Not All Heroes Are Guiltless

Chapter 72 (Part 2)

“Stay calm and smile.” Andrew orders in a whisper with his lips resting on my earlobe. My body automatically responds with one of the fakest smiles I’ve ever created. I feel completely disgraced when the queen’s expression is triumphant. I’m scared. He tried to warn me, but I think I have walked into her trap. I have never seen her like this, and I am uncertain why she changed now.

“Princess Aela, glad you arrived. General Andrew, thank you for being punctual.” The queen says while taking my hands. She looks at my hand and gasps in fake shock. “Is it official?”

“Yes.” I say without the ability to second guess myself. Andrew kisses my cheek, and I blush involuntarily, “Will you bless us?”

The Queen smiles is manufactory just like every other feature of her face, and her eyes have a hidden anger, “I couldn’t pick a better pair. Of course, you two have my blessing. Go you two and enjoy this evening together.”

The weight of what is occurring hits me hard. She chose to use my princess title only, and she did not address me as AmAela. She’s denying my wolf almost like she knows my wolf has been severed from me. I’m in a daze as Andrew brings me into the ballroom. Everyone wishes a congratulations, and Andrew never leaves my side. Animosity is building up in my gut, but any time I go to speak out, nothing comes out.

When we reach the banquet, Andrew offers me a drink and then groans angrily when I deny it. My throat is parched, but I want nothing to do with him. He forces me to drink and continues to smile at the congratulations of the passing attendees. Andrew takes my empty goblet and leads me to the dance floor. He pulls me closer to him than ever before. I’m so lost in my internal emotions and finding a weakness in this spell. This has to be a spell, but why could not I see it. Was this always her intentions? Andrew leads me in the dances while his hand grips tighter into fist the longer we dance.

After three dances, I whisper I need air. He looks at me with concern in his eyes but then nods in agreement. He guides me to a private balcony.

The fresh air makes me shudder. I have never had the summer breeze freeze me to the core. The ballgown has no sleeves, and I know my skin is prickled with the lack of my wolf. I try to let my mind fixate on the freedom of the night breeze and not the unbearable cold. Colder than the White North.

Startled, I hear a shuffle in the dark corner, and I instantly I’m perturbed by my lack of awareness. I need to find the weakness in this spell. I have to strain to see him because I can not smell anything but the body order of dancing people. Ethan steps out, and immediately, I feel relief. He should be able to help me. I opened my mouth to scream for him to help, but Andrew grabbed my hand tighter. He pulls on my hip to have me lean onto him.

Ethan’s eyes seem to tear up with Andrew’s movement, and although he’s always accepted my answer that he’s not my mate. He’s always been envious of Andrew and protective of me when Andrew has tried to be territorial. My heart falters when I realize Ethan won’t be able to hear my silent cries for help.

“Generals, forgive me. I was just getting some fresh air. I heard the good news and I’m happy for both of you.” He bows, and I recognize he’s not even looking at me. The hurt and pain in his words ripped me up. Even if he wasn’t my mate, he was someone I trusted and was a good friend. I feel like I’ve lost my friend because of whatever Andrew and Lana have done to me.

I have to think quickly, and then I’m instantly broadsided. He wouldn’t show up to these things if he didn’t have a reason to come in the first place. I smirk, but the expression doesn’t present itself. “Thank you, Ethan. When did you arrive? Last I heard, you were investigating a northern village.”

Ethan seems a bit drawn back, but he keeps his head down away from us, “Yes, I was presented with a problem I was unable to solve. I came down for your advice and concession. It can wait, though. Enjoy your evening, Silence.” Ethan says, trying to lessen the pain in his words. He walks away before he is dismissed, and my disappointment is hidden by the dark spell wrapped around me, which I can’t release.

Andrew pulls me to the rail of the balcony. He cups my face to kiss my lips, and he forces his tongue into my mouth. I’m paralyzed to be able to fight back, and I whimper, unsure if he would be able to hear it.

In a husky, deep voice, he growls into my hair, “I know you resent me for this. It’s for the best, though. I feared what would have happened if she chose someone other than me.”

He pulls away and strokes my cheek, wiping a tear, falling from my eye. He looks so lost with no emotion shaded for me. His hurt is now in full view, and it only makes my anger at him for letting me be caught in this trap.

“I’ve always wanted this, but I know you didn’t. You’ve never been interested in me.” He says calmly, constantly stroking my face and sides. “You accepted me as a friend, but you never saw me as anything more for you.”

I swallow hard, and I know my voice with break, “Andrew, can she hear us?”

“She’s made me a - no, she trusts me enough to have you for myself. She wants something out of us freely.” He whispers into my hair.

“Andrew, lupines only feel the way you want me to with my destined. To be with someone who isn’t yours is an affront to their gods. You are not mine.” I say softly with more tears shedding.

“I miss when you would call me Andy. Is your destined Ethan?” He whispers angrily.

“No.” I say sadly, and Andrew nods his head with a smirk of victory. He feathers kisses down my jaw.

He brings his lips back up to my ear and kisses my nape before whispering. “Good, he will be safe from her. Here’s what we are going to do. We will sleep tonight, and if the problem Ethan needs help with could benefit from you leaving, then we will you on the mission. I promise you.”

“How much longer do we have to stay here?” I croak tenderly.

“Well, my princess, if we keep this up, then I’m certain if we disappear now. No one will think otherwise.”