THE ALPHA’S VENGEFUL LUNA

CHAPTER 8: QUESTIONS AND QUESTIONS

As Ava prepared me for dinner that evening with Icarus, my mind reeled with questions. Possible questions I could ask Icarus that would lead me to the answer I sought, but it was hard to think with Miss bubbly bunny whining in my ears while her firm grip tugged on my scalp.

“Oh, Miss Freya! You are indeed special.” Ava gushed as she tugged on my scalp. “Icarus rarely ever invites anyone for a special dinner, especially since the mating ritual has not been carried out yet between you two.”

“Oh, really?” I replied flatly. “ How wonderful.”

“You do not seem too excited about it though.” Ava said as she took in my blank expression from the mirror. “Is anything wrong?”

“What do you mean I am not excited?” I asked her. “You can't blame me for not leaping for joy. Your firm grip on my hair makes it hard for me to express anything.”

That was a white lie, but then it worked out perfectly because Ava was just about ready to rip my hair off my already tenderised scalp.

“Oooh, I am so sorry, Miss. ” Ava apologised, loosening her grip. “All that is left are some finishing touches….and...voila! We are done!”

I took in my reflection in the mirror and could not resist the smile that greeted my lips.

“This is beautiful…” I said, taking in my half updo with curly golden tendrils framing my face.

“Thank you.” I said and she curtsied with a happy grin on her face.

“Here is your dress, Miss. I shall be assisting with your fitting.” Ava said, showing me a blood red dress with a side slit and full sleeves.

I sighed. “Icarus ordered you to ensure I put this on, right?”

“Well…not really...” came Ava's hesitant reply as she scratched her neck shyly.

“It is alright Ava.” I said, taking off my dressing robe. “Let us just get this over with.”

I eyed the pair of heels she gave to me and shook my head.

“There is no way I am wearing that.”

“But that was the pair master approved, Miss.” Ava said, already looking dejected.

“If I fall and hurt myself, then it would be on you two.” I huffed as I slipped on the heels, waddling like a duck with every step I took in them.

“Ahh!” I screamed as I tripped but Ava was quick to catch me.

“I shall request for another shoe, miss.” Ava said with a grimace, helping me to my feet..

After my shoe was replaced, I took in my entire look on the dressing mirror and I was rendered breathless.

“Wow…” I gasped.

“Ou, la la! Master is in for a treat this evening.” Ava said to me with a sly smirk on her face.

“Is he now?” I raised a brow at her and she slapped her mouth shut.

“That is better.” I said, sighing in satisfaction.

The grand clock in my room chimed and I knew that was my cue to head over to dinner with Icarus.

As much as I itched to get on his b****y nerves by acting out like I always did, I knew it would turn around and bite me in the derrière because then, I will not be able to get the answers to all my questions if I get him annoyed.

Answers I needed to ensure his ultimate destruction.

“Master is waiting for you.” The servants said as they pulled the double doors apart.

When I stepped into the room, I could not stop myself from gasping in awe. And right into grandeur with dim glowing golden lights, from the giant chandelier illuminating the golden room, there he was, sitting at the table.

As he caught sight of me, his jaw slackened and his gaze darkened with desire.

“You are absolutely stunning, Freya.” He said in a low tone, taking my hand in his before slowly planting a kiss at the back of my palm.

I bit back the urge to yank my hand from his as I fought nausea. I knew I had to act right this night if I wanted to get the information I needed.

“Thank you.” I replied shyly before taking the seat he had pulled out for me.

Rich delicacies filled the table and my mouth watered at the sight of them.

We dug right into our meal and as we ate, I began to think of the right way to begin asking my questions.

“It is a beautiful castle you have here, Icarus.” I said, watching him as he munched on his meal.

“How long have you ruled here?”

He paused, his fork hanging mid-air. “A long time…”

Vague.

“Hmmm... how long then?” I asked. “Or do you not want to tell me about yourself?”

“Pardon me, Freya.” Icarus apologised. “I was just a little surprised that you really want to know about me.”

Of course I wanted to know about him. I needed all the information I could get so I could finally destroy him entirely after my failed attempts.

I doubt Imani would want to welcome another story of my failures.

“My family has ruled this land for hundreds of years.” Icarus began. “Our bloodline is a long one, and one empowered with richness and wisdom to rule accordingly.”

“Hmmm…” I nodded. I did not miss how he carefully evaded my question. Well played, Icarus.

Maybe I needed to ask less intrusive questions, so I did.

“What is your favourite place in the castle?” I asked, watching him as his eyes lit up at my question.

“The drawing room.” He replied. “It is where I get to play my grand piano. It is always such a beautiful experience. The serenity. The perfect symphony. The escape it offers even the most bitter souls.” For some reason, his gaze on me seemed to intensify.

I felt a heaviness in my chest, and I tried to wave off the flutter in my tummy at that piece of information. His truth. I was this tempted to ask him to play for me.

“Wow, I had no idea that even men like you could be vulnerable to music too.” Came my reply. “I could have sworn that your only emotion was rage.”

Icarus chuckled, a deep melody that vibrated through me. I felt it everywhere I didn’t want to.

“You don’t know me so well, Freya. Maybe one of these day, I should give you a tour. I would love to have you see this place as your home. There is much to discover.” His genuine smile never left.

“Yes...there is.” I blinked away. What was he so chummy about?

“Speaking of things I need to discover…” I started again, taking a long sip of my wine as I drew his attention towards me. “I faintly recall a story I was told as a child…”

“What story did you hear?” He asked, taking a long swig from his flute.

“I heard a lot of stories actually. ” I said. “But this particular one stood out from the rest.”

“Why so?” Icarus asked me, giving me his full attention.

“Because it was about Immortal Alphas. Alphas who had the ability to live forever.” I said.

This was my opportunity to confirm if he was truly immortal, or he just used rejuvenation rituals to stay young.

“Hmmm…” He grunted in response.

“What I really want to know is, are all Alphas immortal, or do the gods bestow immortality on whoever they deem fit?” I questioned further.

“Where did you get that from?” Icarus asked, his eyes regarding me amusedly.

“I do not know.” I laughed. “The memories are in bits and pieces.”

The man only hummed in obvious amusement, as if he knew a secret I didn’t. He didn’t even bother to respond. I huffed mentally, internally glaring at him. Difficult man.

Thank my ancestors that I wasn’t an easy woman either.

“How are the councilmen doing? Are they healing fine?” I asked.

“Oh, they are healing really fine. The healers insist that they were infected but I believe otherwise. I know foul play when I see it.” He scowled. “With the assistance of the physicians, they were able to recover at a faster rate.”

Icarus was a smart man. I had to give him that.

“Hmm, you should trust your instincts then. I hear that an Alpha’s gut feeling is never wrong.”

His lips curled slightly, almost deviously. “I know I’m not.”

I tried not to squirm under his eerie gaze. I placed my attention back to my meal, forcing another question out.

“What is the difference between healers and physicians? Do they not do the same thing?”

“Well, they do but their practice is what differentiates them.” Icarus replied. He chuckled at my confused expression before he continued to explain.

“The healers focus on using natural sources from plants and animals to carry out their work. For physicians, they may make use of more modern medicines, which are usually produced in a lab.”

“Ohhh, that makes sense.” I nodded in understanding. “Do immortals even need healers?”

“It is immortality, Freya. Not immunity from hurt.” Icarus chuckled, a mocking glint in his eyes.

I rolled my eyes playfully. “Haha, not funny. At what age do immortals even stop ageing?” I asked another question. I needed to find a way to get my answers out of him.

“Why do you ask?” He arched an arrogant brow. “Have you met any immortals?”

I facepalmed myself in my mind. Why in the world was he answering my questions with questions?

“Maybe…” I answered. “But I would not know unless they tell me.”

“Well, I suggest you wait until they do.” Icarus smiled, reaching out to take my hand in his, a jolt of electricity running through us.. “If there is one thing I can't wait for, it is finally being able to claim you as mine. The priests are already making preparations for the mating ritual.”

I cringed at the tug on my heart, but I could not show it. I just kept a smile on my face, agreeing to everything he said. Maybe that would make him let go of me quicker.

He did not seem to be willing to let go,so I had to pretend that I wanted to eat more as I pulled my hand away from his, forcing more food down my throat.

Why was he so touchy?

“So, do you know any Immortal wolves personally? How do you even identify them?” I asked.

This was my moment of truth. Whatever he says in response to this would give me just the right clue to know if he was immortal or not.

Instead of answering my question, Icarus kept on staring at me, misty-eyed. His next string of words almost made me choke on my meal.

“Spend the night in my chamber, Freya.”