The Alpha's Temptation

Taiyi was standing on the side. She could see that her son was on pins and needles and restless. Aether spilled out of his eyes and it was streaking in a slant from the sides.

"But you need at least a day more," she said, as she crossed her arms across her chest. "You are there, but it is not refined."

He shot out another beam at another statue of a mermaid, which blasted, sending its debris in the air. "I don't have the time, Mother!' he breathed. "If you want to help me, why don't you come to Draka with me? Moreover, I can't wait to announce Tania as my bride."

"Are you sure you want to announce it?" Taiyi asked, walking over to him and making him adjust his hands in the right position.

"Of course!" he rasped. "How else will I explain everyone out there about my magic?" The silver streak that ran out of his eyes became so sharp that Taiyi was taken aback. His wolf was actually very ancient and probably the spirit of an ancient God.

"Well, you have a point," she said. "But remember, you will be putting Tania and yourself into more danger than ever!"

"How long can I live hidden like this?" he clenched his fists. "I will declare that she is my mate!"

He was so adamant in his decision that Taiyi didn't argue with him. She wanted to go with him but she had to pay a visit to Menkar first as instructed by King Izo under disguise.

When she didn't protest after what he just said, Eltanin looked at his mother. "Will you be able to accompany me to Draka?"

"I will come after a few days," she replied. "There is something very important for me to do."

Eltanin took a deep breath in. Sometimes his mother was too difficult. He really needed her to be with him, but then she always had her queen-ly duties above everything else. He clenched his jaws as anger surged inside him. But he remained quiet. An awkward silence hung in the air while he continued to manage the waves of magic that were rippling out of him.

He didn't meet Tania for the lunch or the dinner. He had so much energy inside him that he needed to control that if he didn't take his mother's help in the limited time he had, he wouldn't know how to control it. He wondered if Ileus and Anastasia were still there in Draka. Ileus could help. He was a wizard and his magic was unparalleled.

The next day, Eltanin and Tania were standing in the glass tunnel where they had entered through a portal two days back. Tania detected the faint source of energy that was hissing at the end of the tunnel. It was so faint, that it could be heard only after one concentrated on it.

Taiyi hugged Tania. "It was so good to be with you. I hope you had a good shopping time."

Tania giggled. She didn't know that she had such an appetite for shopping. "I had a great time!" she said excitedly. "Actually I have ordered a few shell bralettes and matching skirts. They were so fabulous that I couldn't help it. But the tailor said that it would take him a few days to stitch them. He has taken my measurement. But could you—"

A loud growl from the side stopped her. "That bloody tailor took your measurement?" Eltanin scowled, his claws lengthening. "Where is he?" There was a murderous expression on his face.

Tania rolled her eyes. "How else would he make my bralette? And he is using the rarest of the shells for that which are extremely expensive." She flicked her hair behind her shoulder. "About a thousand gold coins."

Eltanin's mouth dropped to the floor. Everything about measurements and tailor and killing tossed out of his mind. "What?" he squeaked. Where had his lovely, submissive Tania gone?

She took a deep breath and returned her attention to Taiyi, who was clearly enjoying it and trying her best to suppress a laugh. It's not that Eltanin couldn't afford it, but he had never bought something so expensive for himself or for any of the girls in his life. She was sure that it was a shock to him to know that women's garments cost that much and that too just a bralette.

"Mother," said Tania. "When you come, could you please bring it for me? It is so beautiful!"

Taiyi chuckled. "Of course, my dear. I will. Anything else?"

Tania opened her mouth but Eltanin grabbed her hand and pulled her towards the portal, lest she would come up with another bloody shopping list. "We don't have the time!"

Tania let out a long exhale. "Oh well," she shrugged. "I can always buy things in Draka."

Eltanin whipped his head to look at her.

"Or Pegasii," she added as she was dragged by Eltanin to the portal.

Tania touched the portal and chanted the coordinates for it to open. As if recognizing her, the portal sucked in the air around it and grew in size. They stepped inside it and the portal collapsed behind them.

It was bright and sunny in the orchards of the Draka Palace. Eltanin intertwined his hands with her and they started to walk towards the palace. Eltanin was so happy to come here that he inhaled the sweet smell of the citrus trees around him. He stopped her beneath a dense orange tree. He placed a kiss on her lips. Curling his fingers beneath her chin, he lifted her face and said, "Today I will be announcing you as my queen."

"Today?" her eyes flew wide open.

"Yes. Why should I wait even for a minute? In fact I will do it as soon as possible and then host a dinner for the nobility."

"But what about Mother and Father?" she asked. "I think they should attend it. And also Lord Krail and Jiada."

"Of course. I have already taken care of that."

"H—how?" she asked, bewildered. They had just stepped on the soil of Draka.