---ARES POV---
It was all a facade. All my life, I have been lied to. The look on my wife's face,he is trying to be brave.
It was a facade.
The way my mother treated me with love and affection. The look on her face, in her eyes. Whenever she looks at me. I had always thought it was admiration, love.
But no, everything was all a lie.
My eyes brimming with unshed tears.
Same has Avalon. I dont know how she must have felt when she was shown all of this visions.
Deciding to put aside my feeling. At least for now. I am not about to drown my self in sadness.
I am a king. What's to say that Avalon's love for me is even real?.
But no, I know she loves me endlessly. She is my mate after all. Right?.
Unless she is not for me. And the Moon goddess is playing some sort of trick with me.
"What am I to do with this news?". I voiced.
Better I stick to what I usually do.
I think I am slacking off as a king.
I usually was not like this. Even with all this weird news after marrying my wife, I am glad it was all because of her I could find the truth behind every hidden secrets or lies I have been effortlessly believing.
"How about we forget about all of this for once. And focus on tonight's party?".
I asked her, cupping her tender cheeks
Her eyes widens. She mist have forgotten about the ritual.
"It's going to be a full moon soon." I add. And to all werewolves, Lycans or shifters. The ritual day is set aside for our union.
Late at night, Avalon is dress beautifully in a red soft and transparent gown. Doing little to nothing in covering her underwears. The night gentle air blowing her gown. I growl at the sight of her smooth thighs.
I want to send her back to change into something less revealing. But I cannot derive her of what she must wear.
Its witches traditions.
Goddamed ritual. Just like the witches, shifters are adviced to put on little clothing. Knowing their garment would end up useless after shifting.
Hence, even as a king, I am putting on a matching material as Avalon's. Dressed in just a red velvety buttoned up garment.
"I see you are ready for tonight my queen". Penelope says leaving us alone after bowing her head.
Avalon says somethings about her make been too much. And if it was even necessary.
I just chuckled.
"My Queen" I say. Not missing the chance of feeling her lush skin through the material.
"My King " she replies shyly. The tip of her ears turning pink.
There is something about her, it makes my heart swell. And I am not stupid enough to call it just the mate bond. It was the way she looks at me. The way she acts around me.
Yes I have noticed the way she acts around others-not so much people she bas met she has been in the palace-but she certainly acts her age whenever we are alone.
And I fucking love it. The fact that I am the only one that could make her feel that way is a feeling a man like me is selfish to own for my self.
"Mine" I growl in her ear. Licking her earlobe as she trys not to squirm under my touch.
She is no one else's. Just mine.
I smirk as a soft moan escapes her lips when I bite her nape.
I stop when I notice she changed her hair style.
"What style is this?". I ask her as we walk side by side inside the grand hall. This was where I first saw her for the second time. Where i didnt first realize she was Sawyers sister.
But definitely knew she was my mate. And the woman who wants to avenge me. Yeah she told me that night. I was the first person she let out her secret to.
"Wow! This is the the first time I am attending a grand party. Oh my second one. Considering my wedding party was fender than this".
She comments. Bright smile on her face. I could not help but smile too.
"I am glad you liked your wedding party". I say to her. Stating deeply into her eyes.
"I hope you are not tired form the journey because this party is till dawn." I inform her. Breaking eye contact. She seem mesmerized, I am still yet to tease her about the way she stares at me. I know she is in love with me.
"All shifters will be here?". She seems to register what I told her. Her eyes searching thought the crowd frantically.
"Why, you are expecting anyone?" I ask her my eyes following her eye focus.
She is stating at a man in dark regalia. He is also a king. But from the neighbouring kingdom. King Reager?.
" Do you know him?". I ask her. Sensing her curious stare at a certain king.
"Who is he?" She asks not taking her eyes off him. So she doesn't know him?.
"He is a king. King Reager Tahor. King if the kingdom of Tahor. He is also a shifter. Although he is neither a LYCAN nor a wolf."
I informed her.
She doesn't seem satisfied with the information. Always a little curious thing. My wife.
So I feed her more.
"He is the only warm blood in his clan. He was rejected. He was an outcast before he became a king centuries ago.
Some says he has lived a millinia or not?. Just rumours. We have met in few occasions. He is a good ally. Do you want to speak to him?"
Her eyes widens. But she quickly gathers her self.
"Yes I would love to. I just, he exudes a very different aura. And its drawing me to him. Its like we ave met before" she says. And this does not seat well with me.
She is fucking drawn to another man when she is by my side?. I could allow her to speak to him. I trust her.
But It's him I don't trust. She seem to sense my discomfort because she cocks her head to the side, ready to tease me.
I just roll my eyes.
"I am territorial and possessive man. None of my things gets to be drawn other things." I seethe.
Thinking she would get angry at me, she just cups my cheeks. Her face far from mine.
Emphasizing how short she is compared to my tall and bulky size.
"Don't you trust me?".
She asks softly.
Removing hers form my cheeks. But not letting go as I intertwine our fingers.
"Well you know I do. But its him I dont trust with you. Especially when you are dressed like this" I grumble out.
Her cheeks flamed when she noticed my eye scanning her little frame.
But she trys to ignores it. Or atleast trys to.
"Do you think I want o speak with him because I don't want to be by your side? Oh come on. You know it's you I want. Not him. I will speak with king Reager alone. And not because you let me. But because I simply want to. And you said it your self. He would make a great ally" she reasons. Her ocean blue eyes captivating me.
There is no way I can say no to her. Especially when she is looking at me like that.
" Like- like I could refuse you" I grumble out.
Not caring what the guests think of me. Of me being a gentle and sweet man instead of my usual brutal and ruthless attitude they all know me as.
But then Reagers eye caught my attention.
The sick bastard is staring straight at my wife's exposed skin. Her cleavage to be exact.
And because of that. He could be ruled as fucking unwanted guest.
I did not like the idea of men ogling my mate.
Ashter agreeing to this too.
*How about we strangle his neck?*
Ashter says, smirking devilishly.
Amd for a tiny moment, just little moment . I just wanted to agree.
Thank moon goddess Dorian stopped me.
" What did the poor garment do to you? Dear brother?. Oh I or not the garment. I see you are about to bite his head off. The king can only stare he dare not touch what's not his. How about let your wife live her life?." Dorian advices.
I dont want to be stopped. I want to chop off King Reager's head. Dorian's included.
He had the guts and nerve to tease me about it about my possessive attitude towards my wife?.
"When you have a woman like my wife you would understand that men would only want her for her body at first sight then her voice. Oh heavens her voice. Then her gentle heart. Then you can understand how I am feeling right now. Oh I almost forgot. You do have a woman you are head over heels in love with. I think you do get what I mean. Dear brother"
I blow up in his face. My gaze going back to Avalon and the sight before me is not what I was expecting.
My wife is giggling at what Reager is saying???-
Well then, let's just say Reager has awakened my dark side.
Because I can be brutal.
"Well, shit-" I hear Dorian say as I stalk towards King Reager and my wife. With only one thing in mind. Murder.