The Alpha's Temptation

Anticipation of something terrible surged through Biham. He had undergone so much over the past few months that he didn't want anything dreadful to happen. Kinshra wanted her daughter back. In what way? Lusitania was his legal heir. He just couldn't let her go to Vilinski and let her stay there. At the same time, he had this strong urge to meet Kinshra. Dilemma and dread warred inside him.

He stared at Anastasia for a moment and then asked, "Kinshra wants her child or Kinshra wants to meet her child?"

Anastasia pursed her lips. "That I don't know. But the fact that she is her mother, she wants to see her and, in my opinion, you must let Lusitania decide as to what she would want. She is an adult and the decision should be solely hers."

Although Biham wanted to protest against Anastasia, she was right. It had to be Lusitania's decision.

"I would like to warn you here that Kinshra is a pure blooded fae. Her magic is extremely powerful. If she doesn't want Lusitania to leave Vilinski, she can use her magic to restrain her. She had stayed deprived of her child for far too long," Anastasia added.

"And so was I?" Biham interrupted. "Lusitania was away from me for her whole life! She is my legal heir. She is Eltanin's mate, wife and queen!"

"I know," she replied. Her wings rustled as she looked away from Biham. "What I am trying to say is that Lusitania should get her magic back before she meets Kinshra. I am not saying that Kinshra is dangerous, but from what my father said, she yearns for her child and that--" Anastasia hesitated as if sharing the next part of the information was right or not.

Biham waited with anticipation, his knuckles turning white. Every information about Kinshra was important for him. The air palpated with tension.

Anastasia took a deep breath. "Kinshra hasn't married even though she had a line of suitors. Her father forced her to marry a fae prince, but she said that she would rather die than marry."

"Calaman's horns!" Biham sat on his chair with a thud, his mind reeling with way too many emotions. It had been eighteen years since he had rejected her, but her pain seared through him. He rubbed his chest feeling dizzy. "I want to meet her!" He looked at Anastasia. "Can you take me to her? Please. Please."

"Of course, I can, King Biham," Anastasia replied softly. "However, we must go with Lusitania."

"I am sure that King Eltanin wouldn't let Lusitania go alone. He will accompany his wife," Ileus interjected with a smile as he glanced at his wife with his golden eyes. He remembered how he felt when she had left him for a month to be with her parents. His life had turned upside down. All this was despite the fact that they had children. Poor Eltanin was only a few weeks into his marriage and finding a mate. The man would follow Lusitania even if she went to the toilet, let alone Vilinski. He wondered if Eltanin should be introduced to his library. Maybe, he should maintain a ledger of who is using his library. A ledger of getting favors in time.

"Yes, that would be a nice thing. If Lusitania's mate can accompany her, Kinshra would see the reason," Anastasia supported her husband.

Biham rubbed his hands. "I will ask Eltanin about it!"

"Another very important thing--" Anastasia said. "I heard that she is reading Yunabi and Rolfe is there to help her."

"She is," Biham replied.

"She would be able to absorb the magic of Yunabi if she is in the fae lands."

"Why?" Biham frowned. He was sure that his daughter was doing fine under Rolfe's guidance.

"Faes are surrounded by the environment that is natural to them in Vilinski. Over there, their powers are more enhanced. Lusitania will be able to absorb Yunabi better over there. The fae lands are in sync with the faes. Hence, I would suggest that we take Lusitania to Sgiáth Bio as soon as possible and stay there for some time till she is able to get at least half of her magic. After that we can go to meet Kinshra," Anastasia said.

Biham rubbed his palm over his mouth. "I have heard that Sgiáth Bio is a treacherous place to be in!"

"It definitely is," Anastasia replied. "But that is the only solution I could think of. Not only will she get her powers properly, who knows that her wings will get unlocked."

Biham jerked his head back. "But Lusitania doesn't have wings. What do you mean by saying 'unlocked'?"

Anastasia laughed. In a mysterious way she said, "We will see what happens." She turned her head to look at Ileus who extended his hand and grabbed hers. A familiar pain and excitement surged through them. When her gaze went back to Biham, she said, "So what have you decided, King Biham? Do we go to Vilinski or not? Do you want to go alone to meet Kinshra or do you want to take your child as well?" She waited for a moment before adding, "Mind you. I can't leave my children for too long. I will go back to Draoidh for a maximum of two weeks. And I wonder if Ileus would be able to stay for more than a week. Queen Adrianna is keen on leaving the throne and spending time with King Dmitri and her grandchildren... So..."

Biham was surprised. Queen Adrianna was a legend in the Lore. She was so powerful and strong and a just ruler that under her many kingdoms formed alliances. That whole realm was stronger than ever.

Even though he wanted to leave for Vilinski immediately, there were many things to consider. "I would like to mull over your offer, Princess Anastasia," he said. "I don't want to make a decision in haste."

"I fully agree with you King Biham," she replied. "However, let me know by tomorrow morning."

"I will!" Biham rose and bowed to them before leaving. Rigel and Lerna remain seated.

When Biham closed the door behind him, Ileus turned to Rigel and said, "How long are you going to stay away from your kingdom, Prince Rigel. You must go and claim your rightful place!"

Rigel let out a rough exhale. "I am not afraid to face my father..." he glanced at Lerna. "But I am scared for her. People hate her and it would kill me to--" he couldn't complete his sentence.

---

When the Alphas returned to the Hydra Kingdom, they took Morava to King Felis first. Morava shook with fear in front of the Hydra King who was supposed to be a demon werewolf. His wild tattoos were more than enough for her to tremble. With quivering lips she said, "I am not Lerna." Two Alphas had grabbed both sides of her arms as they moved their hands on her lustily.

Felis's was... relieved. He ambled to her and pinched her chin. "Have you gone insane, Lerna?" Then he looked at the two Alphas and said, "Well done! Take her to your chambers. She doesn't need the healer now."