The She-wolf and The Prince

Love Remains.

CHAPTER 14

April 10, 1812 Nottinghamshire

The night had already veiled the sky with its black veil. Standing with her hands clasped on her balcony, Alia watched the crescent moon and the stars surrounding her. She stood straight in her red silk dress, her hair tied up in a low bun. She had changed in the three months since her wedding; her appearance was more feminine and her smile was gone. Only her eyes had kept their blue color when she wasn't using her vampire powers. In which case, they became darker.

- Does he too have his eyes fixed on this star? Or has he given up looking at the stars?

She closed her eyes in exasperation.

"What do I care," she thought.

There was a knock at the door.

- Come in, Alois," she said.

She had recognized him by his scent, and even though she didn't have a keen sense of smell, he had a special aura that invited her to trust him. It was for this reason that he was the only one besides his own servants to enter her room; even her dear husband was not invited. He was anything but a man she could rely on, she knew. Alois entered the room and came to join her. His hands clasped behind his back, he in turn contemplated the sky.

- You still think about him.

- Not at all.

- Ah, love! "Love is a tyrant that spares no one.

- Pierre Corneille.

- That's right.

- Why talk to me about love when I feel hatred?

- Because love breeds hate. Don't hide your face and admit that in the depths of your being, you still have even a hint of feeling towards him. Otherwise, you wouldn't want to capture him and ask him for an explanation before killing him. Besides, you would not have kept his writings.

- You are mistaken. The reason I want answers about his actions is because of Hiden's behavior.

Alois raised an eyebrow. He knew Alia had gained insight, so there was no way the crown prince could have hidden his intentions from her any longer. He hoped with all his heart that his sister understood that there might be reason to doubt the events of almost a year ago.

- Enlighten me.

- Hiden had once asked me what I would do if I found myself facing Ryan. I told him I wanted to have a conversation with him before I killed him and dashed the hopes of the wolves. Since that day, he keeps advising me at each of our meetings to eliminate Ryan before he tries to confuse me with his words.

- This must be the best possible solution for him. I guess he must be hiding something to not want information that could be valuable.

- I came to this conclusion myself, especially since I felt he was nervous, whereas he had always been so calm by nature that even his heart never betrayed him.

- Do you think he had something to do with what happened that night?

- Maybe he did. We'll see in time.

- Okay. What about the story Ryan wrote?

- It's just to burn them before his eyes.

- I guess you didn't read it.

- That's right, I didn't read it. It would have done me no good to read the lies. Did you?

- I didn't even look at it. I respect the privacy of others, you know?

- If you say so.

- You still love him, I can feel it.

- I hate it. Don't you want to understand that? He used me for my old pack's agenda.

- From what I could hear of your conversation with Hiden, nothing has been confirmed.

- I know that now. However, there are some very disturbing coincidences.

- I am aware of that. But don't let your negative emotions prevent you from discerning the hidden truths.

They remained silent for a long time, each one immersed in his own thoughts, barely listening to the cries of the nocturnal animals and insects. The minutes passed.

- What will you do when you come face to face with Ryan? Be honest. Alois finally said to break the silence.

Alia's fingers tightened and she bit her lips. The answer that seemed obvious to her became a doubt.

- I'll ask him for an explanation and then kill him.

- Are you sure? What if you found out he wasn't at fault?

- Do you have any information that I don't know about?

- No, I don't. I was just making that assumption.

- I see. In that case, I don't have an answer for you.

- Let's say he was hypnotized by Hiden.

- I thought about that, but he wasn't.

- How can you be so sure?

Then she remembered their first time and his dark irises. He hadn't been hypnotized then. Her cheeks flushed and shivers ran down her body. How many times had she not dreamed of this since then? She was confused, but her hatred took over. Nevertheless, her heart continued to beat wildly. Alois felt the change in her, because he could detect it. But he didn't make any comments.

- I just know it. I just know. I don't have to explain it.

- If you say so... By the way...

He leaned over to whisper in her ear.

- Ryan is in France, more precisely in Paris. He is there under the name of Alaric Devilier.

Alia's face betrayed no emotion, but her interlocutor could listen to her heart, which had betrayed her.

- Tell me, did you like Ryan?

- Why this sudden question?

- Once he told me how you let him get beaten up by Hiden and Anemone. He wanted you to help him, but you turned your back on him instead.

- I hated him. And if I hadn't reacted, it was only for his own good. He would have suffered much more when I left. You know what I mean? Family comes first for me.

- You could have protected him.

- Yes, I could have. I should have. he murmured.

There was silence again, and this time they didn't say another word until daybreak, each enjoying the other's company.

The dawn came soft and warm thanks to the spring. The sky was tinged with pure blue and yellow. The birds were already singing and the two supernatural beings standing on the balcony increased their hearing to better appreciate the melodious sound.

- I have to go now," said Alois. We have a training session in a few minutes.

- I won't be able to forget it.

- I won't be able to forget it. I'll see you later.

- See you later. See you later, and thanks for staying.

- I did it for myself, because I enjoy your company.

He withdrew with a smile on his face. As for Alia, she stayed a minute longer and then went to take a shower and put on appropriate clothes.

Now in black pants and shirt, she joined Alois in the woods inside the estate. It was a piece of forest belonging to the Harrington estate that had become an impromptu training ground for the two vampires.

- Ready to take me down?" asked Alois playfully.

- Of course," replied Alia, determined to beat him.

She hadn't been able to get the better of him in all these months and knew that the youngest son of the Harringtons was undoubtedly the strongest of the siblings.

- Good. Let's get started.

Alia used her speed to attack her brother head on. She sent a punch to his abdomen, but her elder brother parried it and then retaliated with an elbow to the neck. Despite the power of the attack, the hybrid hardly felt a thing as wolves have tougher than normal skin and muscles.

- Do you really think you can beat me?

- Yes, I think so. I'm sure of it.

Alois received a blow from the ball that made his nose bleed. Determined not to lose again, Alia kept on punching and kicking. She was sure she would win, and she had the means to do so...