Chapter 53 Chapter 52
Amaris.
"Oh..." I trailed off, a pang of disappointment tugging at my heart. I had hoped that Ethan would have more time to enjoy the festivities, to let loose and experience the joy of the Moon Goddess festival. But I understood the weight of his responsibilities and the need to protect the kingdom and the king. Which meant I had to give him a reply as quickly as possible too.
"I understand, Ethan," I said, trying to hide my disappointment. "Your duty comes first, and I appreciate your dedication." Hesitantly, I added, staring at my hands. " Just promise me that you'll let me know before you become completely unavailable. I would hate to miss the chance to spend more time with you." I admitted, heat rushing up to my cheeks.
Ethan paused in his steps, placing a hand under my chin to turn me to face him. He gaze softening, he regarded me firmly. "I promise, Amaris. I will make sure to keep you informed. And I will do my best to have moments of freedom so I can spend more time with you." He promised. His words brought a glimmer of hope, and I couldn't help but smile. He returned it with one of his own, straightening up as he removed his hands from my chin. "Let's forget about that for a bit and focus on our outing, Amaris."
I nodded, smiling to myself as we continue walking. We continued with our stroll, exploring the village and trying various fun activities.
We ventured into the heart of the village, where various activities were in full swing. From contests of strength and skill to delightful games of chance, the village buzzed with exhilaration. I was thrilled when Ethan suggested that we participate, and my laughter mingled with the sounds of jubilant revelry. We laughed, we danced, and we indulged in the delicious treats the festival had to offer. In those moments, I felt a sense of freedom and joy that I hadn't experienced in a long time.
As our time together drew to a close, Ethan walked me back to the palace. The sun's warm rays cast long shadows, and a bittersweet smile tugged at the corners of my lips. We got to the entrance of the Alpha king's palace and he stopped, turning to face me, my heart skipped a beat. He leaned in, his lips meeting mine and it held my breath.
It was meant to be a gentle, affectionate kiss, but somehow, desire flared and I found Ethan deepening the kiss. My body ignited, a flame of passion bursting through me the second his lips met mine. My lips involuntarily parted beneath his, a husky moan escaping my lips. His hands went from my hands to my back, drawing my body hard against his, as he angled his mouth to kiss me harder. I put my hands on his chest, seemingly to push him away, only to realize I was drawing him closer, deepening the kiss.
Finally, he wrenched his mouth from mine, and I had to bite down on my lower lip to stop myself from crying out at the sudden withdrawal. He was panting softly, his eyes heavy and drugged by desire and I was sure mine mirrored it as well. It took me a moment to remember where I was and what I was surrounded by and when I did, Mortification filled me. Ethan on the other hand just had a neutral expression on his face, save for his heavy breathing.
"I'll see you soon," he promised and I swallowed, nodding shakily.
"Okay, I'll be here." I whispered back, by heart hammering in my chest.
With a final lingering touch on my cheeks Ethan bid me farewell, As I watched him disappear out of the king's palace, I couldn't help but feel a sense of hope and anticipation for the future.
My heart fluttered with a newfound warmth as I watched him depart. The forthcoming Moon Goddess festival felt like an eternity away, and I couldn't wait for the day when our paths would cross once more.
Evelyn.
I lay in bed on my crib, sighing softly as I stared into the distance. Sleep eluded me, and I tossed and turned in my bed, my mind consumed by restless thoughts. Summons from the Alpha King has been few and far between, and the absence weighed heavily on my heart.
For a while, I had relished the break, the moments of quiet, free from his domineering presence. But as the nights dragged on, I couldn't help but wonder why he had distanced himself from me, and for the life of me, I couldn't understand why I was this concerned. Maybe he's with his mistress, Morticia, I thought to myself. A bitter taste filled my mouth as I entertained the thought. Jealousy gnawed at my insides, and I couldn't shake the feeling of betrayal. Was I no longer of importance to him?
Why did I care? I told myself I despised him, hated the things he'd done to me and I was even plotting to kill the alpha king But beneath it all, I knew there was a part of me that still yearned for his attention. My body longed for his touch, a sinful craving I tried to suppress.
With a sigh, I pushed the thoughts aside and swung my legs over the edge of the bed. Sleep seemed impossible, and I needed to clear my mind. I slipped on a cloak and quietly made my way out of the chamber, the cool night air greeting me as I stepped into the corridor.
As I walked through the dimly lit halls of the palace, my mind continued to wander. The Alpha King's absence had left a void within me, a void that I couldn't ignore. I yearned for his presence, for the connection we had once shared. But now, it seemed as though he had turned his attention elsewhere, leaving me to question my worth.
Lost in my thoughts, my legs carried me instinctively towards the forest. I paused there, a twinge of fear gripping my heart. What was I doing in the woods at this ungodly hour? Yet, it felt like an answer to a question I hadn't asked. My instincts whispered in the depths of my soul, guiding me to this place. To my surprise, as I stood in the quiet darkness of the forest, a familiar figure emerged from the shadows. The wolf.
The wolf that had saved me before, his eyes gleaming with recognition and excitement. A smile tugged at the corners of my lips as I realized that I was not alone. The wolf bounded towards me, his tail wagging eagerly. Though it was several times bigger than any regular werewolf and looked majestic under the moonlight, I couldn't help the happiness that flooded my soul at the sight of it.
I walked closer and stretched out a hand, allowing its velvety tongue to graze my fingers. I smiled, my heart lifting as I realized the wolf remembered me. "Hello, my friend," I whispered, reaching out to stroke his fur. "It's good to see you again."