"Caspian is like a brother to me," Athereld said.
Athereld's body was heavier than I assumed. I started gasping for air. Athereld released my wrists, noticing. He hastily moved away from me.
I rubbed the bruises on my wrist. Athereld fell on the chair exhaustedly, raking his fingers through his silver-blue hair.
"I apologize," Athereld said calmly. "Since we grew up together, I have always thought of Caspian as my brother. However, Caspian loathes it when someone endeavors to give him privilege out of affection for him. He has always been a fierce one since he was little. Hence, he wished to inherit the crown through a conclave and not by your grandpa's affection," Athereld said.
"No wonder Caspian considers me worse than leeches. I appeared out of nowhere in his life, seizing everything without even proving my worth," I said in a tiny voice.
"It's true that Caspian dislikes it. However, I am certain of your abilities once you awaken your wolf," Athereld said, gently caressing my face. "After all, you possess the blood of the Alpha Lord."
"I am not sure about it. But I won't disappoint Caspian," I said calmly.
Even if we couldn't be together or Caspian didn't feel the same as me, I could give him the content of a proper conclave, I thought.
"Are you thinking of fighting him?" Athereld questioned. "Caspian won't go easier just because it's you, you know," Athereld said.
"I wish to fight for the throne. I will not avoid it, unlike you. It doesn't matter if I end up getting hurt. It will prove the next alpha's worth, won't it?" I questioned determinedly as my eyes glowed.
I turned to Athereld to find him staring at me with amusement in his eyes.
"Doc," I called Athereld calmly. "When I fight Caspian, whom will you support?" I asked curiously.
Athereld appeared puzzled by my unexpected question. I was aware that I had asked the obvious. Caspian was way more cherished to Athereld than I was. It wasn't even long since I discovered my pack. There was no rationale for Athereld to prefer me as his alpha.
"Bailey," Athereld called me gently. " If you wish to ascertain whether the pack would prefer you as the alpha or not, you should know that you and Caspian are both precious to me. I only wish that you two don't hurt each other while doing this," Athereld said.
"Did you not say Caspian despises if someone gives up before him out of affection? Rather than bearing his hatred, I want to conquer the throne proving my worth," I said.
Athereld suddenly smiled at me, patting my head affectionately.
"You certainly are a fierce one, aren't you? You remind me of the time when Caspian was also in his teens," Athereld said. "However, there's still a long way to go. If you wish to fight Caspian, you must awaken your wolf first."
Athereld got up, cleaning the mess on the table due to his earlier approach.
Will I be able to fight Caspian? I wondered. I recalled his piercing gaze on our first encounter and how he ordered the thugs to kill me without flinching. I shivered at the thought of fighting that ruthless mafia.
I was startled as the bell rang. Athereld lived alone, and the maids had left earlier. Who would come to his house at that hour of the night? I wondered, staring at the door confusedly.
However, a smirk appeared on the corner of Athereld's eyes as he did not seem bothered.
"How could I not see this?" Athereld mumbled as he calmly went to the exit.
The person who entered the room left me bewildered.
"I thought you were enjoying your date with Aphrodite. How come you are here?" Athereld asked Caspian as Caspian's eyes swerved over me.
I didn't get the chance to fix my clothes after Athereld pinned me to the table. I noticed Caspian's eyes turning cold, staring at my unbuttoned shirt.
Caspian ignored Athereld's question as he got close to me for a glimpse.
"Let's go," Caspian said, grabbing me by my arms.
"Wait a minute!" I said as Caspian began to pull me toward the exit in my pajamas and slippers.
Athereld placed his hand over Caspian's chest, stopping him.
"Why are you in a rush?" Athereld asked. "I would have dropped her anyway."
"Why would you even bring her to your place at this hour of the night? Do you think I can trust you after you coated her in your pheromones earlier without her knowledge? Does Bailey even know wolves use their pheromones to mark their possession?" Caspian asked, leaning close to Athereld as their faces were inches apart.
My eyes widened at Caspian's words. I didn't pay much attention when Caspian charged Athereld because of the pheromones earlier in front of Aphrodite. However, I got perplexed, noticing Athereld's eyes turning cold at Caspian.
"Why do you care? Aren't you going to marry Aphrodite? Why does it matter if Bailey spends the night here tonight? For Bailey, aren't we the same? You are just a contender, while I am her doctor. What right do you have to take her from here like this?" Athereld questioned.
Caspian frowned at Athereld, pursing his lips. Athereld grabbed Caspian's wrist, preventing him from pulling me.
"Aren't you a bit fierce today? I wonder where this ardency was when you were supposed to fight me," Caspian asked bitterly.
"You can't forever blame me for pursuing my passion, Caspian. I had always wanted to heal people, not harm them," Athereld answered calmly.
"Is this why you are so against my marriage? Is that also your passion?" Caspian asked.
"You know what? It's useless to talk to you," Athereld answered, getting mad.
It was the first time I witnessed Athereld losing his temper. However, the chain of my thoughts broke as Caspian abruptly pulled my arm again.
Athereld did not protest as Caspian brought me outside of Athereld's apartment. He shoved me into the car with force. I was still in my pajamas. I couldn't fathom why Caspian was mad at me.
Caspian leaned close to me for the seat belt. I subconsciously moved away as he got close to me.
"Why are you feigning to be shy in front of me?" Caspian asked, frowning at me.
"Feigning?" I questioned back coldly.
"You were not shy at Athereld's place. were you?" Caspian asked as his eyes swerved over my chest.
I realized what kind of idea Caspian might have received earlier.
"I am not sure what you are implying," I said in a tiny voice.
Caspian abruptly placed his hand over my chest. I froze, forgetting how to move.
"What are you doing?' I asked, panicking.
"Earlier, your shirt was unbuttoned near your chest. Perhaps, you are just okay with your chest exposed before men," Caspian said as his slender, long fingers snaked inside my shirt, unbuttoning it slowly.
I could feel my cheeks heating up as my blood rushed to that one place. Caspian's fingers were cold. I shivered as they came in contact with my skin. I was afraid. I had never experienced this before.
Indeed, I liked Caspian. However, the man before me at that moment was unfamiliar to me. The coldness in his eyes reminded me of a dangerous mafia who could mercilessly beat anyone to death. His arctic blue eyes had the depth of the ocean, making it impossible to comprehend what he was thinking.
"What did you do with that doc?" Caspian asked in a husky voice as his eyes glowed up. He was in possession of his wolf.