Chapter 31

"I love Sean, Sean Anderson, my Alpha," Lalita said softly, her dark gray eyes a little teary.

"He's cold and untouchable. But underneath he's actually gentle and caring..."

"...I wouldn't have ended up in this misery if I hadn't run away that night."

Lalita's tears broke. Tears of clear water ran down her smooth, slightly pale cheeks. Helen hugged her best friend and let Lalita cry as much as she wanted, soaking her clothes. At least Lalita will feel better after crying and pouring out her heart.

"She's so strong, but I'm so weak. I can't even escape from this golden cage, how useless I am. Why did the Moon Goddesses choose me? To choose this fragile, weak girl to carry such a heavy burden," Lalita cried, sobbing.

"Just let it out, let it all out so you feel better," Helen whispered soothingly as she hugged Lalita.

Don't give up, my son, your trials haven't even begun. The pain you will experience will be much more painful than this. So prepare your whole body and soul to face it. But remember, you are not alone. I believe you will succeed because you are white blood. Lalita blinked immediately after hearing a soft whisper in a low, melodious, sweet voice. It conveys serenity but also a serious warning.

"Helen, did you hear that?" asked Lalita, who suddenly stopped crying.

"What sound?" asked Helen with a question mark.

"Just forget it."

"Feeling better?"Lalita nodded.

"I'm going to make breakfast," Helen said as she walked to the trolley, which already contained several sumptuous dishes with different breakfast menus."No need, I can do it myself."

"It's okay, because I'm your personal maid."

"Just a disguise!"

"Yes, a disguise that looks convincing," Lalita was silent as she tried to digest the soft whisper in her ear. A voice that was so familiar. Then why was he the only one who could hear the whisper while Helen couldn't?

Could it be the moon goddesses?

"Eat," Helen said after placing the plate on the small table in front of Lalita.

"Sorry to bother you."

"It's no problem because..." Helen brought her lips closer to Lalita's ear and then whispered very quietly.

"Erik sprinkled all the food you were given with a power-suppressing potion that will take effect for six hours."

Now Lalita understood. All this time Erik had been suppressing his strength with potions mixed into food and drink. No wonder he didn't notice when the potion entered his body. And now he also understood why Rione was able to go berserk with quite a lot of power while killing several maids. The effect of the potion faded because he hadn't eaten.

Lalita's hands clenched into fists with a muffled growl. She must leave the golden cage Erik had created immediately.

****Helen, disguised as a maid named Alin, brought the empty cart back to the kitchen. Several pairs of eyes looked at her condescendingly, while Alin still looked friendly and cheerful, in contrast to her real character, who enjoyed stabbing the eyes of other cheeky maids with her sharp fingernails.

If they only knew that he was one of the most important people in the government, especially information that was so valuable for the vampire nation, then they would not even dare to look at him, even though Erik was the personal servant of the crown prince.

"My lady is having breakfast," Alin said cheerfully to the butler who saw the empty cart that the new vampire had delivered.

"That's great, master will chop off my head if the pet gets sick or dies," said the indifferent butler, who couldn't help but give Alin a stiff, forced smile, even though she still looked sweet and cute.

After returning the cart to the kitchen, Alin hurried to Lalita's room, as she had promised to show her around the palace as soon as she had the chance. Luxurious, dimly lit halls decorated all in black and red, Alin passed quietly before climbing the spiral staircase leading to Lalita's room, until a black shadow ambushed her faster than the blink of an eye.

"Let me go," Alin screamed, more in surprise than fear.

The figure that ambushed him led Alin into an empty underground room, lit only by the golden yellow light of torches.

"Why did you bring me here," Alin protested in his Cupu accent as the hooded figure released his grip.

"I am impressed, your acting is truly amazing, Helen Roulia," said the hooded figure, now removing his cloak to reveal his seductive face and hazel eyes as he pinned Alin between the wall and the vampire's sturdy body.

"Mr. Soren? I have absolutely no idea what you're talking about," Alin replied, trying to remain calm.

"You are an impressive actress. You can still maintain the composure of a sheep after a rancher has caught a wolf in sheep's clothing," Soren smiled after removing the wig that was Helen's main disguise.

Alin's eyes flashed, then he threw Soren into the wall until it cracked.

"You can tell Erik to kill me now and then, as long as you don't involve my mother," Helen looked down after removing her green contact lenses, which now revealed red eyes.

Soren was already in front of him, lifting Helen's chin so that her red irises met the man's hazel eyes. Slowly, Helen's irises began to turn brown again, as they had before.

"I know it must be you. Even though it's hidden, I can still recognize the round eyes with soft brown irises that once hypnotized me," Soren said quietly.

"What do you mean?" asked Helen, not understanding.

"I love you, Helen."

****

As promised, Alin took Lalita out of the mansion for a walk to get some fresh air. Meanwhile, Lalita herself seemed to be enjoying the gentle breeze playing with her almost white blonde mane.

The white rose garden he and Erik had visited was much more beautiful than he had expected. Without Erik, everything is beautiful and peaceful. Lalita picked a white rose and put it in her ear. The white roses were barely visible when attached to her almost white blonde mane, but that's what made Lalita like them. While Alin stood in the corner of the park, busy with her own thoughts.

Soren loves me? This can't be a joke,' Alin thought worriedly.

"Are you all right?" asked Lalita, noticing Alin's tense expression.

"I'm fine, miss."

"Grand Master," Alin suddenly lowered his head while Lalita rolled her eyes in embarrassment. Lalita knew exactly whom Alin was greeting.

"It seems you take good care of your lady, I like your work Alin," Erik commented, taking in Lalita's appearance, which was much fresher and sweeter than usual, and a white rose tucked into her ear."What else do you want?" asked Lalita curtly.

"You."

"What?"

"Yes, I want you, be my queen and you will get everything," Erik said plainly, saying these words without any burden.

Alin excused himself as soon as he realized that the situation had become uncomfortable. When Lalita tried to run after him, Erik first grabbed her arm to hold her in place. Oh my God, what has he done! Helen must be very hurt to know that the man she loves has fallen in love with another girl, and that girl is her best friend.

"Don't touch me," Lalita hissed as she yanked Erik's hand roughly.

"So you refuse?"

"Yes, because I am Luna Queen."

Erik gripped Lalita's shoulder with turbulent emotions. Never before had anyone dared to refuse him.

"What's the advantage of this damn Alpha over me?" Erik shouted in front of Lalita, his red eyes glowing sharply as if stabbing her from the inside.

"He is my mate, my soul and my love. I love him more than anything in this world," Lalita replied casually but firmly, looking at Erik's ruby beads flashing with anger.

"I will decide your mate fish no matter what, including ...."

"...killed Sean Anderson," Erik grinned like a devil ready to be thrown into hell.

Before Lalita could reply, an extreme pain suddenly stabbed her body. The air that had been cool now felt so hot. Sweat dripped down his forehead before Lalita could even sit down. His breathing became faster and his whole body ached. Even Lalita could feel Rione moaning in pain. Lalita groaned and then hissed before finally screaming, unable to hold back the pain.

"Lalita you're okay, hey answer me," Erik forgot his emotions for a moment and was replaced by a feeling of worry.

Some parts of Lalita's body felt as hot and sore as wet wounds sprinkled with salt. But Lalita knows this is not her pain. It's Sean's pain. Slowly everything became blurred until Lalita could see nothing with her eyes now closed tightly.