Nightfall's POV
The corners of his lips tilted into a smirk.
"My Lady, did I hear that right? You want to… join hands with me?" He asked, his eyes looking intrigued.
There's no way of breaking this ice anymore. I don't want to depend on anyone to protect me but…
"Yes. Because I cannot defend myself," I directly told him "Not because I am weak, but because I have no choice. I am not a shifter Alpha. I am not even a real wolf, to begin with. M-my power… was limited to healing," I said with my voice trembling.
That's right, having werewolf parents didn't make me a wolf. I am a Goddess in body and soul. I have a body comparable to a human. My affinity with nature and my blood is the only thing that makes me different from them.
"So…I have an offer that could be of your interest. P-perhaps you would like to hear it?" I added, biting down my lower lip.
'Please say yes'
I saw his face turn serious, "Oh? If the offer is worth my time, then yes, I would"
The surroundings suddenly changed once again and his aura became even more suffocating. But my heart felt excited that he allowed me to speak.
"Your pack is preparing for war, right? I-I can help you… in exchange, I want to ask for your protection and discretion about the secret I am going to tell you" I said with full determination
He responded, "About your secret, yeah sure. But how are you going to help us with the war?" He started tapping his foot on the ground.
He looks like he's getting impatient.
So I wasted no time. I reached out for the scratch on his lips and wiped some of my blood on it.
"What are you—"
He attempted to push my hand away but he suddenly froze
"I am the Fallen Goddess from 18 years ago"
I added, "My blood possesses a divinity that allowed me to heal anyone, but myself. This power is what the Lotus Pack covets the most and they're willing to kill me for it. So I need your help, in exchange, I would assist you with the war and in the future which you might need my ability"
"Impressive," He said, his eyes twinkling with excitement.
But that excitement quickly went down, as he quickly turned back into his stoic expression.
'I messed up for sure this time'
I closed my eyes and felt my heart painfully clenching. I am just waiting for rejection.
"Your offer is interesting for sure," he put a finger on his lips, "But I would risk an even larger war with your pack if I would take you"
That's… true
"And don't you have a mate of your own, it was the son of Alpha Archen if I'm not mistaken. Why don't you ask him for help?"
Lux didn't say anything after that. A deafening silence surrounded us once again. It was clear that something displeased him.
"He indeed is…but he was my pack's pawn. He wants to betray me"
It pains me even the mere mention of Lucien. For some reason, his betrayal was even more painful compared to my family's.
Lux didn't make me wait long for his response, "So I take it that you want me… to be your mate instead?"
".... No…?" I mean why would I ask him to be my mate? How about his fated mate?
"So you can't let go of your mate?" he said in a dangerously low voice, making my heart drop in an instant
"I'm not stupid, Alpha! Why would I want to be with someone who wants to kill me?! Why would I even run away in the first place?!," I said firmly out of frustration "But I'm not asking you to be my mate. All I want from you is protection"
Lux kept his silence after that. His stares made me self-conscious but I tried my best to put up a brave front so he would know I am serious.
"I am starting to get tempted," he smirked.
Hope sprouted from my heart
"But I'm not satisfied with your offer. You see if you're gonna leave your mate and take you to my pack, that would cause a huge misunderstanding with the Archens"
I clenched my jaw upon the painful realization. I forgot about Lucien's pack. Asking Lux for help would make things more complicated on their side, how could I be so selfish?
I prepared myself to leave. I give up. I would just surrender to the Lotus and Archens. They would find me anyway, what's the point of hiding?
"So how about you throw more offers on the table," he stared deeply into my eyes looking so pleased
I am confused. "What…do you mean?" I asked, carefully hiding my desperation. Is he saying that he's willing to risk war for me if I would 'throw more offers'?
My heart started to hammer in my chest from curiosity. Other than my blood and affinity with nature, I don't see anything more that I could give to him.
I felt my eyes warming upon the painful realization.
Suddenly I saw Lux's hand approach my face. I stood frozen in my place.
'Did he finally get sick and tired of me? Is this the end of my life?'
I flinched when our skin finally touched, but he only wiped the corner of my eye and said, "I'll give you an idea"
I hurriedly met his gaze and didn't care if I looked desperate anymore
"You have strong eyes resembling a phoenix's," he said with no hesitation.
I stared at him with confusion. He seemed to have seen that as he chuckled lightly. However, he had no intention of answering me, instead, he took my hand which I have been biting this whole time.
'Ahh I didn't realize that I'm nail-biting again'
"Juicy kissable lips," he said, sending shock all throughout my body. At this point, I now have a clue about where he is going
'Is he flirting with me? Does he want to make me his mistress?' My emotions are very mixed right now. I'm glad he wants to cooperate with me but I can't help but be flustered when he would say things like this to me.
"I will protect you from the Lotuses and Archens. I would even go to war if needed," he added giving me 'the look'
"So how about… You swear to fully give yourself to me, receive my mark, and be my mate?"