His Abandoned Luna Chapter 164

|| Lilac’s POV ||

The first light of dawn crept through the curtains, painting the room in pale gold. I stood frozen in the doorway, my fingers gripping the frame until my knuckles turned white. Behind me, Alaric's presence was a storm barely contained, his disapproval radiated through the bond we hadn't yet named, his jaw clenched tight enough to crack stone.

"It's going to be okay," I whispered, more to myself than to him.

Alaric's hand shot out, circling my wrist. His thumb brushed the racing pulse there.

"Five minutes," he growled. "And if he touches you, or tries something funny…"

"He won't." I pulled away before I could lean into his touch more, before I could let myself want to stay in his embrace.

The omega was gone. Alexander took care of her. The bed was still warm when I slipped beneath the sheets, the scent of sex and deceit clinging to the fabric. My stomach turned. What did Madeline give him last night? I couldn’t tell. It must be something stronger that he didn't even realize it wasn't me.

I didn't want to be anywhere close to this man. Still I forced my body to relax, counting the seconds until I heard him.

"Hey, good morning."

Elias' voice was rough with sleep, his arm slinging possessively over my waist. I bit the inside of my cheek until I tasted blood. My skin burnt at his touch. I felt disgusted that he thought I would sleep with him after he challenged my little brother.

"Morning," I chirped, injecting sweetness into my tone that curdled on my tongue.

His fingers traced my cheek as he smug.

"Did you like it last night?" He asked.

Bastard.

"Yeah," I didn't really lie. I liked what he did last night to prove we are not mates. I liked what Alaric did last night as well. His hands on me, his length inside me… oh goddess!

Focus, Lilac! I scolded myself. Rolling away before his touch could linger, I said, "We should get going. My parents must be worried."

His grin was wolfish and wide as he nodded, "Yeah."

Like he'd won something.

Like I was already his.

Dream on, bastard!

Elias wanted to drive me but of course Elara had a plan to get me out of his grip. I exhaled finally as I hopped into Elara's car, which smelled like peppermint and leather.

"Keep an eye on Elias," I said as she pulled onto the main road.

She snorted, "I already am."

My blood ran cold as I asked, "why didn't you tell me?"

"Because we needed him to be comfortable around you. Less you know, better." She tossed me a look. "Don't worry. Astrid's tracking his comms. Whatever game he's playing, we'll rip it apart."

I stared out the window, the trees blurring into a green smear.

What do you want, Elias? How on earth did you come up with a fake mate bond?

As soon as I walked in the house, I met Dad.

"We need to talk," he said as he walked inside his study. I followed him.

The study smelled of aged whiskey and leather, the heavy oak door clicking shut behind me with finality. Had he been drinking? He must be stressed!

Dad stood at the window, his broad shoulders silhouetted against the morning light.

"Someone is playing with us," he said without turning. "We need to be very careful."

"I know." My voice was sharper than I intended. "But that doesn't explain why you keep leaving me out of your plans."

He finally faced me, the lines around his eyes deeper than I remembered. "The rogue situation is getting bizarre. The south border is overrun. And even Darius has been targeted recently. This matter cannot be taken lightly."

"The Alpha King himself?" My breath caught. "But why would Kael target his own father?"

"It's not Kael." Dad’s fist clenched on the windowsill. "That boy may be an idiot, but he doesn't have the spine for treason."

Ice pooled in my stomach. "Then who?"

"Elias showing up as your mate was never about love or fate." Dad poured two fingers of whiskey, downing it in one swallow. "We thought he was after your beta lineage but then it was a way too risky step he took. If you had your wolf, this ploy wouldn't have lasted. Either they know about your wolf situation or they are playing a dirty game here,"

"My wolf? But how?" I gasped

"Well, they could have picked up trails from the first attack. But it's hard to say. Moreover, it's not safe out there anymore." His glass hit the desk with a thud. "Or they're playing a game we can't see yet. Fifty rogues at the warehouse where you were held hostage. Hundreds breaching the capital. Our security was compromised, Lilac. On top of that, a fake mate bond! This was unheard of."

"How will we deal with it?" I tried to keep my voice steady but it wasn't easy.

"It won't be easy. I don't even know if we can handle the situation," Dad replied.

"That’s why you are keeping Elias close. You think he is involved in the bigger game," I added.

"Yes, he must know a few things." dad confirmed.

The room tilted. "You think Elias let them in."

"How else will they get into the city? We always have a higher security at the border. Hundreds of classified warriors are guarding out there." Dad said.

"Besides, forty warriors died in that raid he led. Only he came back alive. Though the hideout was cleaned out and we found at least three hundred rogues dead." Dad’s voice was gravel. "We keep him close because he knows things. And we need him to slip up."

"So last night—" I couldn't finish my sentence.

"Was the beginning." Dad met my eyes. "He'll make a mistake. And when he does, we'll be waiting."