Chapter 668 – Hidden Desires of the Werewolf King Novel

Filed To Story: Veiled Desires of the Alpha King Novel

Wolves are creatures driven by instincts. Did that mean Keith should allow his instincts to take over when he was with Talia? Even in his head, that sounded suicidal because he could see himself getting too close, only for Dayson to give him a magnificent death.

Cassandra also said that Keith needed to protect Talia, and that was something he would do anyway.

As for the necklace… It can’t hurt to carry it around, can it?

In Cornelia’s room, Cornelia was tidying up her desk under James’s watchful eyes that never left her.

Her room was spacious enough to allow for a queen-size bed, a work area with a desk and a chair, a sitting area with a sofa and a coffee table, a comfy-looking chaise under the window, and plenty of space between those to move about.

James observed that Cornelia’s room had everything to make it cozy without being cluttered, but the best thing  was that it carried the scent of wild berries that were sweet with just a pinch of tartness, James’ favorite.

After a day with the witches, they had dinner, and James finally got his chance for some privacy with Cornelia.

Being in her room was like he got a peek into her past, something private; it was special.

The only thing that could make this better would be if she got within the touching distance, and they did the naughty, but James understood that her wearing a t-shirt and shorts when all witches were nearly naked (not that James really looked) was a sign that Cornelia was not ready for that final step.

It was like a knife in his heart. His own mate was not embracing him. Was this how the Moon Goddess punished him because he was a fraud?

Cornelia glanced at James, and her eyes flashed with excitement when their gazes met. Her chocolate-colored skin covered most of the blush that invaded her cheeks, but James was familiar with those subtle changes, which told him that his presence was impacting her, so he still had hope that they will make progress.

Cornelia kept the papers on the desk and moved to sit next to James on the sofa.

“What do you think about this place?” Cornelia asked.

“It smells like you. Sweet and seductive wild berries.” He licked his lips and inched toward her. “And I want to eat them all.”

James was delighted that Cornelia leaned into him to respond to his kisses, and the way she held onto him was the best thing ever. Too bad that was as far as it went.

James knew that he shouldn’t be greedy. This should be good enough, and if he pushes too hard, it might backfire. But he couldn’t stop himself from wanting more. Why would the Moon Goddess allow him to cross paths with his mate if he couldn’t claim her as his?

He was aware that he didn’t feel the bond fully, but that didn’t mean his desire for her was not maddening.

“Cora,” James called, his breath splashed on her lips. “I want you to do the ritual to boost my wolf.”

Cornelia’s eyebrows came together in obvious disapproval. “Did you talk to Yasmin?”

He wanted to deny it, but he didn’t want to lie. How can he tell her that he had a chat with Yasmin, who already knew about that option and that Cornelia was against it? Yasmin quickly suggested knocking out Cornelia so she won’t interfere with the ritual, and Yasmin would boost James’ wolf, and then… he was not sure what would be next, but he knew that Yasmin was serious.

James couldn’t admit to any of it without getting into trouble, so he dodged answering Cornelia’s question by asking, “Will she do the ritual?”

“Not if you ask me.”

James exhaled in frustration. He knew that Cornelia didn’t approve. There were risks, and she didn’t want to put him in danger, but he hated their current situation. “Cora, we are stuck in a stalemate. I don’t want to part from you, and I know that you feel the same. Unfortunately, without me feeling the bond, you are reluctant to…”

“How will feeling the bond change things?” Cornelia asked him. “Will that help you deal with your father? Will that give you the strength to protect me? Or will that make you stay here? We could stay here. Your father will never find you.”

James’ conscience forced him to shake his head. “I would love to stay and forget everything in the human realm, but I can’t. If I don’t return, my father will use that as a reason to act against the Shadow Fang pack, and the consequences will be unimaginable.” Actually, he could imagine the carnage and Alpha Edward not caring about the casualties as long as he could get the power and territory he craved for.

“So, why would you risk going through the ritual if it won’t solve the practical problems we are facing?” Cornelia asked.

“It would give me the taste of how it is to feel the bond, and it will assure you that we are soulmates. With that, you won’t doubt my sincerity and…”

“Enough, James.”, Cornelia interrupted him, her tone more sad than angry. “This is not about me doubting you because I don’t. I know that your feelings for me are true, but I also know that you are not ready. Would you ask me to go through the ritual if you knew that it could cripple me?”

She put her hand on his cheek, and he leaned into her palm.

“There are no benefits big enough to justify you getting hurt. I don’t want you to get hurt. I won’t allow it.”

James knew she was right. He couldn’t stay with witches forever, so he had to ask, “Will you consider coming with me to the Red Moon pack?”

“What about your father? I assume I won’t be welcome as your mate. Do you expect me to hide in the closet, and you will sneak food for me so I don’t starve? How long can we keep that going on until someone finds me? We both know that the most practical thing is that we separate. You want to be with me, I want to be with you, and our desires match. However, that doesn’t rationalize a decision for any of us to get into serious trouble. What if your father imprisons me? Did you forget the story where witches are used for breeding? Will you be fine if my presence is exposed? How will you protect me?”

James’ heart cracked. He hated that he didn’t have an Alpha aura, a strong one like Alpha Dayson. He would use it to fight off anyone who dared to endanger Cornelia, and he would protect her and keep her safe by his side.  But he didn’t have that damned aura, and he needed to work with what he had.

“Let’s not think about this as all or nothing.”, he said with all the seriousness in the world. “There must be a way for us to be together without risking our lives.”

“How?” She asked.

James knew that she couldn’t stay in the packhouse of the Red Moon pack. If they hide the fact she is his mate, Cornelia will be treated worse than Omega, and if Alpha Edward gets a whiff of Cornelia’s identity, she will probably face even worse.

James remembered when Dawn and George offered for Cornelia to stay with them. Was that offer still valid? Maybe they could work with that.

James regretted that George and Dawn were not here with them because he wanted to discuss that option in more detail. Until then… “We will figure out something.”

The second day with witches passed quickly.

Other than talking with Evanora and Axel about portal use, Talia and Dayson strolled through the area, and Dayson got to see the Silver Flame fountain in person.

Dayson observed the statue that depicted a female and a wolf standing next to each other while reaching up to the skies. The silvery flame danced where the female’s hand and wolf’s paw connected.

Dayson was familiar with the scene because Talia shared her memories with him, and he thought how it was strange since this was obviously his first time here, yet he had a feeling of familiarity, like a déjà vu. It was from the time when he didn’t feel the bond, and he left her behind. She came here, desperate to find a cure for his condition, and he just left.

“What’s going on?” Talia asked Dayson when she noticed that his mood was off.

His smile didn’t reach his eyes which were full of sadness. The memory Talia shared with him about this place was with Yasmin and Axel having their ceremony as mates, and Dayson had so many regrets about it.

“You’ve been through so much because of me, without me,” he said.

Talia hugged him and buried her face into his chest. She loved that his arms moved around her naturally, but… “You need to stop doing this to yourself, Dayson.”

Dayson tightened his hold on her and buried his face in her hair, but he didn’t respond.

Talia thought that she was prone to depression, but the more time she spent with Dayson, the more she realized how hard he was on himself.

Part of her was glad that she got to see this vulnerable side of Dayson. That was only for her to see, but she also wanted to make it better. She could fight off enemies and punish anyone who talks smack about Dayson, but how can she fight his inner demons?

“We are together now, and that’s what it counts.”, she said.

Dayson knew she was right, but he still felt guilty. Will he ever be able to make it up to her? He was determined to spend the rest of his life trying.

He lifted his head to meet her gaze and promised, “I will give you the best Luna ceremony ever.”

Talia poked his chest with her index finger. “Who needs a flashy ceremony? Even if you get the most popular band and cover everything in gold and shiny jewels, do you think that will be enough?”

Dayson’s eyebrows shoot up. She wanted more than that? He was ready! “What will be enough?” He would hear her wishes and give her more than that.

Talia grinned. “A lifetime with you.”

Dayson looked at her helplessly. He was ready to agree to whatever she wanted, yet she only wanted him.

She was Natalia Moonrider, the Alpha of the Midnight Guardians pack, with an ancient wolf for her spirit. Many knew her as Talia, her friends called her Lia, but only Dayson was aware of how fantastic she was. Talia was his mate, his kitten, his everything. She was modest, and he loved it, but he wanted to dote on her and spoil her rotten because only when she was happy due to something he did, the ghosts from the past would shrink.

“You already have me, kitten. All my days are yours.” He licked his lips nervously. “About your Luna ceremony…”

“Don’t let us interrupt you,” Evanora’s melodious voice came from the side.

Talia and Dayson both looked in that direction to see Evanora and two more witches approaching them.

“We are here to finalize details related to tonight’s ceremonies in the fountain.”, Evanora explained. “We thought of waiting for your moment to end, so we don’t spoil it, but it didn’t seem you will move on anytime soon, and we have time constraints.”

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