Lost Him Again

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CHAPTER 12

The days drifted by fast, soon it was already the seventh day. Her brothers had been good to her, making sure she had everything she needed even without asking.

As cool as her life here was, something else sparked in Aurelia, tugging at her chest. 

There was a huge concern in her mind. She knew behind those charming smiles her brother showed, worry hid in the wrinkled lines at the corner of their eyes. 

It was all linked to her outing days ago. 

Aurelia stepped out of her chambers, taking a stroll down the palace halls to the garden, her light blue gown sweeping the floors so gracefully. Ever since the day she went scouting, she found out more than she could have wished to know. 

Sadly her kingdom wasn’t in the best of state and were in need of help due to the drought that affected their crops that year. It was what led to the transaction between the brothers and the Lycan King in the first place.

Without being told, she knew this marriage alliance would do them more good than backing out, but the question remained, was she ready?

Since marriage was an option, her mind was preoccupied with other means to solve the problem in the kingdom.

‘If only I can be of better use.’ Her shoulders dropped, a deep breath leaving her lips as the wind tousled her hair behind her. 

While she had those thoughts, her eyes caught sight of the familiar black hair with golden highlights and her breathing stopped.  

Badum! Badum!

At first, she thought it was the Lycan King but the second he turned, her gaze locked on his mask. 

It was him—the man whom she had been sent to his bed on her night of escape. 

‘Bloody hell!’ Aurelia gasped.

Although he had a mask on, hiding his true face from everyone, Aurelia recognized him in an instant. 

The feeling that rushed through her body coupled with the memory of his masked face as his dick drilled into her, did little or nothing to hide him from her.

Understanding the implication it would have on her reputation, should word get out about them, Aurelia decided to speak to him. 

It was best they agreed on never speaking about the issue. If he complied, she planned on not accusing him of rape. 

She shut her eyes involuntarily. As much as she wished to feel repulsed by the act, Aurelia found herself feeling strange when she saw him. Something stirred inside her. It wasn't a bad feeling but a certain longing.

She shook her head, erasing all the thoughts that ran through her mind.

Why would she long for him? Was she that needy?

“Calm down, Aurelia. It is necessary.” After prep-talking herself, she took to her heels, getting ready to chase after him.

'Should I call out to him?’ she wondered. 

‘No. What if he runs away?’ she questioned. ‘Urgh, onely one way to…’ Aurelia's breathing hitched when she saw him halt and slow down. 

“What is he...?” she barely had time to question herself when she saw him move again, this time, his pace increasing.

'Shit. He must have sensed me.’ she concluded and increased her pace. No sooner had she done that with her eyes fixed on him when one of her brothers blocked her path.

“Hold your horses, sis!” Leo's chirpy voice drove into her senses and her body obeyed, quickly preventing another collision like she had with Ivan.

“Leo!” Her voice sounded shocked. She tried her best not to look worried, masking the lines of furrow on her forehead and put up a facade she hoped he would buy.

“Where were you off to in a hurry?” Her eyes darted past him quickly, in search of the stranger. She discovered he had left, with no trace to track him.

'Shit.' she cursed inwardly. ‘Good job, Leo.’ If he could listen to her mental grunt, he’d have facepalmed. 

“Lia?” A line was drawn on his forehead, his brows creasing slightly. His worry was evident while studying her. “Are you okay? Where were you off to in such a hurry?” Leo asked, bombarding her with questions without extending an opening for an answer.

“When he noticed what he did, he apologized and took a step back. 

Aurelia shifted on her foot. Her head now hanging low. How was she going to answer this question?

He wouldn't understand.

“Wait.” Her ears perked up as she lifted her head slowly. “Do not tell me you were trying to locate the study and got lost?” Leo chuckled. He must have felt great at figuring the not-so-obvious. 

Not that she minded. It was a perfect excuse to mask the truth. 

“Well.” Aurelia blinked her round big eyes at him, using her cuteness and his tender love for her to her advantage.

“Tsk. You should have asked Labina or send for me. We already lost you once. No ne plans on doing so again,” Leo chided. 

“I’m sorry.”

“Don’t get me wrong. I’m not scolding you.” She shot him a mild glare. He was doing the exact opposite if that’s what he thought. “Okay, amybe a little but i want you to rely on me,” he added. 

“Fine. Why were you looking for me?” She did not have time for his childish gimmicks. Urelia believed if she left now, she might catch up to her mystery stranger. 

“Don’t you know?”

“Know what?”

“Lia, it’s seven days today. Kieran and the others are expecting you in the study. You need to give your answer.”

Horror filled her eyes. She forgot the timing. “Shit.”

Leo facepalmed. “I can’t believe you forgot! The Lycan King departs tomorrow. You cannot keep him waiting for long. He is not a patient man.”

Just before Leo could feel her ears with more lessons, Aurelia cut in. “He is the one in need of a Luna. He either waits for my decision or he can leave.”

She hated when her every action had to be to please someone. Kieran had given her a choice and she planned on choosing it, even if it meant defying the king.

Aurelia had expected Leo to yammer on and prepared her mind to block out his words. To her surprise, a proud smile found its way onto his peculiarly handsome face. 

“My sister is feisty. Good. Very good.” 

“Enh?”

“Nothing more to lecture you on, sis. Let’s go.” 

Pivoting, he led the way to the study, leaving his sister to do the next best thing—follow him. 

Deep down, Aurelia felt conflicted. She had not yet found a way to help her people. She planned on finding one and proving to the Lycan King they did not need his help. However, time wasn’t on her hands. 

‘But the masked man?’ she hesitated in facing the opposite direction from where she was going. 

‘Wait, considering he was leaving, should I still be worried?’ 

Judging from the path he took, it was clear he was leaving their small kingdom. 

If that was true, there was every possibility that her secret was safe. Earlier on, she asked around about him but each time she mentioned his distinct features, many likened it him to the lycan king. 

“He’s not.”

“Hmm?”

Aurelia whipped her gaze up at the owner of the unfamiliar voice when Leo’s half-yell pulled her back. 

“The Lycan King is here.”

“Oh fuck~”