Chapter 42

Achilles bid Shea goodnight and retreated to his room, leaving her alone with her thoughts. As she settled into bed, Shea tried to focus on the upcoming meeting with Marcus, but her mind kept drifting back to Achilles.

Hours passed, and despite her best efforts, sleep eluded her. A familiar heat began to build within her body, the primal desire she'd experienced before rising to the surface once more. Shea tossed and turned, trying to fight the overwhelming urge, but it was no use.

Unable to resist any longer, she slipped out of bed and crept into the hallway. Her bare feet padded silently across the plush carpet as she made her way towards Achilles' room. Her heart raced, a mix of anticipation and need driving her forward.

Just as she reached for Achilles' door handle, a gentle but firm hand grasped her shoulder. Shea whirled around, startled, to find Lucius standing behind her. His expression was a mixture of concern and understanding.

"Shea," he said softly, his voice barely above a whisper. "I think we need to talk."

Embarrassment flooded through her as she realized what she'd been about to do. Lucius guided her away from Achilles' door, his hand still on her shoulder.

"I... I don't know what's happening to me," Shea admitted, her cheeks burning with shame. "This feeling, it's so intense. I can't control it."

Lucius nodded, his eyes filled with sympathy. "I understand. It's part of your awakening powers and the true mate bond."

Lucius guided Shea to a nearby sitting room, gesturing for her to take a seat on one of the plush armchairs. He settled into the chair across from her, his expression thoughtful.

"Shea, what you're experiencing is a natural part of being true mates," Lucius explained gently. "The attraction between you and Achilles is intense, and it's not something to be ashamed of."

Shea felt a wave of relief wash over her, though her cheeks still burned with embarrassment.

"However," Lucius continued, his tone becoming more serious, "while I understand and accept this connection between you two, we need to be cautious. Given your unique bloodline and the current political climate, a pregnancy at this time could be extremely risky."

Shea's eyes widened at his words. She hadn't even considered the possibility of pregnancy amidst all the chaos.

"I'm not saying you need to completely suppress your feelings," Lucius clarified. "But I do ask that you try to keep things in check, at least for now. We need to focus on your training and preparing for whatever challenges lie ahead."

Shea nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. "I'll do my best," she promised, though she couldn't help but feel a twinge of disappointment.

Lucius gave her a sympathetic smile. "I know it's not easy, but it's necessary. Once things settle down and you've had proper training, we can reassess the situation."

Shea shifted uncomfortably in her seat, her fingers twisting in her lap. "But I can't control this urge," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "It's like nothing I've ever felt before."

Lucius's expression softened, a knowing smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "I understand, Shea. And I'm sorry, but I have a solution that might help." He paused, his eyes meeting hers. "I apologize in advance for this."

Before Shea could process his words, Lucius moved with lightning speed. His hand struck out, delivering a precise, gentle chop to the side of her neck. Shea's eyes widened in surprise, then quickly fluttered closed as consciousness slipped away from her.

Lucius caught her limp form as she slumped forward, cradling her carefully in his arms. With a sigh, he lifted her effortlessly and carried her back to her room. He moved silently through the hallways, mindful not to disturb Achilles or anyone else in the mansion.

Reaching Shea's bedroom, Lucius gently laid her on the bed. He pulled the blanket over her still form, tucking it around her shoulders. For a moment, he stood there, watching her peaceful expression and feeling a pang of guilt for his actions. But he knew it was necessary, for her safety and for the delicate balance they were trying to maintain.

.....

The next morning, Shea awoke with a start, her head fuzzy and her memories of the previous night hazy. She sat up slowly, rubbing her temples as she tried to piece together what had happened. The last thing she remembered was talking to Lucius in the hallway, and then...nothing.

A soft knock at her door interrupted her thoughts. "Come in," she called, her voice still thick with sleep.

Achilles poked his head in, his expression a mix of concern and something else Shea couldn't quite place. "Hey," he said softly. "How are you feeling?"

Shea shrugged, offering a small smile. "A bit confused, to be honest. I'm not sure what happened last night."

Achilles stepped into the room, closing the door behind him. He hesitated for a moment before sitting on the edge of her bed. "My father told me what happened," he said, his voice low. "He...he had to knock you out to stop you from coming to my room."

Shea's cheeks flushed with embarrassment as the memories came flooding back. "Oh god," she groaned, burying her face in her hands. "I'm so sorry, Achilles. I don't know what came over me."

Achilles gently pulled her hands away from her face, his touch sending a jolt of electricity through her. "Hey, it's okay," he said softly. "We're both struggling with this...whatever it is between us. We'll figure it out together, alright?"

Shea nodded, her eyes meeting his. For a moment, they sat in silence, the air between them charged with unspoken tension. Then, Achilles cleared his throat and stood up.

"We should probably head downstairs," he said. "My father wants to talk to us about starting the proper training."

Shea nodded, swinging her legs out of bed. "Right, of course. Just give me a few minutes to get ready."