CHAPTER 111: _MOTH TO A FLAME

Elian’s POV

*****

"It’s him!" Estella’s terrified scream tore through the silence that fell on the large courtyard after Kyren’s aircraft landed.

All heads swerved to her, including Elian who squinted.

"It’s him! Goddess, it’s him!" She continued screaming, attempting to run for the hills.

But the guards escorting her held her arms firmly, ignoring her even when she clawed and kicked.

"No, you don’t understand! He’s here to finish what he started!" She continued, actual tears streaming down her face. "Please, lock me away. Have mercy! I don’t want to be near him."

Damn...

[Okay, now I’m curious to know all he did to her... She looks like she saw death itself.]

Even that seemed like an understatement.

Meanwhile, Kyren merely glanced at her before smirking, his arms behind his back. "Phew. You all should get that one a good leash."

He walked toward Elian’s crew, ignoring the tense expressions and the drawn weapons from the guards surrounding the Alpha King and Luna Queen.

The Alpha king spoke with a calm but cautious voice. "Lord Kyren Nochthane. You came an hour early."

Elian frowned when he heard that, turning his head to the Alpha King.

They invited him?!

"Oh, come on now, Alpha King," Kyren spoke casually, as if they were long-time friends. "Arriving early at a function never hurt anyone."

He got to Elian and the others, walking past them. When he did, his red eyes flicked to Elian, lingering for a moment too long.

His smirk widened, causing Elian’s heart to thud heavily in his chest. The rogue king’s scent was like ash, burnt roses and something sweet he couldn’t name.

Tempting, dangerous and alluring in all the worst and right ways possible.

Elian’s stomach twirled, his knees wobbling as he swallowed hard to keep himself calm, focusing instead on the intricate runes carved into Kyren’s form-fitting black armour.

[Knowing you, saliva isn’t the only thing you’ll be swallowing soon.]

’For the love of the moon!’

"You invited him, Father?" Lucian finally spoke, sounding confused. "I thought we weren’t expecting him till the masquerade ball on the next full moon?"

Elian squinted at Kyren’s back as he got in front of Lucian’s parents.

The rogue king gently bowed before both of them, more out of courtesy than respect. The two of them had to follow suit.

"Things changed after Estella’s recent antics." The Alpha King responded sharply to Lucian. "The rogue king here reported to us how she and Magnus ran into their territory."

That was enough to make Estella livid behind them.

"Lies! We didn’t flee to the dark lands!" She screamed. "He had his people capture us from Lunarian soil."

Elian furrowed his brows, keeping his eyes on her for a second before turning back to Kyren.

"Oh, the poor thing." Kyren let out a small sigh, shaking his head. "You see, when she and Baron Magnus came into my land, I was alerted. Fortunately, I was already close to those borders."

Estella yelled again. "Stop fucking lying!"

[Gosh, I wish I could experience the thrill of eating popcorn!]

"I tried to be reasonable. Tried sending them back to Lunaria with a warning." Kyren blurted, glancing back at them.

The subtle smirk was still on his face as his red eyes locked on Elian, causing the latter’s throat to swell.

"But Baron Magnus attacked me. Probably out of desperation since they knew they were wanted here." Kyren added, clicking his tongue with what seemed like pity. "I killed him in self-defence, of course. But I guess the way I ended him... Traumatised Estella."

[Sounds like a foolproof story.]

’Yeah, but why the heck do I feel like there’s more to it?’

[Ouu, you don’t trust him?]

Those red eyes and that smirk that seemed like it could cut through any emotional barrier he had up?

Yeah... Trust would be dumb.

"You can’t seriously believe him!" Estella shrieked, her voice cracking as she struggled against the guards restraining her. "He’s twisting everything! You can’t—"

"Enough."

The Alpha King’s voice cracked across the courtyard like a whip, silencing even the birds that had been circling above. His eyes, sharp as cold steel, cut straight through Estella.

"You will not spew filth before my court," he declared, his silver gaze blazing. "You were given sanctuary here because you were Lucian’s childhood friend, and because you are Axel’s sister. But now? Now you are nothing but a stain upon this empire’s name."

The venom in his words made Elian’s breath hitch.

Estella’s face crumpled in shock. "W-what? No, you can’t—"

"Take her to the dungeons," the Alpha King commanded, his voice thunderous and final. "Perhaps there, you will learn the meaning of silence."

The guards yanked her back, ignoring her wild protests and desperate kicks as they dragged her away. Her screams faded into the echoing halls of the palace until there was only silence left in her wake.

Elian swallowed hard, a knot twisting in his stomach.

Damn...

Kyren didn’t even blink. If anything, his smirk deepened.

The Alpha King turned back to him, inclining his head ever so slightly. "Forgive the interruption, Lord Kyren. Come. Join us for breakfast."

Kyren’s dark brows arched in amusement, his crimson eyes glinting with something dangerous. "An honour."

The group began moving inside, guards forming a perimeter while the King and Queen led the way. The grand doors opened, revealing the glittering corridors of the palace.

Aurora clicked her tongue softly as she walked. "Perfect," she muttered, just loud enough for Elian and the others to hear. "Breakfast with a murderer. How appetising."

Kyren’s smirk twitched wider at that, though he didn’t turn back.

Beside Elian, Axel leaned close, his voice a low whisper meant only for him. "I don’t trust him."

Elian’s heart gave a sharp throb, his chest tightening as he dragged his eyes away from the rogue king’s broad back and lush white hair.

’Neither do I...’ he thought.

And yet...

His pulse raced the longer he stared at Kyren. The mate bond sang in his veins, insistent and undeniable. The pull was magnetic, like every cell in his body recognised him and refused to let him look away.

The scent of ash and roses lingered in the air, threading around him, sinking under his skin. It almost felt wrong.

And still, Elian longed for it.

Longed for him.

Like a moth to a flame.

[Oh, I don’t know about your emotionally constipated ass... But I’m sure going to love this!]