His Shadow Luna

Chapter 6. Not Poison

Her blue eyes met his, electricity charging between them as Elene's claws dug into Forrest's flesh dangerously close to an artery that would be extremely hard to heal quickly if it was torn.

All she had to do was press a little deeper , and then, in one swift move—

Don't, Bia warned her. He is ours. We can still—

Oh, please! Elene snapped at her wolf. He didn't claim us, and he sent assassins to kill us in case you’ve forgotten. I am positive he brought us to this room to dispose of us quietly. Possibly to avoid his witch girlfriend finding out about who we are to him.

She shivered just remembering that woman's hands around his neck.

We could still talk about it first, Bia reasoned, but Elene knew wolves couldn't be trusted around their mates. They were programmed to crave them no matter who they were. It was the human's responsibility to be reasonable in such situations, and she was doing that.

She was being reasonable.

She had to kill him and save herself from all the pain. Especially since Forrest recognised her. At least she was strong enough to get herself under control quickly and didn't turn into a sobbing mess after her mate's betrayal.

"You’re not going to kill me." The corners of Forrest's lips tilted upward.

"Then I guess you have nothing to worry about," she arched her brow and pressed harder. This man was getting on her nerves.

"Oh, I am not worried," he teased, relaxing under her as if she posed no threat, which only annoyed her more.

See, he wants to talk as well! Bia interjected, and Elene was about to lock her out when she heard a familiar chuckle from the arrogant male beneath her.

"If you could kill me, I would already be dead, and we both know it," Forrest sounded confident. "Then again, it's hard to kill your mate."

He was tugging at her final threads of patience. The intense sensation of a mate bond that overwhelmed her in the courtyard had dissipated as suddenly as it had appeared. Elene still couldn't fathom why she wasn't feeling it anymore, but she was glad the Moon Goddess spared her.

"I'll tell you when I see mine," she sneered, watching his smile fade. She wanted to hurt him more than ever, but she still hadn't made that final s***h. "If you make it to that day, of course."

"Is this the game we’re playing?" Forrest arched his brow at her, and in a flash, he freed one of his hands, ripping the medallion on his neck off.

Elene gasped, watching the shiny metal disk roll away from them on the ground as a tempest of feelings surged within her.

Mate! Bia snarled possessively, tingles rippling through their body from the close contact.

Forrest growled loudly as Hades put his knee back in place, and, in mere seconds, hoisted her into his embrace, spun around, and placed her back onto the desk, looming above her while securing her hands on either side.

They stared at each other longer this time, both their breaths ragged and coming out in needy pants.

Until Elene had had enough.

"Well, are you going to kill me or not?" She narrowed her eyes, challenging him. If this was it, at least it would be quick.

"No, thanks." Forrest's jaw ticked as if he didn't like what she was saying.

She struggled against him, but he held her in place, and for the first time ever, he was grateful for the divine gift he once received. Otherwise, there wouldn't be a chance in hell he could overpower a royal lycan.

Elene's unique scent enveloped him – pear blossoms and elderflower mixed with the coppery tang of her blood. It stirred something primal within him, a yearning mingled with a raw need to protect.

"Then what the hell is this?" The Princess demanded, and he realised his shirt was soaked in her blood. Her wounds still didn't heal.

"I am giving you a chance to understand that I mean what I say, Elene. I am not going to kill you." Forrest steadied his voice, punctuating each word for impact.

"Let me go!" she hissed, trying to kick out at him, but he reinforced his grip on her wrists, his body a barrier she couldn't breach.

The General leaned in close, his breath warm against her ear. "You're not leaving until you are healed," he whispered firmly, startling her with his intensity.

Elene ceased her struggles for the moment, realising the futility of her efforts.

"Good little princess," he praised, slowly easing his weight from her and loosening his grip, his fingers trailing across her delicate flesh as he released her.

Elene cautiously dismounted from the desk, trying to suppress a hiss of pain. She still didn't trust her so-called mate, but at least he wasn't going to end her right now.

"Will you allow me to give you a healing potion?" Forrest asked, raising his hands to prove his pure intentions.

"Sure," she shrugged, not intending to drink anything he provided. She just needed a little break because this day was already long enough.

The Southerner went to his desk and got out an intricate wooden box full of potions. He took one without looking as if he had done this a thousand times before and handed the little bottle to Elene.

"Take three gulps right now and three—" his voice faltered as he observed how she fell into an armchair near the fireplace, still holding the potion in her hand not bothering to so much as glance at it.

This girl was too stubborn for her own good.

And you don't deserve her, Hades chimed in, telling him what he had already known.

It’s not going to be a problem for too long, he said. Don't forget what she told me on that hot-air balloon. If someone like me was her mate, she would have rejected me on the spot.

And now the joke is on you, Hades grunted, because you are the moron who blew our chances with our mate!

Enough, Forrest closed their mind link forcefully.

He knew for a fact that gods made mistakes just like people. He and Elene weren't meant to be. Now that he realised she was indeed his mate, he momentarily wished he wasn't such an ass back at the hot-air balloon ride and didn't know what she told him. At least, then he would have hope.

All he had now was the harsh reality.

Yet still, he wanted her to know the truth.

"I wasn't the one who ordered the attack," he said, and Elene pursed her lips, clearly trying not to spill the insults she had for him.

"Oh, of course! I’m sure it was someone else," she forced a smile. The Princess obviously did not believe him. "What is that?"

She pointed at the amulet on the floor, and Forrest picked it up.

"That is yet to be discovered, but I guess it blocks the mate bond." He played with the piece of metal in his fingers and threw it on the desk.

"Just for us or for everyone? Did you know that I was your mate back in the East?" Elene glared at him.

"I didn't." He shook his head. "I swear. I got an inkling of what it does while in the courtyard and confirmed it just now in front of you."

"Sure." She wasn't convinced at all.

"Elene," he sighed, desperately searching for the right words. "I repeat, I didn't give the order to kill you. This is the last thing I wanted. Just like you, I am fighting for peace in my country."

She measured him with her gaze, and he felt her disdain without her uttering a word. He knew those looks too well. He had drowned in them his whole childhood. Pure-blooded members of the pack looked at him this way. As if he was not worthy of walking over the same ground as them.

Of course, the Northern Princess felt similar. Someone like Elene deserved to marry a king. She must have been so disappointed to have him as a mate; a self-made nobody.

I bet she is mainly disappointed that you are an i***t, Hades interjected. Finish your pity party and do something about the fact that she is bleeding out and still not taking the potion.

Forrest walked towards the woman and sat in the opposite armchair, stretching his hand towards her. "May I?"

Elene handed the potion back to him, and he opened the bottle, taking three big gulps in front of her and offering it back to her.

"It's not poison," he assured her. "It will just help to speed up your healing."

"Because you want me alive." She rolled her eyes and whimpered, remembering one of them had several cuts. She pressed the red scarf against it in an effort to stop the bleeding again. Her whole body shivered from exhaustion when she felt cold glass pressing into her fingers.

"Three gulps," Forrest repeated, and she gave up. It couldn't possibly be any worse than her situation now.

The liquid streamed down her throat, and soon, she felt Bia able to work on her torso wounds faster. This brought a wave of relief, and she could finally collect herself.

"So, if no one wished me harm, I guess I am free to go?" The Princess met Forrest's gaze.

"I said I did not give the order to kill you," he corrected. "I never said no one wished you harm."

She processed that information.

"The order was approved by the Alpha Convocation, and I have yet to find out who initiated it and why they would approve such a thing, especially in my absence."

Forrest rose and strode to his concealed liquor cabinet, retrieving an aged bottle of fine whisky, and poured two glasses. He came back, and offered one to her.

"Thanks," Elene forced another fake smile, took the tumbler and poured the drink into the nearby plant, causing the Alpha in front of her to rub the bridge of his nose. This was going to be a long night.

The tension between them crackled like static in the air. Elene's glare cut into Forrest, the force of her hatred palpable.

Forrest regarded her for a moment before speaking.

"I'm not your enemy," he began. "There are forces at play here that you don't understand."

Elene snorted. "Try me."

He sighed and leaned back against the wall, arms crossed over his chest. "We are in the middle of elections here in the South. There's a political game unfolding—one that could lead to war if we're not careful."

"And you think I'm a pawn in this game?"

Forrest nodded. "You could be a queen if you play it right."

Elene's eyes narrowed. She didn't trust him—not fully—but she couldn't deny that he might have been right about this. Judging by what she saw today, he was displeased with his subordinates upon their return from the assignment. This suggested the order to kill her had not originated with him.

In addition, Morgan had not been mentioned a single time in their conversation so far, so there was still a chance he didn’t know about her.

But someone else did, and that someone did not want the kid to get to the South.

Forrest ran a hand through his hair, clearly choosing his words carefully. "Cyrus Walford, an Alpha from a prominent lycan pack, is making moves to become the new High Chancellor," he said. "I am his strongest rival for the position. He claims that he's the 'true Southerner' and that the South shouldn't tolerate any provocations. In short, his campaign is built on the defence of our country from you. He needs the North to be a threat he can fight."

"Who in their right mind would want to pick a fight with us?" Elene asked, noticing she finally wasn't bleeding anymore. The potion worked.

"Walford is a billionaire, and his family owns weapon manufacturing factories," Forrest explained.

"No weapons can beat us!" Elene stood up, rage surging through her.

"How sure are you about that?" Forrest looked at her, and she wanted to crush him with her best arguments, but a doubt crawled deep into her soul.

"No offence, Princess," the Southerner took a sip of his drink, "but the moment your warriors received those ‘gifts’, your country developed a major target on its back. No one wants you that strong. So now you are considered a threat."

"We are a peaceful nation as long as we are unprovoked," she reasoned.

"It just takes one bad ruler to change that." Forrest put his glass down. "Your brother is fine, but we don't know what will happen after him."

"Said like a man who wants peace," she chuckled bitterly. Elene always loathed politics, even if she was good at it.

"Oh, I still do," he smiled. "But I know what others on the Alpha Convocation think."

"Looks like a war is inevitable, then."

"Not if I can help it," Forrest insisted. "However, your being here complicates things. If Walford discovers that the Northern Princess is in the South—"

"He'll use it against you," Elene finished for him.

"Exactly." Forrest stood up and approached her again, his expression earnest. "And who knows what the Convocation orders will be then."

"I can imagine, considering what their last order was," Elene locked eyes with him, trying not to breathe in his intoxicating scent. Fighting the mate bond was torture. "So, what do you propose?" she asked.

"I'll hide you here," he said bluntly, "right under everyone's noses. I'll find out who gave the order and why, and I will deal with it. When everything is done, I’ll help you get home."

"And all you want in return is?" she taunted, knowing politicians too well. He had to have an agenda of his own.

"Your support," he replied without hesitation. "When you are back in your country, give an interview and say that I helped to achieve peace."

"I supposed I could do that," she tilted her head, fishing for his reaction but he gave her none. "In return, I want full disclosure about anything you find out. I want to know who was after me."

"Deal," he agreed. "I don’t keep secrets from my allies."

The last word made her stomach churn, but she went with it.

He offered her a hand to shake, and she stood up, accepting it. Tingles erupted between them once again, causing them both to jerk their hands back.

After all, it was a simple business deal, but her heart was racing. Elene wished she could leave this room as soon as possible.

"A second part of the deal is for us to reject each other," she said the words before her brain processed them and his grip on her fingers became almost painful.

"Now is not the right time," Forrest withdrew his hand and returned to his desk.

"Is there ever the right time?" She let out a nervous chuckle, hugging herself. All this was a nightmare, and she wanted it over as soon as possible.

"You are barely standing on your feet," he pointed out. "And do you seriously want to go through the pain of breaking a mate bond right now when you are here, vulnerable and pretending to be someone else?"

"Excuse me, you want me to pretend to be Aconite?" she gasped. "What about the part where you were going to hide me here?"

"Yes," he nodded, "as Aconite. You are already in. No one would suspect a thing. Especially if you don't heal your face wounds properly. We can say that the Northern claws were poisoned or something, and that caused you to have scars."

"This is insane!" She shook her head. "It was dumb luck they didn't recognise me! We can't keep it up!"

"None of them ever saw Aconite," Forrest explained. "And they are Firstborn assassins. I am pretty sure you know what it means. They did not grow up watching TV or reading magazines. They only saw Princess Elene in a few photos in their brief, where I am sure, you were covered in gold and diamonds and had one of these complicated hairdos — they will not recognise you. Especially not like this. Just — refrain from interacting with them as much as you can and I will help you along the way."

"Fine, but I will have to tell my brother I am fine," Elene insisted.

"We'd better not," Forrest declined. "At least not now."

"Spoken like a man who has never loved or cared for anyone in his life." The Princess wasn't impressed. "My brother has been through too much recently. I can't do this to him."

"Just for a few days," the Southerner did not give up. "Look, knowing how these things are done, no one will announce your death for a while. You will be officially missing, and we will be looking for you. Or your body."

"Fenrir, help me," Elene muttered and looked at the ceiling, trying to hold back her rage. "I knew meeting one's mate could be a horrible thing instead of a beautiful one, but this is a whole new level of torment—"

"Just a few days and you will be free from me forever," he promised.

"And we reject each other," she caught his gaze, noticing how he was staring at her lips.

"Of course."

"Well, then," she exhaled sharply, "I think we’ve got ourselves a deal."

Are you nuts? Hades tore through the mind barrier. I'd rather die than let you do this! That's an absolute no!

"I almost forgot—" Forrest walked to one of his cabinets and, after a few seconds of going through files, got out a red folder. "This is Aconite's dossier. Read it and burn it."

Elene nodded, accepting the documents.

"She was taken to the Firstborn island when her family was killed. She was just a baby. Because she received early training, her assassin career started early as well. She was very promising, especially when she received her gift. I guess we are lucky you have the same powers."

A wave of fear rippled through the Princess. She still wasn't sure she had any gift, but Forrest was convinced that she was one of the Changed Ones. A part of her wanted to tell him the truth, but the other part reminded her to stay quiet. Forrest Romero couldn't be trusted.

"Lucky indeed," she hummed, looking at the picture of a woman who had little in common with her except for the hair colour. A woman she killed.

"You need a thicker fringe," Forrest suggested, looking at her. He reached out, his hand stopping before it touched her face, and Elene froze.

A knock on the door made them step in opposite directions.

"I am busy!" Forrest announced loudly.

"Not for me!" Ximena's voice sounded like overly sweet honey.

Elene felt a wave of rage rising.

"Where am I staying?” she whispered.

"Aconite's room is right here." He opened the folder for her and pointed at where her accommodation at the Cathedral was documented. "Each female assassin has their own room and Aconite is not an exception."

"Forrest!" Ximena was still at the door. "I am not wearing any panties if that helps you make your decision,”

"I'm—" The General wanted to explain to Elene what was happening, but she glared at him with so much hatred that he froze on the spot.

If you dare to touch this witch when we have a mate, Hades used his human's moment of weakness to break through, I promise to think of your grandmother the whole time while you are at it. Remember how her leg got infected, and all that pus was coming out—

"Forrest," Ximena called again, "I am all wet—"

Elene opened the door with force, and the witch's lips parted in shock.

"What is she doing here?"