CHAPTER 177: UNDER AN ILLUSION

Andria’s POV

Kaelric’s question lingered in the air, creating a thick tension.

Jackson looked arrogant, staring back at Sir Kaelric, his brows raised and a smug smirk curved on his lips, a smirk that I wanted to tear out of his face. In fact, I tried to pull the whole expression off his face.

"I told you," Jackson said, his tone smooth, rehearsed. "Liara isn’t hurt. She’s my mate. She stays because she wants to. You should know how that works, Sir.. Kaelric."

He said the words with so much arrogance and confidence, and I saw Kaelric’s jaw twitch, a single, dangerous movement. But he didn’t respond, at least not yet.

I glanced at Liara again. Her eyes were open, but they seemed distant. Liara wasn’t herself, and I fear she would grow even worse.

She stared angrily at me as if recognizing herself. She put her elbow in his, and then said, " I don’t know what you are all here playing knights in shining armor, nothing is going on here, I’m fine, we just came to party. Right, Jackson?".

It felt so unbelievable that she acts like everything is alright, but still looks at Jackson to tell her what she is doing at a party of underworld dwellers.

I walked closer to her. "Well, Liara, I know you wouldn’t go against your own kingdom, the one your father fights to protect, by befriending underworld dwellers. What do you aim to achieve? The Liara I know..."

Liara interrupted me, waving her hand dismissively at me, "Aria, stop, I hate this emotional blackmail, I’m grown to choose what I want. You shouldn’t police me about kingdom obligations. I’m good, and these creatures are good. We are just a troublesome kingdom when we can make peace with them and enjoy their company."

I knew that it was hopeless trying to convince her otherwise when she feels this way. I was very stubborn, and so is Liara when she makes up her mind about something.

But something was very off about this mate bond; it was stealing Liara’s identity and strengthening Jackson’s.

They didn’t feel real, and their wolf didn’t seem to be in harmony. She looked drained. I bet she can’t do the mate telepathy thing. I also doubt he would feel it when she is in danger. If he had felt when she was in danger, we wouldn’t have found her in the state we found her.

Their bond felt false, but I had to prove it to her, even if she would buy it anyway; I had to try. A problem identified is half solved.

I said nothing out loud; I just reached for Sir Kaelric.

My wolf syncs immediately with his. "Kylan!" Athena called out to his wolf.

There was a brief pause before his wolf stirred to life. "I’m here". His voice came through, deep and even. Athena got so excited that she almost forgot what she was trying to say. It’s been a while since she felt Kylan.

"Athena, focus, we are on a mission," I whispered to her, calling her attention back.

Athena regained composure, "She’s under a spell. An illusion charm. Probably layered. The way her eyes dilate, the way she follows his every whim, I mean, she has lost her whole identity. I don’t think that’s how a true mate bond works. She is being manipulated and exploited, under the pretense of a mate bond, and she has no idea."

"

I know," he replied calmly. "That’s why I came here. But you don’t need to convince her; something has to be done quickly to get her out of this. Now you know your friend is being the way she is, not because she wants to."

I turned my gaze to Jackson, who was now watching us with faint suspicion. He couldn’t hear the link, but I think his instincts told him something was off. We have been silent for a while now.

"You expect us to believe that?" I asked aloud, stepping closer. "That the princess of the royal bloodline would just forget that she is royalty, and join you in your little rogue ambitions, all because of a mate bond?. I mean, come on, we aren’t dumb, Jackson, watch your back."

Jackson’s lips twitched. "You see, various werewolves react differently to mate bonds, and yes, Bonds make wolves do foolish things."

"I see, you know, you are very good at deception. Partying with underground dwellers, but you are just lucky the vampires are not involved, you would have faced the kingdom’s tribunal, " Sir Kaelric replied flatly.

That flicker of annoyance mixed with fear in his eyes was satisfying.

Kaelric took a step forward, his voice low and commanding, his tone leaving no room for argument. "You will return to Ashwood. Both of you."

Jackson’s smirk returned, but I could tell it was strained. "You think I take orders from you? I don’t know you, I mean, you are the new combat teacher, I learned, but you have been in the students’ affairs a lot lately."

"Yes," Kaelric said simply, the calm of an approaching storm in his voice. "It is obvious you know a lot and do a lot, but you are still oblivious to your immediate environment. Arrogance and greed have blinded both you and your father. I won’t have to repeat myself."

A deafening silence followed. Then, reluctantly, Jackson inclined his head. "Fine. I’ll come."

That simple agreement didn’t fool me. The twitch in his jaw said otherwise.

As we turned to leave, Kaelric moved subtly, stepping so that Jackson had to walk ahead of us. "You first," he ordered. "I wouldn’t want you behind me."

Jackson chuckled under his breath but obeyed. His confidence was returning, and that unsettled me.

We emerged from the inner chamber and into the main floor of the underground hall.

Jackson ordered the creatures suddenly at the door to the inner chamber to get in and clear the mess inside the chamber.

Music thudded faintly from hidden speakers, bass low and strange, but they were all moving to the sound.