The Alpha's Temptation

Alrakis took Sirrah to one of the lit pyres where the wolves are dancing. They bow to the royals and then continue with their mating dance. Sirrah saw a woman between two wolves, dancing to the drum beats. The wolf behind her coiled his arm around her waist, while the wolf in front of her was holding her possessively.

Alrakis smiled at them and then walked away. He  led Sirrah back to the palace in a carriage.

Happy that Morava had gone after Eltanin, Sirrah was sure that by the time she reached the palace, they would have mated at least once. She was elated that the day had finally come; she had removed the two thorns in her side from the face of Araniea, and she would become the power figure she always wanted to be. She looked outside the window. The moon was shining bright upon the Draka Kingdom. It was as if the moon was in tandem with her feelings. She turned to look at Alrakis and said, "I think your son and my daughter have come together on this full moon." She was sure that her men had sold Tania to the Nyxers by now. Ecstatic at the thought, she decided she would tell Biham how Morava had seduced Eltanin and that he had marked her.

Alrakis chuckled. "I think so too," he replied. "In fact, I would like to take this further."

Sirrah's joy was boundless. "Of course!" she almost squealed. "She came here previously, but Eltanin was not happy. I know that my daughter has flaws, but on the inside, she is a very soft person. She is fragile like a butterfly and sweet like honey. However, she will become an able queen." She clasped her hands in her lap. "Tell me how would you like to proceed and I will do everything in my power to bring it to fruition."

The carriage stopped and she heard a soft thud on the ground. The coachman had jumped from the driver seat to open the carriage door. Alrakis stepped out and offered his hand to help Sirrah step out. They both walked to the main hall where some courtiers were already present. Servants buzzed around them with drinks and food. Alrakis ordered all of them to leave. He led Sirrah to one corner of the room. Over a plush rug sat a set of cushioned sofas and high chairs. A flower arrangement decorated the center and a chandelier with at least a hundred candles hung overhead, giving the corner the much needed brilliance.

Sirrah sat down on one of the sofas as she patiently waited for his answer. Alrakis picked up a flute of red wine from a tray that the servants offered and so did she. As soon as they left, Alrakis said, "Well, I wanted to ask you. Now that both of them are happy in each other's company, why don't we get them married. It would mean a lot to Eltanin."

Sirrah's body quivered with joy. Finally. Finally, the day had come when Alrakis had asked for the marriage. She couldn't believe that she was part of a decision that would make history. She took in a deep breath to calm down her nerves. With a smile she said, "That would be wonderful, Alpha Alrakis. Biham had been so keen on the idea of having Draka and Pegasii tied up in an alliance and nothing would be better. My daughter has fallen in love with Eltanin as well. We shouldn't wait and at least should have them engaged before we leave. We should also decide on the wedding date. In my opinion it should happen as soon as possible."

Alrakis leaned back and sipped wine. "Yes, it is apparent that she has fallen in love with him, and so has he. I can see that they are mates."

"I knew it!" Sirrah squealed. "They are mates!"

"Should we get them married in a week's time?"

Sirrah felt light, as if a suffocating weight had been lifted from her. Marrying Morava to Eltanin was a dream, but it had now become a reality. It changed everything. She was so happy that she felt scared and excited at the same time. Alrakis was impatient to get them married. A flush rose on her cheeks. Controlling her emotions, she said, "Now that the two powerful kingdoms are coming together, we must have at least a month for the wedding, Alpha Alrakis. A week would be too short. I have to prepare a lot of things. I can't let my daughter come as a pauper here. I have thought of giving her a decent dowry for the marriage!"

Alrakis laughed softly. "Eltanin would be happy to receive her in one dress."

She laughed nervously. "I know that Eltanin is impatient. After all, they have mated. He must be desperate to have her as his wife, but we have been thinking about this union for so long that now that it is so near, we should be patient. I want this wedding to be the best and the biggest in the history of Araniea!"

Alraris nodded. "Why not? It is not like Eltanin will marry again."

"Exactly!" Sirrah replied.

"But I will not drag the wedding for more than fifteen days," Alrakis said firmly. "I think Eltanin would like to announce it tomorrow."

Sirrah giggled. "I know that the king is desperate to marry my daughter. Let me talk to Biham about it."

"Sure."

A Pegasii guard came to them and bowed. He looked nervous. "Something very urgent has come up, Your Highness. Can I have an audience?"

Angered at his sudden intrusion of such an important topic, Sirrah growled, "Go away. You can come back later!"

"B— but!"

"I said, leave!"

The guard shot an exasperated look at her and bowed to leave. Just as he was about to leave, Alrakis said, "Stop! What is it?"

Sirrah gritted her teeth. "Oh please, don't be bothered by him. These idiots have no sense of timing." She turned to face her guard. "Who allowed you to enter without announcing yourself?"

The guard gulped. "I— I am sorry, Your Highness, but it is very urgent."

Nothing could be more urgent than the conversation she was having with Alrakis. In a stern voice she growled, "Leave. Now."

The guard bowed again and was about to leave, when Alrakis interrupted. "What's it about?"

The guard blurted. "Princess Morava is—"

Sirrah jerked her head back. Did he want to report that Morava was with Eltanin? Was he mad? "Shut up!" she yelled to quiet him. How shameless was he? She was going to kill him for the audacity.

The guard pursed his lips again.

"Go ahead," Alrakis said in a harsh voice, silencing Sirrah.

"Princess Morava is running around—" he shot a fearful glance at Sirrah. "—wildly."

"Wildly?" Alrakis narrowed his eyes. "And what does that mean?"

"You fool! Are you drunk? Morava is in the cave with the king!"

The guard broke into cold sweat. "She isn't. We need your help to control her. Something— something is terribly wrong with her."

Blood drained from Sirrah's face. She wanted to ask what was wrong, but she couldn't speak about it in front of Alrakis, otherwise all her plans would crumble. Without wasting any time, she rose and bowed to Alrakis. "I will be back soon."

"I will accompany you."