Chapter 5

Kaela's POV

Leila slowly shook her head. “I'm afraid not, my lady.”

Shit! I've barely adjusted here and I'm already making enemies. And among the highly positioned ones, too.

But honestly, this was ridiculous. One second, I was walking with Leila minding my own business. And then, the Lycan king’s sister-in-law decides I'm going to be her next target? And for what, for fainting during a public ceremony that had nothing to do with her? As if I give a damn what she thinks about me!

I could still feel Xerathia’s cold gaze, almost boring holes in my back. Goddess, I could feel her killing intent from way over here.

I turned to face her, thinking of what to say next when Xerathia looked past me.

“Rhaedros, thank heavens you're here, your werewolf bride just insulted me!” Xerathia declared dramatically.

Wait, what? Rhaedros? And wasn’t this tramp the one who insulted me first?

Before I could speak, Xerathia continued. “Your bride lacks manners, respect and any semblance of proper decorum! Where did you bring her from? The farm market?”

My blood boiled. That's it!

“I never insulted you, granny glamour!” I snapped.

She gasped in shock. “Granny what? —”

I cut her off before she could continue. “You're the one who insulted me by calling me an embarrassment for fainting at my own binding ceremony which you didn’t even bother to attend, by the way!”

Xerathia glared at me with so much intensity a drop of sweat trickled down my nape. This hateful lordly female stared at me like she wanted to burn me alive.

I felt a familiar heat behind me and I froze. It was obvious that he was behind me.

“Your Majesty!” All the maids chorused with a bow.

Xerathia saw it as an opportunity to continue her rants. “Discipline your bride, Rhaedros!”

I bristled. “Bride? Just so you know, my name is Kaela and how dare you say that I need to be disciplined? I wasn’t the one calling other people names, you rude, surly grandma! Besides, do I look like a misbehaving puppy to you?”

Xerathia snorted derisively as she exclaimed at me, “You are insufferable, you ~”

However, before she could bite me with her reply, Rhaedros did something that made everyone stop breathing. He ignored Xerathia entirely and took my hand, pulling me away.

No shouting.

No explanations.

No arguing.

He just left, dragging me along and leaving Xerathia and everyone else in the hallway in silence since they all were too stunned to speak. I looked back and stole a glance at Xerathia's face. Her expression was almost like she had swallowed a really, really bitter and very sour lemon.

She mouthed, “I'll make you pay.”

I stuck out my tongue at her and mouthed back. “Get a life, granny sourpuss.”

By the time we reached Rhaedros' private chambers, I had so many questions. And also - why was his hand still holding mine?

As soon as we stepped inside, he released me and turned to the guards. “No one disturbs us.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.” They chorused and exited the room quietly.

When they were gone, Rhaedros turned to me. “How are you feeling?”

I blinked, unsure of how to reply but I settled on one. “My feelings? Well, I feel like I was assaulted by a Lycan”

To my surprise, he laughed… And it was an actual, deep, amused guffaw.

“You’re laughing. That's new,” I admitted with a small smile.

He shook his head, a small smirk still on his lips, and stepped closer. “Why? Have you never seen a man laugh before?”

“Ummm… I have never seen YOU laugh yet,” I confessed with a short giggle.

Rhaedros’ golden eyes scanned my face, and then to my absolute surprise, his hand came up and brushed against my cheek.

I instantly tensed up. What was he doing?

“Are you still in pain?” He crooned gently.

I swallowed hard. “I... I'm fine. Why do you care?”

He didn't answer, instead he kept stroking his finger over my cheek. His touch, which was supposed to feel foreign to me, felt oddly familiar. It was a sensation that was unexplainable, like my skin has felt being touched by him before.

That couldn’t be possible, could it?

“So…” I asked hesitantly. “What happens now? A honeymoon?”

Rhaedros laughed again and pulled me close. “No. The werewolf world and Lycan world are very different, Kaela.”

My cheeks turned red at our close contact. “Y - yeah? How different?” I inquired trying to tone down my shyness at his proximity.

His thick brows furrowed and he placed his hand on my forehead. “Your cheeks are suddenly so red. Are you okay?”

I pushed his hand away, still too timid to answer. But before he could respond, there was a sharp knock on the door.

A guard stepped in. “The council requests your presence immediately, Your Grace.”

Rhaedros exhaled in resignation. “Inform them that I’ll be there shortly.”

He turned to me to say something but I shook my head and smiled. “It’s fine. You can leave. Don’t worry about me.”

Rhaedros tried to touch me but his hand lingered in midair and he turned on his heels.

When he was gone, I took one look at the room and tapped my feet on the floor. “I can't stay here.”

An idea formed in my head as I exited his room. I admit I have never been this excited to eavesdrop before but my chest was heaving with exhilaration at the thought of doing so.

I watched a few meters away from him as I saw him enter an unguarded room. After sneaking up quietly towards the locked entrance where my new spouse disappeared into, I pressed my ear against the door, listening closely.

“... the werewolf bride,” I heard Xerathia's cool voice. “You saw what happened in the Everbinding Ceremony? She has no strength or discipline! She cannot~”

“The Everbinding Ceremony was successful,” another female voice cut her off. “I didn't think Lady Kaela would survive it but she did. She's the one, I’m absolutely certain of it.”

An awkward silence followed and I leaned away from the door.

Why would they think I wouldn't survive the binding ceremony with Rhaedros?

And more importantly, I’m the one? The one for what?