The Alpha's Temptation

Lerna ran her fingers on the sheet beside her and found it... empty and cold. She jerked open her eyes only to find that Rigel had left. They had had a passionate night before and Lerna was feeling so invigorated and happy. Rigel had repeatedly told her how much he loved her and that it was impossible to stay without her.

She tossed her blanket aside and got up. On her way out, she grabbed her robe and tied its belt across her waist. She rushed out and asked the guards as to where Prince Rigel was.

"We saw him dressed. Maybe he has gone out for a ride," they informed.

Not really believing him, Lerna came back inside, her heart sinking. Her eyes went to a letter on the table and with anticipation, she walked to the table to see the letter. It was what she hoped it wasn't.

"Dear Lerna,

I am leaving for Orion. I know it is tough for you, but it is tougher for me. You know that I am going to correct the situation out there. I have talked to Eltanin about you and he will take care of you when I am not there. Be patient. I will come back for you soon.

Only yours,

Rigel"

Panic surged through her in waves as she sagged down on the chair and held her head in her hands. She tried her best not to cry, but it didn't help, she burst out crying.

After what seemed eternity, she couldn't cry anymore. Somehow, she dragged herself to the bathroom and then took a bath. Mentally, she tried to make herself stronger. But the feeling of desolation was getting on her so badly that she felt like shifting and running through the jungles wildly.

When she came out, she found Tania waiting for her. "Lerna!" she rasped and closed the gap between them. She wrapped her arms around her and Lerna leaned in her warm embrace.

"He left..." she murmured.

"I know," Tania replied. "He spoke with us before leaving. He was too worried about you. He knew that if he took you there, your life would be in danger. And right now, that is the last thing he wants you to face."

"But--"

Tania removed herself. "Shhh... You are safe here, Lerna. No one in Orion knows that you are his mate. However, our spies got the information that--" Tania snapped her mouth shut.

Lerna frowned. "What information?"

"It's nothing," she said. Then she changed the topic. "Eltanin has arranged for your combat classes! Come, let us go together!"

---

It took two days for Rigel to reach the Orion Kingdom. When he reached, it was almost mid-morning. He walked straight to the throne hall, but before he could reach there, he realized that there was a commotion in the palace. Every servant bowed to him and was surprised to see him. However, even before he could reach the throne hall where his father, Mintaka was holding a court, he met with his sister, Meissa. She came rushing to him from the opposite end with four bodyguards.

"Rigel!" she rasped. She looked around to see.

"Lerna hasn't come," he replied coldly as he narrowed his eyes on her.

"Oh, I wasn't looking for her!" she replied instantly. "How are you?"

Rigel paused for a moment. He looked at her bodyguards who were all glaring at him fiercely. "I am well." He started to move and saw that the guards tensed. But he continued to walk towards the throne hall, ignoring them.

"Where are you going?" she asked, sounding nervous.

"To the throne hall, Meissa," he replied. "It is basic courtesy that I go and declare my return to the king."

"Oh, it is not needed!" she exclaimed. "Father already knows that you are here."

Rigel's jaws clenched. He halted and turned to face her. "Since when have you started advising me Meissa?" he said, his voice lethally cold.

"I--I am not advising," she said, getting all the more nervous as she glanced at the guards. Their hands slowly started to move towards the hilt of their swords. "I am merely stating the fact."

"So? You mean to say that because father knows that I am here, I should forget the protocol?"

Meissa shifted on her feet.

"And if you think that you can stop me by ordering these guards to attack me, then I think you are making a big mistake. Not only will I kill them all, I have the power to throw you in the dungeons for attacking the Crown Prince of Orion," Rigel snarled. He was anticipating his sister's misdeeds, but not so soon.

Meissa's mouth fell to the floor. "No, why would I do that?" she said clearly flustered.

From the corner of his eyes, he saw the guards retracting their hands from their swords. He knew that Meissa was planning on something too sinister and he thanked the deities for taking a decision to leave Lerna in Draka. Meissa would have got her killed instantly and declared to everyone that her brother brought Felis's sister to marry him.

He started to walk to the throne hall as Meissa watched him go. Her hands clenched in tight fists and her breath became ragged. "Don't touch him," she ordered her guards. "Not until I ask you to." Saying that, she started to walk in the opposite direction back to her mother.

Ever since Rigel had informed them that Lerna was his mate and that she was a princess of Hydra, her hopes of ruling the Orion Kingdom had sparked. She was going to milk the hatred of the citizens of Orion for Lerna. They all hated Felis and Nyxers. Along with her betrothed, Prince Okab, she had hatched a perfect plan to dethrone her elder brother. She had already started sending hints amongst the netizens about Lerna.

Prince Okab was a cousin of Princess Tarazed.

Rigel reached the throne hall and asked the guards to announce him. The guards too, were surprised but when they saw the murderous look in Rigel's eyes, they dared not say a word and announced him. Rigel didn't know how much Meissa had poisoned these people in such a short time. It was as if he was surrounded by enemies everywhere.