Too Tempting For My Fated Mate

Chapter5: The Alpha’s Obsession

Vaelith’s POV

“Looks like I’ll have to kill you again, sister.”

Sylvarae’s smile made my stomach twist and the witch stood behind her silently.

Her black eyes remained fixed on me and I stared at my sister without blinking.

“You should have finished the job the first time,” I said calmly and Sylvarae’s face darkened instantly.

“You think coming back here makes you powerful?”

“No,” I replied. “Surviving you did.”

For one second, rage flashed across her face, real rage, it was not the fake sweet Luna act she showed everyone.

It was good because I wanted to see her break.

The witch suddenly stepped forward slowly.

“She carries stronger power now,” she told Sylvarae carefully.

“I can see that,” my sister snapped and her eyes moved across my face bitterly.

“You were supposed to die in the Rogue Lands.”

“But I didn’t.”

Silence fell between us and then footsteps suddenly echoed through the hallway.

It was Zyren and Sylvarae instantly changed expression and her eyes water immediately with fake tears.

It was pathetic.

“Vaelith threatened me,” she said weakly the second Zyren appeared.

I almost laughed and Zyren’s gaze moved between both of us and then his eyes stopped on me, always me.

“I asked her a question,” I said calmly and Sylvarae grabbed his arm dramatically.

“She hates me because you chose me.”

The words hit harder than they should, because once upon a time…I wanted him to choose me too.

Zyren just kept staring at me silently and then finally he said, “Everyone return to their rooms.”

Sylvarae looked shocked.

“You’re letting her go?”

His jaw tightened.

“That was not a request.”

I saw fear flash across her face for one second and it was interesting and without another word, I walked away but I felt Zyren’s eyes following me again, always watching me and always there, it was like he could not stop himself anymore.

….

The next few days became torture, everywhere I went, Zyren appeared. When I walked through the gardens, he watched from the balcony, when I entered meetings, his eyes remained fixed on me.

When males spoke to me, his wolf reacted instantly, possessive, dangerous and obsessed and the worst part?

Sometimes I caught myself looking for him too and I hated that, I hated how the mate bond still controlled pieces of me.

One morning, I stepped out into the palace courtyard and immediately spotted Zyren speaking with warriors.

The moment he noticed me, he stopped talking and his eyes were locked onto mine instantly.

The warriors noticed it too and whispers spread quietly but I kept walking but suddenly, Zyren moved toward me.

“You’re leaving the palace alone?”

I raised a brow.

“Do I need permission now?”

“No,” he said quickly. “But someone tried to kill you.”

I smiled bitterly.

“And suddenly you care if I live?”

Pain flashed across his face again and that expression followed him everywhere these days and I love the way the guilt was eating him.

“I’m assigning guards to protect you,” he said and I laughed softly.

“The same guards who watched me get banished?”

His jaw tightened.

“Vaelith…”

I walked past him before he could finish and my chest hurt again, because part of me still loved hearing him say my name, stupid heart.

….

That afternoon, I finally began my revenge properly, the council gathered inside the palace hall and my father stood proudly beside other nobles, like he did nothing wrong, it was disgusting.

I then rose from my seat slowly.

“I have something interesting to share,” I said calmly and the hall was quiet immediately.

My father narrowed his eyes at me and I placed several papers onto the table.

“These are records of missing taxes from the eastern trade routes.”

Murmurs spread instantly and one elder grabbed the documents quickly and his eyes widened.

“This seal belongs to Lord Ravaryn.”

My father’s face lost color.

“You lying little witch!” he snarled and I smiled sweetly.

“Am I?”

More whispers spread around the room and Zyren’s eyes remained fixed on my father now and disappointment filled his face.

…..

Later that evening, another gathering began and this time for the noble women.

Sylvarae sat proudly at the center wearing white silk, perfect Luna, perfect liar.

One noblewoman smiled at her.

“Lady Sylvarae, how do you maintain such a perfect marriage?”

I nearly choked on my drink and Sylvarae smiled beautifully.

“Trust is important between mates.”

I laughed loudly before I could stop myself and every head turned toward me and Sylvarae’s smile froze.

“Oh?” I asked sweetly. “You believe mates should never lie to each other?”

Tension spread instantly and Sylvarae glared at me warningly and I continued smiling.

“How beautiful.”

The woman began whispering immediately and Sylvarae’s fingers tightened around her cup and for the first time…

Cracks began appearing in her perfect image and I enjoyed every second.

….

Three days later, the palace fell into chaos and guards rushed through the courtyard, servants bowed their heads fearfully and a dangerous scent filled the air and then I heard the whispers.

“The Lycan King is here.”

My heart stopped instantly. Vaelor.

What was he doing here?

I then walked toward the palace entrance quickly and the moment I arrived, I saw him.

He was tall and terrifying, beautiful enough to ruin lives.

King Vaelor Drakharis stood before the palace gates like he owned the entire kingdom and even powerful Alphas lowered their heads around him.

Zyren stood near the stairs watching him carefully and tension filled the air instantly between them.

Then Vaelor’s crimson eyes found mine and everything else disappeared and a dangerous smile touched his lips.

“Little wolf.”

My chest tightened.

He walked directly toward me without hesitation and every step felt powerful and claiming.

When he reached me, he took my hand slowly and lowered his head…

…and kissed the back of my hand before everyone and gasp exploded around us and my pulse jumped wildly.

Zyren growled instantly and the sound shocked everyone.

His wolf nearly surfaced publicly and Vaelor glanced toward him lazily and then he smirked.

“You abandoned what was priceless.”

Silence crashed across the courtyard and Zyren’s face changed instantly and for the first time…

I saw shame openly in his eyes. Real shame.

Vaelor’s thumb brushed slowly across my hand.

Mine.

The gesture felt possessive and dangerous and somehow…

Zyren looked seconds away from losing control completely.

….

Later that night, I stood alone on the balcony staring at the moon. My chest felt heavy, too many emotions, too much anger, too much pain and then footsteps approached behind me.

I already knew who it was. Zyren.

He stopped behind me silently and for a moment, neither of us spoke and then finally, his voice broke the silence.

“Tell me the truth.”

I closed my eyes slowly and his voice sounded damaged tonight, almost broken.

I turned toward him carefully and the pain in his eyes nearly destroyed my control.

“You really want the truth now?” I whispered.

“Yes.”

My chest burned painfully because this male once meant everything to me and now we stood here like strangers destroyed by lies.

I stared directly into his eyes and then I whispered softly:

“You chose my sister over me.”

The words hit him like a knife and I saw it happen, his face changed completely. I saw pain, guilt and regret and for the first time…

I saw his heart truly broken.

…

That same night, darkness surrounded me and pain rang through my head, my eyes slowly opened, chains were wrapped around my wrists tightly, stone walls surrounded me and underground and fear crawled into my chest instantly.

Then footsteps echoed through the darkness, a familiar voice spoke from the shadows.

A voice I thought I killed three years ago.

“Welcome back to hell, little wolf.”