The Alpha's Temptation

Ileus leaned on the tree trunk as he watched Tania. She was in a delirious state all over again. With a deep sigh, he said, "Do you know that because she has fae blood, she is able to hold all that magic. Had she been a normal she-wolf, she would have never been able to hold it in her. The magic would have... eaten her away."

A low growl of disapproval rumbled from Eltanin and he gathered Tania closer to his body. Ileus knew that instinct. It was a wolf's primal instinct to protect his mate. "If you take her to Draka, it is quite possible that her condition worsens. There won't be anyone to take care of her, unless Kinshra goes with her or Anastasia. But I don't think that they would be of much help either. The magic has started demanding more. It needs to be released and if she doesn't release it--" he pursed his lips and lowered his head, not wanting to scare Eltanin.

Eltanin was crestfallen. A shudder of anxiety passed through him. "We will see," he said and the silence between them hung like death.

They started with their journey and reached the last part of the bend. Tania was having a slight fever and was delirious. She looked up at her mate who had her across his lap on Wind. His one hand held her in his lap with her head in the crook of his arm and his other was on the reins. Wind was also very careful in walking. Sometimes, when Eltanin would loosen the reins, he would still walk in line with other horses. It was as if he had smelled Tania's condition.

"Elty," she whispered his name.

He tipped his head down to look at her. "Tania," he rasped. "How are you, love?" He left Wind's reins and wrapped his arm around her.

"I want you to take this restlessness, this anxiety and this magic from me. I can't bear it anymore..." Tears came out of her eyes from the side.

Eltanin shook on the inside. He pulled her closer to him and buried her face in his chest. "I know. I know." He whispered. "Have a little patience and things are going to be fine." He became quiet and then waited to reach Draka. He was going to carry her all the way to his bedroom and claim her. He was going to suck the magic out of her.

When they neared the end of the journey, Ileus created two portals for them. One for Draka and the other for Pegasii. "This one is for Pegasii," he said pointing to the one at the left.

Biham approached the portal and looked behind at Kinshra whether she was following him or not. He stood near the portal and waited for her to come there. He looked at her expectantly, if she entered the portal to Pegasii. When she waited for longer than he calculated, his heart plummeted to the ground. In the end, he also decided to follow her to Draka in case she changed her mind. Kinshra got down from the horse and walked over to Eltanin and Tania.

"Take care of her, Eltanin," Kinshra said as she touched Tania's leg. "She is fragile at the moment. Please help her with her magic."

Eltanin nodded and then dipped his chin in a courtesy bow. "I will bring her to Pegasii as soon as we find time and things are normal."

"That would be wonderful!" said Kinshra. Then she looked at Biham and sucked in air sharply. She let out a prayer to the deities that all goes well. She started to walk towards her horse again. She held its reins and then entered the portal that led to Pegasii.

Biham was so jubilant that he whipped his head at Eltanin and inadvertently, his lips curled into a grin. He nudged his horse towards them. "Take care Eltanin," he said. "Visit me with Tania when she is fine." He appeared confident that Tania would be very fine. Saying that he trotted his horse to the Pegasii portal and entered it.

Lord Krail came over to Eltanin along with Lady Jiada. He said, "I wanted to go with you to Draka, but my woman wants me to go with Kinshra." He looked nervously at Tania. "Will she be okay?"

Eltanin was feeling pretty miserable all the while and he hoped that Lord Krail would go with him, but when he listened to his decision, he bowed to him and said, "I will keep her safe."

On his assurance, Lord Krail too went to the portal of Pegasii. As soon as they entered it, the portal collapsed.

Eltanin closed his eyes, his stomach knotted up so badly. When he looked at Ileus, he said, in a jittery voice, "I am so happy that you are coming with me to Draka." Suddenly, he heard Fafnir, who had opened his mind link with him.

'What happened?' Eltanin asked via their mind link.

'General Alphard of Hydra has attacked the unit of soldiers I had sent for you. You must delay your entry!'

"Fuck!" Eltanin rasped.

Ileus narrowed his eyes. He tilted his head to look at Anastasia. She dismounted the horse and walked up to him. All at once, she flung her hands forward throwing blue shimmery lights that soon resembled water that was swirling like a whirlpool.

Eltanin gasped as Ileus approached him. "What is going on?" he asked, unable to understand as to why had Anastasia created the third portal. Were they going to Draoidh? His heart fell to the ground.

"Give her the location of the Jade Sea where your mother resides!" Ileus ordered Eltanin. "You are going there!"

"What?" Eltanin was shocked. "It takes more than a day and night to reach there. Tania is not stable enough for that much time!"

"That's the reason I asked Anastasia to create the portal. Her portal will directly take you to Stourin!" Ileus said with a knowing smile.