Chapter 11
Asher’s POV
Despite the fact that I could hear what was going on in her mind, I was still very shocked when I heard her say it out loud.
“That’s not what I meant,” she stuttered, trying to explain herself to the maid. “I was going to say that I would have whatever his majesty was having.”
“Alright ma’am,” the maid said with a nod before pouring her a glass of wine.
As soon as the maid left, she looked up at me. Her throat bobbed as she swallowed a heavy lump. “That’s not what I meant you know… I didn’t mean for it to come out like that.”
“Hmm” I sighed knowingly.
“I should probably keep quiet,” she said, turning her gaze to her food,
I chuckled as I watched her stuff food in her mouth just to avoid any more conversations or even eye contact,
Gemini can be really clumsy at times, but instead of finding it irritating, I found it funny. But then I made a mental note to work on that, cause no
natter what her role here was, she still represents me.
Speaking of representation, “Gemini!” I called her name sharply, my voice cutting through the clinking of cutlery against plates. She froze mid- bite, her wide eyes flicking up to meet inine.
“Y–yes, Your Majesty?” she stammered, her cheeks puffed slightly with the food she was yet to swallow,
I allowed the silence to linger, watching her curiosity grow. Outwardly, I maintained the mask I had worn for years–confined, frosty- however deep down, I couldn’t resist noticing her vulnerability, She looked fragile, yet there was a stubborn determination beneath her fear.
“My parents would make an arrival at the Kingdom tomorrow,” I said, letting the weight of my words sink in before thinking to continue. “And I expect you to represent me well when they do.”
She blinked at me, her fork slipping from her hand and clattering against her plate, “Your… your parents? Tomorrow?”
“You heard me,” I said curtly.
She nodded uncertainly. “They will want to meet you and most definitely, evaluate you.” I continued.
“Evaluate me?” she echoed, her voice barely audible.
I leaned forward slightly. “You are under my authority, Gemini, and as such, your every action would have to reflect mine.”
“My parents expect perfection in terms of manners, composure, everything. Do not embarrass me.”
“I may be able to handle your shit, but they won’t…”
Her throat bobbed as she swallowed hard. “They seem to be in search of a perfectionist, and I… I don’t think I am-”
“You don’t have the luxury of doubt,” I interrupted, my voice cutting through her words like ice. “You will do everything right, because I command 31.”
She hesitated, her hands twisting in her lap. Not like I could see it, you know… because of the distance. But i could sense her every move.
Barely above a whisper, she said, “It feels like you’re asking me to be someone I’m not.”
“Gemini!” I called with an intention to silence her. “I’m not asking you to be someone else, I just want you to be a classic version of yourself. That’s all”
Her lips parted as if she wanted to argue, but no words came. Instead, she nodded, her gaze dropping back to her plate.
“Good,” I said, sitting back. “We ll review the formalities in the morning. For now, compose yourself. And do try to avoid mistakes from tomorrow
Her head snapped up, a flicker of rebellion in her eyes, but she said nothing. Instead, she speared a piece of meat with more force than necessary as she muttered under her breath
I didn’t bother asking what she said. It didn’t matter What mattered was that she would be ready. She had to be.
1/2
8:00 PM & &.
Chapter 11
Alan and 1 stood eyes closed in a hidden cavern deep underground. This cavern stayed lit by the moonlight by night and sunlight by day. The brightness of both lights sipping in from a small crack at the western side of the temple, giving it an ethereal glow.
The square felt ancient and untouched by time, with ancient stone walls covered in runes or symbols. The sound of dripping water and distant echoes added a sense of mystery and age. The Cavern radiated with an otherworldly energy, making it an ideal place for the Sage to perform rituals or to connect with spiritual forces.
It was no ordinary Cavern, it was the Lycan Sage’s temple-
“Have you confirmed again if she was truly the lady you met the other night?” The voice of a one–thousand–year–plus Lycan echoed through the
Despite his age, the wrinkles on his face could be counted and he could be compared to an eighty year old human, thanks to his Lycan abilities and involvement with the spirituals. The only thing that kind of hinted at his age was his bears which seemed like snow.
I nodded, my eyes still shut. “She is the one.” I said, my reply firm
“And the mark?”
I felt a sudden constriction in my throat, “I haven’t checked the mark recently. It’s on the lower part of her chest and she isn’t one to expose her body I explained.
You mean you paid fifty million dollars without confirming if she really had the mark?”
The sage’s question seemed to anger me, causing my eyes to pop open before he commanded it. “I know what I saw! I don’t need to confirm it any further
“Hmm
The Lycan Sage let out a heavy breath, the ancient cavern echoing the sound like a distant rumble of thunder. His aged eyes, sharp despite the years, locked onto mine. I could feel his judgment, though his wrinkled face remained stoic. His hands, worn by time, moved slowly as he traced the symbols on the stone walls, lost in thought. I couldn’t blame him for questioning me, though it irked me more than I cared to admit. My carelessness had put me in this position, but I wasn’t going to show it.
Silence hung between us for a moment and the sage studied me as though he were reading my very soul, as if he could see through the walls I had carefully built. Finally, he sighed.
“You may go the sage said, dismissing us with a wave of his hand.
Alan walked behind me as we took a step towards the entrance. But Just as we reached the cavern’s entrance, the sage’s voice called out again, stopping me in my tracks,
“Asher,” he intoned, his voice grave. “One last thing.
I turned slowly, annoyed but willing to hear him out.
“Make sure you don’t have an affair with her before the full moon,” the sage warned, his gaze locking onto mine with unnerving intensity. “If you do, this entire arrangement–everything you’ve set in motion–could be rendered useless
“You should also know that being second–chance mates makes it even harder to abstain from her, but don’t let the mate bond trick you.”
I didn’t say anything, but my heart raced. The weight of his words hit me harder than I was willing to admit. I had always known that the bond with Germani would not be simple, being that I didn’t want any other mates. But there again, she had a vital role to play in my destiny and fucking it up because of the mate bond can never be a great idea….
But even as 1 thought those words, my mind betrayed me. I couldn’t help but think of her–her eyes, her uncoordinated words, her lips, her transparency.
“Dor
Arper th
But t
