The Alpha King's Nemesis-Chapter 193: Go to Her ()

Queen Sancia sat on her couch, calmly watching Vivienne pace around in a manner that was very much akin to agitation.

"A week! It has been an entire week, Aunt Sancia!" Vivienne exclaimed in exasperation.

"You did not expect to capture the heart of the Alpha King in just a week, now did you? Because I am certain you are much smarter than that." Queen Sancia replied to Vivienne, her tone unbothered.

"I know better than to expect that much so quickly. But since that one encounter, he will not accept my visits. How am I to win him over when I cannot even see him?" Vivienne asked helplessly.

Queen Sancia breathed a quiet sigh at that.

"Calm yourself, girl. A man whose heart is broken will eventually cave and seek solace in the arms of another, you do not need to be so anxious."

"So long as the girl Zariah continues acting in the manner she is, Askel will naturally come into your arms. You just need to make certain you are the one on his mind when all others fail." Queen Sancia reminded.

Vivienne paused in her step, running a hand through her hair.

"The Crimson Alpha is to have a month with the Alpha of Waning Moon, it has been half of a month already. What happens if she changes her mind and chooses to be with Askel? Will all our efforts then be in vain?" Vivienne asked in concern.

"I will never let it come to that, I have my own plans. Do not worry about that and place all of your thoughts on Askel." Queen Sancia reassured, a malicious glint in her eyes.

"Now go to the kitchen, it is about the time Askel’s meal will be delivered. Go and deliver it yourself." Queen Sancia advised Vivienne.

"He will not accept anything I bring to him, he has become completely cold after that first instance." Vivienne lamented.

"But he will know that you came, Vivienne. Each time you go to him, he will know that you were there... he will know that you have kept on going, kept on worrying for his well being despite his cold treatment."

"Your scent will become one he recognises outside his door everyday, and slowly his guard will be lowered."

"Then he will begin to compare... the care you give him to the neglect from his mate and as the thought blossoms in his mind, a crack will appear and it is through that crack you will slip in." Queen Sancia said knowingly.

"We need only keep Zariah away from him for long enough and you will have no obstacle. And at this rate, I do not believe it would take much effort on our end to keep her away... she is too busy in the arms of another." Queen Sancia sneered in distaste.

Vivienne finally understood Queen Sancia’s thoughts and she nodded in understanding.

"I understand. I will go once again then." Vivienne agreed.

"Afterwards, come back and retrieve his robes for him. Thankfully, he still trusts his mother enough to let me be the only one to prepare his clothing." Queen Sancia added.

"I will do so." Vivienne complied.

"Good girl...you would make a wonderful queen." Queen Sancia commended, a small smile settled on her lips.

_______________

"Askel?" Lucas called as he stepped into Askel’s quarters, searching around for Askel.

In Lucas’s hand was a report he had drafted after a few days of investigation and in his heart was the utmost reluctance to present the report which was just proof of his failure.

"In here..." Askel’s low growl rumbled from somewhere in his office.

Lucas’s heart dropped slightly at the animalistic sound and he ventured into Askel’s training room where Askel sat in meditation.

Askel’s eyes fluttered open at Lucas’s entrance, his head twitching slightly as he battled his inner self.

Lucas stood warily at a distance, the look in Askel’s eyes told him all he needed to know.

Askel’s golden orbs glowed dimly and there was a black ring around them, it was obvious to Lucas that Askel was still in control, and it was equally obvious that the beast was right at the surface.

Lucas watched Askel as he sucked in a deep breath and before he spoke.

"How many times now?" Askel asked, forcing the words out through his elongated canines.

"This is the third occurrence, My King." Lucas revealed in a grim tone.

"And you have failed once again to trace the source of the dead rogues at our borders?" Askel asked.

Lucas lowered his head in shame, it was a strange and unsightly occurrence that should not have happened even once, yet this was the third occurrence and he had no concrete leads to present.

What was worse, the word of it had spread all through the Ethereal domain and panic had begun to brew amongst the human population.

There was more too, a malicious rumour that Lucas did not dare speak of for fear of aggravating Askel even further and rage was the very last thing Askel needed at this moment.

"Hand it here." Askel reached a hand out for the report.

He waited expectantly for Lucas who still watched him warily.

"I will not hurt you, Lucas." Askel added pointedly.

Lucas already knew that, he walked over and handed the report to Askel, taking note of his elongated claws and the black markings that peaked out on the sides of his neck, a tell tale sign of the beast’s presence.

"Askel...it has been two weeks. You should go to her...it will help you suppress the beast." Lucas reasoned.

"Go to her..." Askel murmured the words like they were foreign, lifting his head to stare blankly at Lucas.

"In this state? Where I am neither man nor beast? How can I let her see me like this?" Askel asked in a deadpan tone.

"She is your mate, Askel. And she is strong, unyielding...if anyone can handle this side of you, it will be her. You need her...now more than ever."

"She needs to know your troubles...she needs to know that with every time she hurts you, she pushes you further into darkness." Lucas insisted in a pained tone.

"This is not Zariah’s burden to bear... and I cannot trust myself around her. If I lose control... I will only end up driving her further away." Askel murmured.

"Zariah... I will trust that she will come back to me." Askel said, his tone barely above a whisper.

Lucas breathed a trembling sigh, knowing there was nothing he could say or do to change Askel’s mind.

Askel returned his attention to the report Lucas had submitted and read through it.

"I will draft a plan of approach and I expect a positive report in a week." Askel made clear.

"I will not fail you." Lucas vowed solemnly.

"Keep the people calm at any costs, especially the Ethereal Alphas, we cannot have them stirring trouble." Askel instructed Lucas and then he paused.

"Now, tell me what you kept out of the report." Askel added.

Lucas’s eyes widened slightly at Askel’s confrontation.

"Do not look at me like that, Lucas. I have known you for long enough to know when you are keeping something from me." Askel added. 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

"Askel..." Lucas began to say but Askel cut him off.

"Tell me." Askel demanded.

"There is a rumour... spreading through the domain... I cannot tell where it originated from..." Lucas began hesitantly.

"What does this rumor say?" Askel asked with a raised brow.