My Most Precious Human

After my conversation with Patrick, I only felt more restless. The helplessness I felt was devouring me slowly from the inside. Patrick told me to believe in the King's strength and the power of the most skillful fighters in the Royal Army, but I saw the fear flashing in his eyes, and it was the same kind of fear I felt. I was aware that Sariel might win against ten, maybe a hundred degenerates, but they were coming in thousands, and the power they possessed together couldn't be underestimated. By the end of the day, it was a matter of tactics, and JD wasn't losing in that department.

Additionally, I kept wondering whether the messages I got from Sariel were truly from him. I knew that I was acting shallow and selfish, thinking about it in this situation, but the "what if" was piercing through my head. What if Sariel didn't want to say goodbye? What if he wasn't Elora's child's father? What if... Elora wasn't pregnant at all?

That last thought appeared in my mind like a revelation. Was she really conveniently pregnant at the right time? The child was literally her key to the royal vault and bank accounts, and all she had to do was to make the announcement, and it was her personal doctor who provided proof. Saying two or three sentences and showing a few false documents would have been much easier than actually getting pregnant. I bet that Elora had a few more supporters just like the previous king's counselor, people who would have supported her even if she had claimed that the sky was green and the grass was blue. It would be more likely that she faked the pregnancy... Yet, I was aware that I could have been making it sound rational in my mind just to erase the possibility that Sariel could be her child's father.

I had to do some more cleaning in my messed-up life. I wasn't completely prepared for what I was about to do, but I needed to talk to Draven. I had to confront him before I would throw myself into battle. I stormed toward my hotel and marched straight to Draven's room, hoping that he'd still be there. I knocked on his door.

"Come in." His voice broke into the corridor.

Once I entered, I saw him talking to Ari. Draven sat on his bed while Ari stood before him, holding a map of the Southern Wood Pack territory with a few points marked as potential targets. Draven's eyes were constantly on the map, except for the glance he gave me when I opened the door. When Ari saw me, he greeted me with a gentle nod and grinned. I shot him a brief smile, hoping that he was just about to leave Draven's room. I needed to talk to his Alpha alone.

I watched Draven give a few instructions to his Beta while I stood by the door. My hands were glued to my thighs, just so I could hide the fact that they were shaking. Nonetheless, my fingers were nervously tapping against my jeans. Many violent words were crumbling inside my head, making me feel that they could burst through my throat at any second.

"Lilith, come and sit beside me." Draven smiled and waved his hand, calling me.

I said stiffly, "I'd rather wait until you finish."

He frowned, scanning my face while I could hardly look into his eyes. Ari's lips curled into an awkward smile as the air in the room became tense.

"I'll go and prepare my team," he tossed, excusing himself and darting out of the room.

With Ari closing the door behind him, the tension between me and Draven only rose. I knew that the mighty Alpha was trying to read my agitated expression, but he couldn't. Finally, he let out a heavy sigh and questioningly raised his eyebrows.

"Draven... I want you to be honest with me," I started, taking a cautious step towards him.

"Of course." I could not register the hint of nonchalance in his voice, yet I forced myself to ignore it before it annoyed me.

I pulled a deep breath into my lungs. "Did you try to leave your mark on me last night?"

"Yes." He crossed his arms over his chest, intensifying his stare at me.

"And yet, I don't have it," I said, awaiting his reaction.

"I was afraid it wouldn't work on you," he stated calmly.

I narrowed my eyes at him, scanning his expression, but it betrayed no emotions.

"Melinda told me about the possible reasons why the mark didn't stay on my body." I kept searching his face, but he remained composed. "It could be because I regenerate too fast, and I am immune to wolf bites..."

"I've already assumed that it might work this way, but it doesn't change-"

"Or there could be another reason for it," I cut his words and fisted my hand as I prepared myself to say, "The mark will not stay on someone who isn't your mate."

He stood up, towering over me, and looked down. His eyes became darker, and a frown painted his forehead.

"How can you not trust me like that?" he asked, sounding as if my words hurt him.

"Draven, I just don't feel it. I-"

"But I do!" he snapped and grabbed my arms a little beneath my shoulders. "I feel the bond that is pulling me close to you! I feel it for the both of us!" His squeeze on my arms tightened. "You are hurting me!" I pushed him away.

He stepped back, letting me go. "I'm sorry... but can't you see? I'm going crazy because of you..."

I carefully looked into his eyes and saw the pain that couldn't be easily faked. It filled my heart with guilt again. I hated that uneasiness. I hated my lack of trust in Draven. And yet... everything within me was telling me that the man standing before me had secrets and definitely wasn't telling me everything about the mate-bond he felt.

"I won't deny that I am drawn to you as well, but I'm afraid, Draven. I fear that I will never have the kind of feelings for you that you want me to have," I breathed, feeling the familiar squeeze in my chest. "When I heard that Sariel is missing-"

"Lilith, please." He reached out his arms and pulled me closer before placing a delicate kiss on the crown of my head. "I know it's difficult for you, but you need to consider that there is nothing linking you to vampires anymore. Think about it. You were made to be the mother of the most powerful werewolf. The goddess made you this way for a reason. You were meant to sit on the throne beside me. You were meant to be my queen and the mother of our child."

He adjusted the sound of his voice to coax me gently. His tone was soothing, designed to make you submit to it. Even the rational part of my brain became doubtful of my previous conviction. Yet, there was stil an unexplainable belief within me that Draven and I weren't meant to be together. That little "something" was telling me to wait, wait a day, or a week before I sank deeper into this relationship with the future werewolf king. I stepped back, drawing a smile on my face, and took a deep breath.

"I need you to do something for me," I began.

Draven gazed at me curiously. "Whatever you want," he said with a teasing grin.

"I want to be with the Royal Army when we enter the Southern Woods Pack's territory."

"Not a chance," he responded firmly.

I sighed, "It will be more reasonable. You all will be fighting in your wolf forms on the open battlefield. I can only become a burden because I won't keep up with your formation while running on my two feet. Vampires' strategy is different... a little bit more human-like... except for the strength and speed, but this is something I can match."

Draven stayed unreasonably reluctant to my idea. I bet that his main, or only reason was the picture of me fighting alongside Patrick. It took me an additional hour to explain how I would become more vulnerable among the group of wolves, and how he wouldn't be able to protect me while leading everyone to fight. Finally, he agreed, but on the condition that I save his phone number and call him to give him a detailed report on every point of the task.

When I told my group that this time I wouldn't be joining them, they seemed slightly disappointed, but quickly acknowledged my reasoning. Certainly, there were two exceptions: Jetta, who sighed with audible relief, and lan, whose angry reaction to losing his partner was a little odd. I apologized to him, giving him a warm smile, and then went to join Patrick and the Royal Army.

The Royal Army traveled in black vans, similar to those that Moon Hill Pack used. When I walked towards their fleet, parked in ten long rows, I immediately noticed Patrick leaning his back against one of the cars. He had black sunglasses, which gave him a sly look, enhanced by the devious smirk he shot me when he saw me. I had to admit that I loved his "commander" demeanor. In his dark grey combat pants and black, extremely fitted V-line T-shirt, he looked incredibly hot.

"Ready to kick wolves' asses?" he chuckled as I walked closer.

I snorted at his words and immediately felt someone's gaze drilling holes in the back of my head. Of course, I knew who it was even before I turned around. Draven did everything he could to show me that he wasn't fond of the idea of me going with vampires instead of wolves, yet I felt more comfortable with my decision by the second. I blew Draven a kiss before turning back to Patrick.

"Let's go, Commander Kim," I said a little teasingly.

He grinned and opened the front door for me. I glanced at him, surprised.

"You are sitting next to me. There are two passengers' seats in the front, and I'm not letting you sit with those lustful vampires in the back," he stated, crossing his hands over his chest. "Are you serious?" I raised my brows in mocking disbelief.

"Deadly." Patrick nodded. "Besides, I promised the King that I would protect you," he smirked while reaching out his hand to help me get in.

I sighed and accepted his hand. A few minutes later, all the vans were filled with warriors, and we were leaving Sangreville. We were heading towards the territory of my father's pack, a place where I was going to face the fear that had been poisoning me throughout the years...