The Alpha's Temptation

Fafnir couldn't wait for another minute. When he woke up in the morning, he found that Tabit was curled up against him, sleeping like she was hardly bothered about the world. He felt too protective about her as a warm feeling surged through his chest. Inhaling her scent, he kissed the crown of her head and then got up as carefully as possible. He tucked her nicely in the blanket and then softly padded out of the room.

The first thing he did was to go and meet Eltanin. Though the king was sleeping, he didn't deny him an audience. After that, Fafnir rode all the way to his house where he ordered servants around. He took a nice bath and instead of calling the jewelers at his place, he went to the market.

Tabit was feeling particularly angry with the way Fafnir left her. He didn't even leave a note. She was so angry that her lips were pouting like that of a child and a permanent frown etched on her forehead. She took a bath and when she came out, she hoped to see him, but he still hadn't come. Why was he like that? Why could he inform her as to where he was going? And why couldn't he take her with him? It was not that she was busy in the palace.

With those thoughts she stomped into Tania's room who was on her bed, her back rested against soft pillows. Flora was massaging her legs with an aromatic oil.

"Tabit!" Tania said when she saw her. They hugged warmly and then Tabit sat next to her on the bed with the same pouty expression. "What is wrong?" Tania asked.

Flora chuckled. She knew that expression pretty well. "Princess Tabit is missing her mate," she said.

"I am not missing him," Tabit huffed, blowing a strand of hair from her face.

"Oh!" Flora commented as if not believing her.

"Why would I miss someone who doesn't even tell me where he is going? This relationship is going to be very complicated. I can see it now!"

"He could have gone to his official chambers, Tabit," Tania pointed. "He is the General of the Draka army. He must be swarmed with work. You are getting angry uselessly."

"I am not angry!" Tabit gritted her teeth. "But what is the harm in letting me know what he is up to?"

"Would you like to know where he is?" Flora asked.

Tabit bit her bottom lip as her expressions turned into that of curiosity. Flora stopped massaging Tania and lifted her gaze to Tabit. When Tabit didn't reply, she lowered her gaze and started massaging Tania's leg again. Tania shook her head lightly. Her maid was really naughty. She stifled her smile and tried to look as grave as possible.

Tabit was restless. In the end, her curiosity got over her anger and she said, "Where is he?"

Flora jerked her head back and shrugged. "I don't know, but I heard that he rode out of the palace."

"Rode out of the palace?" Tabit almost shrieked. "Has he left me? When will he come back? Will he come back?"

Flora stopped working as along with Tania, she too stared at Tabit who looked like she was trapped under anxiety.

"Relax, Tabit!" Tania held her hand. "He must have gone for some important work. Don't be so riled up!"

Tabit fidgeted with her fingers. She sat with Tania for some time, but she couldn't hold herself longer. She went to the gardens on the outside and soon found herself going towards the orchards. She wondered where Fafnir was when she had come here. He didn't see her once when she was here. If she had met him back then, she wouldn't have returned to Orion at all.

She walked till her muscles ached and till she couldn't think more. It was midafternoon when she thought of returning to the palace, but the thought of an empty room without her mate was like thorns in her heart. She didn't know what was the best way to quell her anxiety. She had lost her appetite and didn't go back for lunch. If this continued, she was soon going to go insane.

Seething with fury, she sat down under an oak tree on the grass and leaned her back against it. She closed her eyes and memories of her last evening kept flashing back and forth. She couldn't even sleep. Finally, she got up and was about to leave when she heard heavy clops of horse hooves somewhere nearby. Alarmed, she got up and spun to see who was there. And then her vision was filled by the one she was waiting for so long. On the horizon, she saw General Fafnir riding on the horse, coming her way.

Every anxiety that she felt for so long turned into rage. She wanted to shout at him, slap him and then some more for leaving her alone.

Fafnir's face broke into a grin the moment he saw Tabit. He had come to the palace an hour back and had gone straight to her room, but she wasn't there. Panic exploded inside him when after enquiring about her, no one could give him proper information. He had scolded every soldier for not keeping a guard on the princess, threatened them to throw them out of the army and even kill them.

All the guards had rushed around. One of them gave the information that she was seen going towards the orchards. He had rushed towards the orchards.

Fafnir stopped his horse a few meters away. He jumped down and rushed to her to stand in front of her. His chest was panting heavily as their gazes locked and relief poured in him. "Princess!"

"Where the--" Tabit shouted but stopped the moment he sank on one knee. Surprised as to what he was doing, she shut her mouth.

Fafnir dug the pocket of his trousers and took out a red velvet box. He opened it for her. Tabit slapped her hands over her mouth. In it was a huge diamond ring.

"It's the biggest in Draka," he said in a hoarse voice. "Will you marry me, princess?"