Chapter 29 TWENTY NINE

Chapter 29 TWENTY NINE
ILYANA’S POV

The knock came louder, and before I could reply, Atasha’s voice rang out, “Come in!”

I glared at her, but she only giggled as the door opened. The smile on her face instantly turned into a scowl at the sight of the alpha king, while I froze on the bed for a moment. I hadn’t taken my bath, hadn’t changed out of my nightwear, and he was right here in the middle of my room. His gaze flicked to my face for a second before landing on Atasha, a permanent scowl settling on his face.

“What are you doing here?”

“I could ask the same of you,” Atasha shot back with a scowl. “What are you doing here?”

“To see Ilyana,” he replied like he was speaking to a brat. “Why are you here so early?”

“To see Ilyana also. I don’t think you have a claim on her.”

“She’s my mate,” he bit out.

“That doesn’t mean you have a claim on her. And we all know she’s your mate. I’m her doctor and friend.” I frowned slightly, not knowing where the friend part came from. “And I was seeing her before you interrupted.”

“Oh really?” Kael took a step toward her. “Were you seeing her?”

A chuckle slipped out of me before I could stop it. I quickly slapped a hand over my mouth, but it was too late. Both their heads snapped toward me as I pressed my lips together, trying to hold the rest back.

“I…I’m sorry… I’ve never seen this before.”

“Seen what?” Kael asked, lines creasing his forehead.

I glanced between them. “Sibling rivalry. It just seems… out of…”

“You told her?” Kael turned back to Atasha, who only shrugged.

“She’s your mate. I don’t see why we should hide that from her.”

“But you’re the one who said you didn’t—” he started, then sighed. “I don’t want to deal with your nonsense this early morning. I’m here for someone else.”

“Of course. Your mate,” she muttered tightly, taking a seat.

He looked at me instantly, and my heart leapt at the softness in his gaze. Our conversation from last night replayed in my head, a blush rising from my neck to my cheeks as my heart began to pound.

“Have you had breakfast?”

“You’re not blind, Kael. She’s just waking up,” Atasha cut in, making me suddenly self-aware. What if I had something on my face? Did I drool in my sleep?

I shot her a glare, but she only smiled back in return, her face returning to her scowl as she turned back to Kael. 

“Don’t mind her,” Kael said, his eyes still on me. “Do you want to join me for breakfast?”

“Of cour—”

“Why would she join you for breakfast? I was here first. I came to ask her to join me this morning and for the rest of her day,” Atasha interrupted again.

Kael didn’t even spare her a glance, his attention fixed entirely on me. “Is that true?”

I looked at Atasha. She nodded eagerly, mouthing yes. I turned back to Kael, who stood there with his arms behind him, waiting. I narrowed my eyes slightly, unsure of what to do and who to pick. 

I flicked my eyes between both of them again, Atasha’s pleading eyes getting to me before meeting Kael’s. I pressed my lips into a small awkward smile, fingers tightening under the blanket, “She…she was here first.”

“Yes!” Atasha squealed.

Kael nodded once, still ignoring her. “Then I’ll see you tonight. If anything happens and she pushes you into something, call for me immediately. I’ll be there.”

I nodded with a small smile.

“Get out of here!” Atasha yelled.

He shot her a death glare before leaving the room.

She was back on my bed in seconds, her face too close to mine. I was starting to get used to it before she grabbed my hand through the cloth, “Thank you for giving me a chance! You won’t regret it.”

I frowned. “I didn’t give you a chance… you were here first. I only followed…” I muttered, but she cut me off.

“We have a lot of things to plan.”

I narrowed my eyes again, recalling her earlier words. “A…are you serious about what you said? You want to make the alpha king fall in love with me?”

“With the way he was looking at you just now, it won’t take much.”

Elara whined inside of me, as I asked shyly, “How was he looking at me?”

“Like he’s already in love!” She declared jarringly and warmth spread across my face. 

Her words rang in my head again. Like he was in love. Heat spread further but I quickly shut it down, facing Atasha again.

“But…but why? Why do you want him to fall in love? 

She leaned back into the chair, crossing her legs and folding her arms beneath her chest. “Why? Because I like you, and I’d love for you to be my sister-in-law. There’s no one more suited for that position than you.”

None of her words sat right with me. The lines on my forehead deepened as my reflection caught my eye in the mirror.

I looked shocked.
Confused.
And completely in disbelief.

None of this made sense.

“Bu…but I’m just an omega. And he’s the alpha king…”

“You’re also his mate,” she cut in sharply. “Since the moon goddess tied you together, that means something. You’re not just anybody. Your wolves call to each other, want each other. I’ve smelled your scent when you’re in the same room as him. You’re always aroused.”

Heat rushed to my cheeks instantly. “That…that was…”

“Is it?” she teased, smiling.

“It’s the mate bond.”

“Hmm. Tell me more.”

My breath hitched, words tangling in my head as she chuckled softly. “You don’t have to defend or lie about it, Ilyana. I know the feeling. I know how all of this must be driving you crazy.” Her voice softened, her gaze piercing into mine. “I know you want him. And I know he wants you too. The desire is there. The attraction is there. That’s why I want to do this with you.”

Suddenly, she shrugged, her expression shifting. “Also, because if I don’t, the two of you will never realize it on your own. He’ll keep pretending he doesn’t see it. And now…” her smile widened, eyes gleaming, “I have the perfect first trial method.”

“We’re starting tonight.”

Her excitement returned in full force, her eyes glinting with something dangerous—scheming, plotting—and it sent a chill down my spine.

“St…start what?” I stuttered.

“How to make an alpha king fall in love with you,” she said, her smile stretching wider. “Have you ever seen a man completely obsessed with a woman, Ilyana?”

I shook my head.

Her fingers tilted my jaw gently. “Good. Because you’re going to be the first. And you’re going to make an alpha king bow down to you.”