Chapter 158: _We All Have Skeletons Elian’s POV
It was one madness too many yesterday, just like every other day since his rebirth. But never would he have expected that he’d be seeing Lucian and Axel barely a day after he gave them a cold goodbye. He still had a little guilt for leaving without telling Axel anything—while his attitude to Lucian was obviously well deserved. But seeing them right here in Kyren’s palace? Goddess, this was a recipe for disaster, and he could smell it. [What I see is a recipe for opportunity, fruit cake.] The system chimed in his mind as he and Kyren walked through the hallways, heading for the throne room. [You still recall that special mission to complete involving your three mates? Or is your early-stage dementia preventing you from remembering?] Elian kept his expression neutral, trying not to draw any suspicious glances from Kyren. He’d been getting way too many of those recently. ’I remember the special mission... ish. Gosh, after the attack from Arcadia and that crazy dark hand spy, my brain is foggy.’ [Right... let’s blame your memory loss on that. I’ll suggest dementia medications later...]
It was one madness too many yesterday, just like every other day since his rebirth. But never would he have expected that he’d be seeing Lucian and Axel barely a day after he gave them a cold goodbye. He still had a little guilt for leaving without telling Axel anything—while his attitude to Lucian was obviously well deserved. But seeing them right here in Kyren’s palace? Goddess, this was a recipe for disaster, and he could smell it. [What I see is a recipe for opportunity, fruit cake.] The system chimed in his mind as he and Kyren walked through the hallways, heading for the throne room. [You still recall that special mission to complete involving your three mates? Or is your early-stage dementia preventing you from remembering?] Elian kept his expression neutral, trying not to draw any suspicious glances from Kyren. He’d been getting way too many of those recently. ’I remember the special mission... ish. Gosh, after the attack from Arcadia and that crazy dark hand spy, my brain is foggy.’ [Right... let’s blame your memory loss on that. I’ll suggest dementia medications later...]
Elian rolled his eyes but then his lips curled into a smile when the system finally projected a blue screen showing all the necessary details on the special mission.
[Special mission: Get all three mates in one room or enclosed space and lure them to be intimate with you at once. Could be kissing, sensual grabbing... Or the real deal.]
[Reward: 500 Ascension points.]
Elian felt a gnawing headache coming in but he didn’t have time to think through it as he and Kyren finally got in front of the throne room doors.
The rogue king swerved his head to him, a small smirk on his face. "Ready?"
Elian drew in a breath before nodding. "Ready as I’ll ever be."
With that, Kyren flicked his wrist, causing the large black doors to open. Elian’s eyes immediately landed on the two figures waiting right below the steps of the dais ahead of them.
Lucian and Axel.
His breath caught in his throat as they both turned to face them. Kyren and Elian walked in, but the rogue king was unmoved as always, grabbing his hand.
"Gentlemen. Although your arrival was announced last night... this is still such a surprise." Kyren muttered, his voice booming through the room. "I wouldn’t call it a pleasant one. But it’s a surprise nonetheless."
Gods above...
"Lord Kyren." Lucian plastered a smile, his eyes lingering on Elian for a moment too long. "Like we mentioned before, we’re here in peace. Can we please set aside our differences and—"
"Differences?" Kyren sniggered, clicking his tongue as he and Elian finally got close to the Beta and Alpha Prince.
The two pairs stared at each other briefly, although Elian felt like prey surrounded by prowling predators in front of all three of them.
But Kyren soon broke the tension by dragging him along with him, making him climb the steps of the dais.
"You saying we have ’differences’ makes it seem like I ever placed importance on your existence, Alpha Prince." Kyren finally continued, sitting on his throne with one leg over the other when he got to it.
He waved his right hand through the air, causing a similar-looking throne to materialise beside him.
Elian was stunned, blinking with more confusion when Kyren gestured at him to sit.
[Ouu, talk about the biggest statement of the century!]
Elian’s eyes trailed to Lucian and Axel. The former’s jaw was so tight that he feared his teeth would fall off from the pressure.
And then the Beta tried seeming calm as always, but there was a deep glint of possessive jealousy in his eyes as he stared at Elian.
’Sit, little flame.’ Kyren’s voice split into his mind, soft and tempting. ’Let them see that you’re a prize they can never bargain for. Not with me. Not ever.’
Elian swallowed hard but didn’t say anything, managing to flash a smile at him. He sat awkwardly, lowering his head and trying hard to avoid eye contact with Lucian.
"I see you’re getting our mate quite comfortable." Lucian’s voice was what finally broke through the embarrassing silence, his tone slick with sarcasm. "But I do hope you consider taking this peace talk with the same tenderness, Lord Kyren."
There was a short pause, forcing Elian to glance briefly at Kyren.
The rogue king drummed his fingers on the armrests of his throne, seeming unimpressed and bored.
"Peace talks after the attack on Gravethorn? After one of the Dark Hand’s spies attacked my capital city and killed an innocent in the process?" Kyren finally let out a dry laugh. "I’ve never taken Lunarians for clowns. But this sure helps sell the role."
[Ouch... daddy’s not here to play.]
Elian raised his head, peeking at Lucian and Axel through dimmed eyes. The second-hand embarrassment he felt right now made him wish he could sink into the comfortable black leather of the throne he sat on.
Axel stepped forward just then, blocking Lucian’s icy glare after Kyren’s flawless roast.
"Lunaria wasn’t aware of the Dark Hand attack."
Kyren shrugged. "Yes. Because I chose not to make it public. Wouldn’t want Arcadia to think they have us in a tight corner. Them and... whoever’s sponsoring the Dark Hand. Oh, wait!"
He snapped his fingers dramatically, pointing at them like they were cute little puppies. "That would be your Alpha King, last I checked. Which is why I find it indubitably ironic especially now that he’s preaching ’peace’."
The tension tripled after that, so much so that Elian felt like suffocating.
All his mates were Alpha-class wolves... with Kyren being a celestial sovereign.
If things escalated, the best thing Elian could do was flee the throne room and try to calm them from the bottom floor.
[Kyren would most likely end that theoretical scuffle within seconds. But yeah, let’s hope to the goddess that this doesn’t blow up.]
"I understand your mistrust of my father." Lucian chimed suddenly, his voice unnervingly calm. "But we all have skeletons in our cupboards. Things that would taint our image if they leak out."
Elian frowned deeply, noticing the way he drew those words.
Something was off...
The small smirk that stretched Lucian’s lips only added to the feeling of unease as he tilted his head. "I’m certain you can relate, Lord Kyren."
Elian glanced at Kyren, noticing the way his expression subtly darkened.
[Welp. I smell a plot twist coming in hot.]