"What are you doing here?" Erald demanded, rising from the grass with slow grace. Her robe slipped slightly off one shoulder, moonlight caressing the curve of her collarbone.
Adrien’s eyes followed the movent unapologetically. "Well, that’s quite the welco. Not even a ’good morning’ for your charming mate?"
Erald narrowed her eyes. "You didn’t answer my question."
"Could ask you the sa, my lady. Though I must say... this is quite the vision for so early in the morning."
Erald narrowed her eyes. The sky was still dark, stars still scattered above them in full display. "It’s barely past moonset. Why are you at the castle?"
Adrien’s gaze dipped pointedly to her bare legs, then back up to her face, his lips twitching with mischief. "If I’d known nightwear suited you so well, I’d have dropped by unannounced more often."
She rolled her eyes. "I’m not in the mood for your gas, Adrien."
Adrien held up his hands, his playful grin still in place. "Relax, my lady. I had business in the southern region of your territory: trade discussions, so politics, the usual Alpha headaches."
He paused, then added more quietly, "I just happened to follow your scent on the wind. Lucky ."
Erald gave him a hard look. "Right." She crossed her arms, the robe tightening around her waist. "You just happened to find lying alone in the garden? What a coincidence."
"Completely," he grinned. "Though I’ll admit... I do like the view."
Before she could respond with sothing appropriately cutting, Adrien stepped back and offered a slight bow. "I’ll let you rest, my lady. Wouldn’t want to tire you out before your big date."
And with that, he vanished into the dark, looking self-satisfied as usual.
—
Later that day, after catching a few short hours of sleep, Erald returned to routine.
She began the morning sparring with Nessa in the courtyard. Their blades clashed under the morning sun, sweat clinging to their brows.
"Adrien caught you in your robe, huh?" Nessa teased between swings.
"I will stab you," Erald warned, deflecting a jab.
"So that’s a yes."
Erald rolled her eyes and ducked low, sweeping Nessa’s leg.
After training, she reviewed patrol rotations, signed a few updated trade accords, and checked in with her spy network. But her thoughts remained tangled in what lay ahead.
Her first one-on-one.
With Kieran.
—
By early evening, the castle was buzzing with subtle tension. Kieran was due to arrive any mont now.
Erald stood in front of the tall mirror in her room after her bath. Her skin felt soft and slled nice from the oil and perfu she had just used. Her hair was freshly washed, shining with dark waves and hints of green that caught the light pouring in through the window.
Nessa hovered nearby, helping her tie the final clasp on her forest green dress; it was elegant, but not too formal.
"Damn," Nessa breathed, stepping back to admire her handiwork. "If I was Kieran, I’d bend the knee the second I saw you."
"I’m not trying to impress him," Erald muttered, adjusting her neckline.
"Right. Of course." Nessa smirked. "That’s why you chose the dress that hugs you like a second skin."
Erald gave her a look. "Out."
Laughing, Nessa ducked out just as a knock sounded on the door.
Erald turned as an oga stepped into the room, looking down and seeming a bit nervous. "Alpha... one of the visiting Alphas has arrived."
Nessa’s eyebrows wiggled. "Well, well. I guess that’s your date."
Erald exhaled slowly and gave herself one last look in the mirror. She looked steady... in control.
But inside?
Viola stirred excitedly.
Erald entered the hall, taking her ti with each step. As she got closer to the staircase, she overheard two n talking. Their deep voices sounded tense, and it was obvious they were throwing subtle insults at each other.
When she reached the top of the grand stairs, she slowed down. At the bottom stood Adrien and Kieran, in a conversation that felt more like a duel of words than friendly banter.
Adrien leaned casually against a marble pillar, arms crossed. "I’m just saying, it’s a bit early to be playing the silent, mysterious type. You could at least attempt charm like I do. Maybe start with a complint?"
Kieran stood tall, hands behind his back like a soldier on parade. "You don’t charm. You speak like one who wants her just for fun."
Adrien’s eyes widened slightly. "Ah. So that’s how you see it."
They both turned at once as Erald reached the middle of the staircase.
And their gazes...
She felt them.
Like heat sliding along her skin. Two different flas, but flas nonetheless.
Adrien’s lips curved into a half-grin, slow and lazy. "There she is. I just finished up my business; thought I’d say goodbye to my favourite Alpha."
Erald raised a brow. "You an the only Alpha who hasn’t kicked you out of her territory yet?"
He grinned. "Exactly." His voice beca slightly serious, "I just heard about the attack. Are you okay?"
Erald blinked, not expecting him to know about it. Her hand instinctively tightened around the railing.
News travelled fast.
Too fast.
"I—"
"She was attacked?" Kieran’s voice cut in sharply. His brows furrowed, and the air around him shifted.
"She didn’t tell you either?" Adrien tilted his head. "Tsk. We really need to work on trust, darling."
Kieran took a step forward. "What happened?"
She cursed silently. "It was nothing. Just... handled."
Neither man backed down. Their wolves surged forward, their energies pressed into her space, calling, growling, and challenging.
Her own wolf howled in response, caught between fire and frost.
"Viola, not now..."
Adrien frowned. "How did I hear it from my informants before I heard it from you?"
Kieran’s eyes narrowed. "Was it a rogue attack?"
"That’s enough," Erald snapped.
Her voice echoed through the room, filled with her Alpha power. The flaring of her aura was instantaneous, a mix of silver, erald and sothing darker.
Even the guards nearby stiffened, their heads dipping in submission.
Adrien’s smirk vanished. Kieran stepped back, just slightly.
"I’m fine," Erald said through clenched teeth. "The intruder is dead. We’re investigating. I don’t need two wolves marking territory around like I’m a piece of at."
There was a mont of silence.
Then, slowly, she turned to Adrien.
"Thank you for checking in," she said firmly. "You can leave now."
Adrien straightened, placing a hand over his heart in mock apology. "I’ll behave. For now."
He walked off, but not before brushing past Kieran with an exaggerated saunter and a whispered, "Good luck, soldier."
Kieran didn’t move. He just watched him go with a faint narrowing of the eyes.
Erald let out a breath and turned to him. "Sorry."
"I’m not here to fight," Kieran said calmly. "I’m here for you."
And Goddess help her... that did sothing.
Sothing warm. Sothing deep.
Her pulse fluttered, an unexpected and unwelco sensation. "Co on," she said. "Let’s go."
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