Titles and Succession

Ayla POV

I wake up and realize immediately that I'm not in the imperial bedroom and the smell of Ghost is everywhere, enveloping me and my heart squeezes because I had hoped this wouldn't have to happen and I couldn't hold back the silent tears that started to flow.

I'm feeling so miserable, simply because I'm not strong enough to regenerate on my own. Then I feel a blanket being placed over me, the smell of Soren and Victor is there, and at the same moment, I feel better.

It's as if I had betrayed my mates before, but now it's as if they are embracing me and understanding the situation. In parts, I can't believe I have such good and understanding mates.

I lay there for a few more minutes before getting up and looking around; the room has a medieval style and there's a carpet made of bearskin.

Ghost is sitting at a table further away from the bed, his head lowered as he fiddles with his cell phone. I swallow, as once again the Lycan shows himself to be respectable and with a strong sense of honor.

"How long did I sleep?" I asked, clearing my throat.

"A day, it's now ten o'clock in the morning." Ghost replied, putting down his cell phone and looking at me.

I don't see anything there but respect, but something inside me knows that he's hurt, that this situation can't be easy for him either and yet he needs to stand firm and not commit any crimes.

"Soren and Victor left some clothes for you to wear in the bathroom. I'll be outside the room, waiting for you." Ghost warned, stood up, bowed, and left the room.

I pulled the blanket tighter against my body.

'Soren, Victor...' I called out to them in my mind.

'My love. They both answered at the same time.

'Did I have a bad time?' I asked something I didn't have the courage to say to Ghost.

'A little. So save your energy, we're waiting for you outside. Soren replied.

I sighed, closed my eyes, and got out of bed, heading for the bathroom. I'm sure this room is smaller than ours and smaller than Victor's, but it's still big enough for special guests.

I stopped in front of the mirror and let the blanket fall. I'm wearing silk pajamas, my face is flushed, and my scars have disappeared, the marks on my neck have healed and I can already see the beginnings of a drawing, I still can't tell what it is.

My clothes are folded on the counter next to the sink, a black women's suit with red and metallic details and a dark green shirt. It didn't take me long to shower and get dressed.

I have a whole day ahead of me and today the leaders of stronger kingdoms, such as the Faerie Kingdom, should be arriving from some Daemon cities that have become allies.

I know that the Kingdom of the Wizards is only coming on the day of the ceremony, they don't want to stay long in the Kingdom, with the political tension between our races I understand their decision.

I finally left the room, feeling refreshed and smiling when I saw my mates. Soren was the first to hug me and kiss me gently, Victor soon followed suit.

"We'll separate the groups so that the auras don't mix," Victor said and took my hand, interlacing our fingers.

"I think it'll be easier to get used to." I agreed. I agreed. "Did I try to feed on you?" My intuition is that I did.

"Yes, but don't worry," Soren replied and walked around to my other side.

I was always in the middle of these two. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, twisting my lips.

"Will there be a moment when everything passes and I can be with you without any of this being in our way?" I asked, opening my eyes.

I'm angry because there's always something standing in the way of our happiness.

"Yes, it will." They both said at the same time.

"We're going to make it come true," Soren said with determination.

"Besides, you've already improved a lot! After the wedding, you'll be even stronger." Victor added.

"I believe that after the ceremony, Ayla will go into hibernation again." Ghost informed. "Her aura is stabilizing, and her body is getting stronger. Almost as she was when she entered Heat. Selene's Tears are growing, the Castle is much stronger and it will certainly bear the brunt of my Empress's transformations."

I felt Soren tense up. Victor squeezed my hand lightly.

"If that happens, I won't make the same mistake," Soren whispered.

"Forgive yourself, Soren." My voice echoed Victor's.

"My suggestion is that my rulers decide the order of leadership. For there is a possibility that the three of you will go into hibernation together." Ghost said.

The three of us stopped and turned to him. The Lycan always walks two steps behind us. We are surprised by this revelation. Ghost's expression is strange.

"Haven't you noticed that you're being affected? I don't see them drinking blood... Of any kind, they're feeding purely on human food and very Lycan-like, with lots of meat and most of it rare." Ghost explained.

"We're doing this to lower our vampiric aura," Soren spoke in disbelief at what Ghost was trying to imply.

For the first time, I saw another emotion in Ghost's expression, a wry smile forming on his lips. Which irritated Victor and Soren.

"You're strong, but Ayla is much more than you or me. By the time she awakens, our power will be as nothing. The sooner you realize that, the better. Don't let your egos get in the way, because that will only be your downfall." The Lycan spoke with determination.

As if he had knowledge that none of us have.

He had already told me in the throne room about who I can be and it didn't seem like he was joking, just like now.

"When her spiritual parts stop fighting... There shouldn't be many Realms or beings left capable of being opposition." Ghost rolled his eyes.

"How can you know so much?" Soren asked incredulously.

"You may not see the spiritual side, but I'm a part ghost, of course, I can connect with spirits and if you wanted to you could see as much as I do. Regarding Ayla, I've always wondered why you've never done it. It's one thing to use your aura to interfere in their fight, it's another to watch and try to help my Empress." Ghost replied angrily.

"Why didn't you ever say anything?" I asked, crossing my arms. "You've always implied that you're an honorable person who respects our decisions."

"And when I wasn't?" Lycan took a deep breath. "Was I ever appointed to be the Emperor's advisor? Did I receive any title to meddle in Imperial affairs? Was I permitted to do anything other than be my Empress's spiritual support?"

Every question Ghost asked brought us back to reality. We just used Ghost, without ever giving anything in return, and we didn't even think beyond the basics. What Ishtar had said.

Something that always bothered me was that we never did anything for him.

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