A/N: Dearest gentle readers, how as the story been so far? I would really love your thoughts on the book so far. Thanks for reading!
Enjoy!
*****
Adrian lay down next to Arielle, he didn't know what was wrong with him and he pulled her close to himself.
"She's so beautiful right?" Kaelos asked proudly.
"You're such a killjoy." Kaelos commented.
Adrian didn't reply but he knew Kaelos was right. He dipped into her hair and inhaled. Her scent was really driving him crazy.
He felt as if he was betraying Gina (the name of the girl he liked, but at the same time, he felt complete with this girl in his arms.
He sighed. Why did he feel that way?
"It's because she's your mate dummy. No matter how much you say that you love Ginger, your heart will still belong to your mate." Kaelos answered him.
"Her name is Gina."
"Sure sure, Ginger, in all what I said the only thing you could bring out." Kaelos mocked.
Adrian stopped talking, deciding not to argue with his wolf.
The journey to the cave had been a bit tedious for him, her scent kept on invading his nose and he wanted to draw her close to him to inhale further. He shook his head to clear it, all these thoughts and emotions were because of Kaelos. He only loved one person and no one else.
Kaelos snorted at the ridiculous thoughts running through Adrian's mind.
"You are being ridiculous." Kaelos commented.
"Whatever." Adrian replied.
"If you do not like her, why did you lie down next to her and pull her close to yourself? Hmm? Adrian?" Kaelos asked sarcastically. "Your words are contradictory to your actions. Just so you know."
"Whatever. I do not like her and that's it." Adrian said.
"You sound like you are trying to convince yourself. Why is that?"
Adrian didn't give Kaelos listening ears anymore and just focused on the scent invading his nostrils.
***
Morning came quite quickly but the sun was nowhere to be seen as it was still raining.
Arielle yawned as she opened her eyes slowly. She felt really warm and comfortable, she snuggled closer to the source of warmth. She blinked groggily a second later, she realized she was lying in someone's embrace.
Twisting, she glanced up and was met with a silver mask. Her eyes circled as if she was just recognizing the person. She pushed herself immediately from his embrace but the arms holding her tightened.
She tried to get out of his grip but he was just too strong. "Stay still." She heard the deep masculine voice say and she immediately stilled.
"I'm sorry, Your Majesty, I didn't realize when I had rolled into your arms." Arielle apologized.
Adrian frowned.
"You are making my mate apologize for what she didn't do." Kaelos sounded upset.
Adrian didn't reply, releasing the girl in his arms.
Arielle adjusted and made sure there was enough space between them. This was the first time she had slept beside the opposite gender. It made her conscious of what she had done during the course of her sleep. Did she snore? Agh! She didn't know.
"So I don't deserve to be greeted?"
Arielle was brought back to the present when the king suddenly asked.
"Ahh. Forgive me, Your Majesty. Good morning." Arielle said while sitting and bowed a bit.
"Lie down." Adrian said in a voice that left no room for negotiation. "And move closer."
Arielle was confused but she still did what she was asked.
"Your smell intoxicates me, Arielle."
Arielle froze this was the first time she had heard her name from his mouth. Well, there was no need to call her name since they had not directly had any conversation.
Kaelos had taken over from Adrian since the man was being a dummy. He pulled, Arielle closer and inhaled. He had missed her scent so much and right now he could not get enough. This time around he would not let her go anywhere. She was his and his alone!
The last time had been a mistake on his path and wanted to rectify that mistake. He hoped she would forgive him and understand that none of what happened was his fault. I'm so sorry, my love.
Arielle wondered what had gotten into the king. She felt he was different again, she didn't know how to put it but it felt like it was a different person holding her now. He pulled her closer, his warmth pouring over her. He entangled his leg with hers and she was immediately surrounded by his scent. He smelt like the breeze when it rains or when it just rained. She had always liked the smell of the rain and that was what the king smelt like.
"Why do you smell like the rain, your majesty?" Arielle asked what was on her mind.
"Mmm. The rain? That's a first. Is that what you perceive right now? You might be confused because it is still raining outside." Kaelos said amused.
"No. I am sure that's what you smell like. Why is that?"
"Well, it's because you're my mate. That's why you can smell what I scent like."
"What does your scent have to do with being your mate?" Arielle asked confused. She stiffened when he began to rub her back but she soon relaxed.
Kaelos was happy that she was relaxed in his hold. "Every werewolf has a particular scent that only his or her mate can identify." He explained. "It is only smelt by the mate."
"So, only Anna can tell what Brian really smells like?" Arielle asked.
"Yes, and Brian can also tell what she smells like."
Arielle didn't know why she was comfortable talking to him freely, and even she found herself enjoying his embrace and rubs on her back.
Since she was his mate and they would spend the rest of their lives together, she decided to make it work.
"What do I smell like then?" She asked curiously wanting to know what he smelt since she couldn't smell anything from herself. "You said it intoxicates you, why is that?"
Kaelos chuckled. Her innocence was just like he remembered. "You smell like wilted jasmines."
"But that is nothing to be intoxicated about." Arielle said confused.
"Mmm. It isn't."
"Can I ask you a question, Your Majesty?"
"Mmm."
"Why do you wear a mask?" Arielle asked. She had not seen him put it off once. And how could he even see? Wasn't it suffocating to put in a mask every time?
"That's a story for another day, love." Kaelos said.
Arielle kept mute and decided not to pry further. But something felt off with this man. She felt as though she was talking to a different person. She had always been a curious person, and until that curiosity was satisfied that is when she would rest.
"Can I ask another question, Your Majesty?"
"Mmm." Kaelos answered.
"Do you have double personalities?" Arielle asked and looked up. She wanted to read his expressions.
Kaelos stiffened.
"I mean, the last time by the fountain in the palace you seemed warm and throughout the journey, you were cold, and right now you are being warm." Arielle explained.
Kaelos was surprised at how she had caught on quickly. "Mmm. That is the fault of a particular dummy."
Arielle opened her mouth and closed it back not knowing what to say. She didn't even understand so what was she supposed to say?