"Once a wolf has scented his mate, it is extremely difficult for him to stay away from her. The idea of claiming her, marking her as his own, is so strong that every full moon night the urge intensifies. Now can you imagine how Ileus survived that for one year in Vilinski?" He narrowed his eyes. "I am realizing it now, and honestly I can't even think what he went through. He never revealed his intention to anyone for the fear that what if one of us betrays him."

A big lump formed in her throat.

"Every full moon night, he would come out of Vilinski and then run in the jungles for the whole night, crazed, maddened. And now I realize the kind of control he exercised just to be with you. All I have to say is that he got lucky that you escaped with him just a day before your wedding with the crown prince."

Her hands went to her mouth and she pressed it. Gods, she had fallen for him and perhaps loved him from the first day she had seen him. She stared at her uneaten food and said, "The night I decided to escape with him, was because the idea of being Aed Ruad's wife never settled in me." Her voice became shaky. "But I- I wanted to be with him, wanted to taste what it was to fall in love. I think I made the right decision. I wanted to fall in love with him even though I saw him as you."

"Anastasia, you took that decision because that's what your destiny is. Ileus is no ordinary man and you are no ordinary woman. It doesn't matter where you two are located. You two would still be attracted to each other."

"Gods!" she rasped and whipped her neck towards the ceiling. "If we continue like this, we won't be able to complete the goals of our life, because- because I feel so complete," she muttered.

"And why is that? Why can't you complete your goals together? Being someone's mate doesn't mean that you stop doing what you have to," Kaizan said. "What I am trying to say is don't leave him. You both need each other. If you leave him-" Kaizan took a deep breath. "If you leave him, especially after what all you have had between you, Ileus won't be the same. Werewolves become moon crazy. If they are unable to claim their mates, they go mad, they are lost and often we put them down."

"Oh god, please don't say that!" A wave of fear passed through her body that agonized her beyond words.

"That's the truth, princess. And once a werewolf marks his mate, he will follow her where she goes... even to the death."

A shaky breath left her lips. "But he is a half wizard. His mother is a half wizard."

"Perhaps that is why he is still sane."

Anastasia's heart pounded against her ribcage. "What do you mean?"

They became quiet for a long time and then Kaizan said, "When you left him last time, I could see the craziness in his eyes. It was as if he would destroy the world and bring you back even from the depths of hell." He sagged in the chair and exhaled heavily. "He ordered Seashell to come here for an extra layer of protection for you."

"That lion is... mesmerizing."

"He is more than that," Kaizan said with amusement in his eyes. "He can communicate with Adrianna."

"Amazing!" Her lips kicked up when she recalled how he had come to rest upon her and nuzzled in her. "The queen can communicate with animals?"

"Yes!"

She couldn't help feeling intrigued.

Kaizen said, "There is something about you Anastasia that is peculiar. I don't know what, but the way that lion was around you-he hadn't been this friendly with anyone, except of course the wizard ruler whose pet he was."

Tensing, she felt she didn't want to know. What they just talked about was mind blowing.

"You are his mate and that is a sure fact."

Anastasia gulped the lump down her throat. "Where is he now?"

"He has gone to find out about the letter," said Kaizan as he got up. "I will leave you alone to ponder over this. I know it's an overload of information but I had to speak with you."

She lowered her head and stared at the floor.

He walked to the door. Just before turning the knob he said, "You have to deal with Darla. If you are going to be annoyed with her or hate her, trust me Ileus won't spare a minute in removing her from the team. And Anastasia, we need her. I know she is lost. I have no idea when her infatuation turned into obsession for Ileus, but I do know that it isn't healthy at the moment. I can't sympathize enough for her condition and would like to caution you. You are standing on a thin sheet of ice. Tread carefully." Saying that he turned the handle and opened the door to leave.

Anastasia was left alone. Slowly she picked up the bowl with cold stew in it and had a spoonful, but the taste was bland, or was it bland because a thousand thoughts bounced in her mind. Her gaze went outside the window and she saw that the skies were grayer than usual.

'He is your mate.' The words sounded... intense. Anastasia got up and paced the room nervously. She didn't know how to behave like a mate, but she was amazed, even excited at the power she wielded on him and he on her. It was if she was drunk in it. It felt good. It felt dangerous. It felt... addictive. And suddenly she realized that there was no room for anyone else in this relationship. Suffocation clenched her heart when she thought about Darla. 'You are walking on thin ice.' She had to put the lid down, but very carefully.