The Alpha's Temptation

“It’s an interesting story,” said Biham. “One I would love to tell you in detail, but not now.” He held her hand on instinct and guided her back to the sofa. “Are you tired, Kinshra? We can do it another time.”

She loved his touch. What could she do? She still craved his touch. Even though he had rejected her, she hadn’t and she didn’t know why. Over the years she had grown used to Lord Haftr. He was a nice fae male. Very caring and patient. She marveled the way he waited for her for ten years, and liked him as to how patiently he helped her out of her depression. Kinshra had regained a lot of control over her feelings. She had emerged as a mature woman.

But now that she was with Biham, she wanted to feel like that young seventeen-year-old again. She wondered for how long would she be able to keep her heart intact and not fall for him. Lord Haftr had had a long conversation with her and he said, “I will leave you with him, Kinshra. You have to decide on your future. You have to choose whom you want to be with. And the reason is simple. I don’t want a forced union because once we are in it, I will give you my full and expect the same.”

“I am not tired,” she said as a smile came to her lips inadvertently.

They walked to the sofa hand in hand and sat down. Every time Kinshra would glance at him, he would blush a little more. The maid came inside and set a tray full of goat cheese and grapes. “Would you like to take a bath, m’lady?” she asked.

“Not now,” she replied and the maid left reluctantly.

Biham sipped his tea and said, “Would you like to continue?”

“Yes,” she replied and ate some cheese. She looked beyond him towards the window. After a long time, the sun peeped out of the clouds. She flicked her wrist and two chairs flew from the side and settled near the window. Then she flicked her wrist again and the trays of food lifted in the air.

Biham watched her with amazement. He chuckled, remembering that she used to like doing these small magic things with him always. “Do you want us to sit by the window?”

“Yes!” she said. “Why waste such a beautiful sunny morning? It has come out after months!”

“Then why don’t we go outside?” he suggested.

Kinshra looked surprised because she mostly remained confined in her tower, but the idea of walking with him outside was… lovely. “Sure,” she said softly. She flicked her wrist again and the trays settled on the table. She got up and excitedly walked out towards the door, when he snatched her shawl from the back of the sofa and hurried towards her. He wrapped it around her. A pale blush came to her cheeks as she let him put the shawl on her. When Kinshra stepped out of the tower, the guards were shocked. They rarely saw her coming out and this was such a novelty for them that they immediately surrounded her. Now Kinshra and Biham walked with four guards around them.

Biham wasn’t liking it at all. More so because now she would be hesitant to talk to him. He didn’t know what to do.

“I don’t need you all around me,” said Kinshra, as if voicing his thoughts. “I would like to walk quietly along with King Biham.”

A smile came on his lips as the guards bowed and stayed back. Kinshra led him to their private garden that was at the rear of the castle. It was a small enclosed area. Pines were loaded with snow. A gentle breeze ruffled the soft white snow from them and the birds trilled in happiness, flying out of their nests. There were two benches but they were also covered with snow. “Would you like to walk around or do you want to sit?”

“I will do whatever you like,” he breathed.

“Then let us walk,” she said. Kinshra saw that he wasn’t wearing anything warm. She was about to point it out to him but remembered that he was a werewolf. They were always warm creatures.

“Let us.” He offered her his arm and coyly, she placed her hand in the crook of his elbow. That was more than enough for him. Instinctively, his hand covered hers over his arm.

As they walked along a cobbled path that was cleared of the snow by the gardeners, they both watched the beautiful landscape. Kinshra tilted her face towards the sun, soaking up every ray possible and letting him guide her.

After a while she started speaking. “I was only a week away from pregnancy. After my father refused to take me back in, I had to hide myself from Sirrah. She had sent her guards everywhere to find me. I was desperate to meet you even if that was for once. I didn’t know where to hide, and that’s when Cordea suggested that I hide in one of the stalls in the stable. Her husband, Arthur, was a stable help. At first, I was surprised by her suggestion, but I realized that probably Sirrah would never search for me in the palace premise.”

On a reflex, Biham pulled her hand closer to him, making her step near his body. She felt his warmth and loved it.

“So I went to a stall and hid myself over there. I used my magic to cast spells in order to conceal myself completely from the soldiers or any other prying servants. Cordea and Arthur would sneak food for me every now and then. When I got into labor, I contacted my father again. He was keeping a close vigil on me. When I gave birth to Tania, a portal opened up and he was there to take me. I had to hand over Tania to Cordea and then reluctantly, I stepped inside the portal with him. I stole a little bit of energy from him and left it in the stables, hoping, wondering if it would ever be detected…”