The Alpha's Temptation

Groaning inwardly, Eltanin took the pile and threw it in the trash, and then he set them ablaze. As the fire burned in the trash, he rolled her sleeves up halting just below her elbows, and then helped her with the breeches by curling them onto her waist and tied a lace to fasten them. He could feel that she was shying away, her body tense.

Once she was dressed in his clothes, he stepped back to admire his handiwork and found her blinking at him owl-eyed as if asking him 'what now'.

Eltanin's throat bobbed. Could she be any cuter? His thoughts raced at the fact that this delicate piece was going to be staying alone in servants' quarters and that made him anxious.

"What do I have to do, Your Highness?" she asked. Her beautiful blue-green eyes were focused on him.

Her question brought him back to reality. With his work forgotten, he counter-asked her, "Did you get into a scuffle this morning or did someone hurt you?" He needed an answer and he needed it quickly.

"I don't know who they are," she asked, lowering her head. "But I heard their names as Giada and… I don't remember the other one...."

Eltanin stiffened. "What did she do to you?" He wondered how Morava's friends reached the servants' quarters. But then he remembered that his father had taken Morava out for a palace tour. Her entourage must have stepped away from her or gotten lost. Her words brought him back out of his thoughts.

Tania stared at him with fear and worry. She pleaded, "Your Highness, I think what they did is of no importance. Please don't do anything against them, otherwise they may end up attacking me again. And in my position, I cannot afford to attract any attention." Her lips and chin trembled as she said it.

Eltanin narrowed his eyes and she winced.

Unacceptable. Fury exploded in his chest and his vision turned red when he imagined his mate being beaten all over again. He was going to teach them all a lesson. He was going to make them all eat shit and then some. How dare they do anything like this to his little mate in his palace, under his protection? If she was not going to reveal why they did it, he was going to find out himself one way or another. "I am going to bloody behead them!"

"Please don't," she begged. "This is very normal. It is not the first time I have received a beating like this." She shuffled on her feet at the admission. "While I had never been in a position to defend myself at the monastery, I kicked the two girls and was able to run away from them. If you don't speak about it to anyone, perhaps they will forget about the entire incident."

Eltanin blinked, stunned at her efforts to keep the incident contained even though she was badly hurt. And that made him want to protect her even more. His wolf was sad and whispered, 'She's been abused so much. We need to protect our mate.' Eltanin closed the gap between them and without a modicum of restraint, embraced her. He could sense her hesitation and her physical struggle that was weak like a kitten. "Shhh…" he said as he curled his strong arms around her and stroked her hair gently. "I will make sure that such things do not happen to you ever again." His body strummed like a guitar with her in his arms and despite her squirming he kept her there, inhaling her calming citrusy scent.

WIth Eltanin's arms around her, Tania tensed. Why would a king like Eltanin embrace her and comfort her? He was very kind to her, maybe he pitied her after seeing all her injuries. She wasn't used to such closeness. She couldn't remember a day where her alcoholic grandmother had hugged her and as far as her memories of her parents were concerned, they were just nightmares. Bloody, violent, magic zapping around them, screams, wails…

"What are you doing, Your Highness?" she asked softly. "This behavior is inappropriate for a king. What if someone enters the library and sees you with me like this?" She reminded him even though she was a little afraid of his reaction.

Eltanin's eyes were closed and his chin was on top of her head, which he had pressed with his large palm against his chest. She tried her best to get out of his grip, but failed. The man was just too strong.

"Hmm?" he said, as if asking a question, but was obviously not listening. Rather than leaving her, he turned her head into his chest so that now her nose and lips were pressing against it.

"Your Highness?" she said again, her voice smothered. What she said next sounded something like, "Pleaseee lave mei." His chest vibrated with a rumble. While pushed against his chest, she made several feeble attempts to free herself, but it was of no use. Finally, she resigned herself to it and stopped her futile struggle.

Moments later, when Eltanin felt better, he released her, but he still had his hands on her shoulders. "What did you say?" he asked with a silly smile, feeling hundred times better. ƒ𝒓e𝐞we𝚋𝙣ｏ𝚟𝚎𝘭.co𝙢

Eyes rounded like that of an owl, she looked at him. Tania knew that he hadn't heard a word of what she said. The way he had pressed her against him, she was feeling too shy. Blushing a thousand shades of reds under his intense stare, she said, "Your Highness, this behavior is improper. What if someone enters and sees us in this position? I think we should start working." She blinked once and then twice when she saw that he was still staring at her with those eyes that were as dark as night.

He measured her for a moment and then said, "At first, no one will enter without my permission. Second, do you think I care if they see me like this? Moreover—" He lowered his hands and a lop-sided grin appeared on his lips. "I think you wanted me to hug you." He knew she didn't but he, being the shameless wolf, wanted to. As her mate, it felt natural.

Numerous women in this world would have battled with each other to be in his arms. He chuckled. And this little one was telling that it was improper?

The man was utterly shameless! "I didn't!" she snapped. She immediately bit her lip and lowered her head. What a fool she was to say that it was improper on his part. He was, after all, the king. He could do whatever he wished, but just not with her. The weight of his hands on her shoulders felt as heavy as lead. The blush that rose on her cheeks had traveled to the tips of her ears.

Eltanin replied, "It isn't inappropriate. But you—"

"It is inappropriate," she interrupted, lifting her face. She reminded him, "I heard that you are going to be betrothed to Princess Morava." Something inside her twisted when she said those words. She saw him cringe. "Please give me the books of which I need to translate," she added quickly to suppress the strange feeling.