CHAPTER 40: _JEALOUS?!

Elian’s POV

*****

’I completed the side mission so what’s my reward?’ He asked the system while he and Axel were downstairs listening to the Alpha King speak.

He honestly didn’t want to be here... But Axel had insisted, saying he wanted him by his side. Elian knew coming outside would increase his chances of running into Lucian.

He was right...

During the gathering, Elian spotted Lucian from the corner of his eye, glaring at him and Axel. But Elian was unbothered, giving him a fearless look before focusing back on the system’s report.

[Well, usually I wouldn’t have made this available to you until you unlocked the Ascension shop. But you impressed me with how fast you were able to get under the Beta so I’ll whip it out...]

A blue translucent screen flashed in front of his eyes, causing a small smirk to curl up his lips. The screen showed "Reward loading..." and after a couple of seconds, the reward was projected.

Elian furrowed his eyebrows at the screen.

"Two strength ascension pills?" He was so stunned that he muttered that out loud. He covered his mouth but luckily, it seemed Axel was too focused on the Alpha King’s speech to notice.

[Yes, strength Ascension pills. Taking one of these bad boys will give your physical strength a boost of +10 within a span of one minute each.]

Elian blinked, swallowing hard.

[Ugh... You need more insight don’t you?]

The System flickered again, this time showing two charts.

[To put it into perspective, your current strength stat is at 4. An average werewolf has a strength between 10 and 12. A werewolf soldier would have a strength stat between 20 and 30. And as for Wolf sovereigns like the Alpha King, Lucian and the Rogue King... Much higher.]

Four plus ten... Fourteen. And an average werewolf has 10 to 12 strength points.

’So what you’re telling me is that even after I take the pill, I wouldn’t still be as strong as a werewolf soldier.’ Elian felt like he was being cheated.

[But you’ll still be stronger than an average werewolf for one minute. If that’s not enough time and odds to get you out of a sticky situation whenever needed... Well, I’ll leave it at that.]

Elian let out a small sigh even though deep down he was actually excited.

In the Lunarian Empire, strength meant everything. Two strength Ascension pills might not be much but the idea that he could get access to more once he unlocks the Ascension Shop was exhilarating.

’Boy, I can’t wait to finally get to meet the Rogue king so I can increase his seduction meter.’ Elian thought to himself with burning anticipation.

[Who says you have to wait twenty-one days for him to arrive here before you begin that?]

Elian’s eyes widened slightly. ’Wait, you mean you can transport me to the dark lands? Or do you—’

[Don’t be daft. Have you forgotten about the uniqueness of your bond with the rogue king? How it was able to transfer your consciousness to the dark lands last night?]

Oh...

’So you mean anytime I go to sleep I can interact with the rogue king?’ Elian thought with a mix of excitement and foreboding building up.

The rogue king was unlike any of his other mates. He was mysterious and from the little he witnessed in his dreams last night, he was definitely more terrifying.

Lucian would be a child throwing a tantrum in front of him.

Elian felt chills running down his spine just thinking about how his red eyes had locked on him in that ashen battlefield. It was only his consciousness there... But it felt just too real.

[Yes, Captain Obvious. And relax, it’s your consciousness going there, not your physical body. If shit hits the wind, you can always wake up.]

Right...

Eventually, the Alpha King dismissed the meeting, allowing Beta Axel to finally turn his attention to him.

The Beta had a warm smile on his face as he placed his right hand on Elian’s waist, causing the latter to blush violently.

[You’re clearly rubbing it off on someone’s face...]

Oh, right.

Elian’s eyes flicked over to Lucian who still lingered across the training ground like a vengeful ghost, glaring at the two of them.

"I’ll be extra busy for the rest of today trying to create the committee and begin the investigations," Axel whispered, bringing his lips close to Elian’s ears. "I had fun earlier, by the way. It’s such a shame... Duty had to cut our moment short."

The Beta’s voice was daring, dangerous and sent tingling down Elian’s being. He shivered under his grip on his waist— but in a good way.

He wanted his touch. In fact, he craved it.

And to think the rogue king’s bond with him was more intense and had more space to grow...

"You’re making it hard for me to let you go on purpose, aren’t you?" Elian finally rasped in response to Axel, his eyes lingering on his lips before focusing on his golden eyes.

He slid his hand up his shoulder, gripping it tightly while the Beta’s grip on his waist tightened slightly as well.

A kiss was imminent.

But then...

"What exactly are you trying to prove here, Elian?" Lucian’s voice sliced through the tension like a knife through butter, causing Elian to swerve his head in his direction.

[WARNING: The Alpha Prince’s jealousy meter is off the charts. Proceed with caution if you don’t want this blowing up in your face.]

... Jealous? JEALOUS?

Elian’s jaw clenched as he withdrew his hand from Axel, turning to face Lucian who continued.

"You trying to make me jealous, or do you just like putting on a show?"

Elian scoffed, shaking his head when Prince Douchebag finally got a few meters in front of him. Lucian’s silver eyes blazed with anger, jealousy and a possessiveness that for once made Elian feel nauseated.

He took a step forward, ignoring Axel’s attempt to hold him back and the system’s prior warning.

Screw caution.

"You really dare to be jealous after what you did with Estella." Elian sneered coldly, trying to hold back his anger.

Lucian’s eyes widened before he let out a frustrated breath. "What the fuck are you talking about?"

"Why could I pick up your scent all over her earlier?" Elian snapped, folding his arms in front of his chest.

[Oh, about that, fruitcake... I may have been wrong in my evaluation of what his scent was on her earlier.]

Elian’s shoulders dropped the second he got that update.

What?

"Because she was in my room! We didn’t do anything." Lucian growled, his voice heavy with sarcasm. "Gosh, and I’m the jealous one? You’re so—"

"I’ll not tolerate any insults at my mate or my sister, Lucian," Axel spoke up just then, stepping forward and shielding Elian.

Lucian sniggered. "Really? Maybe if your sister wasn’t such a clingy bitch, none of this would be happening. Oh, wait... It seems to run in the family."

Elian felt like a trigger was pulled at that very moment.

Without warning, Axel raised his right fist, causing Elian’s heart to drop to his stomach.

"Wait! Stop!"

But the Beta’s fist was already in motion.