He Found Her.

He Found Her.
AERILA

“You are pregnant.” He chuckled. “Fascinating and brave at the same time.”

His hands slid away from me and I watched him return to the throne.

He sat down, leaning back with his arms pressed against the armrests. “I hope that won't become a hindrance while we work together?”

I clutched my chest. “No, it won't. I'll make sure to hide the baby.”

“Does the father know about it?” he cut in.

I saw the amusement in his eyes and the way the corner of his lips stretched upward.

“Yes,” I said smoothly. “He knows about the baby.”

“Hm.” He rubbed his jaw, falling into deep thought. “And he allowed you to travel across the seas to visit an alpha in another region? He must be a devoted man. I see no reason for you to accept my invitation when you have a man like Nyxion.”

I clenched my hands tightly. One part of me screamed to turn around before everything got out of hand, while another part told me this was the only chance I would ever have to get my revenge on Nyxion.

I chose the latter.

“He's a failure.” I held Talon's gaze. “Even after learning about my child, he threw me into the dungeon and had his men torture me. Such a man does not deserve to be the father of my child. I can already see the future waiting for my baby if they are born into that palace. I can't let that happen.”

“Hm.” His eyes narrowed thoughtfully. “So what is it you want from me?”

“If it's his death you seek, I can't do that.” He smiled. “It wouldn't be fun.”

I shook my head. “I do not want his death. I want to take the throne as Alpha and rule alongside my child. What I want from you is your power and protection. In return, I will give you the one person you desire to get your hands on. Naeris.”

Talon's smile stiffened slightly, but soon a chuckle escaped his throat. He laughed loudly, tapping his thigh.

“Interesting. This is very interesting.” He leaned forward. “A female alpha. That is something that has never happened before. What makes you think I have the power to do that?”

“Sirella,” I blurted out, and the smile on his face disappeared instantly.

“Who?”

“You know who. The woman you murdered years ago. Nyxion's mate.”

Talon's gaze hardened immediately, the playfulness completely wiped from his face.

He leaned back against the throne, looking down at me.

“I know you can remove Nyxion and his brothers from the picture just like you did with Sirella. I looked into her family and saw how powerful they were. Powerful enough to make the triplets' father hesitate before opposing them. But you wiped their family off the surface of the earth with a single raid and killed their only bloodline.” I stepped forward, confidence building inside me.

“If you could do something like that, then I know you can remove Nyxion and his brothers without any problems.”

“You came prepared.” He sighed softly. “I thought you were a naive woman, but it seems I underestimated you.”

He rose from the throne and walked toward me.

“A female alpha?” He closed the distance between us in no time and picked up a strand of my hair, twirling it between his fingers. “I can make that possible for you.”

Relief washed over me, and my chest loosened for the first time since arriving here.

“Thank you,” I said, but he cut me off.

“However, you must do something in return for me.” He leaned closer, looking down at me. His hand wrapped around my waist and pulled me toward him.

I gulped as his eyes darkened. His other hand lifted my jaw, forcing me to look up at him.

“You will be my woman until everything is settled. I will teach you the ways of being a true alpha, and for that to happen, you must remain by my side every hour.” His voice turned low and rough.

Heat rushed to my face as I stared into his eyes. Every instinct warned me to step back, yet I stayed rooted in place. His face moved closer until barely a breath separated our lips.

“Is that all you want in exchange for giving me the power I desire?” My voice sounded softer than I intended.

Talon smirked. “Yes.”

“Okay then. Deal.”

He chuckled and leaned closer. I shut my eyes and leaned back slightly, but instead of my lips, his mouth pressed against my neck. I felt the warmth of his breath against my skin.

His hands circled around my waist, pulling me closer to him.

“We are going to have so much fun together.”

. . . ..

VAELORA'S POV

Lady Aerila!

I ran to the inn where I had left her. My hand shoved the door open only for me to find the bed empty and the drawer hanging open.

I rushed toward it, my heart slamming heavily against my chest.

No. No, no!

I checked inside, but the ticket was gone.

I slammed the drawer shut and ran out of the inn. I rushed to the front and saw the innkeeper cleaning a glass with a smile on his face.

Ignoring the ache threatening to buckle my legs, I forced the words out of my mouth.

“Where is the woman I booked a room with?”

He looked up at me. “She already left.”

What?

“N-no, I told you not to let her leave,” I forced out while clutching my chest.

“You never said anything like that to me.” He shrugged and turned to pick up another glass.

No, no!

Lady Aerila!

I turned and ran out of the inn. The cold wind brushed against my face as I looked around frantically. She wasn't even dressed for the cold. She was risking both her health and the baby's!

I burst onto a street but quickly hid when I saw Elder Ryder and several guards standing in front of a stall. They seemed to be asking for directions.

The stall owner pointed in my direction, and my heart sank.

Oh no.

He found her.