Chapter 66
Iris
Laying in the arms of the man who had marked me as his mate and told me he loved me wasn’t just exhilarating, it was blissful as well.
It was morning already, yet, I didn’t have the energy to resume my duties as Luna just because I wanted to relax in bed all day.
Gradel stirred, peering down at me with sparkly blue eyes that screamed how much he adored me. His lips grazed my forehead as he planted a lingering kiss that set my body on fire instantly.
We had a marathon session last night and my thighs were sore from the constant pleasurable thrusts of his full length, so I was surprised that the soreness had reduced and I was more than ready to have him in again.
“Good morning, Angel. I hope you had a good night’s rest?” His breathy voice felt like a caress on my skin and I couldn’t help but shudder.
I glanced at him shyly, palming my face. “Why are you asking when you know the answer?”
His fingers trailed from my bare chest to my waist and then he began to tickle. “Well, you should get used to such questions and don’t even complain or you’ll get whatever comes your way.” He laughed and continued to tickle me.
I laughed freely with tears flowing from my eyes. The good thing was they were borne out of happiness.
“Last night was good,” I said amidst my peal of laughter and then he let me go.
“Don’t you have anything to do today? Don’t tell me you want to be in bed all day with me. You are the acting ruler of this pack and your people need you.” I pushed him away playfully.
He sat up, lifting my chin with his thumb so we could meet at the same eye level.
“They are not just my people. They are our people,” He corrected.
I smiled and moistened my lips which had become chapped from intense kissing. I wouldn’t be surprised if they had blisters.
“What about your father? How is he?” I asked out of the blue and the smile on his face was erased.
A brooding expression appeared as he quickly got out of the bed, his body taut with tension and unspoken anger. I sighed, mentally scolding myself for choosing to spoil his mood with such a question.
“I don’t care to know how he’s doing. He could be dead for all I care and I wouldn’t mind,” He spoke so nonchalantly.
I understood his hatred for his father and I bore some level of resentment for the old man as well, especially after knowing how he treated my late mother but what he needed to understand was that his father was on the verge of dying and he might not forgive himself if they don’t make up.
“But, Grade…”
He raised his hand sharply, preventing me from completing my statement.
“You know what my father did to my mother and you are aware of how killed his brother and treated your late mother.”
I raked through my hair in frustration. “Yes, I know but he’s on death bed,” I buttressed.
“He brought it upon himself so he can deal with it,” His voice rose to a frightening crescendo as he put on a robe.
How could we be having issues just after having the best night of our lives? And this was all my fault. I should have waited for a better time.
I bit my lip, overwhelmed with sadness. “I’m sorry,” I murmured.
He sighed in resignation and drew closer to me. “I’m not mad at you, it’s just that the evil deeds of my father irks me anytime I remember it and that’s the last I want to be on my mind. For now, let’s not talk about him. We have our own family so that should be our focus. Alright, baby?” His words were gentle yet commanding.
Only he could pull it off.
“Sure. I won’t bring it up next time,” I assured him.
He hovered over me for a while and merged our lips for a kiss that was intense but reassuring. “I’d be out for the greater part of the day. Have all the fun you want and be ready for me tonight,” He winked at me and stalked off.
********
A few hours later, I decided that my kind of fun would be satisfying my curiosity about Alpha Cronus. According to the housekeeper, Silas had been absent for his treatment and that was unlike him.
It only meant that Gradel ordered it and if that was true, then he was really willing to watch his father die.
I tiptoed silently as I headed to the Alpha’s chamber which was as silent as a graveyard. The guards standing by every post bowed but not after sending me a wary look.
I ignored them, knowing that their looks were out of concern. If they didn’t tell Gradel, he wouldn’t know that I was here.
Finally, I got to his door and knocked once. Knowing that he would be too weak to give me a response, I turned the doorknob and let myself in.
The first thing that greeted me was an unpleasant odor that oozed from his body. Quickly, I pinched my nose and my eyes flitted to his motionless form which lay pale on the bed.
His cheek bone had sunken deep and a hollow could be noticed underneath his eyes. He had become a shadow of himself and that reminded me of the fickleness of life.
“Greetings, Your Highness,” I managed to say, advancing toward him carefully.
Slowly, his eyes opened and after glancing around distractedly, his gaze stopped on me.
He opened his mouth to speak but no words came out and that alone melted the walls of anger in my heart. Death was inevitable as they said, but a slow death like this was what brought the greatest men to their knees.
“I came to speak to you,” I said after a moment of silence.