The Alpha's Temptation

"I also know the work for which you have come here," Rigel said.ﾂ�

Rolfe narrowed his eyes as Ileus too stopped. Ileus turned to look at Rigel. All at once, magic crackled in between his fingers. Streams of blue lights sizzled around his hands and Rigel watched them with pure窶ｦ wonder. He had never seen such potent magic in his life. And those golden eyes. How could a man have such mesmerizingly golden eyes that blazed at the moment.ﾂ�

"Speak," Rolfe growled, making him come out of his temporary trance.ﾂ�

"You are here to help with the translation of Yunabi," Rigel remarked. "Eltanin sent the invitation in my presence. He needs your help with translating Yunabi."

"Don't you have scribes in Araniea who can do that?" asked Rolfe in a serious tone.ﾂ�

"We do. A young girl named Lusitania is helping him with it."

"Then why does Eltanin need us?"ﾂ�

"It is very complicated, Prince Ileus," Rigel explained. "If you come with me, I will tell you all about it."ﾂ�

"And why should we trust you?" Rolfe said as the blue light from his fingers leapt in front of him to reach Rigel as if in a warning.ﾂ�

"Because I am his closest friend."ﾂ�

All of them were quiet for a long time in which Rigel felt that he was unable to move from his place. Sweat broke on his forehead. There was something crawling in his brain. It was an uncanny feeling as if a spider was probing him with its thin legs, trying to open every little part of his brain. He closed his eyes and clenched his jaws. "You need to get out of my brain," he said in a jittery voice.ﾂ�

"He is right," said Ileus. "He is Eltanin's close friend." Ileus had swept his cell. As soon as he removed himself from there, Rigel sagged with relief.ﾂ�

"Now that you know about me, I would request you to come with me to my camp," Rigel offered. He didn't question Ileus' way of probing him. He had heard that the wizard was too strong for his own good. Moreover, now a plan was forming in his mind, and he didn't want to go against these two men. He just hoped that Ileus hadn't reached that part of his brain.ﾂ�

He glanced at Rolfe who was still looking at Ileus with a question in their eyes. It was as if they were both discussing silently whether to trust him or not.ﾂ�

Rolfe was a demon with ancient and powerful magic who could cut through the spells of fae around Araniea and create a portal. He wondered if Ileus' wife, Anastasia, helped them. But if she had helped, how was it possible that Rolfe closed the portal with a flick of his wrist. She should be closing it.ﾂ�

"Okay!" Ileus announced. "Let's go to your camp. It seems that we are stuck with you for the time being. However, if you do not take us to Eltanin in time, we will leave this place and go back. And I will send a letter to Eltanin about why we couldn't reach him." He plucked a leaf out of his tunic and said nonchalantly, "Of course, all that will be done after I finish you and your soldiers. I assume that since you have camped, you aren't alone."ﾂ�

Rigel chuckled. "I agree."ﾂ�

The three walked back to his camp. As soon as Rolfe and Ileus walked in with Rolfe, the soldiers stood in high alert with each of them bringing their hands to the hilt of their sheathed swords or picking up the ones they had kept on the side. Rigel opened his mind link with them and asked them to stay put because these two were his acquaintances. He ordered the servants to bring tea to his camp along with snacks.ﾂ�

Rigel took both of them to his tent. It wasn't a very big one. There was only a small bed, just enough for him to sleep, a brazier in which the coals were burning, imparting warmth to the chilled air and a small rug. A low table with two stumps was placed in the center.ﾂ�

As Ileus and Rolfe made themselves comfortable, Rigel took his sword out and placed it on his side. There was an awkward silence and neither knew how to start a conversation. The servant came soon after. He bowed, placed the tea and buttered oat bread in front of them and left.ﾂ�

"I窶能" Rigel started as Ileus picked up the cup without waiting.ﾂ�

"When will you take us to Eltanin?" asked Ileus, cutting him off. "We are in a hurry."ﾂ�

Rigel pursed his lips. He lowered his head and let out a rough exhale. "I have something to tell you. If you agree to that, I will take you to Eltanin as soon as possible."ﾂ�

Rolfe jerked his head back. "You got us here to throw a deal? Are you fucking insane? How dare you?" His horns started rolling and growing up. Ileus watched him with narrowed eyes, not stopping Rolfe's rage.ﾂ�

"Please listen to me," Rigel said in a calm voice.ﾂ�

"What the hell!" Rolfe roared. "Let us go back, Aly!"ﾂ�

"I think I have found my mate!" Rigel blurted.ﾂ�

Both Ileus and Rolfe jerked their heads back and stared at him with wide eyes. Rolfe's horns stopped growing and in fact, they started retreating. They looked at each other and then back at Rigel, whose face was flushed red.ﾂ�

A lopsided smile came on Ileus' face. He started having his tea back as Rolfe nodded at the turn of events. This was not what they had expected.ﾂ�

"So, you want us to help you with that?" Ileus smirked.ﾂ�

Rigel nodded.ﾂ�

"Then explain it in a better way," Rolfe added.ﾂ�

Rigel sucked in a sharp breath. "Last week I was traversing this side of Araniea for窶ｦ an important mission when I sniffed窶能" he closed his eyes as if still surrounded by it. "窶杯his mouthwatering smell."

"And?" Ileus asked, leaning in front.ﾂ�

"The scent came from the lands of Hydra. Hydra is ruled by Felis, who is a werewolf demon. He has an army of Nyxers who are bloodthirsty bastards. The entire Hydra kingdom lies on the east of Eridani River. There is no other way to reach Hydra except one bridge that is built over it, and that bridge is heavily guarded by the Nyxers. I want to go there and find her. I know it is a risky job, but I feel窶ｦ desperate. I haven't seen her and I don't even know her identity, but I窶能" he turned his face away. "My wolf is restless. He is driving me into action. It's as if a part of my soul窶能"

"So, you want us to go to Hydra with you and rescue your mate?" Ileus cut him off.ﾂ�

Rigel nodded vehemently.ﾂ�

"You do know that Nyxers are dangerous and if they capture you, you will never return back to Orion. Felis, their king, will entrance your beast and leash it with their dark magic." Ileus said recalling his days when he had rescued Anastasia from Vilinski and that too a day before the wedding. That was easier.ﾂ�

"I know," Rigel gritted his teeth. "But I am helpless. If I don't go, my wolf will turn crazy by the next full moon because he has already smelled his mate."ﾂ�