19 Calm

Walking out of the changing room, I began my track to the rooms where the King and the others were staying. High Priest Freyr walked in front of me with a lantern.

My dress, so to say, is quite simple. A white robe with butterfly sleeves and gold detailing on the edge of the robe. There is a lot of layers on me, most of them are sheer clothing just to add more volume to the outfit and give it his … 'regal' feel.

Or that is what High Priest Freyr told me it was for. Honestly, I do not know.

I also forgot to mention, I met the ladies from the night before. They helped me get ready and also did my hair. They must have spent the longest time on my hair, I don't know why though.

But it ended up looking nice so I did not have a word of complaint about them. As I passed them out of the room, Pandora and the girls whispered something in my ears which made me finally understand why they worked so hard on my hair.

They hid two silver blades in my hair well enough that, even if it is untied, it will not be seen and in a comfortable enough spot for me to be able to pull it out least I feel I am in danger.

"We made sure to modify it so that it does not burn you if you held the handle. And it affects Alphas the most, rendering them immobile." Leda whispered, looking all giddy and excited as though she did not just talk about the possible assassination of the King by me, with their help.

Fortunately, this is not that kind of story. I am merely assessing him, that is all.

But I am thankful that they cared enough to do this for me and I told them so. There is nothing for them to gain out of this, that I am sure of. But they did it anyway.

I hope I can meet them more and, maybe, have a talk. They seem nice.

"We are here, Orion." High Priest Freyr said, stopping a distance from the building as I saw a figure standing in the doorway, waving at us.

Beside Aaliyah is the same colourful wolf that I could not help feel the chill come up my spine the moment I looked at him. Yes, he is attractive, but I am still bitter about what he called me this morning.

"You remember what I told you, right?" High Priest Freyr asked, giving me an encouraging smile as I pulled the veil over my head, nodding. "He is at your mercy."

"But, why do you say it like that?" I asked, chuckling at the overdramaticness of this man beside me.

"Most of the people see this as a kind of duty thing. Where you HAVE to do it to keep the honour and it is your duty to your kingdom." He rolled his eyes, watching as the two made their way to us. "That is just nonsense. He truly is at your mercy. Please do not forget it."

"I won't," I said, walking away from him as the Luna and that wolf stopped in front of us, the fox carrying the lantern beside Aaliyah. "Good evening your majesty."

"Aww~. Don't be so formal." He said wrapping his arm around mine as he pulled me to him. "We will be going then, Freyr."

"And I will be here." He said, giving me a knowing look while not even casting a glance at the wolf beside us.

I almost forgot, High Priest Freyr is going to be standing out here, the entire night to make sure nothing goes wrong and … in case anything happens, I will be able to run to him at any time of the night.

His defence is so strong I don't think Alphas can even get through him. So I do feel a little better knowing this.

This truly is not how I thought tonight would go. I thought I would go there, do some hanky-panky and then be out. Though, why do I feel like he knows something?

That could be why he keeps insisting that I remember this but, I can't say. Also, what the goddess said is beginning to bother me.

'I wish you would have asked me for blessing, and I would have extended my protection on you.'

Ugh. All these things are making me more nervous than I already am feeling. I thought walking with Aaliyah and that wolf beside him. Why is he even here??

"So," Aaliyah asked, smiling at me expectantly. "We are alone."

"He is here," I said, pointing to the wolf beside him who just glared at me.

"He is a friend." He said, smiling kindly at me. "Come on, Orion. Call me by my name. Please."

Looking at his excited expression, I sighed, "Alright. Hello, Aaliyah."

"You remembered!" Aaliyah wrapped his arms around me, pulling me in for a tight hug. "Wonderful job!"

"Thank you," I said, accidentally making eye contact with the wolf before I quickly turned my face from him.

I do not wish to have anything to do with him anymore. I am not always nice, after all. Just get this over with and then leave.

"I am sure you already know, Altair." He said, patting the wolf's head. "He is a good friend of ours."

"Altair, this is Orion." Holding me with one hand, he held the wolf with the other, smiling as we reached the building. "I hope you two will be able to be wonderful friends."

I didn't think that was possible, but I didn't want to say it to him and potentially crush his happiness so I did not say a word, neither did the wolf.

Reaching the door of the house, Altair opened the door for us and we walked in.

Everyone is in their room, resting. Not just the people here but the people in the entire place as well. It is so that they can give us privacy, in case.

I don't know in case of what but that is what they told so that is what I am telling.

As we made our way into the building, I could not help ask Aaliyah, "Are you not … upset with me?"

"Whatever for?" He asked, smiling kindly while he walked beside me, Altair walking in front of us.

"Well, I am going to be … sleeping, with your mate. I thought you would be really upset … with me." I said, eyes darting to the ground, unable to look him in the eyes.

"Oh, Orion." Aaliyah stopped walking and took my hands in his, fixing a stray wisp of hair that fell on my face. "I understand that this is what is needed to be done.

"I am a little jealous. Yes. Though that is only because I love him a lot. Honestly, I wanted to be mad at you, but how could I be mad at someone that is worrying and beating themselves up for my sake?

"After I talked with you this morning, I realised that I could never be mad at you or even hate you, you are far too lovable for that. Right, Altair?"

I turned to the wolf who refused to look at me, though he remained seated in front of us, not moving.

"Well, I am honoured you think that," I said, smiling at him. "Still, for what it's worth, please do not worry, I have no interest in his majesty. I promise on my honour."

"Oh, I know." He said, a twinkle appearing in his eyes. Without saying another word, he continued walking. "Come on, I am sure he wants to get this over with quickly."

"O-ok," I said, still as confused as ever while I followed Aaliyah and Altair up the stairs and down the hallway to where the King's room was.

Placing me at the door, Aaliyah patted me on the back and whispered, "All the best. Try not to have too much fun."

With a wink, he walked past me and Altair, going into the room next to this one and closing the door.

"He is not joining us," Altair said, startling me slightly. "Calm down. Do you startle this easily all the time?"

Looking at the wolf, I only breathed a sigh of annoyance before I turned back to the door in front of me.

Tilting his head to me, Altair asked, "Are you going to open? Or do you need someone to say 'please'?"

Snapping my neck at the wolf, I merely looked at him with a look of annoyance, "You … you have learnt nothing from what I taught you, have you?"

"What is there to learn?" He asked, a bored look on his face. "You are too slow. I will be announcing your arrival first."

Turning into his human form, Altair did not spare me a second glance before he walked into the room, said something and then peeked his head out again.

"Come on in."

Ok. I thought breathing in and out to calm my nerves. Let's do this.