Chapter 7: Crossroads

The cold air felt charged with electricity as I tried to catch my breath, hoping it would calm the heat inside me.  The sequined gown grew heavier on my frame, and every step was getting harder and harder…

The ice-cold waters of the artificial lake in the middle of Hunt Manor’s vast estate offered almost little to no help to my predicament.  Fluke’s whimpers now turned to this annoying cacophony of sounds I could barely understand.

One thing was for sure: I knew what I felt.  And those four mate bonds, calling all at once…

I’d rather be skinned and flayed alive than endure another moment near those four.

“Are you done with your ungrateful whining?” Mother’s voice echoed through my head, her tone clearly irritated over my actions.

“What’s with the four bonds, Mother? I thought I had made it clear that I won’t give my heart to anyone anymore,” I argued as I pulled myself up to the shoreline of the lake.  The blades of grass stuck to my wet skin, sending shivers down my spine.

“And why not?”

“‘Why not’? Because I don’t need a mate to succeed with my plan,” I reiterated.  I dragged the hem of my gown out of the waters before collapsing on the grass, still catching my breath.  “I certainly don’t need love to prove myself worthy of the crown.”

“Is that so?” Mother mocked.  “Oh, is my little Hestia acting tough and independent now?”

I rolled my eyes.  I know I shouldn’t have asked her.  Her constant teasing made Fluke’s howls sound like music to my ears.  Besides, I could just run away from the bonds—

“Treat these bonds as gifts to you, my child,” Mother Goddess said.  I felt a warm hand touch my heart.  “They’ll be useful with your rise to power, don’t you think?”

I did not answer.  Instead, my hand reached for the lace of my gown once again, intending to remove the damp cloth from my body.

“Let me.”

I froze as I heard that voice.  Out of all the people I didn’t want to meet in the middle of the gardens, he was at the top of my list.  I couldn’t forget his eyes earlier as he presided over Kieran’s oath.  And how they almost burned a new hole in my face.

“Castiel…” I silently called his name. He didn’t answer.  Instead, his hands continued to skillfully remove the laces on my back.  And every time his fingertips brushed against my skin…

No, Hestia.  You need to stop, I thought to myself, trying to stop any thoughts about our mate bond.

But how could I not? Castiel’s one of the most sought-after bachelors in the Lycan Society when we debuted.  Not only did he come from a prestigious, old-money family in the Northern Borders, he also possessed a great intellect and was favored by the Mother Goddess.

He was the epitome of a perfect bachelor.  That was why he broke a lot of hearts when he decided to accept the position as the High Priest of the Lycan Kingdom and pledge a vow of celibacy on the day I got married to Augustus.

We shouldn’t even be here together…

“Your Eminence,” I called once again, this time my voice indifferent.  “Someone might see us.”

“Then let them see us with their two damn eyes,” he answered.  Castiel’s fingers did not stop untangling the lace on my gown.  Instead, his hands became more callous, almost tearing the delicate fabric off my skin.

“Please be gentle.  This gown costs—”

“I can buy you three of these,” he coldly whispered as he gritted his teeth.  “In fact, I could give you everything you want in a heartbeat.”

I spun around to look at him, only to be met by his deep, blue eyes.  Castiel’s soft features were illuminated by the moonlight, but it only showed the hardness in his face, and that foreign emotion I kept on seeing in his gaze.  As if the moon was telling me that he was not the same man I grew up with anymore.

“Your Eminence, I believe, this is highly inappropriate,” I protested, my voice weak.  “Please, leave…”

“Now you want me to leave? After I lost my wits looking for you for over a year, wondering if you were still alive?”

“I didn’t know you were looking for me.”

“Of course, I would look for you!” His tone rose.  Castiel harshly ran his palm across his face, his blue eyes now almost red and misty.  “How could I not, Hestia? After what Augustus did, after I warned you, after I asked you to run away with me… how could I not worry and look for you?”

A strange lump began to form in my throat as I watched Castiel break out of his once-calm composure.  My hands raised, with the urge to embrace him and console him.

But I shouldn’t.

He is the High Priest of the Lycan Kingdom.  I am the new contender for the Crown.  A scandal erupting between us would destroy both of our reputations.  It was Castiel’s dream to use his powers to help other Lycans, and I…

Mother, he didn’t deserve a broken mate like me.

“And now, you return, carrying that Vassal of yours… as if you didn’t leave anyone waiting.  As if you didn’t have someone losing sleep thinking about you.  Why didn’t you ask me? If you wanted revenge, I would gladly leave my position and help you… Hestia, do I really come last on your list?”

“Castiel, I simply… didn’t want to drag you into this mess,” I explained, my hands slowly reaching out to hold his.  “You’re the High Priest of this kingdom.  You have far bigger problems to deal with.  Besides… you shouldn’t love a broken wolf like me…”

His voice broke.  And just like a puppy, he whimpered as he dragged me into an embrace, not wanting to let go.  He has always been like this.  When we were young, his softness would make me yield to every whim of his.  “I don’t care about your past.  Mark me, Hestia… I’ll even pledge to become your Vassal now—”

“I believe there’s room for only one Vassal, your Eminence,” Kieran’s cold tone cut through.  However, instead of letting me go, Castiel’s embrace tightened.

“A Queen can have as many Vassals as she wants,” he argued.  “The Lycan Codex said so.”

“Can’t I have a say on this?” I muttered under my breath before gently pushing Castiel away.  “Your Eminence… as I said, I don’t want to burden you.  Just simply being my friend is enough—”

“Ha! As if that big crybaby wanted to become friends alone,” Kieran commented, making me glare at him.

“Don’t mind him.  Like I said—”

“Hestia Locke!  Are you still not content with the grave I left you in? Why can’t you stay dead and stop taking what’s mine?”  Medea screamed as she walked towards us, pointing a silver dagger at me.  Behind her, followed a maid, and…

Augustus.

His eyes were hollow, unlike his green eyes earlier, when we were dancing.  It was as if somebody sucked his soul out of his body…