His Shadow Luna

Chapter 2: When Things Go South-2

Elene gritted her teeth. He was clearly implying the Northern Lycan Kingdom was behind it all and trying to pin the blame on her country. When in reality, he must have planned it all along. After all, Forrest Romero was now the leading contender for the highest position in the Southern Republic—the High Chancellor.

“I am afraid you are overestimating northern capabilities,” Elene retorted. She knew it was time to walk away and prepared herself to do just that.

“Am I?” He tilted his head as if he was a cat playing with a mouse, and she absolutely loathed this approach. “A good portion of our capital is in ruins thanks to the explosion, and it was your flag that was projected over the remains when it happened. The North and the West are now officially full of the Changed Ones. We know that many of your warriors now have special powers. I can see how this power could be used to harm us. Don’t pretend it’s not possible.”

“It’s not.” Elene folded her hands over her chest. “And do you know why?”

“Why?” Forrest hopped off the desk, now towering over her. The damn man was too close for her liking, but once again, she wouldn’t give him the pleasure of seeing her stepping back.

“Because we have honour!” She sneered at him.

He stared at her for a few good seconds before throwing his head back and laughing. His laughter danced through the air like a melody, warm and infectious, inviting her to join despite the princess not finding his attitude amusing.

She glared at him, waiting for this to be over, and only when he wiped the tears in his eyes did she add, “I think we are done here.”

Elene turned on her heels, ready to leave the room, when the general said in disbelief, “You were serious?”

She paused, darting another withering glance at him. “I don’t know why I expected a serious conversation from you!”

“That’s not a serious conversation,” Forrest objected. “What do you expect me to do? Go to the Convocation and say the North is not behind the attack despite everything pointing to them and their army still standing on our borders? Why? Because they ‘said so’, and ‘they have honour’?”

She pursed her lips. “Of course not. Start a war without a proper investigation because someone projected our flag in your city! And we can stand on our own border as much as we like! It’s our land! By the way, if you do start that war, let’s see how long it will take us to win, considering the West is with us, and you noticed yourself that our armies now consist of the Changed Ones.”

General Romero opened his mouth to object, but the princess was already gone. Not wasting another second, he stormed after her, not wishing the conversation to end on a high note for her. Even though all his senses told him otherwise.

“Ah, there you are!” the new King of East, Devoss Kit beamed at him, Elene’s hand already draped around his. The damn fox shifter was smooth, and Forrest caught himself not happy with this interruption to his conversation with the princess.

“Your Majesty,” Romero offered a curt but respectful nod nonetheless.

The King was a mystery to him. He came out of nowhere, was not related to the previous King of Rogues in any way and was too eccentric, too unpredictable for his liking.

“You are going to miss it!” Devoss started walking, pulling Elene behind him and gesturing for the Southerner to follow them as well.

“Miss what?” The princess asked fearfully, trying to keep up with the Eastern ruler. His coronation was already over the top with all the celebrations. Especially for such a small country.

After all, it was the end of day five now, and it didn’t look like they were done. So far, they have seen the official Crowning part on the first day, elephant riding and dancing from all the local cultures, of which there were plenty, on the second day, then a day of throwing powdered paint and fireworks. Today the city of Solace was decorated with lanterns, each one different from the other. This, of course, included the feast from which Elene had escaped earlier. The food here was so delicious that she started to feel her dresses become tighter.

She had to admit it. King Devoss established himself quickly. Not to mention that he paid homage to every culture that the once perished but now reborn Eastern Kingdom was built from. Rogues from the whole continent now came here for a second chance at life, followed by their loved ones. Once they proved their worth and intentions, they could stay. The gamble was clearly paying off because it now looked like the East was thriving.

“Today is the best part!” Devoss grinned at them both. He was dressed in gold and red from head to toe, with a long flowing cape that was always flowing perfectly.

As if by magic.

Golden chains decorated his neck and chest, and many intricate rings adored his fingers. The previous King personally chose him as his replacement and Elene still couldn’t understand why.

“Please, don’t find me rude, but I think it’s simply impossible to top off the previous days.” The princess smiled, trying to flatter the King. She had already studied him enough to know he loved flattery.

“And yet, this is literally what I am going to do!” The fox smirked at her, brushing his hand through his silky hair. The hair that shone better than her own. There had to be a special routine behind it.

“I can’t wait!” Elene lied. She was exhausted and did not feel like partying anymore. “And maybe we could speak privately on our way there?”

“I have a few matters to discuss too.” Forrest chimed in, causing the princess of the North to shoot him another glare.

“Business, business, business,” Devoss brushed them both off. “My country hasn’t seen a proper celebration in years! I am not taking that away from them. And your support will be greatly appreciated.”

Elene and Forrest exchanged disparaging glares.

The King took them outside. Tall date palms swayed gently in the warm breeze, casting dappled shadows over winding pathways of sandstone. Delicate jasmine vines weaved through intricately carved archways, filling the air with their sweet fragrance. At the centre of the garden, dozens of colourful hot air balloons stood tall and ready to take off, their vibrant hues contrasting against the golden sands that stretch endlessly beyond. Guests wandered through the tranquil garden, marvelling at the exotic flora and the anticipation of their upcoming adventure.

“What is this?” Elene gasped, realising that the balloons were there for a reason. She was never a big fan of heights despite living in the mountains, so a chill crawled down her spine.

“This is tonight’s entertainment and one of the best traditions of the East!” King Devoss looked as happy as a child who got an ice cream on a hot day.

“This one is yours!” He pointed at a giant red hot-air balloon. A man standing next to it in a server’s uniform opened the little door for them, inviting them in.

“Oh, no,” Elene shook her head. “I prefer to watch.”

“We know,” Forrest smirked and hopped in first.

A wave of annoyance rippled through her, and Elene followed him in the sudden rush of adrenalin. He offered her his hand, which she went out of her way not to use, even though it would have been much easier to do so. Her heels were killing her.

“Have fun, kids!” Devoss waved at them, and only now did Elene realise he wasn’t going to join them. Which meant she would be stuck with Forrest and an unknown Omega high in the sky, for gods knew how long.

“If you find out you are mates, you owe me a wedding invitation.” The king grinned at them as the servant locked the door, making Elene’s lips part.

“Excuse me?” Her brows went up.

“It’s what we do. You can’t sense your mate on the ground of Solace. It’s powerful ancient magic. This is why we go up in the sky to see if our other half is here. And you two have crazy chemistry! I wouldn’t be surprised, you know!” the King screamed while the Omega dropped off bags of sand, sending their hot air balloon up to the sky.

“We do not!” Elene yelled back, shooting a nervous glance at the General.

“This would be the worst match ever!” Forrest rolled his eyes, and she wanted to throw him overboard. He would have been the worst match for her, but he would definitely be mating up the ladder if it was the case.

“Also fine!” Devoss yelled from the ground, giving them a thumbs up. “Rip that bandage off at once while you are there! YOU ARE WELCOME!”

Elene watched as the earth moved further and further away, hoping that this was all a bad joke, when a loud growl emerged right next to her.

“Don’t you growl at me!” Elene ordered the Southerner, trying to avoid looking at him at the same time.

“I’ll give it my best.” He said, his breathing suspiciously ragged. She did not like this one bit.

The first rays of the rising sun illuminated the sky as hundreds of colourful hot air balloons floated in the air. Elene saw how other people were having the times of their lives flying around them. All the while, she was stuck with the man she loathed the most.

“I’m sure it was a joke about mates.” Forrest told her as if he was trying to reassure her, but his voice seemed… off.

“It better be.” She muttered, counting the seconds until the flight was over. Now that she was thinking about it, it could be worse. She could be stuck with, let’s say, Gideon and Riannon making out again. At least she did not have to pretend in front of Romero.

However, when it got too quiet, she couldn’t help but check what was going on with the Southern Alpha.

Forrest looked slightly pale despite his bronze skin, not taking his eyes off her. Elene furrowed her brows. What was he up to now?

“It’s — you,” he breathed out, and a shiver ran down the princess’ spine. He looked at her with so much longing that her breathing hitched.

Elene wasn’t sure how to respond. What was he doing? What did he mean?

“Don’t you feel it?” Forrest asked, a hint of sadness in his voice. He looked so broken.

Her lips parted slightly, shock paralysing her just for a few moments.

It couldn’t be…