Chapter 7 – His Unknown Mate
1538 Words
Alex turned to the young man and eyed the table, “Are you done?”
“Yes, I’ll excuse myself.” Carl hurriedly left the room, giving them privacy.
“Did you have plenty of rest?” Luna slowly approached him. Her gaze is still a little unsettling, but he managed.
“I did. The meals have been prepared?”
“Hmm… I only grilled the meat. The rest are made by your companion.” She gestured towards the table.
“Are you hungry? Do you want to eat?” She asked while taking a seat.
“I want to speak with you.” He closed the door and sat on the long bench opposite her.
“I see. What do you want to talk about?” She slightly narrowed her eyes on him.
Just like Carl, Alex was startled when he found a silver wolf next to him, sniffing his leg.
Luna chuckled at his reaction. Alex frowned while looking at the wolf.
“This isn’t Akira, is he?” He squinted, making sure the wolf was really different.
“This one’s Killian. Akira might be roaming the surrounding forest. He likes playing with the rabbits.” She didn’t bother explaining, but the wolves have an uncanny ability to minimize their presence, blending in the background. They’re great with stealth. That’s how they normally startle other people when they decide to make their presence known.
Alex cleared his throat and ignored the wolf. He set his eyes on her face and gave her attention. What does he want to know?
“You said you’re my mate but I feel no bond towards you.”
“Didn’t I say it earlier? You should ask your parents. Your father experienced the same thing. Despite that, your mother is truly his fated mate.”
His frown returned as he pursed his lips. What he knows is that his parents are fated mates and he hasn’t heard any story about his father not feeling a bond towards his mother… that’s what she’s insinuating, yes?
“You’re saying my father didn’t feel a bond towards my mother?”
Luna nodded and erased the smile on her face. It was a complicated story. She knew the important details but she’s not in any position to divulge them to him. It’s best if he learns it from his parents.
Alex became speechless after her confirmation. He recalled his father’s reminder and realized he might not only be correct, he must be cautioning him as well.
“But they’re fated mates, right?” Why is he even asking this woman? Does she really know these things when he doesn’t?
“Yes. Your mother felt the bond.” That’s as much as she could tell him.
Alex took a moment digesting that before gesturing between them. “So, you feel the bond but I don’t?”
“Yes, that is correct.”
Alex deeply sighed, making her smile.
“You should really ask your parents. Their story is lovely. I hope to replicate it with you.”
They stared at each other for some time, before he finally spoke again.
“So, when are we leaving this place? You can now step outside, right?”
She grinned at him, “Not yet. There’s one more thing you must do for me.”
He raised an eyebrow at that. “Yeah? What’s that?” He doesn’t like the fact that she withheld it from him. She could’ve told him from the very beginning. In reality, she did and he simply forgot.
Luna used a finger to tap her lips and winked at him. “You must give me a kiss.”
He was floored by that answer. A kiss?
“What? You’re also Sleeping Beauty? Snow White?”
She chuckled at his reaction. How does he know all these fairy tales?
“Maybe. A kiss from my mate. We can leave once that’s fulfilled.”
He was stumped. The thing is… he has never kissed a woman before. Not even a girl. He swallowed as he imagined doing it. Damn. She would know he’s inexperienced. Wait. Is that even important?
Luna watched the changes in his expression. Should she be worried?
“What? You can’t give me a kiss? A peck on the lips would suffice.” She teased which made him irritated.
“We only planned to stay here for a couple of days. We’ll look around the place to have something to report back home, though I feel you can just tell them what’s in the ruins, having stayed here for years.”
“I can do that. I’m familiar with the layout of the original palace. There’s a blueprint and there are books. I can show you the library later if you want.”
He raised an eyebrow upon hearing a library survived. Luna shrugged, “It’s not much. After all, it was almost a century ago. Most are scrolls, loose papers bound together by strings.”
“Have you read them?”
“I have, but not everything.”
“We can talk about those when we get back to Snow Mountain.” He decided to set that aside for now. His parents and the elders would also want to know. He’s sure they would interrogate Luna for a long time.
A moment of silence ensued and Luna happily stared at him. On the other hand, he kept his gaze on a wall.
A kiss? A peck would suffice? He inwardly sighed. It shouldn’t be hard but he has no desire to do so. Currently, he has no feelings for her. He has no reason to kiss her.
“Can you give me a tour of the place?” He couldn’t stand her stare anymore. He wanted to go outside, in the open. He felt he would breathe easier than in this enclosed space.
“Of course. Shall we go?” She stood up and he did the same. She opened the door for him and he asked to be taken outside in the backyard.
“So, the rooms and the kitchen are in the first floor?”
“In this part of the palace, yes. When you enter the front door, it’s supposed to be a ballroom of some sort. A receiving area on ordinary occasions. The dining hall is on the other side of the kitchen. I’m not sure if you saw…?” Her eyes inquired.
“I think I noticed.” He replied as they continued to walk and they finally stepped outside.
“This is within the perimeter, yes? You’ve been out here?”
“Hmm, I’ve tended to a small portion of the garden. I’ve planted herbs to season my food and some flowers for decoration. The stream is on the farthest side of the castle. The water there is clean and cool.”
“You get water from there? How about inside the castle?”
“I think a part of the water system was broken or something. The pipes don’t get water through them.”
Alex decided not to comment further and focused on the details of the former structure.
The place truly covered a lot of area. The original palace must have been huge. If he’s to compare it to Snow Mountain, the palace alone would’ve occupied a third of their territory. That thought made him grimace. Huh, it’s almost a good thing that royals are no longer in existence.
“I’ve seen sketches of the original castle. It was magnificent. Majestic. The original twelve packs all helped in building it. They made various contributions and their own people composed the original royal residents. It was fascinating. It wasn’t only the royal family who lived in the palace, all members of the pack resided inside it and called it home. It’s a pack on its own and they’re well-protected. Changes occurred over time. I think it was the third king who sent the people out of the castle. They expanded their territory. Huge stones were used as markers for the borders. Carved in them is the royal seal. I’ve only seen one in a book.”
Alex listened attentively, finding the information interesting, if not useful. Their kind hasn’t bothered with the history of royals for a long time.
“You said you’re a descendant of the moon goddess and you woke up in this castle? How are you related to the royals, then?” This is one thing he’s most curious about.
Luna shrugged. She can’t answer. It’s not the time yet.
Alex saw her gesture and raised an eyebrow. She’s not going to say? He decided to continue speaking, “There were stories….”
He told her the tales Isabel spoke of and he clearly noticed the small smile on her lips. He focused on that feature a moment longer than he intended and quickly looked away upon realizing it.
Luna contemplated. Should she say it? Maybe just a hint?
“The stories you heard are not quite accurate, but they’re close to the truth.”
“Really? You know the truth, then? Tell me.”
She shook her head. “Not yet. When we reach your pack, I will tell you.”
- Writer
