Chapter 23: It Will Kill You
"Let’s form an alliance!"
August chuckled, reminded of Cassian’s proposal.
"What a silly proposal," he murmured, taking off his sweaty shirt and revealing his toned upper body. "An alliance... when, in the end, we’re all each other’s competition."
What Cassian proposed was silly—asking August to join him and Elias to kick out the rest of the harem members. Cassian, for some reason, was irritated by Gareth. Although Elias didn’t seem particularly interested, he didn’t look like he saw a problem with forming an alliance.
In hindsight, an alliance might sound more convenient.
There was quite a competition here, after all.
First on that list was Julian. Although the man was a pure human, the world had changed, and there were already recorded instances of werewolves mating with them. Cassian was proof of that. Politically, Julian also stood in a good position, considering his connection to the Royal Pack—known simply as the royal family in human society.
A marriage between Lynsandra and a young, successful, and well-respected trillionaire would surely be groundbreaking.
And so would a marriage between Lynsandra and Severin—an old vampire who had lived longer than almost anyone in this world.
Vampires and werewolves were created as natural enemies of one another. However, a marriage between the two would definitely create a bridge that could put both races into a more amicable relationship.
As for Gareth, August didn’t care much about him. Even though, for unknown reasons, Lynsandra’s interest in him over the past few days was obvious, it didn’t bother August at all.
For August, Lynsandra was a smart woman. She would never consider Gareth as her groom—not with the pack he came from, and not when he had nothing to put on the table. Unless, of course, she somehow fell for a beta like him. Then Gareth would become a problem. But that was unlikely.
"She isn’t someone who thinks with her heart," he whispered as he dipped his body into the warm bathtub, his arms spreading over the rim.
August tilted his head back, eyes fixed on the ceiling as he thought it over.
"If anything," he muttered, "I’d rather ally with everyone else except those two."
Those two: Elias and Cassian.
If someone else approached him and asked him to form an alliance, August might reconsider. But the men who asked him were the very people he felt most threatened by, especially Elias.
The other members of the harem had their own strengths and flaws, but Elias was just like him. An Alpha. And even though Elias wasn’t the current Alpha of the North, he was only one challenge away from becoming one. If Elias ever challenged his brother, August was certain the man would win.
However, Elias hadn’t done that, and August knew why.
Elias would make a good Alpha King—an ideal one, even. Politically, he was August’s greatest hurdle.
"As for Cassian Clark..."
A glint flickered across August’s eyes as he thought of the half-breed mascot in the harem. Aside from Cassian’s face, there wasn’t anything remarkable about him. However, there was something—something August couldn’t quite pinpoint—that told him Cassian would be a threat.
He wasn’t sure why, but August trusted his instincts. They had never failed him.
For that reason, Elias and Cassian were the very people August wanted out the most—and not the people he wanted to deal with last.
"How troublesome," he hummed, closing his eyes. "It would’ve been easier if I could take them out myself."
Once finished with his usual morning routine, August was about to leave when his phone rang. Picking it up from the side table, his brows knitted upon seeing the caller.
"What is it?" he asked, pressing the phone to his ear.
"Alpha, we have a problem," a grim voice said on the other end. "I think you need to come back to the pack."
August arched a brow. "I’ll see what I can do."
As soon as he hung up, he stared at his phone with conflict written across his face.
"A problem at a time like this?" he murmured, not expecting any issues as the full moon approached. "How strange."
What August didn’t know was that he wasn’t the only one thinking the same thing. Every member of the harem had been given a reason to leave—for a few days, at least. And they were all wondering why.
*
*
Later that day, Lynsandra joined everyone for dinner.
The members of the harem rarely dined together, and when they did, they usually kept quiet. But whenever Lynsandra joined them, every seat was filled.
Hmm...
Lynsandra studied them as they ate quietly—except for Cassian, who kept blinding her with his charming winks and smiles.
We’re already halfway through the meal, and it’s quieter than the first time I dined with them, she thought.
The corners of her lips curled subtly.
Virgo truly is someone I can rely on. They’re probably wondering whether they should sacrifice another full moon or leave to fulfill their duties outside the harem.
Pleased, she picked up the napkin on her lap and wiped the corners of her mouth. Then she straightened, reached for a utensil, and lightly tapped her glass to draw their attention.
When all eyes turned to her, a beautiful smile bloomed on her face.
"I have some sad news for all of you," she said calmly, without a trace of sadness in her voice. "I know full moons are meant to be shared by forming bonds. However, I have important matters to attend to in the Royal Pack, and I won’t be coming back until after the full moon."
She paused, carefully scanning their expressions. "I hope you understand."
"That being said, you may go home or leave the mansion to spend it with your pack or however you like," she continued. "I hope all of you have fun."
Ending her announcement with a wide smile, she observed the subtle reactions flickering in their eyes—emotions they didn’t openly show. It wasn’t surprising. All they needed was a gentle push, and she had just given them exactly what they needed to decide to leave.
*****
Days passed, and the day of the full moon arrived.
Lynsandra stood by the window of her room, watching Gareth’s car—the last one—leave the mansion. She crossed her arms, her eyes narrowing as the vehicle rolled through the large gates.
"Finally," she exhaled.
Now, the entire mansion was empty.
[Lynsandra, remember what happened the last time. It will only get worse.]
Her wolf’s voice suddenly rose in warning, panic and concern lacing through it. That was expected, considering how Lynsandra had spent the last two full moons alone.
But she ignored it for the moment and lifted her gaze toward the sky. Clouds had already begun to gather, and she could see the moon slowly taking over, even though the sky had yet to fully darken.
"I’ll get through it," she whispered.
[It will kill you.]
Her lips pressed into a thin line as she drew a deep breath. When she closed her eyes, memories of her own screams and pain flashed through her mind.
"Would that..." she whispered, her eyes slowly fluttering open. "...really be such a bad thing now?"
