69: The proposal

69: The proposal
The shock on her face made him let go of her nipple in his mouth.
Athena couldn’t blink. She couldn’t believe her ears. Get married?

“Haven’t you heard?” He asked. He believed she had heard the rumour flying. She is to be his queen.

“The marriage… Do you mean it?” She stuttered, and he waved at her face, and she blinked.

“I mean it, Athena.” His voice was suddenly low, and she gulps slowly.

“After FELYNDRA died, I never thought I would ever fall in love again. A part of me died. I went insane, and then you showed up and woke that part of me that died.” He paused and looked into her eyes deeply.

“You did not only wake that part; you consumed me. My second chance, mate.” A smile played on his lips as he said the words, and Athena’s lips parted. Her heart leapt and raced in her chest. Her stomach flushed with butterflies.

“You knew?” Her voice was barely above a whisper, but it was filled with bewilderment.

“I did.” He nodded, and the shock on her face made him chuckle. He reached his hand upward and pinched her nose.

“Your scent confused me for some time. It made sense now why you were masking your scent.” He added, and Athena’s jaw dropped.

“You knew all this while I was hiding my scent?” She asked, her voice a bit pitched.

“I even mistook your identity for another maid. The time I spent trying to figure out the owner of the scent was the hardest time of my life.” He said, and Athena burst out into laughter and quickly covered her mouth with her lathered hand. Somehow it sounded funny to her. She had the dragon king confused over a scent.

“Let’s get married, Athena.” He said solemnly, and Athena’s heart melted like grease in a hot pan.

“But we are not compatible. A wolf and a dragon.” She voiced her fears and searched his face for answers. This wasn’t part of the plan. The plan was to use him to get revenge on the moon goddess and the werewolf. It wasn’t to marry him or fall in love with him.

“Have you forgotten who I am?” He asked, his voice deep as he sat her up by lifting her with her waist.

“I am the dragon king. I make the rules. I marry who I want, and my authority is unquestionable.” He said, as if reminding her of who he was. “

“Be my queen, Athena, and I will give the world to you. I will make it crumble under your feet. Your enemies will be mine, and your battles mine to fight. If I have to burn the earth to make you happy, I will do it for you.” He vowed. He meant every word. Every word pulled a string at her heart. They were unbelievable. They sounded like lies, but then, the dragon king does not lie. He meant them.

“If I asked to be given a land, a pack, would you give it?” She jokingly asked, and he nodded.

“I would give it to you.” He answered, and the hair on her skin rose to their feet before freezing.

“So is this a proposal? I can’t find the ring.” She rolled her eyes playfully and looked around as if searching for it.

“I don’t have a ring, so I am giving you my heart. Will you accept it?”

“I will.” Athena answered, cheeks all red, and lunged herself at him before wrapping her arms around his neck. She buried her face on his chest and wet his chest with her tears. Her heart danced. It felt so unreal. She has the heart of the most powerful man on earth.

“I love you, my wolf.” He husked and stroked her wet hair.

KADEN’S PACK

“One more time, Luna, and she will be out.” The doctor said as he guided the baby out of her birth canal.

“Where is Kaden? Where the hell is the fucking alpha!?” Elena yelled, her sweat mixed with her tears as she laboured. She had been in labour for five hours and had refused a Caesarean section. She didn’t want to have any scar on her skin. She knew her vagina would return to normal; she is a wolf and has special healing abilities, but it wasn’t the same as birthing a baby she knew would never live. It was torturous. It is traumatising, and it is one of the things she does for love.

“The alpha has been informed. He should be here soon, so I need you to conserve your strength and give me a very big push. Yelling will not help.” The doctor said so, his tone a little reprimanding.

“No!” Elena yelled and gripped her hair, flipping the BP apparatus connected to her arm away and falling sterilised trays that made disturbing chattering sounds on the ground.

“I want Kaden. Why should I be going through this alone? He should be here holding my hands. Why is he not here?” She sobbed, tears streaming down the corners of her eyes. The doctor and nurses exchanged looks. It was that of pity. They wished she would give her the Luna title and save herself from the pains and emotional turmoils. It was obvious Kaden was no longer interested in her. There are rumours he is tracking his rejected mate down. He hasn’t even slept at home for days.

“Now give me that one big push.” The doctor said, and Elena grimaced as she pushed the baby out. The doctor caught her swiftly and cut the umbilical cord. He handed the baby to the nurses and proceeded to deliver the placenta.

“Take her away. I don’t want to see her.” Elena looked away when she saw the nurse approaching her with the baby to take a look. Her lips trembled, and another gush of tears left her eyes, wetting her cheeks.

The doctor cleaned her up, and as nurses came out of the delivery room with a box, Anthony rushed forward. It turned out he had been outside, waiting. His shoulder relaxed when he saw the nurse.

“Is she alright?” He asked the nurse. He wasn’t allowed to go in.

“The baby…”

“Not the baby. The Luna.” He cuts her off, his voice laced with anger and irritation.

“The Luna is fine. You can see her in ten minutes.” The nurse told him before leaving.

Anthony exhaled loudly and checked his phone, but Kaden had not returned any of his texts. He knew where Kaden was. He has gone to meet with the alphas again on how to defeat Eldradragon and take his mate back.

He opened the door and stepped into the private ward. It smelt of antiseptic. She was staring blankly into space as if she couldn’t sense his presence. He saw the tears streaming from her swollen eyes and was tempted to wipe, but he didn’t. He was forbidden. She might be his mate, but she is the wife of his alpha, and she is his Luna.

“Where is Kaden?” Elena’s weak voice broke, and Anthony’s heart squeezed. What happened to the happy, bright and beautiful Elena? Why has she faded?

“He is not coming.” He answered, and she darted her eyes at him.

“He has gone to meet with some alphas. He has found Athena and is planning on how to bring her back.” He said, his words unfiltered, and the monitor started beeping so loud and fast.