Chapter 11

Third Point of view

[THREE DAYS AFTER THE INCIDENT]

“AAAHHHGGGHH! McAdams, Logan! How can you treat my sister this way?!" When he saw his sister Veronica Ibis with a bloodied face, the guy screamed his rage.

"B-brother, it's not painful. As an alpha female, I am certain that the damage I sustained will heal quickly." Veronica attempted to protect her Lycan king husband Logan.

Veronica's heart forbids the Lycan king and her brother Augustus Ibis from becoming enemies, since she is well aware that the Lycan king would divorce her. Logan's contempt for her was obvious to her, since she had successfully married the majesty only after pleading with his brother.

She has no idea how Augustus would get along with Logan, but she is relieved that even just in the presence of the wolves and royal, they recognize her as the wife.

"Brother, you must find a way for the king to spend even one night with me. I have to carry the next heir to his heritage in my womb, and it's so he won't leave me!" Veronica said enthusiastically, knowing Augustus could do it her way.

Augustus embraced her. They are the only two members who survived in Ibis family in Tarragon kingdom, and the whole Lone pack is ignorant of the mysterious story behind their various members' deaths. That is what Augustus will not admit regardless of what occurs.

He will fool the Lycan king as long as he can.

"Of course, petite soeur. I will give you anything you want, even if it means spilling a great deal of blood in the bargain." Augustus brushed Veronica's hair, peered at the young woman, and glanced at the gate, where his guards had gathered after becoming alarmed.

"At long last, the Shadow pack's Alpha and other members have arrived!" Augustus's grin broadened as the captain guard announced.

He is not about to throw away all he has worked for, and he is well convinced that the Shadow pack is the ideal component for his scheme. Even if it meant sacrificing his sister's joy in order to get what he desired, he would do it. Augustus saw everyone around him as a toy that he would include into his game.

He rose to his feet to welcome the man he thought to share his qualities.

Elle Point of view

[Buckingham Palace]

I avoided getting too near to Logan from the moment I witnessed what he did to the lady who presented herself as his first wife. Fear was growing within me as a result of what I had observed. I am a commander in Stronghold guards, yet I have never performed something like Logan— That is capable of killing without hesitation.

His eyes plead for blood and indicate he will not spare anyone. It's been a week and I've yet to see him — or rather, I've avoided him. Each time I awake, he is no longer beside me, yet his scent lingers on the mattress; each night, I hear the door open but pretend to sleep.

I'm clear that what I'm doing is ridiculous, since instead of considering how to get out of it, I'm more concerned about how he'll feel as a result of my avoidance. I should be thinking of none of them at the time, but...

As a particle of snow started to fall in the black sky, I gazed out the window. I was blissfully unaware that it was night. I also applaud myself for getting through a day without being bored while waiting for the sun to set.

Occasionally, I spend the whole day looking out the window, waiting for someone to come in, yet there is despair in my heart every few hours when there is still no one.

Due to the fact that it was late and it seemed as if Logan would be late again, I donned the thick red cloak, which I believe was made of bearskin. Logan wore this cape, which retained his scent.

"Hmmn." I couldn't help but shut my eyes while my body was still warm. Logan seems to be embracing me.

Because of what I was imagining, I instantly opened my eyes and turned around to move towards the door. Surprisingly, no one is currently keeping an eye on me. Gaia, on the other hand, only arrives whenever she offers me clothing or food.

When I got down, I went straight to the garden to catch the falling snow. I allowed myself to fiddle with it while I rested against the tree, using it as an umbrella.

I lifted my head to the uppermost chamber, which I assumed was another room used by the Lycan king whenever he had an important visitor to speak with.

I hurriedly diverted my gaze as I saw Logan peering out the window as well.

"How come you're staring at me like that?" I couldn't stop myself from questioning myself. Additionally, it was pointless for me to whisper since I was certain he could hear me.

In comparison to werewolves, lycanthropes have a more acute hearing than us. As a result, even though I was a long distance away, I was certain he could hear me.

When the cold began to enter the cloak I was wearing, I decided to go inside.

When I peered up at the locked gate, I saw no guards.

My head reminds me that I am free to leave this spot since no one is observing me, but I'm not sure why I'm hesitant to do so. My feet don't want to move. It's as if they have their own minds and will not allow me to get out since they are also Logan's property.

When I was prepared to enter, I was taken aback when someone took me away from that position.

And as we came to a halt, I was bracing for what I saw.

It’s Hugo.

I could not speak because he was covering my mouth. However, I can hear his breath and he whispers to me to be quiet. He stood behind me, but what concerned me more was the prospect of Logan hearing this. To me, it's more domineering; what if he believes I'm going to escape?

"Elle," he muttered feebly.

"What are you doing here, Alpha?" I cocked my head slightly to get a glimpse of him. H e locked his gaze on mine, those eyes filled with anxiety. Is he the reason why there is no guard on duty?

“Let’s go, Elle. I've been worrying about you for weeks, since you haven't returned." He drew my body toward his, and his voice softened.

I felt awful at the moment and turned my head away from him. "...Why?"

I am no longer audible to myself. I can get away at these times but still don’t want to move my foot. Logan's face flashed in my mind. I had no idea what was going on in my heart.

"I was under the impression that you were one of those assassinated by that nasty Lycan king—-"

"He isn't half harsh!" Even I was startled that the words slipped out freely. I removed Hugo's hand and stepped back a little.

"Elle...?"

"Get away before anybody can apprehend you," I urged him, but he securely gripped both my arms.

"Elle, wake yourself! Bear in mind why you are here! He assassinated Archer! Did he also turn your head?!" His voice became sharper.

I opened my lips to speak when I heard whoever was rushing and hollering unexpectedly.

“THERE IS AN INVADER! GET READY!

"Get away!" I shoved him harder now.

He stared at me, surprised and dissatisfied. "I will return."

He swiftly switched to the wolf and departed, leaving me looking at the position we had been in before. Because his footprint was left in the snow, it was evident I was speaking with someone. I automatically removed them, ignoring the fact that I could still smell his scent.

"You're lurking in the heart of the evening's mayhem. What are you doing outside?" I heard a baritone voice behind me, and my body froze even more, since I'm not sure whether he witnessed me wiping the trace. I can't face him.

“S-sorry .. A-ah. I just wanted to watch the snow fall in the deep night.” I calmed myself down. My heart is confused as to for whom it is going crazy. If it's because Hugo was here earlier, if Logan thinks I'm going to run away or maybe because he's already here.

"Is that so?" He stepped towards me while I stepped back. His face had a trace of anger.

No. Did he see us?

“I-It has been days you have not returned to your chamber. The room is quiet, there is always no one around so I thought of going out.”

He did not respond to what I said and his rough expression remained.

"I forgot, I am not allowed to leave the room." I bowed my head and stepped passed him. How funny, even though I feel like I'm trapped, I can't even feel like I'm chained to my leg or neck. "I'll hurry back."

But ...

I was just a few steps away when I felt a hand on my neck embrace me. My eyes widened and I looked straight ahead.

“I shouldn’t have locked you up. I shouldn't have done all that but with what's happening now— the chaos... I also want to put a chain on your neck.” His hand had already dropped to my waist. “Tell me, what should I do? They are taking you back.”

He saw us.

“But I don't have anything to hold you—to make you stay with me. All I have is your twisted and frightened heart.” He chuckled but sad. "I don't even know your favorite color or food."

I could hear his strong heartbeat and anxious heart again. I'm hurting just because I see him like this again. My chest is tightening.

“I don't know what's going on in your brain and yet ... I want to own you. I want to press you on my bed until you can't get up and just stay there, next to me.”

He turned me to face him but I didn’t look him in the eye. I can't take everything he utters. Am I still dreaming?

No. Don't love me. I am your enemy.

Please, don't give your heart to me.

You must hate me.

Hurt me.

Because when you do that, I won't hesitate to stab you with the knife I'm holding. I beg you, don't love me.

Warm tears were already falling in my eyes, large drops of water fell along with the cold snow that was entering the dress robe we were wearing.

“Please, take my hand, Elle. If you do that, I will not hesitate to suppress what will stand in our way.” His voice is alluring.

My head is messing up.

He grabbed my chin and slowly lifted it. He looked at me with his bloodshot eyes while my eyes were like an ocean.

Like our eyes, we will never be for each other. He is a fire and I am a water.

In his blazing heat, my cold will kill him.

When I felt his soft lips, I closed my eyes. My heart aches.

I am sorry, Archer. I am sorry, Hugo. And ...

I am sorry, Logan.

No matter how many times you tell me that I am your mate, the time and situation are not for us.

Perhaps ...

If I had known you earlier ... maybe I could.

He suddenly lifted my body and I wrapped my legs around his waist. He leaned me against the tree as he lowered my robe.

My breast sprang open to him.

Without doubt, he sucked and kissed them.

“Logan," I moaned his name with my hoarse voice.