Chapter 70 Chapter 69
Duke Ethan.
I woke up from a deep slumber, feeling better than I have ever felt in a long time. A sense of supreme accomplishment filled me from head to foot. Satisfaction in every cell in my body. Satisfaction on every count. I had marked Amaris after what I would describe as the best night of my life and I couldn't be any more glad. I checked my wounds and discovered to my relief that most of them had healed already, the pain already disappeared into thin air. A small smile broke on my lips as memories of last night filled my mind and I felt emotion clench inside of me.
But my happiness was short-lived when Amaris burst into the room, tears in her eyes, looking aghast as she rushed to meet me. I immediately jumped out of the bed, meeting her half-way as I held her in my hands, soothing her cries even though I had no idea what was wrong.
"Amaris? What happened?? Why are you crying?" I asked as I pulled away to stare at her tear-filled eyes, her lips trembling.
"I-it's the Alpha King..." She stuttered out, her voice racked with sobs. "He ordered that Evelyn be placed in the dungeon, I don't know what she did!"
"What?! Why?"
"I have no idea. All I know is the Moon goddess priestress pronounced princess Evelyn is second chance mate and he ordered to see her after the ceremony was over. This morning, while I went to look for her, I found out that she was in the dungeons! I have no idea what she's doing there and he's not letting anyone see him." She cried, gripping my hands tightly.
I stared at Amaris in shock, contemplating her words. The Moon goddess pronounced Evelyn as his mate? Why then is she at the dungeons??
"Hold on... I'll go see him." I told Amaris, cupping her cheeks. "Wipe the tears off your eyes, okay? I'll talk to him, find out the reasons for it. Please, just wait for me." I told her.
She nodded, sniffing softly as she cleaned her face. I quickly donned on a much suitable attire, marching straight to the Alpha king's chambers. Just like Amaris had informed me, he wasn't granting anyone audience, even the guards that used to be at the doors were nowhere in sight. It took a while for him to answer me and it was after a long time of knocking.
I stepped into his chambers, noting how desolate the room felt. It reeked of stale blood , and alcohol and my heart skipped a beat, my body tensing. Whatever happened here?
"What do you want?" The Alpha King groaned, his voice bleaker than I've ever heard it.
For a moment, the words I wanted to say escaped my mouth and I just stared at the turned chair that was facing the darkest part of the chambers, wine bottles littering everywhere. Swallowing tightly, I mustered enough courage to speak.
"I heard about the prophecy, your majesty." I began slowly, carefully picking my words. "Is it true you put Evelyn in the dungeons?" I asked.
An heavy silence fell over in the chambers and my back prickled with sweat as I waited him out. But no words came, just our silent breathing the only sound in the chambers. I pressed my lips together, growing frustrated at his quietness.
"I implore you to rethink this decision. This isn't particularly helpful to anyone, especially with the condition attached to it. Please bring her out and make her your mate, the last thing we want is for you to go rogue and lose your kingdom like the prophecy said." I added, my voice hinted with desperation.
No words came, not even a sigh. It's almost like he didn't hear me. I balled my hands into fists, growing restless at his prolonged silence. Taking a step closer, I attempted to talk to him again. "Your majesty, this issue is of utmost importance, you can't just sit there and feign ignorance..." I cut myself when I heard him speak.
It was so faint, I literally had to strain my ears to grab it but I did, and what I heard had a chill going through my lungs like someone had poured icy water on them.
"She rejected me." He mumbled in a choked voice, laced with derision, rumbling softly through the entire room. Slowly, he turned to face me, opening his eyes as he silently regarded me, his dark irises bleaker than I'd ever seen them before.
"That can't be possible and even if it is, I'm sure there's a way to salvage it.." I started to say but he cut me off.
"Why bother? What's the point of anything?"
"Your majesty!..." I implored, my eyes widening. "You can't speak like this! If you don't do this, you will go rogue."
"I don't need to wait that long anymore." He cut me off again. Pinning me with a gaze, he stood to his feet and I saw it, rigid fear coursing through me at the sight. Outlining his arms, were purple veins, all gnarly looking, running deep into his clothes. I froze all over, My mouth falling open as I stared at him, unable to form words confronted by this horrible realization. His face was still stony, inscrutable even. Only his coal-black eyes showed pain.
"Your majesty..." I began but trailed off, lost for words.
A cynical smile hit his lips as he sat back on the chair, turning it around as he waved his hands, dismissing me. "Lock the door on your way out." He rasped and once again, silence descended in the chambers. I stood there, still stunned before managing to turn on my heels, walking myself out of the chambers.
Amaris was waiting for me at the other side, tears still in her eyes as she gazed at me expectantly.
"What did he say?" She whispered as I approached her, her voice shaky. I shook my head, my heart pounding and throat stinging as if I'd swallowed glass. She saw the expression in my eyes and more tears filled them as it grew redder and she began to sob quietly. I pulled her close, hugging her.
"Let's just be hopeful." I murmured to her, hugging her tighter. Her body shook with sobs but I couldn't tears my eyes away from the Alpha King's door, feeling paralyzed. A painful realization rose fr the bottom of my stomach but I bit it down, burying my face into Amaris's hair as I breathed her in.
We're loosing the Alpha King.