Wanted by my sworn enemy

11. A conclusion

She mustered up the courage to meet his piercing golden eyes and spoke defiantly, "You think I'm your damn mate? You really believe that, huh? Let me tell you something, Gael, I didn't come back for you. I came back for revenge. Revenge on everyone who has ever wronged me, including you."

Gael's lips curled into a wry smile, his voice dripping with arrogance, "Ah, revenge. How fitting for a succubus. But don't be so quick to deny the undeniable connection between us. I can feel it, Lilorith. The way you respond to me, the way your body reacts when we're near each other. It's primal, it's raw. You can't deny it."

Lilorith scoffed, her voice laced with sarcasm, "Oh yes, because succubi and werewolves make such a perfect match. Tell me, Gael, would a mighty wolf like you ever stoop so low as to mate with a demon like me? Or are we just convenient playthings for each other's desires?"

Gael's gaze hardened, his voice low and dangerous, "I'm not one to conform to society's standards, Lilorith. And I certainly don't let others dictate my choices. If you think I would deny my desires because of some ridiculous notion of what's acceptable, then you clearly don't know me at all."

A mixture of surprise and confusion flashed across Lilorith's face. She hadn't expected Gael to challenge societal norms so boldly. Perhaps there was more to him than met the eye.

"But make no mistake," Gael continued, his tone turning colder, "I won't let you bring chaos into my pack. You may have your revenge, but you will do it without causing harm to my people. If you cross that line, Lilorith, you will face the consequences."

Lilorith's eyes narrowed, a fire igniting within her, "Oh, don't worry, Gael. I have no interest in your pathetic pack. My revenge goes far beyond that. Just remember, you're not the only one with secrets and hidden motives."

Gael's expression hardened even further, his voice laced with a warning, "Be careful, Lilorith. Playing with fire may get you burned."

Lilorith chuckled darkly, a mischievous glint in her eyes, "Oh, I intend to burn, Gael. And I won't let anything or anyone stand in my way, not even you."

Their intense staring match was interrupted by a servant timidly entering the room, sensing the tension. The servant spoke with a shaky voice, "Apologies for the intrusion, Lord Gael, but there's urgent news from the scouts in the eastern section of Les Lunora."

Gael's attention shifted away from Lilorith, his alpha instincts taking over. "Show her to my room," he commanded the servant.

As Gael turned to leave, his voice held a warning tone, "Remember what I said, Lilorith. Stay out of my way, or you'll regret it."

Lilorith smirked, her eyes glinting with defiance, "We'll see about that, Gael. We'll see."

Lilorith followed the servant through the opulent halls of the palace, her eyes scanning the intricate tapestries and gilded decorations that adorned the walls.

It was clear that Gael held considerable power and influence, reflected in the grandeur of his surroundings.

The servant stopped in front of a set of elaborately carved double doors and hesitated before opening them. "This is Lord Gael's personal chambers, milady," the servant murmured respectfully. "He instructed me to show you in."

Lilorith nodded, her gaze fixed on the doors. She took a deep breath, preparing herself for whatever awaited her on the other side. Pushing aside her reservations, she stepped forward, crossing the threshold into Gael's private sanctuary.

The room was a blend of elegance and masculinity, reflecting Gael's taste and status. Moonlight filtered through the tall windows, casting a soft glow over the space.

Lilorith's eyes were drawn to a magnificent bed, draped in rich fabrics and adorned with wolf motifs. It was a reminder of Gael's dual nature, the wolf and the man.

She managed to get herself ready for bed, as per the maid's instructions and encouragement.

Feeling quite petty, she arranged the bed in a way that made it seem like she wanted to sleep alone. By placing herself in the middle and placing all the many big pillows surrounding her. In hopes that the arrangement would scream STAY AWAY.

Her chest hurt. She was afraid and unsure. All these feelings washed around her until she finally drifted off to sleep.

----

The morning light shone straight into his eye. Dreading this moment. His pack would be meeting her.

It was customary for a pair of soon-to-be mated wolves to show up to the pack's mandatory breakfast and announce their future partnering.

He took a deep breath and noticed she did the same. He peeked at her, lying in the center of his bed. From his uncomfortable position on the couch, he noticed her eyes were already watching him.

He could tell they both hadn't gotten much rest. Although he had found her asleep, she had woken up as soon as he had entered the room late into the night.

She hadn't opened her eyes, but he could hear her heart rate change.

Now, in the early morning light, his eyes fell closed. Tapping into his supernatural abilities as best he could, Gael listened for it, the peaceful thrumming of her heart.

It was better than last night. Growing more accustomed to his presence? It suddenly started speeding up again.

"What's wrong, Lilorith?" he breathed, opening his eyes.

"I just wanted to hurt her back." Her trembling eyes looked up at the ceiling as though she were trying to avoid the waterworks. "I don't know what to do with myself anymore. All my wants, needs, and dreams have been blown away in the wind, and I can see it. Call it a witch's intuition or whatever. But I foresee us getting caught up in a stupid damn war." She took a shaky breath.

Gael's brows furrowed as he listened to Lilorith's words. Her vulnerability and uncertainty were evident, even if she tried to hide them behind a facade of defiance. He couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy, though he knew he couldn't let his guard down.

"I understand that you're hurting, Lilorith," he replied, his voice softer than before. "But revenge won't fill the void inside you. It will only consume you and lead to more pain."

Lilorith scoffed, her voice laced with bitterness. "You think you know me? You think you understand what I've been through? Don't pretend to be some saintly savior. I never asked for your understanding or sympathy."

Gael's jaw clenched, his frustration simmering beneath the surface. "I'm not pretending, Lilorith. I've had my fair share of darkness and pain. But I've learned that revenge is a never-ending cycle. It won't bring you peace."

She turned her head to look at him, her eyes filled with a mix of defiance and anguish. "Peace? Who said anything about peace? I want justice, Gael. I want those who have wronged me to pay for their actions. Is that too much to ask?"

Gael sighed, his voice tinged with resignation. "There's a difference between justice and vengeance, Lilorith. Revenge may provide a temporary satisfaction, but it won't heal the wounds that run deep. Trust me, I've been down that path."

Lilorith's gaze hardened, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Oh, forgive me for not taking life advice from a wolf who's never truly seen any challenges, living in such a luxurious palace. You do understand that the demons probably expect me to kill you, right?"

Gael's eyes narrowed, the weight of their situation pressing upon him. "The demons may have their expectations, Lilorith, but we cannot let them dictate our actions. We have to rise above their assumptions and prove them wrong. Killing me won't solve anything. It will only escalate the tension and lead to further chaos. And what would you do without a mate?"

Lilorith scoffed, her tone filled with skepticism. "And what do you suggest we do, Gael? Play nice and pretend like everything's alright? You really think that will fool anyone?"

Gael sighed, running a hand through his tousled hair. "No, it's not about pretending, but about finding common ground. We have a common enemy, Lilorith, whether you want to acknowledge it or not. The demons are a threat to both us."

She crossed her arms, her eyes locked with his in a fierce stare. "And what if I don't want to fight alongside you? What if I choose to go my own way?"

Gael's voice hardened, his alpha authority resonating in his words. "Then you'll be making a grave mistake. You know better than anyone, the demons will show no mercy, and if we stand divided, we will fall."

A flicker of uncertainty flashed in Lilorith's eyes, but she quickly masked it with defiance. "Fine, I'll play along for now. But don't think I'm doing it for your sake. I have my own reasons for wanting to see those demons pay."

Gael nodded, a hint of understanding in his eyes. "I know you have your own motivations, Lilorith. And as long as we keep our focus on the bigger picture, we might just stand a chance. We'll need to show unity to our pack and the other supernatural factions during the trials for the new king."

Lilorith raised an eyebrow, curiosity replacing some of her hostility. "Trials for the new king?"

Gael took a deep breath, gathering his thoughts before explaining. "The trials will determine who will lead the Supernatural World Order. It's a crucial time for all species, a moment when we need a strong leader who can bring everyone together. If we present a fractured front, we'll weaken our chances of survival."

Lilorith's gaze softened slightly, the weight of their impending struggle beginning to sink in. "So, we'll have to show a facade of unity. Is that it?"

Gael nodded, his voice tinged with a touch of urgency. "More than a facade, Lilorith. We'll have to find a way to bridge our differences. We're mates after all."

Lilorith's expression wavered between skepticism and consideration. The weight of their circumstances bore down upon her, and a part of her recognized the necessity of Gael's words.

"Fine," she finally relented, her voice lacking its previous hostility. "I'll play your little game, Gael. But don't think for a moment that this changes anything between us."

Gael rolled his eyes. He was beginning to get used to her defiance at every corner.