My Alpha’s Betrayal: Burning In The Flames Of His Vengeance

62. Finding Solutions YILEYNA “And that’s why the sofa and everything is wet.” | finished.

| had spent the last hour telling Charlene about my powers, how Theon assumed | might be part mage or fae, and about the frost all over the cabin. “Dear Selene... that’s... amazing.” Charlene whispered in awe.

“I don’t know if it is, but | was thinking of asking Madelia or maybe Zarian to see if they could helpchannel it or something?” | mused as | stood up from where we had both been sitting cross-legged on the floor. 1 “Hmm, | think Zarian is the better choice. Madelia is far too close to Dad, She obeys his orders without question, and if you don’t want Dad to know, then | would say avoid her.” Charlene said. “You have becstronger since your birthday, even | can sense it... Yileyna, do you think you made the odd storm happen last night?” | almost laughed. “A storm? | highly doubt that.” “I’m serious... like you said, the entire place was frosted. The storm con suddenly and was crazy all through the night, and it only calmed considerably after three in the morning...” Charlene said thoughtfully. “Which would rule out you being a mage. Without casting a spell, there's no way you can draw upon your magic...” “So you think I'm part fae then?” | asked tilting my head. “Yes! Oh my goddess! You must be, you are so beautiful it makes sense!” She exclaimed in excitement, cupping my face. | raised an eyebrow before my amusement faded away as the reality set in that one or both of my parents may not be blood-related to me. As if realising what was on my mind, Charlene hugged me.

“Our blood does not make us who we are, just as | consider you as my sister.” She gavea squeeze and | smiled.

She was right, no matter who or what | was, my parents were always going to be my parents. | was the daughter of William and Hana De’Lacor and no one else. “Right, so let's do this. We first find a new apartment, and then we talk to Zarian.” Charlene decided.

“Aren’t you going to be missed at the castle?” “Not yet, | have a few hours free before | need to return, and we need to think of a plan too...” She tapped her chin. “This ball... | wish you would come.” “Oh, | am coming.” | said as | laced up my boots. She turned sharply towardsin surprise and excitement.

“Really?” “Yes, Raiden askedto accompany him.” | said, as Charlene smiled..

“Ooo from one handsman to another handsbut also charming young man! He's liked you for so long!” “Let’s not forget that Raiden is the biggest playboy in the city. He's slept with most women here. He only teasedand flirted.” | reminded her. “Oh | know but-" “Charl, I'm not ready to think of anyone romantically,” | whispered trying to hide the pain in my eyes. “I'm sorry.” She replied apologetically. “It’s fine, let's go.” | said picking up my coat and putting it on. We left the cabin together; our first plan of action was to find somewhere forto stay. We made a quick stop at the bank where | filled up a bag of coins from our family vault, and | saw that the king had indeed givena good lump sum for the trip we had made. 1 “Ok, let's ask Madam Marigold if she knows a place! I'm sure she may have srooms above the café too.” “That's true, we can ask her. I'm sure she may know someone or other who is offering a place. If they even acceptwith my reputation as the daughter of a traitor. | can’t wait to remove this mark from my parent's reputation.” | responded thoughtfully.

“She is one person who doesn’t care about anyone's opinion or background, I'm sure she’ll happily help.” It was true she had a mix of people working for her yet still her cafe wasn’t any less busy, it was a place where everyone could just enjoy the sweet treats and hot drinks without discrimination. We made our way there, with Charlene saying she couldn't wait to have a hot drink with this blistering cold.

“Finally!” She breathed a sigh of relief when the café cinto sight.

“You really are cold.” | said, sympathetically looking at her red tipped nose. She looked over at me, lookingup and down calculatingly.

“Do you think your element is the reason you don’t feel cold? | mean the ice.” She whispered, leaning closer.

“Goddess knows.” | shrugged, thinking over her words. “That is an interesting point, recently | didn’t feel as cold as | used to. | assumed it was because my wolf was awakening...” “Exactly, | really think it plays a huge factor.” Charlene said thoughtfully. A sudden thought cto me, and my stomach twisted.

“Charlene, do you think if that’s the case that | won't have a wolf?” | whispered quietly.

Sure, the king had people of all species working for him, but they weren't in the pack Would that mean if | didn’t have a wolf i'd be thrown out? “You are most likely a hybrid; | can sense you are a werewolf. Trust me, | have done extensive research on this matter. If anything, you may not be able to take werewolf form, but most werewolf hybrids can mind link.” She explained confidently. | frowned and nodded. She was right... The few hybrids we had in the pack were extremely rare. | think there were only three at most, however only two of those three could shift but the third also had the mind link.

| wanted my wolf, | really did...

We reached the café soon after and requested if Madam Marigold could give us a few moments, when she had time, she looked at us suspiciously before giving a curt nod.

“Alright, now go to the back booth, Zarian will bring you something to eat. You are both a sight.” She ordered, as if she knew we hadn’t eaten anything, but then | guess we both didn’t look like our normal selves.

“Thank you.” | said as Charlene smiled gratefully at her. Once settled and after placing our orders with Zarian, we waited for him to return. We planned to ask him when he brought our food.

“I love those pastries.” Charlene said licking her lips as she referred to the pastries we had just ordered Madam Marigold had sdelicious pastries that she only served in the morning hours, and they were delicious, crispy pastries filled with a special cream and jam in the centre.

too.” | said, playing with the fur of my coat that now sat on the booth beside me.

Zarian soon returned, his silky black hair held two small plaits that cfrom the back and fell by his side, and a few strands left out framing his face.

He was indeed a very beautiful man.

He flasheda smile as | observed him. “Distracted, beautiful?” He teased as he placed our tray down.

“A little.” | said before smiling sweetly. “I actually had a favour to ask...” “Oh? What favour can | do for the beauty before me?” He looked curious, glancing between us before he crossed his arms, watchingwith sharp interest.

As expected he wasn't just a beautiful man, | think | was right coming here. Something toldhe'd be able to help us.

“Yes, can we talk in private once you are free?” | asked quietly, glancing around the café.

He tapped his chin before he nodded. “You are in luck; | am finishing early today anyway.” He replied with a wink.

“Perfect.” Charlene said just as Madam Marigold cover and Zarian walked off smoothly.

“I do hope you pretties are not distracting my waiter. Now, what can I help you ladies with?” She said sitting down besideand folding the tea towel she was holding with a huff of relief.

“Busy morning, | see.” Charlene said picking up one of the pastries. “Extremely. | await the day | retire, yet | love this place so much | don’t see it happening any day soon.” “Well, we are glad to hear that, this is the best café in Westerfell.” | said, exchanging a look with Charlene before continuing “We won't take too much of your time, the thing is | was looking for a place to stay. A permanent place, it doesn’t need to be big...” Her eyebrow shot up and she lookedover. “Weren't you living with the soon-to-be beta?” News indeed travelled fast.

“She isn’t anymore, we were hoping you knew of a place that would offer a room, you are always so knowledgeable.” Charlene smiled warmly, trying to divert the conversation away from Theon and I.

Just the mention of him made my heart squeeze with pain. Madam Marigold sighed as she sat back as if thinking, before she turned to me. “You know with the upcoming ball many places are fully booked out. Even | don’t have any rooms that | can give you full-time, however | have a friend who has made an inn down by the coast and yes, | know it’s a bit of a risky place, but it’s cheap, very easy on the eyes and it's doing well. Besides, as long as you don’t go down to the coast at night it’s fine.” She said briskly.

Charlene and | exchanged looks; | knew which place she meant, it had been getting constructed for a while now.

“It’s more catered for travellers, and since it’s on the outskirts it’s a bit more away from the hustle and bustle of the city. He is offering spermanent residency too and if | write you a letter, I'm sure he will happily allow you to stay.” “Could you do that? | would be grateful.” | said feeling a little hopeful. “Should we not take a look first?” Charlene asked worriedly.

“No it’s fine, I'm sure it'll be perfect.” | replied, | just needed a place.

“Well then, you girls carry on enjoying your food and | will have it written up for you. | need to get back to work too!” She stood up and we both thanked her for her tand effort before | looked at Charlene.

“I guess we could hire a cart to get my stuff down to the coast.” “I don’t know Leyna, it's not the safest place.” “It’s going to be fine. Trust me, | have faced sirens more than once and lived.” Charlene relaxed visibly. “You know what? You are right, | think that in itself is one of the greatest achievements. If Dad knew, I'm sure he'd want you guarding the coast!” She shook her head. “But seriously Yileyna, you do need to be careful if you live down there...” “I'll be fine, my queen, trust me.” | said as | picked up my mug of coffee. My smile faded, the reminder of Theon once more hittinghard. | am done with you, and | pray the moon goddess gavethe strength to face you, to hold myself with strength and grace...

It was a while later and Zarian was finally free to leave. He had taken us to the staff quarters in the back of the café, where we wouldn't be overheard. Madam Marigold had given us a letter to show the inn owner, which at least sorted the first of our problems. Charlene and | now wondered where to start, and | took a deep breath after making him promise to not share this conversation with anyone else. “I take an oath on Etaar, themselves.” Zarian said placing a hand on his chest.

He was referring to the fae deity, a being that was neither male nor female but held such beauty that it was said that no mortal could look them in the eye. | nodded and taking a deep breath, | told him how | had recently felt a shift in myself after my eighteenth but rather than getting my wolf or anything, | told him about the two occurrences of power, leaving out the fact that it was actually Charlene’s whose abilities we had been trying to awaken the first time. Simply making it out as if it was performed to help awaken my wolf. Also how we assumed | was a hybrid and if he could helptrain or at least fully awaken my abilities, or help to channel it.

“So... | was wondering if you could help.” | finished.

“I don’t think she’s part mage... we think she may be part fae. She’s beautiful too.” Charlene finished as Zarian watched us with a small smile lingering on his lips.

“As beautiful as she is, she is not fae.” My stomach sank as he said those words. “Are you sure? She can’t be a mage, because even before learning to use their abilities, they need to refer to the books of their elders... Her power is more elemental, she didn’t-" Zarian raised a hand, cutting Charlene off. “There are many races in this world of ours, Princess Charlene. | assure you, Yileyna is not of fae blood.” 1 “Then what could | be? If this is the fact that | need to show you proof of my powers, | can try. “I said, feeling as if | had once again hit a wall.

“You need not prove anything to me, beautiful. | believe you, but | can only tell you that you are not fae.” He reached over and caressed my cheek. | pulled away, frowning at him as | watched him sharply. He chuckled, running his fingers through his hair. “I have... stheories, but they don’t really make sense. Twill tell. As for training you, | don’t see why not, if as you say it’s elemental, | can perhaps help somewhat...” He was watchingkeenly, and | felt a little self-conscious under his gaze. “What do you enjoy?” “Enjoy?” | asked warily. “Your preferences of day or night, land and sea, song or dance.” He said, as if it was obvious and | should know what he was talking about. | frowned slightly, thinking about his question, it was clear he wanted an answer. ” Fae were sly creatures, and | knew | needed to answer properly.

“| prefer night... I love both land and sea yet | do love the freedom of the sea, the smell of the fresh sea breeze, and as for song or dance... | love to dance, yet | can sing well.” | answered, feeling as if there was ssort of a trick question in there. Even Charlene was scrutinising Zarian sharply. He smiled and nodded, tilting his head and letting his silky dark hair fall over his shoulder.

“Now tell me, my beautiful blond hybrid, what are the species of this world?” “Werewolf, human, mage, fae, naga and siren.” | replied, “They are the intelligent species.” His smile grew.

“Indeed and what species is the weakness or fear of the other?” | glanced at Charlene confused. “The Naga fear mages and sirens... the werewolves’ greatest enemy are themselves or the sirens...” | mumbled feeling lost, | had never ever considered this. “The mages fear the werewolves, correct?” Charlene added.

Zarian gave a nod, “Correct, and the fae dislike the naga for they hold strong elemental power. Now, tell me, what race do the sirens fear the most?” and Charlene exchanged looks, neither of us knew the answer. “Fae.” Zarian said. | frowned.

“That makes no sense, you said the naga fear sirens, and fae fear the naga...” | mumbled. “It may not be common knowledge here in Astalion, since it is not a fae kingdom. However, the sirens song has no effect on a fae. We are the only species that are superior to them.” A wicked smile crossed his face and for a moment, he wasn't just the beautiful man we knew but a fae who knew exactly what his worth was.

| nodded slowly.

“That's incredible, considering how much damage they can do.” | said frowning, wondering where we were going with this. “Perhaps... but every species has a weakness.” He gavea dangerous smile as he took hold of my chin in his long slender fingers. “And that is why, | will agree to train you.”