Taming the Rogue King

Crazy Idea

Liam

As they sat in the library Sarena began, "it doesn't take rocket science to see that Ira's most successful attempt has been when Monike was seducing you. She unleashed her powers when she was in pain with your decision! So I have a good plan."

She laid down the steps of her plans… “One, you ask Monike to move in. Her constant presence around you might trigger a survival response in Ira and she might return. Two, if the first step doesn’t work, you seduce Monike. I am sure the touch of another woman would motivate Ira to come back. And three, if that doesn’t work either, you get engaged to Monike. Let's keep the real engagement here in the library with a very small group of guests and the party can happen as Monike has planned. The bonds of engagement and marriage are magical. I am sure Ira would come back with the last option!” Sarena had smiled, looking at the horror on Liam’s face.

Liam felt repulsed by the idea. It was wrong at so many levels! “Are you sure it will work? Or will you then ask me to marry and mate with Monike?” He growled and spoke slowly with menace. He was surprised to see that Sarena did not flinch. Ben was covering due to the anger emanating from Liam.

James sat relaxed, holding Kirra close. If Kirra was scared too, Liam could not know, as James' touch kept her calm.

It was getting more and more difficult to control his frustrations. And he would not trouble Ira with this jealousy provoking behaviour anymore. He had already hurt her enough. Mate bond was too sacred to play with it casually. The only reason his mate wasn’t with him today was the stupid call for engagement. He should have just waited until the meeting of the alliance. Everything could have been so different. The meeting had been so successful.

“Should haves and could haves don’t solve a problem! They increase the burden on your shoulders and leave you in constant struggle” Sarena remarked, somehow picking up his train of thoughts.

“I need time to think.” Liam ran a hand through his hair. “I can’t decide like this. I want to do everything to get Ira here, but doing what you say will be traumatic to Ira and unfair to Monike.”

“Take your time, boy. But don’t cancel the engagement as yet.” Sarena said, and he felt relieved. “I will stay in Ira’s room for a few days until Ira returns. Give a shout when you need me.” She said with a finality that he couldn’t protest with.

He would not be able to walk into Ira’s room anymore. He scowled at Sarena's confidence, but it was better to have the old witch close by.

“Okay. Please head to the dining hall for dinner. I will get the room prepared for your stay.” He conceded. At least he would get Ira's belongings moved into his closet. That would give him some peace.

“Oh! Don’t bother. I have already moved Ira’s stuff into your closet. I don’t want anyone snooping around in the room that I am going to live in. We witches cherish our privacy,” Sarena responded, and got up to walk out.

Liam shrugged. “If that’s what you want!”

Hours turned into days, and he hadn’t felt Ira’s presence or scent again. The book rested on his bedside table. The scent of frangipani was trapped in its pages and it helped him sleep. Sarena hadn't bothered him again, but he knew it was coming. She wouldn't wait forever to hear his decision.

After Sarena’s meeting, his Lycan had been ruminating. Like Liam, he too felt that using Monike was a bad idea. Day after day passed and he hadn’t called off the engagement yet. Monike had kept herself busy with the party arrangements, which was a relief.

But he was getting worried about the absence of Ira’s scent. While he was brooding, he heard a knock at the front door and heard it open.

Who could come uninvited? Only Ben and Bella had extra keys. He had confiscated Monike's.

He threw a T-shirt on with his denims and walked into the living room to see Sarena. She hurried to the bar counter and exchanging no niceties, began. “Have you decided yet?”

He shook his head, She swore. “Make up your mind, boy! I don’t have a good feeling about this. Something is off! Ira should have attempted to get here again. I am not able to connect with her. A few days back she had summoned me in her dreams and I was able to talk to her. But that portal is sealed now. I cannot communicate with her anymore. It is ominous!”

Liam reached out to his Lycan as Sarena headed for a whiskey. ‘We should agree.’

‘No way! I will not hurt Ira anymore!’ The bullheaded Lycan was clear.

‘Ira isn’t here! We need to get her here first. I have no better plans than what Sarena suggested. Aren’t you missing her presence?' Liam tried to reason, but he got nothing in reply.

A sharp, piercing pain shot through his chest and he buckled over.

He had to remember to breathe, to avoid fainting. He sat down on the couch and tried to manage the pain, but it kept stinging. His Lycan whined and whimpered. ‘She is rejecting us. I know this pain! It is the agony of rejection.’

‘No! She hasn't rejected us yet. Why would she do it now? Do you think she has found someone?’ Liam questioned his whining Lycan even as the pain continued to plague them.

‘Nooo…No…’ the Lycan continued and Liam blocked his cries.

He gathered his strength and said aloud, “I will do it. I can’t tolerate Monike’s presence in my living space, so I won’t ask her to move in. I will ask her out for dinner tomorrow night and make out with her. Do you think that will work?”

Sarena chuckled, “Oh, it should, I believe.” She added the last part as an afterthought.

“But two things I WILL NOT do! I will not get engaged to her and I will not have s*x.”

Sarena nodded. “I understand. I am okay with the first, but not sure of the second bit. If you really want Ira here, whatever you do with Monike will need to be real. If I have your permission, I would like to call Kirra over, so she is with me when you are with Monike. She can be a good backup. She will be able to communicate with you if I am unable to.”

“Sure. And what about James?”

“James will join us if he is needed,” Sarena remarked and got off the bar stool with surprising agility. She handed him a capsule and said, “Keep this pill with you. You might need it tomorrow.”

“What is it?” Liam took the blister pack with a single capsule in it.

“You will know it when you have to take it,” said Sarena and walked out.

He stared at the capsule. It had no name or instructions on it. The silver foil completely covered the pill. These witches are so enigmatic! They reveal nothing! How am I going to work with them? Should I really trust them?

His Lycan did not respond. He was still whimpering, although the pain had lessened.

Hopefully, the easing of pain was good news!

*****