CHAPTER 99: _CAUSE OF DEATH: ROMANTIC ENTANGLEMENT

Elian’s POV

*****

’What the hell do you mean failure to complete the survival mission is death?’

[You literally just answered your own question, fruitcake.]

Oh, right.

Elian let out a heavy sigh when he, Lucian, Aurora and Axel stepped down from the aether craft, two guards donned in golden armour flanking them.

However, when Elian’s gaze fell on the "hotel" in question, he was taken by surprise.

"Oh..." Axel scratched the back of his neck beside him, arching an eyebrow before turning his gaze to Lucian, who led the way. "Not exactly the tier three resort I was expecting."

No, it was anything but that.

The hotel was a three-storey grey stone building, still within the industrial district of the city. It had a medium-sized compound with stone slabs and a small fountain shaped like a howling wolf at the centre.

It was oddly quiet, as if it didn’t expect a lot of visitors.

Elian even picked up the smell of fresh ale coming from the front door, causing him to swallow hard.

A few people walked about the compound, throwing shocked glances at them. Many bowed respectfully before continuing with their whispers.

"The Alpha Prince and Beta?"

"And Princess Aurora? What are they doing in a tier one hotel like this?"

Elian’s eyes widened.

Hotels were graded into tiers... One, two and three, with three obviously being the highest one for elites and even royals.

Tier one? It was for commoners.

"Hey, it’s not my fault, okay?" Lucian sighed, brushing his right hand through his hair as he turned around to face them. "This was the closest hotel I could book on such short notice."

Elian flicked his gaze to Aurora just then, noticing how quiet and disconnected she was.

[Definitely still sulking about Magnus. Poor thing. Can you imagine being betrayed by your mate? Oh, wait...]

Elian rolled his eyes, remembering how Lucian had left him for dead in his past life after finding out they were mates.

At least this life’s Lucian didn’t seem like much of an asshole.

[Are you kidding or is that his royal dick up your ass talking?]

Elian ignored as Axel spoke up. "Well, it does seem... Decent. We could manage."

But Lucian shook his head, locking his gaze on Elian. The latter froze, his face heating up as he subconsciously got lost in the Alpha Prince’s silver eyes.

But then—

"I agree." Aurora finally spoke, stepping forward and turning to face them with a small smile. "Maybe a change of scenery is what I need after all that chaos. And THIS? Perfect."

She clapped once, her eyes lingering on them briefly before she whipped her lush silver hair and took the lead, walking toward the entrance of the hotel.

"Looks like she’s going to be okay," Axel remarked, grabbing Elian’s hand much to his surprise. The Beta then brought his lips close to his ear. "You good? I–I was really worried back there. I thought my silly mistake cost your life."

Elian blinked, confused.

The only thing he remembered was being knocked out by the explosion... Unless...

[Yeah, genius. He was probably behind it.]

Elian didn’t know how to feel about that but managed to flash a smile. "It’s... It’s alright. Although we’ll talk about it once we’re inside."

"Let’s go, people," Lucian said, glancing back at them with clear as day jealousy in his eyes before he followed after his sister.

Elian pressed his lips into a thin line but his expression shifted when Axel added with a whisper:

"We’ll hopefully get the chance to do more than talking in there..."

Elian’s legs were like jelly as the Beta pulled him along.

.

.

The two rooms were on the last floor.

Aurora’s room was opposite theirs and Elian caught a glimpse of her knowing side eye before they walked in.

The first thing Elian noticed when they walked in was the two beds... both at opposite sides of the room.

"Why didn’t you just book four separate rooms?" Axel asked Lucian with clear frustration, tightening his grip slightly on Elian’s hand.

Lucian turned to him and shrugged, stepping further into the bright room. "Simple. I don’t want my mate getting kidnapped again. Oops, sorry..."

He paused, glancing over his shoulder with a fake smile, his eyes lingering on their hands before he added. "... Our mate."

Elian rolled his eyes, checking in with the system. ’Is it cheating if I just stay awake to see what could possibly be after my life? Or, better still... Could you at least tell me?’

[Yes to the first question and an obvious no to the second. I’m not a fortune teller, I don’t exactly know what the threat to your life is yet. But I can tell there’s one, hence the mission.]

’Fuck me sideways!’

[Well, that could be arranged since these two hotties are in the same space as you.]

Lucian moved further into the room, his eyes narrowing as he checked the locks and even the window panes. His whole body radiated authority, every movement like a predator circling its territory.

"I’ll go confirm the guards stationed outside," he muttered finally, brushing past Elian and Axel. "Don’t leave this room until I’m back."

The door shut behind him with a click.

Silence.

Elian swallowed, suddenly all too aware of how close Axel still was, his hand lingering on Elian’s wrist as though he had no intention of letting go.

"You really scared me today..." Axel whispered, his golden eyes flicking down to Elian’s lips. "You don’t understand what it does to me, seeing you hurt."

Elian’s heart hammered against his ribs, his throat dry as he tried to muster a reply. But Axel didn’t give him the chance.

The Beta tilted his chin up and crashed their mouths together in a kiss so hungry, so desperate, that Elian’s knees nearly buckled.

[Warning: Host’s survival odds just dropped by 10%. Cause of death: romantic entanglement.]

Elian mentally cursed at the system, placing his hands on Axel’s shoulders to balance himself... only for the lights in the room to flicker violently.

The window rattled as a dark shadow crawled across the floorboards, sending a shiver down Elian’s spine while Axel broke the kiss.

And then—

[ALERT! Incoming threat detected.]