"How do you like your tea, Kasumi? Is it bitter or...?"
My eyes pierced at the cup of tea that was served to me earlier. My finger was only tracing the brim of the cup before gazing up to meet her gaze after tasting the tea she had brewed.
The scent of citrusy floral-like orange tea filled my nostrils, and a tangy and tart aftertaste played in my mouth. I told that to Madeline with a gentle smile plastering on my lips, letting out this heavy weight that kept on fitting me.
"I am glad that you liked earl grey tea." Her slender fingers wrapped around the sultry cup. "That is Severin's favorite, in case you are wondering."
A mere mention of my husband's name flipped the mood as I felt this gnawing feeling starting to eat me. It suddenly made me lose interest as soon as she said that.
"I will keep that in mind," I said in a cheerful tone, pertaining that Madeline was trying to impose upon me that I must dutifully fulfill my marital status.
However, deep inside, if I were to serve Severin his favorite tea, I would undoubtedly pour some laxative tonic at least to satiate this revulsion I felt for him, especially of what he said earlier that I almost hurled the chair in his direction.
"Kasumi."
"Yes?"
Her eyes shifted on me from her teacup. "I know that you must have really hated to be here in Thaddeus' pack, but I can assure you that as long as Thaddeus is the Alpha and Severin is his next heir, you have nothing to worry about your family who sold you to patch the holes between our packs." Madeline's voice was soft yet firm, boring her eyes into me to emphasize her message.
"I wasn't sure about that," I muttered, averting my gaze.
In my peripheral vision, Madeline tightened her hold on her cup. It was uncertain if she was annoyed by my words or if she felt sympathetic toward me. Either way, I couldn't care less how she would react to my words.
I made my way back to the chamber shared by Severin and me, contemplating a visit to the southwestern borders to investigate the commotion. Unfortunately, the cries of misery could be heard a few kilometers away.
Judging by the elapsed time, I assumed their ordeal had come to an end. However, it had been a good half hour since the turmoil began.
Curiosity tugged at me, urging me to cast a glance in their direction. I couldn't help but wonder how they handled rogue intrusions within Thaddeus' domain.
Moving stealthily, my feet brought me there, hiding from a big tree branch where I spotted numerous cadavers dragged inside the pack. A distinct, metallic tang filled the air, a scent that sent a primal shiver down my spine.
"Huh..." My fingers instinctively found their way to my chin as I tilted my head slightly, my gaze fixed upon them with a scrutinizing intensity. "Such a brutal arrangement..."
It wasn't surprising on my part to see carcasses bathed with crimson red blood since this was not the only time I had seen one. As I said to them earlier, I was with my father when he settled the chaotic ordeal when rogues invaded us.
This was what it meant to be an Alpha who cared for the welfare of his territory, not wanting it to be evaded by anyone.
A faint scent of mint and orange reached my nostrils, shuddering my whole being. My eyes immediately looked for it.
There, from a distance, I spotted Thaddeus' dominant figure wearing a classic blue tunic, shrouding its chiseled, robust features. Every time his foot surpassed each other, a trail of his magnificence succumbed to the whole area, leaving no traces of hesitation. I wet my lips, adoring his physique before snapping back to reality when I found myself pressing my thighs together, my clit was throbbing in need.
I castigated my wolf for being such a nuisance as she urged me to look at Thaddeus one more time.
And I did.
I didn't know. It was just... hard to ignore his presence, knowing that his authoritative ambiance could blitz my heart without warning. That was just how his impact walloped me.
However, this feeling dispersed at warp speed when my eyes set on the person beside him.
It was Severin who was like an eccentric chimpanzee, smiling from ear to ear.
How my lips curled downward was enough that I despised him. "Hope he loses his footing..." I scoffed.
The Moon Goddess must have heed on my wish when Severin, out of nowhere, tripped over his foot with his head first. I pursed my lips into a thin line to stop myself from laughing out loud when Thaddeus looked displeased while his son was laughing nervously.
"Dumbass..." I was grinning when Thaddeus turned his head in my direction.
I almost stepped back but remained calm since it was impossible that he would see me here when the bunches of leaves were blocking me. I supported myself by leaning to the trunk, feeling my heart about to burst when Thaddeus did not leave his gaze on a certain tree where I was at.
Did he see me? That was impossible since I was discreet when I arrived here.
But the question I had in my mind received an answer when his scent of mint and orange wafted in the air, and at the same time, my body was reacting to shivering pleasure.
I stepped back when my wolf kept whispering, mate, feeling so dumb that Thaddeus must have smelled my scent.
"Is there something wrong, Father?"
My heart raced, its frantic beats resembling a swarm of hornets buzzing within my chest, threatening to burst free from my ribcage. Frustration and anticipation coiled within me, causing my hands to clench into tight fists. As Thaddeus deliberately did not avoid his gaze on the tree where I was, a lump formed in my throat, and I swallowed hard. Just as he was about to take a step forward, his attention shifted towards Severin, a significant smile on his lips. Then, with a subtle motion, he tapped his shoulder.
"Nothing, son. Let's clean them up."
I felt the boulder get off my chest when they turned in the opposite direction, and my knees felt like they would melt now. I fled from the scene and returned to the chamber as if I did not go out while hearing my heart about to burst from too much pressure.
Shit!
Did he... smell my scent? Was that the reason why he kept gazing in my direction?
I touched my wrist, expecting that I was wearing my bracelet, but I could have sworn my stomach plummeted down to the floor when I realized I was not wearing one. A chilling sensation swept over me as if the life force within me suddenly drained away upon seeing my bracelet on the table.
"Oh, dear me..." I found myself kneeling on the floor, blaming myself for not wearing my bracelet to hide my scent.
My wolf would sometimes solicit horrendous actions just so Thaddeus and I could have an interaction that must not be supposed to happen. That was why I must find a way to add another incantation to my bracelet.
In the following days, I made a deliberate effort to maintain a facade of normalcy, refraining from any covert visits to the border to observe the unfolding events. I even waited for Thaddeus to summon me to scold me, but that was not the case.
"Where's Severin?"
That was Madeline's question when I got down from the second floor while wearing my ball gown and mask.
Tonight was the ball party that would be held at the assembly hall.
"Um... About Severin..." I paused when my body shivered at the sight of Thaddeus, who just got out from his study room and was fixing his button cuffs.
"What about him?"
My heart kept bustling like some sort of working bees tickling it when Thaddeus spoke in a slow yet firm tone. It was enough to fixate my attention whenever I had to feel like this in front of him.
I had to clear my throat, feeling like something was rummaging through it. How could I feel and maintain my composure under his intense gaze? It was always like this every time our eyes met.
Counting to three, I spoke half-heartedly, "Severin is sick. He said that he cannot attend the ball."
⋇⋆✦⋆⋇
"I shall take care of Severin, Thaddeus. You can go ahead and have Kasumi with you."
Those were Madeline's words when things got down that she would not join us because Severin was 'sick,' as he proclaimed. I did not know how it resorted to this discussion that I would be with Thaddeus alone, but it was certainly not my plan to be with him.
Remembering how Thaddeus with a deep furrow on his forehead when he learned that Severin was sick tickled me. I could sense the concern grazed his eyes when he checked that his son looked so pale in bed.
One thing I knew for certain was Severin deliberately let himself be left behind. He was not sick at all. I knew that Severin panicked when Thaddeus suggested summoning Doctor Louie. By then, I became convinced that he had been feigning all along. All I knew was after I was dressed up, he decided to tell me that he would not come, making a reason to everyone that he was sick. He looked healthy before pestering me to tell everyone he wouldn't come. I did not know what could have been his reason, but I did not want to know. I couldn't care less about him anyway. After all, it was to my advantage if he wasn't at the party, so I wouldn't need to put up a facade that I was happy in our married life.
As the carriage pulled over, my gaze sought Thaddeus, who was sitting behind me, still with that profound frown, his eyes were on the outside. That kind of gaze brought me to a memory of when Father used to have that disturbed expression. However, his reaction was different than Thaddeus'. He would employ this frantic behavior, discerning me like the world was ending.
That core memory brought a caress in the first moonlight. I suddenly missed Father.
Observing Thaddeus closely, I deciphered that his words might not flow as smoothly as my father's, yet the unspoken language of his expression conveyed everything I needed to know.
"Thaddeus, we are here." I tilted slightly when his eyes were still fixated on the outside. "Thaddeus...?" It was futile when he was not heeding me. "Thaddeus!" This time, my hand made contact with his thigh, eliciting a startled reaction as he jolted in his seat.
"What?" he hissed, unleashing a piercing gaze that bore into me.
I hastily withdrew my hand from his thigh, taken aback by his unexpected outburst. A whirlwind of unease twisted inside me as I locked eyes with his icy sapphire blue gaze.
I secretly balled my fist, hiding it through the layers of my skirt, serving a small smile in his direction. "We have arrived at our destination," I said calmly and unaffectedly, not wanting to let him know that he had startled me. That was the last thing I said before opening the carriage door as I let the coachman in helping me mount down.
In the assembly hall, where we would play an important role in celebrating the foundation day, the center of attraction of this year's event, I was greeted by a vibrant scene, with a multitude of students, professors, and distinguished guests adorning themselves in lavish attire. The mixed scents of their own and their perfume dense well that it almost suffocated me if it weren't for the windows not being opened.
Everyone was engrossed with the enchanting melody of the music, its lively beats filling the air and beckoning even the most reserved individuals to sway to its rhythm. The dance floor was a kaleidoscope of twirling figures as couples and friends spun and twirled with contagious joy. Laughter and cheers mingled with the music, creating an atmosphere of pure revelry. The energy was infectious, and no one could resist joining the festivities, dancing until their feet ached and their smiles reached their eyes.
My mouth gaped slightly at such a sight before snapping back as I almost forgot to mingle with my fellows. I came to spot Lady Irene, Lady Rory, Lady Manuela, and Lady Juliette giggling in the corner.
"You arrived late, Lady Kasumi," Lady Rory said as I scurried to be with them. "Did something happen?"
"Due to my husband's illness, we find ourselves compelled to make alterations to our plans and schedules." I smiled wryly, trying to fill the air with downcast waves upon mentioning Severin.
"Oh..." Lady Manuela leaned a little. "Is he alright?"
I nodded. "Indeed, he needs some rest, as our pack doctor advised," I paused. "So my father-in-law and I are the only ones here." I let out a deep sigh, my voice tinged with a sense of desolation as if portraying genuine concern for my husband. A queasy feeling rose in my stomach, resulting from my skillful pretense.
"I see."
Like the wind, the four ladies in the same department as me nodded before their eyes spotted Thaddeus, and they all swooned at his majestic dominant figure.
"Professor Thaddeus..." Their voices took on a soft, dreamy quality.
"Is it just my imagination, or has his charm intensified?" Lady Juliette asked, simpering softly. Then she nudged me. "Lady Kasumi. Tell us. Don't you find your father-in-law attractive?"
"Huh? Me?" I parroted as I watched Thaddeus conversing with his colleagues, gracefully balancing a flute glass in his large hand, showcasing his impeccable dexterity and poise. I simply gulped at such a sight before my heart flipped over when our eyes met. "Um..." The words I was about to utter suddenly ate up when he raised his flute glass as if acknowledging me before hearing soft shrieks beside me. "N-No." I averted my gaze abruptly, my heart pounding so forcefully that its rapid rhythm resonated in my ears.
"Oh, really?" Lady Irene said teasingly. "I bet you are." She wriggled her eyebrows.
"P-Please. I am not." I chuckled nervously, not liking this.
If this kept going, my wolf would certainly be the one who would tease me if she learned about this. Glancing at the bracelet I wore, I took deliberate action, seeking guidance from the divine priest to ensure my wolf remained calm whenever I encountered my mate.
My bracelet was cast with an incantation in which the wearer's scent would be veiled, and her mate couldn't detect it. Only the divine priests and divine priestesses could enchant any jewelry, being called incantation jewelry.
Since the realization that Thaddeus was my mate, I had been carrying one with me at all times, the sole purpose of which was to conceal my scent and make it harder for him to track me down.
In short, my wolf would fail to sense our mate's presence, despite their proximity and being right before us.
However, a few weeks ago, I failed to include the necessary condition in my request to the divine priest, which led to a crucial error. Consequently, whenever I relentlessly sought to tame my wolf, I would inevitably catch the scent of Thaddeus, undermining the purpose of my efforts.
My wolf would sometimes solicit horrendous actions just so Thaddeus and I could have an interaction that must not be supposed to happen. That was why I exerted an effort to ask the divine priest to enchant my bracelet properly.
"Oh?" They arched their eyebrows. "Don't you find him attractive, really? He is also our instructor," Lady Juliette insisted.
I stepped back as they started to corner me. "I-I don't. Please. I already have a husband. You cannot make me agree with it..." I did not know what came to their mind, but it was not good if they learned that Thaddeus was my mate.
"It's just a question, Lady Kasumi. It is not harmless."
Oh, no. I did not want to believe in that. If I ever admitted, they would tease me. If I did not say anything, they would assume that I agreed with their statement.
Then, an idea came out of nowhere.
"Powder room!" I exclaimed. "I need it right now!"
I swiftly evaded any opportunity for them to corner me again, hastening away from the assembly hall to fulfill my intended destination. The weight on my shoulders lifted when I finally was alone.
It was hard that they were making such a fuss about Thaddeus. For once, I just wanted to be out of their vicinity.
Assuming the coast was clear, I resolved to exit the powder room. But to my misfortune, I encountered my cousin, Akane, Uncle Hajime's daughter, with a scornful expression as soon as I approached my friends.
"My, my... If it weren't for my dear cousin right here..." she said to her followers, who kept tailing her wherever she went.
"Akane..." The mere sight of her was sufficient to ignite the dormant flames of hatred within me, remembering how they made me a servant for her and her twin brother, Akeno. "You're here..." I halted my friends when they were about to snarl at her.
Akane put up a sweet facade as she stepped forward, eyeing me up and down. "Look at you... Even if this is a masquerade party, I can easily distinguish my filthy cousin right here." Her laughter resonated with a sinister undertone. "Well, you are more suited in a servant's attire than this... extravagant gown." Her lips turned downward as she scoffed.
I suddenly wanted to slam her to the wall from her words. "If you have nothing to say, it is best to distance yourself from me, Akane. In the end, you never desired the company of someone as tainted as me, correct?" My lips curved into a lopsided smile, challenging her to bite back.
I was looking forward to seeing her fuming expression, but her smile stretched to the maximum before she stepped forward. The next I knew was my dress was already soaked, smelling the scent of the champagne.
Sharp gasps became a ballad around the dance floor while I was in disbelief, my mouth fell to the flooring.
"Lady Kasumi!"
My eyes widened as Akane's fingers entwined in my hair, pulling me closer to her. "That impudent mouth of yours... Shall I take a needle and thread to stitch your mouth, dear cousin?"
"Unhand me..."
If looks could kill, I would have wanted her to be dead right now.
I wished for her to die at this moment. I really wanted to strangle her to death.
"That is enough now, Lady Akane."
I turned my head, expecting that it was Thaddeus, but I only heard a soft and less authoritative male tone. It was quite different, and I knew that it was not him. I realized that it was Professor Carl, who was known with a reputation for his benevolent and compassionate demeanor.
Akane scoffed a grin before she deliberately kicked me on my thigh, and I almost barked a scream from that pain. "Oh, my... I did not mean to." She rolled her eyes before striding away like a mop cleaning the pathway.
My friends helped me and looked at me with concern as I told them I was alright. "You have my gratitude, professor." I lowered myself into a deep bow, expressing my genuine sincerity, before excusing myself as the weight of maintaining a facade became overwhelming. The corners of my eyes were drizzled with salty droplets as everyone stared back at me before I decided to leave the party and be drowned in the dark sea of embarrassment.
I found myself in one of the labyrinth gardens of the royal academy as the chirping of the crickets, croaking of the frogs, and hooting of the owls streamed like a river in the silent night as the turmoil of emotions had come to align in the cold wind. My hand crashed against the unforgiving earth, its impact leaving a deep impression as my tears streamed down, merging with the soil below.Frustration... Abomination... Sorrow... Humiliation... Powerlessness...These negative emotions were so condensed that it was hard to rise from the quicksand slowly eating me.Frustration... I desired to return everything to its rightful place. I only wished to return to the Red Sun pack, proclaiming as the heiress. But I could still feel my failure along the way. Abomination... My resentment against my uncle for what he did to Father had reached my heart, letting this poison breach me. He took away the happiness that I was supposed to experience until the day I died, but his selfishness blinded hi
"Hey, you. Here."Severin bestowed a vial as soon as I was on my way to the dining hall to fill my stomach from the morning's dreadful classes. I caught it when it almost hit the floor, maintaining a glare in his direction.This scumbag... He never failed to make my blood boil, as always."Don't miss taking it," he said, squinting his eyes before parting ways with me.When he receded from view, bitterness took over my smile before I scoffed. "Don't miss taking it," I copied his words and tone scornfully as I rolled my eyes.I went to the nearest powder room to check the translucent vial that had pale blue liquid on it.The liquid drizzled my mouth down to my throat, hurling as plain as a parchment. Having to take this was enough to make my stomach churn for the adverse effects I would feel for the next few days.This was way better to endure than having another life form shaping inside me.Yet.At least, not yet.Severin and I both agreed on it. This was the only moment where we had t
"What...?" I pried my eyes open when I felt him withdrawing as I witnessed Thaddeus spinning my bracelet in a constant rotation. I gasped, but his words prevailed over the bracelet he had on his hand. "S-Something valuable?" A perplexed expression furrowed my brow.Was he asking me to offer my body to him?"Nope. That is not what I am thinking." I jolted at my ground, feeling my cheeks flamed, for he answered what was happening inside my head. His grin grew more since he knew what I was thinking. "Information or anything. Something that is not known yet by anyone."That further puzzled me, and I experienced a wave of relief when I realized he was asking for something other than my physical presence."I do not understand..." Or did I? "If you are after information," I paused. "Are you looking for something that would make my previous pack a vassal to you?"That was the only plausible reason I could think of, I think."No.""Then what? Can you be more specific?""Specific, huh?" Thaddeu
Everything went smoothly after that. Still wondering why Severin was there at the moment of my shortcomings was alarming. His dormitory wasn't even in the north. He was residing in the east, where the Emerald Dorm was a dormitory for the students born as royals, aristocrats, and elites were residing there.After my class from Thaddeus, I rested under the tree while watching some students swarming him like a pillar of society."Ah, yes, he is," I murmured, almost rolling my eyes. "Why did they find him attractive even with his cold demeanor?" I couldn't help but ask. However, I had to pinch myself for trying to deny that Thaddeus was attractive. His well-defined features accentuated his mature 39-year-old physique, complementing his captivating demeanor that had the power to captivate any woman. Yes, Thaddeus was 39 years old and a well-known ruthless ruler of a pack.It might look like Thaddeus did not look like one, but I could ascertain how frightened his neighboring packs were. Th
"Why here?" I asked as my eyes took in the sight of the magnificent Temple of the Moon Goddess after Thaddeus helped me mount down from the carriage.Just as he wanted, we disembarked this dawn to go to the Temple of the Moon Goddess. However, I did not expect that we would be here in this place. I thought that we would be going straight to the royal palace."Why not here?" he asked sheepishly.My lips almost shaped into a wry one, but I got distracted from the stimulating sensations crawling through my skin, still, my hand was contacting on his. Thaddeus noticed it or must have felt it for certain before I decided to simply remove my hand from him, pretending that his touch was not awakening the wolf inside me.Clearing my throat, feeling like there was a huge chunk stuck in my throat, I eyed the temple again, which was located on the north side of the main capital city of the Sowinski Kingdom.Legend has it that Mother personally constructed this temple, providing a sacred space for
The abandoned building became my new study hall with the approval of Headmaster Matteo. Thaddeus was the one who processed it but did not tell Severin since he knew that his son wouldn't accept that I was being treated differently.I decided to visit only after the classes had concluded, as Thaddeus was going to instruct me on the responsibilities of an Alpha and provide guidance to enhance my leadership skills."How can you execute it?"Midway through reading the third volume of the royal ordinance, my gaze lifted, and I blinked in surprise as he posed an unexpected question. I had been engrossed in my task, knowing that I needed to memorize all the laws and recite the entire volume by the end of the week."What do you mean?" After reading the book for over three hours without a break, my neck felt stiff and strained, prompting me to gently massage it for relief. I held my breath as Thaddeus leaned against the desk, emanating an aura of grandeur and authority. This made me feel tickl
As my legs grew weak, Thaddeus swiftly closed the distance between us, his strong arms encircling my trembling form. I found solace and security in his embrace, clinging to him as he effortlessly scooped me up and carried me towards the nearby couch. Gently, he laid me down, ensuring my comfort and safety in his arms. The touch of his firm yet tender grip sent a rush of mixed emotions coursing through me, leaving me both vulnerable and reassured."Thaddeus..." I clutched my chest as this unbearable heat made me want to carve my skin to relieve myself. My skin had become so itchy that it was hard for me to feel the surroundings around me."I'm here, Kasumi." Feeling his hand enveloping mine only intensified the conflicting emotions within me. My instinct urged me to pull away, to break free from his touch, but an undeniable force compelled me to hold on. It was as if my inner wolf recognized a deeper connection, an undeniable attraction I couldn't deny. The arousal that pulsed through
"Why did you summon us here? Are we going to spar with you, Father?" he impatiently asked before his arrow-like gaze almost penetrated my direction while he nestled his wooden sword on his shoulder."What's the rush, Severin? It's not like we have any academic commitments at the moment, considering it's our academic break," I said sarcastically, oscillating my wooden sword from left to right after stretching out when we arrived here in the training ground of the pack.Before Severin could even bark, Thaddeus halted us using his commanding tone. "Today's agenda is you will spar with each other," he stated firmly. "If either of you does anything to displease me, remember that I won't take the punishment lightly." His words hung in the air, carrying a sense of warning and consequence.That sent shivers down my spine, leaving me unable to offer any retort. I instinctively checked my wrist and sighed in relief upon finding my bracelet securely in place. He returned it back after that day