𝐋𝐎𝐍𝐆 𝐋𝐈𝐕𝐄 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆

{Plot 2}• chaptér six

"Because if you show signs of acceptance you will be more above suspicion than ever, he won't think you are unhappy and would not have his guard up when the time comes. It shouldn't be that hard you two already seem very smitten with each other. The mate bond will make it a lot easier so you don't have to worry, unless you're scared this will also affect you in some way?" He teased. She knew what he was doing, trying to pry information about them both under the pretense of mock concern.

Audrey saw reason in his words but she wondered if she could do this and not compromise anything. Lord Odin knew very well how he was going to manipulate this situation and turn things in his favor. For years he had been looking for an open hole to take advantage of the king and now here she stood in front of him, a raven haired beauty who he knew had captured the heart of the king and would ultimately be his downfall. Poor naive Audrey, he tisked, smiling inwardly. She had no idea she will cause the fall of her king and mate for the price of the freedom she so desperately craved which he would make sure she didn't get at the end.

Astrid covered her mouth with her hands to stop her gasp from alerting the two. Without wasting time she ran inside before anyone could spot her. When she was safe back inside she let her mind ponder on what she had just heard. She knew Audrey had just been putting on an act, her and Darius weren't in love. She was planning with Lord Odin to leave him and she knew more than anyone what Lord Odin was capable of when it came to taking advantage of vulnerable people.

Realisation crosses her features as she walked slowly down the hallway. If she wanted to get Audrey out then all she needed to do was make sure everything went well with her plan and before anyone would know it Audrey would be gone. Astrid was ecstatic, she didn't have to do anything to get Audrey out of the picture, she would do that all on her own now. And if by any chance the plan failed then she could use what she heard to get Audrey punished and possibly executed for betraying the crown. Astrid would get exactly what she wanted and Audrey would get what she deserved.

***

"We were lucky no one suspected anything. A rogue attack was a brilliant cover up" Ryker said, walking beside Darius along the stone hallway.

"Thankfully everyone believed it, are you sure no one suspected anything? We can't take any risks, we have to be very careful" Darius added, stepping into his study.

"I'm sure". Ryker closed the door behind him and walked up to his table where Darius had plopped down. "What did they say?"

"The exact same thing you did. They want Audrey to be part of the blood moon. I told them I was never going to agree to it. It's too much danger to put her in" Darius thought, his brows knitted together and his lips set in a firm line.

"You know them more than anyone, they won't back down. They might try to talk to Audrey about it, about the prophecy as well-"

"That can't happen" Darius interjected, his voice raised and his anger bubbling over. He could feel Phoenix getting angry as well at the thought of the four old men trying to force his mate possibly to her death. He had rose to his feet, his fists balled dangerously. "That can't happen"

"Then you should tell her yourself" Ryker suggested, his stance strong as he stared at Darius's face contorting into a grim expression.

"I can't do that!" He argues. "If I tell her she would put herself at risk and I cannot have that Ryker"

"You don't have to tell her the whole truth if you don't want to" he said, walking closer to Darius. "But you could at least explain things. It would make it easier and it's better than her finding out on her own. Ease her into the topic"

Darius seemed deep in thought. He saw reason in what Ryker said and knew it was true, telling Audrey would make it a lot easier and it would lessen the threat if she knew. But he couldn't afford her being scared of him and running away. She hadn't seen the darkness within, she wouldn't be able to stand it. What if he showed her and she got so scared she ran away? He couldn't afford to loose her all because he wanted things to be easier between them both, he couldn't risk it.

"I don't want to loose her" he said in a low tone, the sadness under it getting to Ryker. His shoulders deflated and his gaze casted down with his change in mood.

"It'll be fine brother" Ryker sympathised, holding Darius's shoulder and squeezing slightly. "You two were fated to be for a reason, the goddess-"

"Don't" Darius stopped him, not wanting to hear about her- the sole reason all of this was happening. She was the reason for all the terror and pain in his life. "She never cared and she won't start now. I'll take matters into my own hands and make sure my mate doesn't leave me. She won't help me, I won't depend on anyone. I can't depend on anyone"

🪄❢❢

I made it this time!
I'm so proud of me💕
Anyway,
I hope y'all enjoyed this chapter!
Future predictions?
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