“You are very confident, Alpha King,” I said, frowning at his ever-present smirk.
He chuckled, a sound that sent an unbidden flutter through my heart, betraying emotions I tried to suppress.
“I am here to ask you some questions as the Queen,” I snapped fiercely, determined to maintain my composure. Yet, no matter how strong I pretended to be, he always had this unshakable power over my heart and soul.
“And I’m here to ask you some questions, too, mate,” he countered, his words catching me off guard.
“What questions?” I asked without thinking, my curiosity slipping through.
“You already knew I was your mate when you came to save me, didn’t you?” His question left me momentarily dumbfounded.
I averted my eyes, momentarily speechless.
Of course, I know you’re my mate, you stupid Alpha King, I thought inwardly, frustration simmering beneath the surface.
“And to ask this, you took such a big risk-trespassing the inter-realm, breaking rules, and putting yourself in danger?” I questioned, lifting my chin in defiance, refusing to let him see how his presence rattled me.
“I think the risk was worth it, mate,” he replied, his voice turning huskier and laced with emotions. He stepped closer, his intense gaze never leaving mine.
The way he called me mate, with such tenderness and conviction, was enough to make my resolve waver. My heart screamed to abandon all inhibitions and run into his arms. How long was I going to survive if he kept looking at me like that?
“That’s insane,” I murmured under my breath, earning a raised eyebrow from Zander.
“You shouldn’t have come here,” I said with a sigh, trying to keep my emotions in check. “I’ll arrange for you to return to your realm and drop all the charges so I can be free of this mess.”
“No!” His firm, deep voice cut through my thoughts, making me look up at him in surprise. “I won’t return without you. Come with me.”
“What? No!” I replied, my shock evident. “I can’t leave the Lunar Realm. My people need me.” It wasn’t just an excuse-it was the truth. I couldn’t leave until my purpose here was fulfilled and the prophecy had come true.
“Then I won’t go either,” he declared stubbornly, and I suddenly realized how close he had gotten. Very close. So close that the warmth of his body enveloped me, and his intoxicating scent began to cloud my thoughts.
Arena was on the verge of losing control, ready to leap into his arms and revel in the warmth of his embrace around us once more.
“That’s a reckless decision, Alpha King,” I challenged him, frustration lacing my voice. Why did he insist on complicating my life further? “You don’t belong here.”
“And you belong to me, mate,” he declared, his tone resolute. Before I could respond, he pulled me into his arms, and the touch was enough to ignite the magic of the mate bond.
The intensity of it was undeniable and the shared gasp that escaped our lips said it all.
“See?” he murmured, his voice soft yet commanding. “Our bond is unbreakable. How do you plan to ignore this? I want you with me, mate.” His demand carried the unmistakable arrogance of an alpha.
But despite the pull of the bond, the dull ache in my chest refused to fade-the pain of knowing he’d forgotten me so easily. If fate hadn’t brought us face to face, would he have ever realized he had a mate?
“You don’t even remember me,” I whispered, my voice trembling with suppressed hurt. I pushed against his chest, trying to free myself from his hold, but his embrace remained firm.
‘Remember you?” he asked as confusion laced his expression and voice both. “What do you mean?”
“See? You don’t even remember who I am,” I sighed, disappointment weighing heavy in my voice.
He stared at me, his eyes searching mine as if trying to piece together a puzzle. After a moment, he finally spoke. “You are my mate.”
“That’s the only thing you’ve managed to realize now?” I snapped, my frustration boiling over. “You were going to remarry and give your son a stepmother. How dare you proclaim your love for me after all of that?” My voice trembled under the weight of the pain in my heart, exposing the raw emotions I had tried so hard to bury.
“Our son?” His eyes widened, confusion flickering in his gaze. “Were we married? Did we live together? Mate, is Austin… our son?”
It was only then I realized the words I had blurted out-the secret I wasn’t supposed to reveal.
I blinked at him, uncertainty flooding my thoughts. If I told him the truth, I’d have to explain everything-and I didn’t even know how or why he didn’t remember me. And then there was the complication of my matrimonial alliance with the God of Destruction. The situation was so tangled, I didn’t know where to start.
Goddess, what have you gotten me into?