Chapter 58: Behind Closed Doors

Three days before the voyage, Castiel called me to help bless the ship and the necessities we would be carrying with us. It wasn’t a complicated task, but he said, as someone leading the competition, it was just right for me to be the one blessing them.

Kieran didn’t come; he said he would be seeking cures against the effects of the siren song. Before I could even protest, he had left already, dragging Lind with him.

The Lycan Council didn’t have a session today. But surprisingly, as if someone cast a spell over the whole kingdom, the Lycans I crossed paths with didn’t seem to hate me that much compared to before.

Kieran had every right to wonder and mistrust it. With no culprit and no intention, it was hard to expect what would happen next.

My mind drifted as I remembered the Stranger. Since that night at Estern, I didn’t feel his presence lurking around, nor did he suddenly appear out of nowhere.

His presence back then felt both comforting and alarming. And without his antics, I might’ve…

I shook my head as I pushed the doors to the Council Hall, trying to remove the thoughts of the Stranger from my mind.

I tilted my head as I noticed another person with Castiel. It wasn’t Michael, as I had just met him outside the Temple earlier, so…

“Good, you’re here, Hestia,” Castiel warmly greeted as he walked towards me, prompting the person he was talking to to turn and face me.

My feet suddenly felt cold. Since that night during the Divine Mates Festival, I hadn’t seen him…

Augustus’s jade eyes stared back at me, hiding whatever emotion he was holding deep inside his chest. His skin had returned to its usual pallor, and Castiel told me that the Temple had taken great care of him while I was hiding.

I should be glad that he lived. Yet, why is there a lingering heaviness deep in my heart whenever I glance at him as he helped us with the blessing of the things for our voyage?

He was awfully quiet. Even Castiel, who would usually perk up and chat away while working.

The three of us grew up together. Medea might be my sister, but she’s always chasing other things back then, leaving me alone with these two.

Yet, they never told me that it would be hard, especially when you learn that two of your childhood friends would end up becoming your mates one day.

“Be careful,” Augustus warned as I almost stabbed my hand over a spear that was carelessly packed in one of the crates. “You don’t want to get injured before the trial.”

“Thank you,” I timidly whispered as I went back to work, eager to put distance between us. He didn’t mind.

In fact, he just turned away and began to fix a few of the supply boxes stacked in one corner.

I was aware of what he did and said before the Council. How he tried to save our faces by taking the blame. While I knew he was still under the effects of the mannikin spell, the mere thought of those effects backfiring if he went against its caster raised fear deep within me.

Even if Onyx, his wolf, was considered the strongest among our kingdom’s finest, continued and prolonged torture like this would definitely cause him to lose his wolf. And a Lycan, no matter how strong or weak they could be, could never be whole without their companion.

A wolfless death for a Lycan would be the most painful, if not agonizing, death that there could be.

We finished blessing and preparing the supplies for the voyage almost near sundown. After Castiel gave instructions regarding our voyage and the things we needed to expect, I escaped to the private baths, intending to wash off the day’s sweat and fatigue.

The massive indoor tub was specifically inviting, as someone had prepared it beforehand by placing rose petals on the water, along with medicinal oils.

My senses were only starting to calm down when I heard the water splash. I jolted from my seat, eyes fluttering wide open, only to see…

“Alpha,” I greeted as I watched Augustus sit across me in the massive indoor tub, who was only wearing a towel around his waist. I cleared my throat as I sat upright, the tension in my shoulders coming back stronger than before. “I won’t be long—”

“We’ve shared baths before. What’s the rush?”

I shook my head. “No, I just thought that… you might feel uncomfortable with me around.”

Augustus’s soft laughs echoed throughout the room. He ran his fingers through his wet hair before wading through the water to stand before me.

And with the dusk’s last rays of light shining on him, it felt as if a god was standing right before me, waiting for his devout follower to show him the extent of her faith.

His hand raised, his fingers barely touching my cheek. He then curled it up into a fist before pulling back.

“Why did you stop?”

He bitterly laughed. “What right do I have to even touch you?”

“You have the right to do so,” I whispered. “You always have.”

That was Augustus’s cue. In just a few moments, we were locked in an almost-eternal kiss, in the middle of the private baths. Without a care in the world.

I still intend to make him pay for his betrayal. I really do. But for once, maybe, I should let my heart speak.

“I missed you… I really did, Hestia…”

I looked down on the thin piece of towel wrapped around his waist and softly laughed. “It shows.”

His kisses grew more and more needy until his lips found their way to my neck. “Are you not mad at me anymore?”

“How could I get mad at someone who almost died just to stop a curse from taking over their body? I know you tried to prevent yourself from hurting me…”

His jade eyes met mine. Augustus licked his lower lip as he stared at me. “I told the Council you’re my fated mate. That Castiel and I were both your mates…”

A loud sigh left my lips. “You endanger yourselves. Especially both of you. Aren’t you even aware of the consequences of you, a Vassal, being mated to another Queen, and Castiel, a High Priest, being mated to another Queen candidate?”

“I’m fully aware,” Augustus said as he kissed the top of my hand. “And my decision’s final. I’m done being a hound to Medea and Alpha Heron. I’m done starving myself from your touch when you’re the one I needed the most…”

“Augustus, you’ll die!” I reminded him as I gently pushed him away. “You know that… I truly don’t want that…”

A calculating smile crept on the corners of his lips. “The competition rules have a lot of loopholes. Castiel knew that. I’ll find a way. Even if it meant cheating death or killing someone, I’ll find a way.”

“You don’t know the lengths my sister and father would go for just to—”

“Trust me, Hestia. I know them better than you.”