The Alpha's Temptation

The waves of anxiety crashed through him and Lord Haftr let out a rough exhale as he stared at Kinshra with barely controlled emotions. He had waited for her for ten years and was in love with her. A lot. He knew that against a mate that the moon goddess had chosen for her, he didn't stand a chance, but what about those ten years that he had invested in loving her. Tears burned at the back of his eyes. He rose to his feet and walked out to the balcony with his hands clasped behind.

"Lord Haftr?" Kinshra followed him, feeling just as bad for him. She had grown attached to the man, but she couldn't help it. She wanted to go there and explore her relationship with Biham. Maybe she would cut the last threads that still tied her to him or maybe she would come back to Haftr, but right now if she didn't go, she would always regret it.

Lord Haftr looked out far in the distance at nothing in particular. His chest was feeling heavy and he needed to breathe. He gulped in fresh air. When he had spoken to Biham, he was kind of sure that Kinshra would choose him over Biham, yet he had a speck of doubt.

For a long while he didn't speak anything. Kinshra came to stand behind him and she too waited for him to settle. When he gained a semblance of control over his sadness, he said, "Kinshra, I have waited for ten years for you. I am not going to stop you from going to Pegasii and explore your feelings." He turned towards her and placed his hands on her shoulders. "Because I don't want to force myself on you, especially when I have your mate pitched against me."

"It's no competition, Lord Haftr," Kinshra said in a soft voice, her head hung low.

He chuckled but the humor didn't reach his eyes. "It isn't. I am talking about all the love and attraction that you have for him. Mines will always fade against his." She began to shake her head, but he stopped her and cupped her cheeks. "I want you to go and see how things work out for you. I am a selfish man because I want you to be with me wholeheartedly. Once and if you come back to me, I won't ever let you go. You will be mine."

Kinshra lifted her eyes in surprise. She hadn't expected Lord Haftr to possess a golden heart. Emotions choked her throat. She blinked away the tears that were threatening to fall from her eyes. He wrapped his arms around her and hugged her for one last time. Smelling her mist and lavender scent, in a hoarse voice, he said, "Go. Be free from my side. Remember I am right here waiting for you."

"Thank you…" were all the words that she managed to speak.

Lord Haftr suddenly left her, turned away from her and flared his wings. In two powerful strokes, he shot in the air. Kinshra watched him fly till he disappeared from her eyes. She gulped in a heavy breath and walked inside. Though she was feeling sad in her heart, she also looked forward to her time with Biham at Pegasii.

Tania came to her in the evening and wondered if she could continue with Yunabi, but Kinshra wasn't in the mood. "Tomorrow, Tania," she said. She was feeling listless for the whole day, feeling guilty for making Lord Haftr sad.

The next day was a buzz of commotion. Kinshra had called Tania early in the morning to teach the rest of the Yunabi. She had to pack so much.

Lady Jiada was running all over the castle to instruct servants on what to do in their absence. Lord Krail had sent for his son to come as soon as possible so that he may give him the charge before leaving. Biham was extremely excited and he spent his morning walking around the gardens, looking at the tower of Kinshra and bumping into servants every now and then who were running around hurriedly.

As for Eltanin, he watched everyone as nervousness bubbled in his chest. He couldn't help but think that he was so close to his endgame. Once Tania would absorb the entire dark magic of Yunabi arcana, he had to claim her all over again. She would be brimming with magic and might get discomforted. He was concerned about her as to how she would travel through Sgiáth Bio for three days after learning all of Yunabi. He thought that he would ask Kinshra to teach the remaining Yunabi to her in Draka, but then who knew that the process may slow down just like it did with Rolfe. So he didn't take a chance. He paced his room and then walked out where he saw his father-in-law sitting at the bar with a flute. He joined him and Biham poured him red wine. Seeing the two men at the bar, Lord Krail also joined them. All three drank their wine quietly.

---

Morava was sitting in her chamber with Felis glaring at her. Healers were looking at the marks on her neck. She looked like a boulder had run over her. Repeatedly.

The last week had been harrowing for Morava. Strong Nyxers claimed her, two in a day, calling her Lerna. She continued to say that she was Princess Morava, but they didn't bother.

For the first day, the Alphas left her alone with her maid so that she recuperated well. She was looking so weak and thin. They had asked Felis as to what to do next and whether he wanted to wait or not, but he was extremely furious. He gave them orders to claim her. And that was all what Alphas wanted. According to the hierarchy, two were sent to her every day for claiming.

However, by the time it was the seventh day, her illusion started cracking. The last two Alphas saw that she wasn't Lerna and they reported it to the remaining Alphas and King Felis.

Felis was furious.