Confliction

AURELIA

Aurelia found herself standing before a woman of otherworldly beauty. Her hair, dark as a raven’s wing, cascaded over her shoulders, contrasting with her pale, glowing skin. Her eyes, a deep forest green, held Aurelia’s gaze with a gentle intensity. She was dressed in a silk gown adorned with lace and a delicate jeweled belt. This was Ellathoria.

“Come, my child,” she said, extending her hand with a softness that urged Aurelia to take it. And she did.

Ellathoria was a beacon of power. Fae magic seemed to seep from her very being.

Despite her queen-like aura, Ellathoria walked alone with Aurelia. It was a stark contrast to the king, who would have his entire battalion behind him when meeting an enemy. And enemies they were, the wolves and the fae.

Aurelia now understood Naida’s hostility. She had learned of the ongoing war from the king.

“Aurelia, you are safe here,” Ellathoria began, her voice as gentle as a lullaby. “But only if you are wise. Some here do not take kindly to wolves. You must stay within sight of the council during your time here.”

“The council?” Aurelia asked.

“Yes, dear. Are you aware of the war between your people and ours?”

“No.”

“Once upon a time, the fae were welcome in the werewolf kingdom. It wasn’t even called the werewolf kingdom then. It was a kingdom where werewolves held dominion, but all species were content with the way things were run.

“But when the king’s father came to power, he decided that coexistence with the fae and other species was no longer an option. The wolves hunted us, slaughtered us.

“The survivors fled across the borders and cast a spell to keep the wolves out.

“To remain fair and just, the council was formed. Each member represents a different species so that everyone has a voice. And in this way, we have thrived.”

Aurelia absorbed Ellathoria’s words, a question forming in her mind.

“You said that no wolf could cross the border because of the spell. Why can I cross then?” she asked.

Ellathoria sighed and shook her head. “We are trying to understand that ourselves.”

Before Aurelia could ask anything else, they had arrived at the council chambers. Every head turned her way, eyes wide with curiosity and suspicion. The presence of a wolf was not taken lightly. Wolves were not welcome.

Yet, she was also one of them. It was a controversial situation.

“This young wolf is Aurelia,” Ellathoria announced to the council, guiding Aurelia towards the circular table where they all sat.

Aurelia shrank slightly under their gazes, some of which were filled with judgment.

“A future wolf queen shouldn’t be scared of a few fae,” a man sneered. “We are the enemy after all.”

His silver hair was a stark contrast to Aurelia’s—his was long, silky, and beautiful. His silver eyes seemed to pierce her soul, as if he wished his gaze could kill.

Dressed in a fine black leather tunic with a navy cape, he approached Aurelia with an air of arrogance, as if he owned the world.

“Who are you?” she asked softly. “How do you know I am to be the future wolf queen?”

“This is Cathan,” Ellathoria introduced, stepping slightly in front of Aurelia.

She went on to introduce the other seven council members: Ayla of the mermaids, Jaromir of the elves, Fahara of the pixies, Gaia of the nymphs, Axon, Deacon, and Bellona.

Despite Ellathoria’s warm welcome, Aurelia knew this was an interrogation, and Cathan would surely lead it.

“We have magic, Aurelia. We know everything,” Cathan said, smirking. But Aurelia saw through his confidence.

“If you know everything, why am I here?” she retorted, raising an eyebrow.

Ellathoria chuckled quietly as the other council members watched the exchange from their seats.

“If I am to be the future wolf queen, your enemy, it doesn’t bode well for you that I can pass the boundary spell.”

Aurelia had caught on faster than Ellathoria had expected. She had just learned about the boundary spell, yet she was already using it to her advantage.

“Aurelia, please, sit,” Ellathoria said, gesturing to a seat that had been placed for the interrogation.

The council members sat on the other side of the table, watching Aurelia’s every move with scrutiny.

But Aurelia had survived the Alpha King’s gaze. She calmed her nerves and tried to act the part of the future wolf queen.

“Aurelia, we can all sense your power. We believe you are half-fae,” Ellathoria said, causing Aurelia’s jaw to drop.

“You may have experienced some abilities that wolves don’t have, or you may not. But getting past a boundary spell is powerful enough.”

Aurelia didn’t trust them, so she didn’t reveal her abilities. But now, things were starting to make sense.

“So... I’m a hybrid? I’ve never heard of such a thing,” she said.

“Hybrids are rarely born, and they usually don’t survive infancy. This is just our theory,” Cathan said, his face expressionless.

“A lot of you seem hesitant to have me here,” Aurelia began, her eyes flicking to Cathan. “Yet I presume you brought me here. The voices in my head. There were two. One calling me to the boundary, and the other, urging me to kill my mate, the king.”

Cathan was the center of attention, some gazes accusing, others admiring. Aurelia figured it out—Cathan was the one who tried to manipulate her into killing the king.

“Did you succeed?” Cathan taunted, lounging in his chair with a wicked grin.

“If you wanted me to kill the king, you should’ve waited for this meeting. I might’ve agreed willingly.”

At her words, every council member’s focus snapped to her. Cathan’s interest was piqued. “But he’s got my sister locked up in his silver cells.”

“You have a sister?” Jaromir asked, surprised. “Maybe she’s a hybrid too.”

“We can’t be sure Aurelia is a hybrid,” Cathan countered.

“Ellathoria felt it. So did Axon. We all know it’s true,” Bellona said.

“Maybe we should talk about this later,” Ellathoria suggested, rising from her throne-like chair and extending a delicate hand to Aurelia.

“Aurelia’s had a long journey. She must be tired. I’ll show her to some safe temporary rooms in the castle.”

Aurelia took her hand hesitantly and let herself be led away, but not before stealing a glance at Cathan, who was watching her intently.

“Cathan doesn’t seem to like me,” Aurelia said quietly.

“Actually, I’ve never seen him so interested in someone,” Ellathoria replied, giving Aurelia a curious look. “And trust me, he likes you more than he used to.”

“He seems to hate wolves more than any of the other council members.”

“You’re very observant for someone so young. He was born in a terrible time, as was I, when fae were being killed by wolves who used to be their friends.

“We both saw our friends and family torn apart and we survived when they didn’t.”

“Why are you being nice to me, if wolves ruined your life too?”

“You’re not a representative of the werewolves. You’re half fae, after all. You’re my kind, as well as theirs. I can’t afford to lose a powerful ally over petty grudges,” she said.

“A powerful ally?”

“You’re the king’s mate. And you’re a hybrid. Half of you is the kind he and his family hate. It’s incredibly ironic, and exactly what he deserves.”

“It’s not what I deserve,” Aurelia said softly, meeting Ellathoria’s gaze as they entered the rooms she would be staying in.

“No, I don’t think it is. You seem like a sweet, innocent girl. Being mated to such a monster must be hard on you.

“If he found out what you are, he’d probably slit your throat.”

Aurelia shivered at the thought and focused on Ellathoria’s words.

“You have to keep our meetings a secret when you go back. We’re keeping an eye on the king for you.”

“I’m not going back,” Aurelia said immediately, standing up from the bed where she’d been sitting.

“Whether you want to or not, you won’t be able to resist the mate bond for long.

“You’re in a completely different kingdom, with a powerful barrier spell and distance separating you. As strong as you are, your goddess has decided you’re a good match.”

Her eyes softened as she saw Aurelia’s distressed expression. “Rest, Aurelia. We’ll talk more later.”

After Ellathoria left, Aurelia was alone with her complicated thoughts about her mate, which had been plaguing her throughout her journey.

He was always on her mind, invading every thought she had. He pushed his way to the front of her mind, even when she tried to push him back.

The kiss, his touch, his god-like body. His commanding presence, his voice that made her melt, his smirk just before he unleashed a storm on her.

Why she found these things attractive, she didn’t know. But the truth was, she did.

But as she thought back to the council meeting, one man stood out.

Cathan.

Something about him drew her in. And she knew why. The moment he was near, darkness filled her senses, pressing down on her chest as his sinister presence threatened to corrupt her even more.

He was similar to the king in that way. But something told her they were very different.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the castle, Cathan was brooding, his thoughts a tangled mess. This was all because of the young wolf, who excited him more than he would’ve thought possible.

He hated wolves, the whole species. Aurelia should’ve been no different. But he found her confidence and quick wit admirable.

Her beauty had captivated him; the moment she walked into the room, it was as if she’d cast a spell on him. It took him a moment to remember what was going on.

She was sharp, catching every piece of information thrown at her and putting the pieces together before Cathan could make her look foolish.

He’d wanted to show the future wolf queen that she was no threat to them. But now he wasn’t so sure.

In her eyes, he saw ambition, fire, and he felt a strange pull towards her. Darkness had infected both their hearts and he wondered what that meant.

He thought about what she’d said earlier, what had shocked him. Maybe it was her boldness, or the fact that she could say it out loud when he knew how strong a mate bond was.

She would willingly agree to kill her mate.

But he saw in her eyes that it was a conflicting statement.