The Alpha's Temptation

The girl bowed to him and sat on a small chair in the corner of the library. Silence in the room thickened until Menkar had finally introduced the scribe. "Her name is Tania. She's my scribe at the monastery."

Tania. The name was beautiful and he wondered how it would sound rolling off his tongue. All at once he remembered the scribbles he had written down, 'T' mingled with 'Fae' in them. Her name had eluded him, yet plagued his dreams every night. His Fae.

"She's very young to be a translator. I was expecting an older man with more experience," said Rigel as he drummed his finger on the table, suspicious of her. "Will she be able to do the job?"

"Of course, Your Highness. Tania is well versed in seven ancient languages. If you have a problem with her let me know and I will replace her immediately."

"But she seems very inexperienced," Rigel countered, with a frown.

Eltanin growled. No one would be allowed to put her down. "I am sure the High Priest wouldn't bring someone unworthy to do the job to the kingdom."

"She is one of the most brilliant translators we have, Your Highness," Menkar added with a smug smile.

None of the conversation registered in his mind because all Eltanin could think of was that she was the most beautiful girl in the world. But the fact that she had come with Menkar meant that there was more than what meets the eye. It was possible that she was Menkar's prized possession. But if that was the case, why was she bruised so badly? Soul-deep rage rose in his chest and burned like fire at the back of his throat. "How old are you, Tania?" Eltanin asked, his gaze focused on an angry red cut on the left side of her forehead. Why hadn't she healed yet? And why was her gaze flitting to Rigel every now and then? Jealousy burned a black hole in his heart. His unclaimed mate was showing interest in someone else?

"I am eighteen," Tania replied in a low voice.

Calman's wings! Her voice was like that of a siren. It was so mellifluous that it washed him like a sweet love's caress. His throat bobbed and his knees became wobbly as air punched out of his lungs all at once again. If her voice was like this, what would— He gripped the armrest as he tried his best to maintain a blank expression and obviously failed at it miserably. "Okay," he managed to squeak. His glance went to Menkar who wore an arrogant expression on his face as if trying to convey, 'this was expected.'

"Menkar," Rigel continued. He had no clue as to what was happening to Eltanin. "Honestly, she looks like a servant from your monastery. We would need a skillful scribe with experience and not a servant to fetch and play with." He raised an eyebrow at Eltanin as if asking for his opinion. Eltanin's fierce demeanor threw him off guard. What was wrong with that man? Rigel carried on, "Maybe you can take her back and get us another one?"

"Or why don't you give her a try for a month?" Eltanin suggested being rather irritated. "I don't have time to meet other scribes." His arrogance and determination marked his features making the cleft in his jaw rather prominent.

Rigel jerked his head back. He was going to bargain for a better translator for him and he was settling for this young girl? "Are you sure?" he asked apprehensively.

"I am positive," came his concise reply that dismissed any argument.

Rigel raised an eyebrow. Not a word was spoken for a few moments. "Then we are done." His hand went to the hilt of his sword tied at his belt.

"Very well then, Your Highness," Menkar said as he rose from his chair. "I will return at the end of five months to fetch her." He bowed. "Thank you for taking the time to meet me." Tania  rose from her chair as well, and stood stiffly as Menkar turned. "You are now on your own. Good luck, may the moon bless you, Tania," he said with a cold, detached expression.

She bowed to her master and looked at him with eyes that were filled with fear. Without another word, Menkar opened the door of the library and left with Rigel following behind him. "I will see you to your carriage."

Tania also started to leave when Eltanin stopped her. "Wait!"

She stiffened at the king's command and froze in place, blood draining from her face.

He got up, rounded the corner of his table and padded cautiously towards her. He came to stand a hand's length away from her, his beast stirring inside him, his breath ragged, his heart somersaulting. His chest rumbled and a low growl that was almost like a purr escaped his throat. He wanted to ask her as to why she left that night without telling him, but that was going to make her scared. And besides, she didn't recognize him. Or did she? He was also wearing a silk mask.

With every ounce of strength left in his body, he brought a shaky hand to her forehead and traced the cut. That small touch jolted his senses. Sparks flew across his body. It was as if he was hit by lightning over and over again. Nothing had prepared him for how he would meet his mate or what it would be like to touch his mate. And this touch was so much more intense than the previous time. Even if he died after touching her, his soul would be happy.  How did you get these bruises and cuts?" he asked, his voice menacing.

Tania's tongue darted out licking her dry lips and Eltanin stifled a curse. He had been with numerous women in his life but never had a flick of a tongue been this sensuous. What would it look like having her mouth wrapped around his cock? Fuck! His thoughts were going to the gutter. He had to halt that line of thinking before his beast revolted.

"Just a regular beating," she said in a broken voice that cracked Eltanin's heart. "It's nothing…" His free hand balled into a tight fist at her admission. He hated Menkar from the core of his heart. The bastard was too severe with his slaves. At one point in time, he had wanted to raid the monastery and free the slaves from his clutches, but Menkar was a vile Shaman. He had the backing and trust of many kings and queens. And taking him out wasn't easy.

"Who did it?" he asked as he traced his thumb under her eye where a blue mark showed.

She cowered under his touch, and took a step back. Why would a king be interested in a slave? And that too a frightening Alpha like Eltanin who would spill out his aura without control?

"Please, Your Highness. It's of no consequence," she replied in a soft, worrisome voice, her eyelids lowered. How could Tania say that she had come to the palace, failed hermission and was mercilessly beaten and kept in the dungeons? And now  she would most likely fail again if he didn't let her go. She became impatient.