The Alpha's Temptation

As soon as she was dressed, Nerina jumped in the water and shifted into a mermaid. Her friends followed her and so did the sirens. She had planned it all well. The moment they were out of the cavern, she flicked her hand and the entrance of the cave closed with heavy boulders that swung, filling the gap with a loud bang.

Tania would remain imprisoned in this cave, only she knew about, until her demands were met. She even thought that Taiyi and Eltanin might create a ruckus after hearing her demands, but she knew that King Izo was on her side. He would not go against her and would even support her. She was only doing what he wanted. The means to achieve her purpose was not important as long as she became Eltanin's legal wife. She had learned  about Taiyi's plans from a servant, who had spoken about once she was given ten pink pearls.

Eagerly, she swam to Stourin with her troupe who sang all the way. She couldn't believe that her life was about to change. She wondered how Eltanin reacted to the letter she had sent through the siren. It was possible that he killed her in a fit of rage, but that was of little consequence. A siren could be sacrificed for something as big as what she was about to do. At first, she thought she would get help from her siblings and parents at Murel, but Murel was so far away that it would take two days to reach it. She didn't have the time.

They passed through the waterfall of Stourin and entered the kingdom. Nerina hurried to the gates of the palace along with her friends. The sirens had stopped before the waterfall because every time they entered the waters threw them back into the sea with a force so giant that it tossed them miles away.

Nerina looked up at the sky. The first star was about to come out and that was when she had to be in the temple. As she walked through the tunnel into the palace, she saw that the servants were buzzing around with excitement. They stared at her with a surprise, but bowed to her and then steered clear of her way, going back to what they were doing. It could mean only one thing--none of them knew about Lusitania's disappearance. And Taiyi and Eltanin were keeping their failure under the wraps. She felt thrilled on the inside when she imagined how Taiyi's warriors must be scanning the Jade Sea to find her. She was thrilled all the more when she imagined their faces after they saw her all of a sudden.

It was evident that they were waiting for her in the temple. They wouldn't reveal to anyone that they had failed to protect Lusitania. She chuckled as she walked out of the main hall towards the courtyard, at the end of which was the temple of Fury. Thick marble columns supported the ceiling of the corridor that ran in a circle around the courtyard. The temple was mainly deserted, but she saw a few mermen stationed as guards in front of the entrance. Fafnir was also there, glaring at her.

"You have arrived just in time, Nerina," said one of her friends. "The star has just appeared in the sky."

Nerina hurried into the temple, but as soon as she was on the stairs, Fafnir stopped her. He sized her up with wary eyes. "Why are you dressed in bridal attire, Princess Nerina?" he asked.

Nerina raised her eyebrow. "To get married, of course," she said with an air of arrogance.

Fafnir tilted his head to look at the girls who had accompanied her. "With whom?"

Nerina narrowed her eyes. "You are Eltanin's General of the army, and you are asking me such a foolish question?" She dismissed him. "Now move to the side and let me enter. I am running late!" She grew impatient. She looked up at the sky where the first star had shone and was glittering.

"How is it a foolish question?" he asked amusedly. "Who is your groom? Surely, you are not marrying these girls out here."

"Fafnir!" Nerina snapped. "Stay within your limits and let me go. I am being delayed. If you don't know who my groom is, then you are the dumbest person I have ever seen!"

Fafnir jerked his head back. "Are you living in the past? Are you still thinking that Eltanin will marry you and that he is waiting inside for you?"

Nerina sneered at him as she climbed a step. "I am not living in the past, Fafnir, but if you don't allow me to pass, Lusitania will be in grave danger," she threatened.

Fafnir snarled. "What kind of danger, Princess Nerina?"

Nerina tipped her head back and laughed softly. "The only kind of danger that I will talk about is with Eltanin. I do not have time, or the inclination to talk to defectors who lick the boots of the Alpha of Draka, who has left his own people to serve those on land. You are an Urzen, yet you choose to not care for their cause. You are nothing but a bastard in every sense!"

Fafnir crossed his arms across his chest. In a very cold voice, he said, "Are you done?"

"Get out of my way, Fafnir," Nerina hissed. "If you don't, I will give the order to kill Tania. Eltanin would be the last man you want to see after that."

"So, you have abducted Tania?" he asked, his brows furrowing.

"Yes," Nerina replied, lifting her chin. "Let me into the temple where my groom, Eltanin, is waiting. Once I am married to him, I will release Tania. I know they are mates. How could I kill Tania if I want to be Eltanin's legal wife? I know that mates follow each other to the Fade."

"You are making a big mistake, Princess Nerina," Fafnir warned her as he peeled his lips back from his fangs. "Eltanin will not like it."

"I don't care about his likes and dislikes! Now move!"

Fafnir gritted his teeth. He gazed at her and her friends with anger and then reluctantly moved out of their way.

Nerina huffed and then walked past him into the courtyard. She hurried to the main shrine, where the ceremony was supposed to be held. However, the moment she stepped over the ledge, she stopped in her tracks, her eyes wide from shock.

The priest was holding the hands of Eltanin and a girl who was in the bridal dress. "In the presence of Goddess Fury, I hereby announce you married to Princess Lusitania," announced the priest. "You may kiss the bride."

Eltanin parted the pearls that were like a veil on her face. He tipped her head up by curling his finger and thumb beneath her chin and pressed his lips to hers. Taiyi, who was standing next to them, showered them with pearls.

Shock blasted through Nerina. How was this possible? She had imprisoned Lusitania in the cave, then how was she here?

"Nerina!" Taiyi called her excitedly. "Come, shower these pearls over them! They are finally married!"

"F--finally?