Chapter 32: Secret Unveiled.

"I'm so sorry about that.

"You don't have to be sorry about anything Seraphina. I just happen to miss him most times." He cut in plucked a flower then handed it to me.

It was a healthy rose flower.

"How did the former Alpha die?" I asked. There was an uncomfortable silence, and I wished I had not asked the question; it seemed sensitive.

"I brought you here to enjoy the serenity of this place not knowing you'd be intrigued by father's death."

"No, Lorien. I'm okay with this place; it's amazing,, and sincerely speaking, I feel more at peace. I just feel I have the right to know, but it's fine if you don't want to share; I'm sorry for sounding so insensible." I explained, bringing my hand to his chest gently.

He looked at her with a strange expression, I could not comprehend if it was wonder or disbelief.

"We were at war with Caelum, the demon prince of the shadow realm. The war went on for some months my father was gaining the upper hand, and I was very excited about this. I slaughtered most of Caelum's soldiers and I was about twenty years of age then." He explained.

I gasped; if he was twenty years old, then how old was he now? I have not even clocked eighteen and I am almost in a forced marriage with this werewolf. I could feel his intense stare and I smiled, remembering I am not Elena Whitmore in this world but Seraphina, the Alpha's Mate.

"You look amused." He said.

"Don't worry about me; continue, please."

"I only got to see him once on his horse. He was so proud of himself and his powers, but my father humbled him. On a cold night, when I was taking a nap, I heard the crying and panicked voices of the maids. They were talking in low tones and I knew something was awry. I ran from my tent to his and found him.

His voice trembled and I held his hands, giving him an encouraging look.

"He was still in Mother's arm."

His dying at the queen regent arms was diabolical, she plotted her move and killed her husband.

"I called out to him, but he did not answer; mother was screaming and was obviously in pain. That was the last I'd cry my eyes out 'cause that was the only man that treated me well. Even though he trained me cruelly, he made me the man I am today." He added, controlling his expression.

"He is in a better place now," I replied gently.

"I hope so. If only he could see how far I had come, we had to withdraw from the war with Caelum…

"You withdrew from the battle after the Alpha died, why?" I asked.

"Mother's idea. She asked that we respect Father's death by making peace and she could not stand it if she lost Alistair or me in the battle. She got father buried quickly and we retreated to duskbane reluctantly."

Of course, it was her idea. Caelum must have ordered her to kill her husband so he could not get defeated. Everything was coming together, she disliked her husband and grabbed the opportunity to exterminate him.

"I'm so sorry to interrupt you, Your Majesty, but we have to talk."

I was startled as I heard the masculine voice from behind. Lorien got up immediately and I turned my head in the direction of the voice.

"I thought you said no one knew about this place, lo... Alpha." I said.

"I forgot to mention my very loyal man here, he's Aurelius. My trusted Sherlock." Lorien replied, pointing to the tall man in black fur.

"This is my first time seeing you up close, your majesty; your beauty is so captivating, as the rumors said." He said as he bowed.

I beamed lightly.

"Give me a minute, Seraphina."

That was the Sherlock the queen regent was talking about. The man who was sent to make sure I was okay with the queen. Did he discover anything? I tried to focus my hearing in their direction but I could not hear anything.

I wished I could tell Lorien about his trusted mother but there was no evidence. He is just an innocent boy who needs justice for his father's death even if he's the Alpha.

After a while, I closed my eyes and enjoyed serenity when a hand grabbed me up.

"What have you not been telling me?" He asked, his tone harsh.

"How?… what are you saying?"

"The queen regent has been trying to kill you for how long now?"

My heart dropped, the Sherlock knew everything. How did he even know?

"What? That's absurd…

"You're going to end up in your chamber with no food, water,, and not even a ray of light for a month if you don't tell me anything." He cut in; his expression was cold, unlike before.

"You have to calm down…

"That's the reason you've been so gloomy and acting all clingy. She was sending shadows after you, and you think the best solution is to keep it from me?"

"I did not know how to inform you! I had no evidence to back my words up if I told you." I blurted out wryly.

"We're heading back to the castle now!"

"Today is Magnus festival, Lo…Alpha."

"I don't care."

I grabbed his hand and got on my knees, he looked back at me angrily.

"You can do anything you want to her, but let it be tomorrow, please, Your Majesty." I pleaded softly.

"You should not be weak before your enemy Seraphina, you should have no mercy in your eyes."

"I'm not weak Your magnificence, I just want us to respect this day. Please."

"I would have never thought something like this was happening in the castle."

"It happened, Your Highness I just needed strong evidence to prove it to you," I replied gently.

He nodded reluctantly and we strolled out of the beautiful space. It was deep in the forest, no one could even think it was there. But it seemed this particular forest was for Lorien; no other person except his family could enter, but no one knew about it.

The silence on our way back was too loud, I wondered how Lorien had felt when he heard that the queen regent was after my life. He must have felt betrayed and had many thoughts running in his mind.

The guards opened the gate, saw us, and Lorien stopped the horse and then got down. The guards helped me down carefully.

I caught a glimpse of the queen regent and her maids coming in our direction. I moved close to Lorien and touched his hand gently.

"Where have you been?" she asked, looking drained from the adoration.

"Couples outdoor activities," Lorien said as he grabbed my waist toward him. I wished I could see whatever that was going on in his mind.

"You could have…

"What are you here for, Mother?" He interrupted sternly. I could feel the tension building, his body was rigid and firm.

She turned to her maid holding a tray of paint and dipped her hand into it then touched his forehead with it.

"What about Seraphina?" He asked.

"It's only meant for you, Lorien, not a girl that has no status in the castle." She replied.

"This will be the last and the first time I'll make this known to you, Queen Regent. This girl you referred to is my mate, and we are getting married soon; she will be the Queen of Duskbane,, and you must pay your salutations to her whether you despise her or not. Now, place the paint on her forehead." He said authoritatively.

The queen regent was silent for a while then obeyed Lorien.

"Good, make sure you attend the court tomorrow. We have a matter to talk about." He added then walked away, grabbing me.

The queen's eyes were on me but I ignored her.

We got to his chamber and he released my hand immediately.

"Go to your chamber Seraphina, and appear in the court tomorrow."

"But…

"No buts! That's an order!" He snapped, and I nodded. Then he entered his chamber.

I stood outside wondering how tense tomorrow would be.

My maids escorted me back to my chamber and I spent the night in misery. Lorien did not deserve whatever that was happening to him.

"Can you tell me about the relationship between the former Alpha and Queen Elara?" I asked the senior maid politely.

She was old and knew all corners of the castle so she must have served the old Alpha.

"That's a very odd question you asked me, Your Majesty," she answered back as she prepared my tea.

"Is it illegal?"

"Not at all. The relationship between the former Alpha and the queen was a toxic but arranged relationship. Both their parents had arranged their marriage since they were little kids. The queen was obsessed and in love with the Alpha but the Alpha did not have much interest in her."