A Lover and A Liar

Something Unique

Alina chose to observe her mate from the doorstep instead of walking inside and facing him. It was easier this way. Just looking at him while he worked on a sword, sharping its blade and decorating its handle with rubies, it felt like everything was right.

Like he wouldn't hate her for the rest of his life if he only knew.

"You know I can smell you, don't you?" Julian told her from across the room, keeping his eyes busy down his work. Alina closed her eyes, embarrassed at being caught staring that openly. "You cannot exactly hide from me, Alina."

All the possible meanings behind that sent a shiver down her spine. Gathering all her courage, she finally walked inside the room, towards the table he was working into. "I'm not the one who's been hiding, if that's what you mean," Alina told him.

"So you're suggesting I've been hiding from you." It was more of a statement than a question, and his eyes never met hers as he spoke, his hands searching on the small bag of rubies for the ones that suited the sword the most. Something Alina had absolutely no idea about.

She tried finding his eyes. "I never said that."

"But you implied it," he insisted.

Alina shrugged once as she went to help him with whatever tiny ruby he was trying and failing to find. She had no doubt Julian had avoided her for the past two days. They had never had lunch together, he had busied himself with work and Katherine had seemed frustrated about it as well. "This." She showed him a tiny emerald stone. "It's so perfect. And it looks a lot like your eyes."

Julian snapped his head up, staring at her with opened eyes. But Alina was surprised at her own words as well, she hadn't meant to say that. She hadn't meant to tell her mate she found his eyes perfect, no matter how true that was.

"Look, Julian, if it was about that day, I want you to know I just got emotional all of the sudden but it had nothing to do with―"

"No, it is not," he cut her off with an almost cold voice, getting back to his work. "You were crying and I just tried to comfort you. It means absolutely nothing."

Alina could feel her heart drop down on her stomach. Nothing? Did he really mean that? "Oh," she only said, which was followed by complete silence. "So I guess it is all good so I'm heading back to―"

"You and my Gamma, huh?" he said all of the sudden, making her brows furrow in confusion. And this time he did look at her eyes as he spoke, "You and Cedric. I've heard you've gotten to know each other well these past few days."

Alina had absolutely no idea where this conversation was going, and what it had to do with them. "Yes," she simply agreed. "His company has been great."

His eyes bore into hers intensely, almost making her squirm under his gaze. "I bet it has," he said as his jaw tightened a little bit, but that was all hidden behind an almost bitter smile. "He looks happy to have known you too."

She was at a complete loss of words. "I'm glad then." Not knowing what to say more, she turned her back at him, attempting to leave. But her feet stopped her all by themselves. "Julian―"

"Alina―" They spoke at the same time, interrupting one another. "Go on, I'm listening." His tiny smile was sincere this time.

"No, you go first," Alina suggested, approaching him once more.

"Why are you here?" he questioned, something that took her completely by surprise.

She gulped. "Here... in this room?"

"No, here as in this castle. In my Court." His eyes searched hers, the questions and the confusion in them making her body tremble.

"To spend time with Katherine, of course," she lied, her voice weak. 

A part of her wished she could scream the truth at him. Ask him if he could feel this. This overwhelming huge she had to just wrap her arms around him and stay protected in his embrace forever. Couldn't he feel anything? Had her spell been so strong, his wolf couldn't recognize his own true mate?

"But if you want me to go―"

"No." For a split second the thought panicked him. "Don't go, Alina. Not yet." His eyes were pleading, resisting at the same time, and it broke her heart and put the pieces together all in the same time.

"Alright then," Alina only said. If he had told her to go, she wouldn't know what to do. Living with knowing that she had cast a spell on an innocent boy was one thing. Living with knowing that boy had turned out to be his mate, and his most trusted people were contemplating something big, something that would change his life forever was another. "So why are you the one making the swords, exactly? Don't you have your servants for that?"

Her interest seemed to make him happy somehow. "A King can never know too many things," he answered with a shrug. "Besides, this is something I enjoy doing. I work with precious stones too, turning them into jewels mostly."

Alina could barely hold herself from letting it show how much admiration she had for her mate. "That's... amazing," she couldn't help but say. "Not every ruler would go out of their way to learn new things and perfect themselves."

He looked at her with warmth in his eyes. "It's not a big deal. I just want to be... worthy of my people."

"You are worthy. I would never imagine the Alpha King would be this... kind."

"You think I am kind?" Julian laughed at her choice of words. "That's interesting. No one has told me that before."

"But it's true," Alina insisted, unconsciously closing the distance with him. "People here adore you. They look up to you a lot."

One of his hands raised as to land on her curls, but he withdrew it immediately, making her well aware of how close they were now. "I try," Julian confessed, looking away. "I don't want them to see me... as my father's son. I don't want them to think they should bow down to because they have no other choice. Making people live in fear is no different from being a monster, and I don't want to be that. I don't want to―" Only when he had stopped talking, Alina realized that was because she had caught his lips with hers, for the first time feeling them, feeling the way it made her weak on the knees, her heart pounding on her chest furiously.

Somehow she made a step back herself when she realized he hadn't moved. Nor he kissed her back or pushed her away. He looked too shocked for that.

"My God, Julian, I'm so sorry." She covered her mouth with her hands, realizing the weigh of what she had done. "I'm so sorry." Without waiting for an answer, Alina rushed out of the room, and she didn't stop until she was inside hers.

Tears filled up her eyes instantly. Julian was going to hate her. Perhaps even kick her out of his castle. If there had been a chance, a mere chance to right her wrongs both for him and herself, she had destroyed it. Just like she always did. She destroyed everything good she had, no matter how small it is.

She walked to the bathroom, and decided to wash every remain of their kiss away. Alina hadn't forgotten this place was filled with wolves that could pick up on the scents, and the last thing she wanted to do was make people believe their Alpha had cheated on his destined mate.

Torturing minutes passed before there was a knock on the door. Her heart sped up as she imagined Julian on the other side of the door, with a hard look on her face, telling her that she had to go back home.

With trembling hands, she unlocked it, not expecting to be welcomed by the sight of another big man in front of her. She recognized the guard that had taken her from her home to this castle so well. At the end, they had traveled for two days together, even though she never got to know his name, nor his non-existent smile.

"My Lord want to meet you. Come with me," the Grumpy said, not leaving it up for discussion.

Alina took a deep breath, almost happy it wasn't Julian. Meeting him again would be inevitable, but she had to wrap her mind around it for awhile at least. Think of what she would tell him.

Maybe that he looked like a lover she had once had? Would that work?

For now however, she had to face something worse. Facing cruel Vincent and trying to pick up anything from his plans if that was even possible.

She followed the Grumpy without saying a word, through some hallways she could bet were hidden from the other part of the castle, to a room she had never been before. Perhaps one Vincent used for his secret meetings. Whatever it was, she had to find out fast. Leaving Julian in his mercy was not something she was planning to do, and that kiss might have ruined it already.

The Grumpy guard opened the door for her, choosing to stand at the door himself. As stupid as it sounded, she felt herself a bit more protected with him around. Now that she was alone, she completely relied on her powers, ready to access them if anything happened.

"Alina," Vincent said her name as if it amused him. Sitting on a comfortable velvet armchair, he was enjoying a drink, his eyes roaming all over her, making Alina feel suddenly uncomfortable.

"Why am I here?" she questioned him.

"Don't you like it in here? I think it's beautifully decorated. At least it must be better than your own house, am I right?"

She wanted to launch herself at him with all the magic she felt under her skin, but that wouldn't be a solution. Not for now, at least. "It's good," she said instead.

Vincent stood up, his dark gaze seeing right into her as he made a few steps towards Alina. "I just wanted to know your progress in what I requested you to do," he explained. "Do we already have a spell to make my dear son-in-law mark my daughter? Or even better, leave her pregnant?"

Alina caught up to it instantly. Even better was to leave her pregnant. So Vincent wanted a grandchild. A son, if she had to guess. Was it for the throne?

"I told you, it's a dark spell I've never heard before. I need time," she tried to sound defiant and courageous, although it was hard when he stood so close to her.

"I know. But I cannot give you all the time in the world. I need to know you're working on it."

"Of course I am working on it, I've spent most of my days on the library searching for spells. But I guess you know that already, right?" Vincent would be a fool not to have information on what she was doing. And he looked far away from a fool.

How many people worked for him?

How many people acted devoted towards Julian, just to give him information instead. The thought that he could have any power over her mate made her sick.

"You're delaying this, Alina. You cannot lie to me. But why? What would you gain from it?"

She did not give him an answer, but the pounding on her heart gave her fear away.

"Are you relaying on that protecting spell you've put over your house? Do you think I don't know about it?"

Her eyes widened in shock.

"Do you take me for a fool, little girl? Which witch would be that stupid to leave her house surrounded by wolves completely unprotected? But you've forgotten one thing; your village is full of poor witches and wizards who'd do anything for some gold. It took me just a few of them to lift your powerful spell, so your grandmother is once again completely unprotected."

"Bastard!" Alina cursed, her golden eyes shining with magic. "I told you I'd do it! Why did you have to include her again?"

He laughed. "Because I simply do not trust you, Alina. But you're already included, so I cannot let another witch know my secrets. One is enough as it is." His hand reached to grab her chin, and he moved her face from left to right, studying her. "There is something about you... Something unique I would like to discover. Something... familiar. You're only half a light-witch, from one of your parents, I would guess, which gives you this much powers. So what other are you?"

"I am simply a witch!" she snapped. "And get your hands off me before I cut them off myself."

"Feisty," he laughed. "I like it. Do what I tell you to, and you might have an important place besides me. We can make a good team, you and me."

Alina almost spat at him, but she was able to keep it together. "As long as no harm comes to her." That was only half the truth. She would protect her grandmother, of course, but being a team with Vincent was least in her plans. "What are you planning to do, though? Why do you need me to cast a spell on the King this much? He trusts you more than anyone, anyways."

"You're smart," he observed. "But if you think you'll be able to use my words against me, you're mistaken, witch. But I'll unpuzzle you, don't worry. And I'll tame you too. You'll see how much you can have if we work together."

Alina smiled. If this was a game, she had no other choice but to win it.