Chapter 20 - Another Step.

-Aurelia-

*After Few Hours.*

“My Queen,” Sorya called with excitement.

I and Azura finished up the closet where we were arranging some of our clothes and went to her.

She pointed at the bed. She had brought out some of my clothes and paired them with the eight veils, “here, according to one of my father's letters, he said you should dress beautifully and neatly.”

I nodded, true… uncle Diomar had mentioned in his letter that since I would be seeing and feeding the Alpha King daily, I should pay more attention to my dressing, not anything extravagant but beautiful and neat. He had even sent us more clothes and supplies.

I smiled… I love Uncle Diomar, grateful to the goddess… he has been my driving and pushing force.

“This is nice.” I said as I picked one of the pairs up, I began to undress and then I stood before the mirror, my eyes catching my royal drawings at my back.

I got them at an early age, it was a drawing of the howling head of a wolf facing the crescent moon and then four stars followed after the moon. This drawing was particularly to the Draxmere royal family, it could differ with the wolf facing something else but this was the identity of northern royalty, even Sorya had one.

Azura turned me around, I was now facing her, Sorya came forward and the both of them dressed me up, tied my veil.

Azura's lips pulled into a big grin, “Oh by the goddess! My queen, you are so beautiful.” I was about to turn to check the mirror but Sorya stopped me.

“Wait.” She rushed to one of the bags Uncle Diomar had sent alongside his letters, she brought out the grinded fine substance and a thin brush, she hurried to me.

Sorya deep the brush into the fine substance and dusted my closed eyes with it, she also brushed my eyes browns and lashes.

“Now, you can look.” She said, I turned and slowly opened my eyes and my eyes goes wide.

“Is this me?” I asked as I stared at the reflection in surprise.

I had to move closer to the mirror, I didn't change but the definition in my eyes was so sharp and detailed, I looked the same but in a defined way.

“Yes, my queen.” Azura smiled, “I can't wait for this to be over and see you in your beauty and glory.”

My smile fell a little, “Even with the scars on my face?”

Sorya hissed, “What? Even with them, you are more beautiful.” Azura nodded in agreement and that made my smile return.

I twirl in front of the mirror, my smile growing bigger.

“I would grind some herbs into that powder to give it a fine fragrance.”

I loved the smell but I did prefer to have either my lavender or hibiscus in it, I am sure it would make it better. I have been obsessed with lavender and hibiscus since I was younger. I love the fragrance they emit, little wonder I used them for my bath and hair wash.

“Hibiscus and lavender?” Sorya asked with a knowing smile.

I nodded, “I love them.”

Azura smiled, “Yeah, we know. I just hope they don't love you so much to grow on your head, my queen.”

I chuckled as I playfully hit Azura on her arm.

“Let's try more dresses.” Sorya picked up another pair while Azura helped me out of the dress I was wearing.

After we were done checking out the dresses, Sorya brought out a big bottle and placed it on the table.

Seeing the bottle Azura took a deep breath, her smile fading, “But my queen, do you have to take these suppressants?” Her concerned and fear filled eyes held mine, “This is way stronger than the ones we have been taking.”

Sorya turned to Azura, a slight frown touching her face, “Come on, Azura, you are making this look like a death mission. They are just suppressants.”

“I know but they are way too strong.” Azura pressed, she wasn't welcoming the idea at all.

Sorya frown goes deeper as she folded her arms, “It's just for this time and after the mission is done, we can all stop taking it to have our wolves back naturally. You know that.”

“I do.” She said, “But…” Azura paused, she sighed again, stood to her feet and bowed to me and then to Sorya.

And that didn't sit well with me… That action she just did showed that she resigned her discourse because we were higher than her in status, she seems to remind herself that she was just a maid…. And I didn't like that.

“Azura,” I called, my voice stern, “You can speak, I am listening.” I never used my queen's voice but I know if I didn't Azura wouldn't want to speak.

“My Queen, Azura's concerns are more than it should be.” Sorya spoke instead.

“Let her speak, Sorya.”

Sorya bowed and sat down.

Azura gave a small smile as she took my hands in hers, “I know we are on a revenge mission and you are the one at the frontline but my queen, these suppressants are the strongest just as you requested of lord Draxmere, but, I have read that they would be bad for the health.”

I said nothing only stared at my concerned and worried sister.

“I don't want you getting sick and the sickness it brings can be so terrifying and terrible. I am worried about your health, my queen.”

I took in a deep breath and exhaled.

“You are right. And I appreciate your worry and concern. I love that you care, Azura.” I placed my hands on her shoulders and pulled her into a hug before disengaging, “but, I have to. I can't risk the chance of being smelled out.”

And also I can risk the chance of my wolf suddenly having to notice the pull that the fated mates feels.

I can't risk having my wolf get pulled by the Alpha King's wolf.

I can't risk acknowledging the fate between us.

Azura nodded slowly.

Sorya stood beside us as she patted Azura, “You could make herbs for my queen, so that she feels better.”

“Hmmm…” I thought for a while and nodded, “That's a brilliant idea, Sorya. Taking herbal teas to reduce its sickly effects.”

And then like magic, Azura's smile returned, big and full of light that it made me smile too.

“I would do just that.” Azura nodded.

We all went to the table, as Sorya opened the bottle, they both had to hold up their nose, the smell was so strong and weakening that as I inhaled it I could feel my strength leave me, I had to firmly plant my feet on the floor to avoid staggering backwards.

Sorya quickly turned some of it into a cup, filling it up per my instructions, she replaced the bottle lid and I took the cup and gulped down its content.

I grimaced, “Bitter!”

Sorya and Azura giggled as they put down their hands from their noses.

I staggered backwards my body following weakly, they both held me and guided me to the bed, I laid down.

“Azura would make the herbs later in the evening, so you can take them.”

I nodded as I closed my eyes to sleep.

***

I bowed my head as I stood before the Beta and the Healer, I see them exchanged glances and that made me more anxious than when the summon came some times ago.

It was almost midnight but here I am, standing before them, making me wonder what could be going on.

“Go ahead, Elder Sage.” Beta Ilan said.

The healer cleared his throat and the next words that came out had my eyes almost popping out of my head.

“From now on, you will be sleeping with Alpha King Alaric.”

“What?!”