5

VAELORA woke the next morning, feeling sore everywhere. The early morning sun that filtered through the window blinded her eyes, making her close them shut as she hissed in discomfort.

Turning to the other side of the bed, she noted how straight and properly tucked in the sheets looked. As though no one had lain on it the previous night.

There was a bit of rowdy noise within the House of Veylor, and Vaelora wondered what could be possibly happening.

Forcing herself down Draekon's really comfy bed, she headed towards the window, wanting to know what the noise was all about.

Looking out, she saw the numerous carriages and the wedding guests, all ready to leave back to their various provinces and kingdoms.

She spotted Draekon as well. Alpha Noir stood beside him, as they most certainly thanked the guests for gracing the wedding, and wishing them farewell.

That was supposed to be Vaelora's duty, but she could honestly care less.

Stepping away from the window, she made her way for the bath chambers.

As she brushed her teeth, she stared at herself on the mirror. Her reflection was a stranger. Eyes red, lips swollen, skin pale and exhausted.

Not a Luna. Not a warrior. Just a shattered girl in a golden cage.

The worst mistake she had ever made was coming to the House of Veylor that very day.

If she had stayed back home, then Draekon would have married his DragonBorn chosen mate, and she wouldn't have caught Dione in that position that broke her heart up until now.

She only wanted to show Dione the scroll that had been sent to her from Vexley Keep that morning.

Their final examinations had been graded, and she was the best student amongst the 67th Beta set. She was finally going to reclaim her father's position as Beta, and she couldn't be happier.

Vaelora shook her head off these plaguing thoughts, stepping into the bathtub for a bath.

As the water cascaded down her body, she couldn't help but resume her thoughts

The actual irony of all these, was that she and Dione were set to get married in the coming month. That was their second attempt at planning their wedding.

The first time was nine years ago. Draekon had ruined it.

And now that she thought of it, he was still connected to the failure of their second attempt.

After stepping out of the bath chambers, she applied some skin oil and threw on one of the few clothes she had been able to move into Draekon's chambers yesterday.

Just then, the sentinels stationed at the entrance of her chambers announced Zayn's presence.

"His lordship, High Lord Zayn is here to see the Luna."

"Let him in." Vaelora muttered, hoping they heard her.

The next second, the doors opened and Zayn walked in, his eyes going soft the moment he saw her.

"Heyyyy...." He whispered, making his way towards her. His heart broke to see her that way.

Crushed.

Vaelora stood and ran into his embrace, her wet hair leaving his robe damp.

"How are you?" He asked as soon as they pulled apart, genuinely concerned.

"Zayn, I feel like..... I'm dyinggg....." She broke into a fit of tears.

"Shhhh.... You're not." Zayn softly rebuked, gently patting her on the back.

Even he, was still yet to get over his shock. Never in his wildest imaginations, had he thought Draekon and Vaelora could be mated to each other.

Could be married!!

And it had all happened so fast.

He had half expected Draekon to sever the bond, but was even more surprised when he didn't.

"Zayn....." Vaelora paused her cries. "Has he returned?"

Ever since her rejection, she hadn't set eyes on Dione. She had learned about his fight with Draekon from Zayn, and also about his disappearance on the morning of her wedding.

"Not yet." Zayn replied.

"But you shouldn't worry yourself, Dione can handle himself. He probably needs some time to get over the life changing events of this past week."

Life changing events indeed.

Vaelora looked up at him, so much uncertainty in her eyes.

"Maybe I shouldn't have rejected him. Dione."

Zayn wasn't sure how he felt hearing that.

Surely, Vaelora didn't hate Draekon to the extent of wishing to remain with Dione, even after what he did.

"It was just a mistake, right? Dione loves me."

"No, Lora." Zayn shook his head, feeling somewhat disappointed.

"What?" She whispered, gently pulling away from his hold.

His reply sounded to her like betrayal.

"So you'd rather I married the very person who killed my father? The same person who made my wolf go silent for seven years now?"

It wasn't news that Vaelora had lost connection with her werewolf, due to the trauma of losing her father.

That was also the reason she had never felt Dione's betrayal all these while. He had clearly been cheating on her for a while now.

But she never felt the pain of his betrayal like every normal werewolf should, when their mates were unfaithful, because her wolf was silent.

And Dione knew.....

Now that she thought about it, his constant betrayal of their bond has been a deliberate act.

He knew she'd never know he was unfaithful, as long as her wolf remained inaccessible.

Fresh fury brewed within her.

What the hell was she thinking?

Dione deserved her rejection and even more!

"That's not it, Lora."

Zayn sighed, unsure how to go about this.

"You're pretty much married to Draekon already. Nothing else can be done."

The place fell silent for a moment, until Vaelora broke it.

She wasn't going to back down. She wasn't going to let Draekon and Dione play her like a pawn in their game of politics and infidelity.

"What if something can be done?" She whispered.

Zayn's brows kissed each other, wondering where she was headed.

"It had occured to me to disappear before the wedding....." Vaelora whispered, holding Zayn's shocked gaze.

"You can't do that anymore, Vaelora." He rushed out, looking worried.

"Of course, I can't." She sighed. "It would be such a disgrace on my family name. I mean, that's why I didn't do it then. I thought about how my mother had left dad and I, and I still hate her for it. I don't want to become her."

"I don't want that for you too."

"But.... I can still leave this marriage in an honourable way, Zayn. Something that the council would approve."

Zayn stared at her in silence, unsure what was going through her mind.

"There's always a way. A loophole. I just need to find that loophole. Please help me, Zayn."

********************

It was evening already, and Vaelora hadn't stepped a foot out. Neither had Draekon come into their chambers.

Only Marina; one of the maids, had dropped by in the morning and afternoon with breakfast and lunch.

Just then, the door opened to reveal Draekon.

"Good evening." He muttered, but she said nothing in return.

A helpless frown made its way to Vaelora's face, as she watched him take off his outer robe and made his way into the bath chambers.

After some minutes, he stepped out in just a bath wrap, tied really low around his waist.

Almost immediately, Vaelora turned to the other side of the bed.

She could only hope that abrupt action of hers hadn't give away the idea that..... for a slight second, seeing him that way had disturbed her in a way she couldn't really explain.

For the next few minutes, she heard shuffles from his end, until he eventually spoke.

"I will be leaving for the Shadow Fang Province tomorrow." He informed.

She felt the other side of the bed dip, indicating he had just laid down.

Her skin crawled at the thought that she was now in a helpless position of sharing the same bed as Draekon.

"Don't know how long I'll be gone for, but I trust you to stay safe until then." He continued.

Vaelora said nothing, only hoping she would have been able to find that loophole before he returned.

But for now, she had to endure having him next to her, smelling so.......

Infuriatingly good.