Chapter 55: 055

Draven’s POV

I watched her eyes squint with questions after what I said, and I sighed, hoping this time she would finally understand me, that she would realize I wasn’t the enemy. The reason she couldn’t connect with her wolf, even after coming of age, was because it had been locked away, and it seemed she didn’t know that.

Maybe no one had ever told her.

But who would believe their wolf was the enemy?

“Why aren’t you saying anything? Did you not say my wolf was lock..” she slurred, frustration tightening her tone.

“I know this is a lot to take in, but you have to listen to me, Aveline,” I pleaded, locking eyes with her. “I won’t lie to you,” I murmured.

“Alright, your Majesty, I’ll listen. But can you please put on a pant?” she asked, looking away. That was when I noticed the distraction.

I had been bare all along. It must have looked disgraceful, but then again, it was Aveline, not any other subject. I brushed off the awkwardness.

“I apologize for the inconvenience I might have caused,” I said with a faint smirk, because really, we were just being polite.

We had explored things far greater than the sight of each other’s bodies. She shouldn’t shy away from it, she should embrace every part of me. The memories of what we just did on the bed some moments ago made my she's darkened with desires.

She had wrapped me around her fingers, that I wouldn't even be bothered if she was a threat to my life. Was that not what was playing out?

“No need to apologize. So what were you saying about my wolf? It seems you know it better than I do,” she said. I couldn’t tell if she was being sarcastic or sincere.

“This locket..have you ever wondered why your mother gave it to you?” I asked. She looked confused, probably wondering why I brought it up.

“Why are you bringing my mother into this? And what does a locket have to do with anything?” she snapped, her anger only confirming my suspicion.

Even though her wolf hadn’t fully surfaced yet, perhaps regaining energy after years of being locked away she was still capable of influencing Aveline. I could sense the shift in her aura; her temper felt different.

The glow in her eyes were unmistakable, but I wanted to believe it was all Aveline.

“That’s because she wanted to keep her away from you,” I said carefully, studying her expression to see if my words were reaching her. “Just like me, you have another entity inside you. But yours is your wolf, and your wolf isn’t what you think she is.”

She went silent. For a moment, I thought realization was dawning, but then her sudden laughter cut through me, mocking and hollow. None of this was sinking in.

But she needed to believe me. That was the only way we both would survive.

“You’re really something, your Majesty,” she said with a bitter laugh. “I almost fell for your kind words, but you can’t trick me again.”

“This isn’t a trick, Aveline! I’m not saying this so you’ll crawl back into my bed!” I snapped, my voice rough with frustration.

“Oh, please,” she scoffed. “Are you doing all this so I won’t be mad that you rejected me as your mate? Don’t worry, your Majesty, I won’t act out or tell anyone about our bond.”

I hissed in frustration. She still didn’t understand, it wasn’t about pride or rejection. It was about the destruction that came with the bond.

I would have accepted her to be my mate without caring about such things as class, if she wasn't a perfect fit the moon goddess wouldn't have made her my mate, but fate went against us.

I watched her storm out, her expression unreadable. But I could tell, it wasn’t just her anymore. Her wolf was already creeping into her consciousness, taking control of her body little by little. Soon, she wouldn’t even notice the change.

And once that happened, it would be permanent. A leech she’d never be able to rid herself of. Just like me.

“Why can’t you see what I’m seeing, Aveline? Why are you blind to the signs?” I breathed, though I knew it was pointless to blame her.

If she didn’t know, then I had to protect her from herself. It was time to take the step I’d avoided for years.

I had abandoned that path once because I knew mating with her would trigger the prophecy. I rejected her to stop it from happening.

Zeric strode into my chamber, his face flushing red at the sight of the rumpled bed and the thick scent of what Aveline and I had shared still clinging to the air.

The scent was unmistakable.

“Looks like your Majesty’s been… occupied,” Zeric teased, but I was too weary to respond.

“Zeric, I need to leave the palace tonight. There’s somewhere I must go,” I said, rising from the bed and heading for my dressing room.

“Leave? Where to? Should I assign guards?”

“No. I’m going alone,” I replied flatly, searching through my wardrobe for the right regalia to wear to her place.

“Alone? That’s not right,” Zeric muttered. “Why not let me come with you?”

I paused, thinking. Zeric despised seers, and he loathed witches even more. He blamed them for his mother’s death.

A seer had once foretold her death but never revealed how it would happen. Later, a witch cursed her, and she died soon after. Zeric had hated them ever since.

“I’m going to see that seer,” I said finally. “I want to know what fate has in store for us.”

Zeric fell silent at that. Then, quietly, “You? Seeing a seer? Don’t you hate their kind the most?”

“Yes,” I exhaled. “But I don’t have a choice. I need answers before it’s too late.”

“Too late for what?” he asked, bewildered.

“Saving myself and Aveline,” I murmured. “Her wolf is already influencing her. She doesn’t even realize it, and that ignorance is the most dangerous thing of all.”

It was time for me to go back to where it all began.