Chapter 10

Lia's POV

After Luca left I followed Benedicta and started arranging my things. Merlin was already fast asleep.

We had to arrange everything before anyone suspected we tried to escape.

"I can't believe you now have a wolf. I am so happy!" Benedicta said smiling with happiness.

"Yes, but what about what Luca told me?" I asked arranging my shoe rack.

She dropped whatever she was doing and rushed to me, her eyebrows furrowed deeply, "What did he say? Did he threaten you?"

"No. He said Dean would come back to make me his Luna. Do you think that will be possible? Because he just rejected me."

She heaved a sigh and sat down on the chair.

"Well, it might be his father who is forcing him to marry you. But don't worry it will be okay. If you are thinking about Merlin I would take good care of him. After all, you have Luca-"

She added, "You have Luca with a smile."

I stopped what I was doing I looked at her with a raised eyebrow and glared at her.

"Benedicta, what do you mean?"

She shrugged with a smile, "Oh don't act so innocent. I saw the way he was looking at you."

I knew that whatever she was saying was true. I still felt his burning gaze anytime I thought about it. My skin still shivered at the thought of his blue eyes.

But nothing can happen between us. After all, he was Dean's cousin and he had threatened me before with my child life.

For all I know I might be a game to him.

"You warned me of him, Benedicta. Let's not forget the fact that he threatened Merlin's life." I said and added.

"He is Dean's cousin. Nothing can happen between us." I said and continued arranging my clothes.

"Oh please. It's Luca. The king of rogues. If he wants someone he gets it. He is the only one Dean fears."

"I thought you said he hated him."

"Yes but-"

A knock on the door interrupted us. Benedicta quickly hid our unarranged clothes and went to answer the door.

They were the palace guards.

"Is this where Lia lives?" he asked.

"Yes," Benedicta replied and stood aside for me to answer them.

"The Alpha has requested for your presence tomorrow."

I leaned against the door frame with my hands crossed around my chest, "Why?"

"You do not question the Alpha." he retorted.

"Mummy?" Merlin called from inside the room.

My heart dropped at once. Benedicta rushed towards him to answer me.

"Is that your son?" one of the guards asked.

"No, it's Benedicta's sister's own," I answered.

He glared at me, glancing all over my body as if to find some proof.

"Nine tomorrow morning," he said and left.

I watched them disappear into the night darkness before I shut the door.

I heaved a sigh. I was nearly caught. No one can know about Merlin at least for now.

Dean will not accept him since he does not remember what happened between us and Luca's intention was still uncertain.

"More people are getting to know about Merlin. We need to take him out of here since they know the place." Benedicta said drawing me from my thoughts.

"You can take him to Lexie's place," she said with finality in her voice.

The next morning

As early as six o'clock I was already on my way to Lexie's house. I knocked fervently at her door.

"Who is that?" She asked as she unlocked her door lock.

She stared at me with sleepy eyes, "What happened lia you-" I rushed inside cutting her short before anyone would see me.

She locked the door and followed me from behind.

"Lia, what is it? Is he okay?" she asked as I laid Merlin on the bed.

I clasped my palms together and apologized. "I'm sorry that I have not called you since the party."

She nodded and took my hands, "I understand. It's okay, but why are you here this morning?"

"I came to drop Merlin here. Please take good care of him. I have to go to the palace. The guards came to look for me yesterday night and almost saw Merlin. I don't want anyone to know about him yet. Lexie please." I begged.

"Fine, but do you know why they came to look for you?" She asked as she brought out a blanket to cover him.

"No, but I will find out. Thank you."

"No problem. Just be careful. Okay?"

I smiled, "Okay," I said and left her house.

The palace

I sucked in a deep breath as I walked into the palace. The guards immediately opened the door for me without asking.

I sucked in my breath as I tried to control the emotions that flooded me.

The last time I was here I was humiliated but it was different, last time I had no wolf.

This time I had a wolf.

"Yes, we are together," Lzzie my wolf growled within me. I smiled.

I was led into the Alpha's presence.

He walked up to me smiling as if he had known me before. "Lia, he said with a smile. Welcome," he said and opened his arm to a warm embrace. I hugged him back.

"Go and call Dean tell him Lia is here," he said he ordered one of the guards.

Dean came back a few minutes late, entering inside with a stoic face. He spared a glare at me before turning to his father.

"You called me?"

"Yes, take Lia your mate to her quarters. We will do the relating ceremony tomorrow," his father ordered.

He glared at me, "She can help herself," he said and walked back without sparing me a glance.

Luca came in with his usual smile.

"Hello, love. Can I help you?" he said lifting my bags.

Everybody watched with keen attention. It's as if they hardly saw this side of him.

I followed him and left the palace.

"Welcome to the lion's den," he said as he opened a door for me.