laughed. Tania got down from him. She was about to get down the bed when he slapped her butt. She squealed.

"My lady!" the head-maid called her anxiously from outside. "We are coming in!" The door opened and Eltanin rushed to the secret door passage in his trousers, picking his other things on the way.

When the maids entered, Tania pointed towards the bathroom and squeaked, "I saw a rat!"

She was dressed again in a far more expensive gown for the dinner.

---

In the dark of the night, the messenger was dispatched with a letter. His horse cut through the wide plains in the west towards River Eridani towards Hydra Kingdom. He had only a day with him to deliver the letter. If he didn't, he was going to be butchered by the Nyxers. The snow had started falling and a blizzard was soon to follow, but if he found a place to stop for the night, he would cross the deadline and the fire festival would be over by then. He couldn't take a chance.