Lilith's POV
To say I felt satisfaction seeing Eligor's displeasure as I kissed the wolf he despises the most would be an understatement. It was time to end his delusion of possessing me, especially since all he desired from me was my body. He even made me doubt my value as a she-wolf at one point. As the sole heiress of the Leurunas, I can't understand why I allowed myself to be blinded by lust and forget who I truly am. Eligor is merely a selfish wolf who desires control over my body but wants nothing more from me. He will never love me, and hopefully, I will never feel any affection towards him either.
My train of thought halted as I felt Khai's fingertips tracing swift circles on my spine. The corner of my lips rosed into a smile as I nibbled on his lower lips, still making myself comfortable on top of him. It doesn't matter if Eligor is watching or not, I wasn't kissing Khai to make my mate leave the room out of spite. I was keeping myself from kissing him even before we went to my room to rest from the consecutive meetings that we'd been holding lately. Khai and I have been becoming each other's rest, and I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world right now. Not even for Eligor's touch.
"Your lips taste so sweet, Lilith. I wish I could just stay with you forever." Khai whispered in between our small kisses. My heart thumped with the sweetness of his words. If there's anyone I'd want to spend forever with, it'd probably be with him too.
"I want the same thing as you, Khai. Only if we're not facing any conflicts right now, then I would happily grant your proposal and stay by your side as long as you want," I replied, distancing myself to look into his eyes, feeling a wave of honesty I hadn't allowed myself before. I had been pushing my feelings aside because of Eligor, but should I consider him when he shows little regard for my pack and my feelings? We would only destroy each other. There's no point in hoping for anything between Eligor and me. He's a lost cause. We're a lost cause.
Khai's eyes widened as he circled his arms around my waist, with his cheeks flushing in excitement. "Do you actually mean what you are saying, Lilith? Will you really be my chosen mate if not for our situation right now?" He asked, his voice full of excitement.
I caressed his hair and laughed. He's the most adorable alpha that I had ever known. "Do I look like I am lying to you, Alpha? I've been attracted to you even before I turned 18. I don't know how my crush on you has gone unnoticed when everyone that was close to me knew." There's no use in hiding that I had a crush on him since god knows when. With how I act around him, even Khai will be able to tell.
He chuckled. "So the rumors were actually true? I heard before that you had a crush on me but I didn't know that it was real. If I had known, then I would have made a move earlier."
I raised my eyebrows as I felt him tightening his hold on me. "You would have made a move earlier? Does that mean that you liked me too?" I can't help but bite my lower lips to stop myself from smiling. Khai never fails to make my heart flutter, and he does it so effortlessly too.
"I have always liked you, Lilith. You were just too young when we first met, so dating you was not an option for me back then. I wouldn't want to take away the opportunity of you finding your true mate just because I never found mine." His eyes were full of emotions and honesty to the point that I could not stop myself from wanting to shower him with kisses. How is this man so fucking sweet? I just want to melt in his arms.
"You're too good of a man, Khai. I can't believe that you're in my arms right now." I whispered, slowly leaning in and giving him a peck. I could almost feel his heart pounding against mine as he returned the favor and pulled me in for a passionate kiss.
If only he was my true mate, then maybe things would be more than this.
…
Khai was no longer beside me by the time I had woken up from a deep slumber. I guess he already went back to his pack. He needs to come up with new plans, after all. A cute note caught my glance as soon as I sat up from my bed. I couldn't resist grinning. I was certain he wouldn't walk away silently.
"Sleep tight, Heiress. I'll do whatever it takes to save our packs." I recognized his handwriting instantly. It was reassuring to know that he was someone I could rely on. At least I wouldn't have to bear the weight of this problem alone.
I placed the note back down and decided to push myself for a run. If there is anything that needs to be done right now, it is to stop being complacent and start taking action for my pack. We had been focused on planning lately, but we hadn't carried out many of our plans so far. I went to my closet and geared up with different weapons laced with wolfbane, while my hands were covered with leather gloves.
The moment I passed by the mirror, I saw my reflection looking back at me with determined eyes. I will be weeding out rogues tonight. The more I eliminate from their side, the more Eligor will be put at a disadvantage. I realized that the best time to attack him is when I feel absolutely no remorse for him. My feelings for Khai are at their peak, and tonight I am confident that even if Eligor shows up, I will not be swayed by our bond. Hopefully, that is.
Dusk and I were in harmony as we stepped outside of our territory, looking out for new rogues that Eligor could have planted. We've eliminated many of them the past few days, but knowing Eligor, he would definitely not stop there.
"There's two behind us, Lilith. Look out." A familiar voice echoed in my mind. Dusk was giving me a warning, and that, I adhered to.
I took a step back and turned to face the position of the rogues that were tailing us. I could not help but smirk at their scents. They seem weak, novice-like, even.
Without any hesitation, I shot them with the rifle that I had, not missing even an inch away from their heart. Two bullets were enough to kill two rogues. They're easy, as expected. I guess Eligor's project to make them immune to wolfsbane was not finished yet. It did not even take them a minute to die.
I heaved a sigh and continued on wandering in the depths of the forest. All I could think of was finishing this war so that I could kill Eligor off and be happy with Khai. That's all that I fucking want, and it would be easier in the first place, had I not encountered Eligor that one night. I should have been more careful. Maybe then, I wouldn't be stuck in this dalliance that I have with the leader of the rogues.
While I was scanning the place near our perimeters, the familiar scent of rogues has yet again filled my nose. Their scent makes me nauseous. How the hell does Eligor mask himself? These rogues are not good at hiding at all. I could easily see them in their hiding spots and kill them.
I positioned myself behind a tree and shot the three of them before they could even see me. Their groans of pain instantly filled my ears. My lips rose into satisfaction. To say that this is a war is an understatement. This is not just a fucking war — this will be the end of their kind. I will not have any rogue led by Eligor Wylder Koen kill the wolves of the Cillians and Leurunas again. Not while I'm still alive.
"You're on a killing spree tonight, Lilith. You don't even have a silencer on. What if the other rogues attack us?" Dusk asked.
"How can they attack us if they don't have any rogues left, Dusk? We've been eliminating them the whole week and I doubt it's easy to recruit new ones every day. Eligor's side must be laying low right now." I answered.
"What made you think that way, Asteria?" A voice suddenly erupted behind the tree. His presence does not surprise me any longer. I knew, even before I went out, that I'd see him tonight.
"He's not alone, Lilith. Stay alert." My wolf warned. Oh yes, he's certainly not alone. They're not invincible after all.
I carefully took a step back and faced Eligor, surrounded by what I assumed were his closest comrades within his army of rogues. My blood boiled at the sight of the woman whom I had seen during our last visit — clinging onto Eligor's arm as if he were hers. The other man remained stoic and was scanning me from head to toe.
I faked a laugh. "I didn't know that you had friends, lover. Are you finally here to finish me off?" I asked, my arms crossed below my chest.
His slut glared at my mention of Eligor's endearment for me. Her jealousy is unexpectedly satisfying. "Who do you think you are calling your lover, bitch?! Eligor is mine! Not yours!" She exclaimed.
I can't help but chuckle in disgust. "Then have him for yourself, whore. Do I look like I even want him right now? For Pete's sake, open your fucking eyes." I muttered with annoyance.
Eligor glared at me. "Are you forgetting what we are, Astrea? You can't defy what we have!" His voice roared throughout the forest.
"We are nothing but enemies, Eligor. Do you honestly believe you could keep me under your control forever? I would travel miles to find a witch if I must, just to sever our mate bond. I don't need you in my life, and I have someone else I'd rather be with than you, rogue!" I growled back, asserting my dominance.
I could see the woman's eyes in shock from my peripheral vision. "What the hell is that bitch saying, Eligor?! Did you choose her to be your mate?!" She screamed.
Eligor glared at her, looking irritated. "Shut the fuck up, Veda. This isn't about you."
So her name is Veda, huh? He sure has a weird taste in women. How on earth can he tolerate Veda's voice? It's nearly making my ears bleed in the brief time I've been around her.
Eligor looked back at me, with his eyes almost piercing me through my soul. "You're not cutting off the bond, Astrea. I will never let you and that asshole be happy in this lifetime."
"This is also not about you, Eligor. Did you bump your skull into something and forget what I said the last time we met? I told you, we're finished. So unless you're ready to go to war, stay out of my fucking way. You're nothing but an eyesore." Yes, I am mated to this man. And yes, I do enjoy being intimate with him, but tonight, I need to be as harsh as possible. I need him out of my system. I need him out of my life.
Eligor swiftly pinned me against the tree trunk, but I remained unfazed. I sensed two pairs of eyes watching us. One was brimming with jealousy, while the other was unpredictable. They could have easily ended me then, but I suspected they wouldn't act without Eligor's order. Besides, it was too soon for him to dispose of me; he hadn't yet achieved what he desired from me.
"Why the fuck are you suddenly persistent on ending this, Astrea? I know damn fucking well that you crave for me as much as I crave for you. Stop lying to yourself." Eligor muttered under his breath.
I cannot help but let out a chuckle. "You're the one lying to yourself, Eligor. I can live just fine without you. Stop being so narcissistic and stick to your own plan," I paused. "You intend to kill me eventually, don't you? Then there's no point in being mates with each other. You want my body? You've already had your way with me multiple times, Eligor. It's time we stop playing games."
Eligor groaned in frustration and leaned his way more into me, almost grazing his lips on mine. His heavy breathing was a reflection of his anger towards me, and yet I kept myself composed as I had promised before leaving that he would not faze me tonight. Not today, Eligor. I already made up my mind.
"Tell me the truth, Astrea. Are you doing this because you're going to marry that damn Alpha?" he whispered under his breath, his fear palpable and unmistakable.
Marriage? For a moment, all I could hear was the pounding in my chest, debating whether I should utter another lie that could alter the course of our story. And then it clicked; if this was the only way for him to leave me alone, then he left me with no choice.
At last, I found my voice,
"You finally caught up, huh?"