"Please wait."
"I can't wait. I don't know your reasons, but my lineage depends on you right now," he breathed in the crook of her neck.
"Wait, Thorne."
"I can't," he said. "I said I won't run away."
"Promise?"
"Sure, promise."
"Thank you, Ella."
That was the first time she heard him call her name, which gave her butterflies. She felt an indescribable force always pulling her towards him. She could sense him whenever he was close; she knew his scent. She craved to be in his arms but wanted to stay committed to her duties. She thought she could do it since Charlotte could do the same, but she realized that she doesn't compare to Charlotte in any way.
"I have decided not to run away from my fate anymore. I desire you too, Thorne."
"Then why do you flee?"
"I flee because my responsibility is great."
"I could carry your burden with you, my lady. I'm very strong, you see," he whispered into her ear.
"Yes, I can see," Ella said, as her cheeks heated up.
"I have some conditions."
"Lay them out, my lady."
"Do we have to do it here? I already said I won't run."
"Oh, pardon my naivety," he said, giving her a bow, and Ella cringed. She felt awkward. While she was still thinking about his behavior, she felt his arm behind her neck, and before she could say anything, he lifted her off the ground.
"I can walk; you shouldn't do this."
"Your feet will hurt."
"I've been walking all my life," she cried out.
"You need to save your strength, my lady," he responded seriously.
"For what?" she asked absentmindedly, her brows furrowed, and his eyes darted around.
She finally realized what he was talking about, and her eyes widened.
"Drop me! Who said I wanted to do that with you? I want to talk to you somewhere more secluded. Why are you already thinking that far?" She wanted to free herself from his hold, but the bag of coins on her trunk was restricting her.
"Oh, I didn't consider that far at all. It's only the beginning, my lady," he said. Ella's face burned red in embarrassment. Where did all her boldness go when she needed it the most?
"Let us go somewhere secluded. I want to talk to you about some things."
He carried her to the lake's edge at the forest's edge before dropping her. She peered at the crystal-clear lake reflecting the Halfmoon beautifully. The stars looked like they were shimmering from under the water. The owl hooted intermittently, and the dense forest seemed so magical, with the illumination of the moon further reflected by the lake passing in between.
"This place is so beautiful."
"Not as beautiful as you are, my lady."
His words sounded so polite, but they seemed to wreck her insides, and she loved the feeling.
"I have four conditions. First, I won't go home with you for now. Second, we can't continue with the mating process yet; I'm occupied and have a lot of responsibility. Third, no one can know about us yet. Lastly, I must continue my business."
"I will agree with all your conditions except the second one."
"Why?"
"I don't want to wait any longer."
Ella sighed at his response. Of course. He's not the alpha king, and she is not Charlotte.
"But not today. Please, Thorne."
He grunted a bit, and she could faintly sense his frustration.
I walked closer to him and locked his lips with mine. That was the least I could do to soothe his pain, or so I thought.
Thorne's blue eyes turned darker and darker as he kissed her back ferociously until his iris was black. He held the back of her head firmly as their tongues fought each other.
"Why do that when you won't go all the way?" he breathed, his eyes boring into hers as he looked down at her.
"I just wanted to ease your pain a little."
"That didn't ease my pain. That only fanned the flames, Ella. I'm burning within."
"Me too," she whispered.
Thorne bent lower and captured her lips. Ella wrapped her hands around his neck, deepening the kiss. They groped at each other as they continued in their fiery adventure, both being more passionate than the other. The cold air from the lake was the only thing hard around. The burning desire they were both emanating could burn the whole forest down.
He gathered her skirt and lifted her off the ground, so she was straddling him in the air.
She broke off the kiss this time and stared at him. He looked back at her, and she nodded, her heart thumping loudly in her ribcage.
He could hear her heartbeat like it was his; he could feel her desire and anxiousness, and that made him excited.
"Let's love each other to the end, Ella," he said as he leaned in. His lengthened fang sank into her skin, and she hissed. The pain was soon replaced with a tingly, feel-good sensation. Charlotte giggled loudly as she wiggled her legs in the air. She had thrown all her cautions and fears into the cold lake breeze.
"We won't see each other often, very soon," she whispered as they hugged.
"Why do you say so, my lady?"
"Don't call me that. Let's not be so formal with each other. I don't like following tradition."
"I can see that," he replied. She was tempted to ask him why he responded, but she wasn't sure she could withstand his response.
"The king will be traveling soon, and you are his gamma. Beta Keida has to stay as his constable."
"How do you know that?"
"Do I look like an ordinary werewolf to you?"
"I know you're not an ordinary werewolf. You are extraordinary, and you did extraordinarily well in the tavern. You're a real businesswoman."
"Don't flatter me," she blushed.
"I do not flatter people. I think you're beautiful, smart, and hardworking."
"I think you're handsome and strong too. I like your body," she grinned.
"I knew someone was watching that day. It was you."
"Don't do that anymore. I don't want anybody to see you," she pouted.
"What a possessive little werewolf."
"We should go now."
"Yes, we should."
"Drop me. I'll walk."
"I'll carry the bags," he offered as he lowered her gently.
Despite his intoxicating masculinity, he was so sweet and mannerly.
They walked to the palace in silence, enjoying each other's presence.
"This is the farthest I can go. Will you be fine from here?" he said as he dropped the bags of coins.
"Yes, Gamma Thorne. Thank you for your kindness," she said with a small bow. She looked around, and when she saw that no one was watching, she stood on her toes and gave him a peck on his cheek before darting away.
"Charlotte!" she called out as she got into their room.
"What are these, Ella?"
"Freedom!" she bellowed, laughing hysterically. Tonight has to be the best night of he stood to
"This money will give you freedom, a little house in a nice location, a young maid, a decent noble cloak, and some accessories to match."
"How much exactly?" Charlotte asked, her heart swelling in excitement at the good news.
"Ninety-four million shekels," Ella said with a wide smile that showed all her dentitions; one could see her little premolars.
Charlotte shrieked, and Ella joined her. They finally calmed down and sat on Ella's bed.
"Though freedom is principal, I still want to stay here for a bit," Charlotte said sadly.
Ella's eyes softened. She could understand her feelings. She wouldn't be able to see the alpha king if she left the palace. If the king wanted her as his mate, he wouldn't let her go. Besides, Charlotte's life was in danger.
"We will continue to write. How about we go to the sage's place tonight?"
"You haven't gone since then?"
"He said he couldn't use your hair."
"I value my hair," she snorted.
"Let's get going, Ella replied, ignoring her. "How do we go?"
"Close your eyes, Charlotte."
Charlotte shut her eyes, and Ella muttered some words as she held Charlotte's hands. Charlotte felt a weird sensation wire across her body. It felt like she was running fast while holding Ella's hand. It felt so real that it was registered in her head that she was running. After what felt like half an hour of running, which was only five seconds in reality, Ella motioned her to stop, and she opened her eyes.
They were at the front of a dreadful-looking house atop a desolate cliff. Dark, twisted spires pierced the sky, casting elongated shadows. Gargoyles leered from the roof, their eyes glowing ominously, the air thick with an unsettling stillness.
"My legs hurt so bad," Charlotte whined.
They entered the house. It had no lock nor guard.
"Oh, a great one. Why do you seek this humble wizard?" The old man's voice echoed in the dark room. He was sitting in a circle of candles, and his fully white eyes scared Charlotte. "I brought my friend that I told you about."
"Why do you fret? You can't change fate, nor can you rush destiny."
"You said you can help her," Ella said carefully.
"And on the third full moon from now, ye shall witness the greatest riddle in your life. How shall you handle it? Will you pass the riddle of life and gain that which you seek? Or fail and gain that which you desire?"