I was a nervous wreck.

Today was the meeting with the Werewolves and I still didn't know what the agenda behind the meeting was. All I knew was that Lazarus and Aiden, both would be looking at me closely the entire time to see how I would react to Adrian.

And it was not going to be good. All I could do was have enough strength to compose my feelings and my features. Knowing Adrian, I knew he was going to try something to get a reaction out of me and he knew enough ways to press my buttons.

I was really worried about Celeste and how she was going to come out in front of everyone.

I myself was still not sure who I wanted. If anybody asked me to choose out of the two, I wouldn't know who to pick. Yes, Adrian had broken my heart and my pride a lot of times, but it didn't mean I had lost all my love for him. The mate bond would never let me forget him.

Don't worry about me, I have too much ego to go back to him crawling like that. Celeste said.

Oh, I wasn't worried about Celeste now, alright. It was too easy to say everything without having him right in front of you. I knew there were going to be hidden gazes, secret glares and sneaking glances during the meeting. Or maybe something else entirely; I just hoped I wasn't seated anywhere near him..

I wished there was a way I could block the mind-link; I couldn't even bring myself to regret marking him.

And maybe at the meeting, I would finally be able to decide who I would choose if ever given the ultimatum.

There was one thing though; as long as Delia was present besides Adrian, I would never be able to choose him. I refused to act like a whore again and be a homewrecker. What if the pup was really his and had lost his or her life? I would've never been able to forgive myself if something like that ever happened.

No innocent deserved to be a victim of such a complicated situation.

"Are you alright?" Aiden said, wrapping his arms around me, making me face him. His thumbs were tracing circles on my back, and I melted into him, burrowing my face in his chest.

I really did love this guy; being with Aiden was so uncomplicated and easy. He was everything I ever wanted - the king of Prince Charming I always dreamt of. We argued a lot too - there were a lot of things regarding which we had different opinions, and there were many times when he tried to put some restrictions on me.

For my own safety, of course.

I acted like a spoilt brat many times, but he handled me just well and every time, it made me swoon. I was so fucking lucky that I had a second chance at love with him, unlike Liana who had been stuck with Jaxon for years.

Well, they were better together now, or so I hoped.

I missed her, and I missed Mercy and Kia, too. I had no idea what they all were up to and that was perhaps the only thing I hated about being here. I couldn't contact my old friends and my grandparents in any case. In fact, this was one of the things I had argued about with Aiden. It would be wrong for me to stay in touch with both sides and Lazarus didn't trust me that well, yet.

"I'll be honest, Aiden, I'm a nervous wreck." I didn't want to lie to him about this - he deserved to know the turmoil that was brewing inside me. See, vampires could feel the emotions of their mates, but unlike Werewolves, they couldn't exactly tap into their thoughts. So, here, we both were at a disadvantage with each other. With no transparency, it was hard to trust each other blindly.

"It'll be alright, Cynthia." He sighed, kissing the top of my head.

Aiden was almost a foot taller than me, and I was 5'7", so it was difficult for me to meet his eyes when I tipped my head up without getting out of his hold.

"I have no idea how I'd be reacting in front of him," I said, "Right now, I'm assured that my pride would block all the feelings I'll have for him - if I have them, of course - but I don't know if that'll really be the case if he'll be standing right in front of me! And then of course, I don't know how he'll be reacting when he'll be seeing me here with you."

I took in a deep breath, "I don't want to taunt him in any way, or show him that I'm happier. I am happier. I just don't want any bad blood between us."

"Cynthia," his deep voice sent delicious shivers down my spine. I still wondered how he could manage so much self-control when I was more than ready to throw myself at him. "There is bad blood - there's nothing you can do to resolve it out now. And it's going to be worse because now you have picked sides and it's us you're with. I'll be honest with you, Moon, you're not normal and you know that. You're not like those ordinary wolves or vampires out there who were born to survive. You are here for something greater than that and no one knows what it is. All I know is having you with us give an upper edge to the Vampires."

That was well...obvious.

"That's not what I'm worried about, after all. It's my choice, right? I will decide to pick sides when the time comes - well, I won't pick sides, I would try my best to bring peace. But coming back to now, I don't want Lazarus to taunt him in any way for having me here. I want it to be a peaceful meeting."

He pouted a little, "Come on, Cynthia, you're no fun." The twitch to his mouth showed me that he was just kidding and I giggled back at him.

"Alright, but only a little."

*********************************

You could slice through the tension with a ruler - it was that thick. I don't think I was even breathing. I could feel him arriving from probably a mile away and every step of his towards the meeting room had me anticipating.

It was like I was missing him badly and I had been dying to catch a glimpse of him all this time.

And I was so, so right about me not really knowing how I would react if Adrian was to be right in front of me.

Oh well, I knew now.

I was ashamed to admit, the bond I shared with the guy who loved me so much was very much dim when compared to what I had with Adrian. It made everything extremely difficult since he didn't bring Delia here.

It would have been better - things would have remained so much more in control if she had brought her ugly face here. I had no one to look at so that I could steel myself against him. I couldn't find it in myself to hold a grudge against him about all those times.

The moment Adrian had entered the room - even though we both were on opposite ends - we had shared a long, intense look that made Celeste create chaos inside me. He missed me, it was apparent, and he let his feelings flow through the bond between us.

He was so mad at me for being here, and for taunting him in this way.

My cheeks had flushed, but I let him know that taunting him was never my intention, I just wanted to be happy and carefree. And then, I had raised my brows questioningly at him, asking him why Delia was absent.

He didn't bother to answer.

I observed how both Lazarus and Adrian didn't shake hands - they just nodded at each other and sat at the opposite ends of the table. It was then I noted that Jaxon and Theo were here, too. The looks they were giving me were less than pleasing, but I wasn't bothered in the least. I was more focused on my mate.

It was clear that the both of them sympathised with me but were less than please about me being with the vampires.

I didn't owe any explanations to anyone; they should've known why I did what I did. The only thing I wanted from them was updates about Liana and Mercy (and her pup).

In fact, they should feel lucky that their mates didn't have a second option like I did - Liana and Mercy would've dropped them without a thought.

"I'm glad we all are gathered here together, today, peacefully." I didn't like the sinister smile that Lazarus had on his face. Even though I had told Aiden that I didn't want them taunting Adrian in any way, I knew they'd be doing it - even if it's a little.

I was squirming in my seat: Goddess, the testosterone in the room is suffocating!

I was surrounded by bulky, handsome men, and I knew every woman out there would be envying me. I was sitting right next to Aiden and my body had become so sensitive that I could feel Aiden's heat radiating towards me.

But I knew that Aiden wasn't the reason why I was so fucking sensitive everywhere. And again, I was ashamed and relieved at the same time.

Ashamed, because Adrian was the one eye-fucking me from across the table like he always did, getting me hot and bothered like he always used to. My heat had ended ages ago and I was not nearing it as far as I knew.

Or maybe, I was.

Well, whatever - Adrian very well knew what he was doing to me, judging by the knowing smirk on his fucking face - the face I remembered sitting on and...

I gasped.

That bastard.

I tried to block the fucking mind-link, but I didn't know what to do. I knew what he was trying to do. He was fucking verifying.

Verifying if I still felt the same way for him.

Distraction. Distraction. Distraction.

I was relieved because Aiden had no idea what was running in the mind of his mate who was sitting right next to me. And then, I knew I might stop acting like a harpy in front of Adrian if I'll be completing my blood rituals with Aiden.

I'll be a slut for Aiden, or perhaps both of them...

My mind went in the gutter again. There goes the distraction...

"Before we start, may I ask you where the Luna Queen is?" Lazarus asked, looking genuine.

"She's indisposed at the moment," Adrian's eyes flashed slightly, and I felt a pang of hurt flowing through the mate bond. I didn't let the frown appear on my face when I felt it.

Was something wrong?

Did the pup...?

Adrian looked at Lazarus, his jaw hardened yet his face showing no emotion. He didn't even glance at me.

"Well, I'll keep this meeting brief. " Lazarus started, "This is in the best interest for the both of us."

Adrian nodded at him.

"This is not to discuss war, or trespassing or the innocent killings that have taken place in both the kingdoms. We are here to discuss about your destined Luna Queen who also happens to be my second in-command's mate - Cynthia."

"What about her?" He asked coolly, as if I was not present in the meeting.

"We don't want the repeat of a war-like situation because of a complication, which should actually be a personal issue. We hope that it remains her choice who she stays with. We don't want her to be forced into picking sides. We are not giving her an ultimatum and we expect the same from you."

A small smirk crept up on Adrian's face and a very dirty image ran through my mind, making my face burn. The image was something I did not want to describe, but it reminded me of my heat and the delicious things he had done to me.

Oh Goddess....

If it had been just me alone, I might have just let my fingers slip between my thighs. It was like a porn movie was going through my head. I didn't know about Aiden and Lazarus but Adrian could surely smell my arousal from where he was.

Perhaps Jaxon and Theo too, since they both had smirks on their faces and were probably laughing through their mind-links about what a whore I was.

Humiliation coursed through me, and I gritted my teeth. I wanted to fucking stop this invasion of my thoughts; I didn't want him to toy with my mind like this anymore.

Adrian's naked image in my brain smirked while fucking the shit out of me, and said, "You can't stop this, Celeste. I'll keep doing this until everyone in this fucking room gets it into their head that you are mine."

He was growling in my head and it was sexy as fuck.

Are you sharing this experience of yours with your Alpha Prime and Beta King, eh?

My voice was just as disgusted as I felt at that moment - disgusted with myself. Here, next to me, was sitting the guy who was so supportive, so attentive and loved me to bits, yet I was having this weird wet dream about the guy sitting so far away from me, and who deserved none of my attention.

"Hell, no, Celeste," he growled, "Only I get to see you naked and wanton this way, no one else. But they can smell your arousal just like I can, and you smell so good, baby. I'm so fucking hard right now, but Lazarus keeps spewing shit from his mouth. Should I tell him to give us some time alone? After all, we have some issues to settle."

No!

"Why?" He smirked, oh so smug, and I wanted to punch him in his face and kiss him at the same time. "Afraid you'd give in to me? Afraid that they'd be able to hear you scream my name without having to eavesdrop? Or afraid that they will find you in my arms, a writhing mess, when they'll try to peek in?"

My blouse felt too tight, and I was slightly panting. Aiden was focused on Adrian, trying to catch his gaze and get into a glaring contest. He definitely didn't know something was wrong with me here.

I had to think of something un-sexy, get that image into my mind and shove it to him. But what?

List of disgusting things I've seen in my life.

Kid eating his boogers. Slowly he inserts his fingers into his nose, twists the fingers, finds the slimy booger, pulls the finger out, inspects it, and then puts it into his mouth.

Oh yeah, this was helping.

A hairy man scratching his ass. He slowly slips his hand into the behind of his trunks, and then scratches scratches scratches.

Poop. The smelly one. The poop after you eat something very spicy and doesn't suit your tummy.

Oh yes, the blood clots that come out during your peri-

"Fucking stop it, Celeste, it's disgusting!"

I wanted to dance internally as he finally gave up the porno streaming in my head.

I finally felt like I could breathe.

"But your panties are still soaked, baby."

Oh, shut the fuck up, Adrian.

"I hope you keep your own word, King Lazarus. If in any case, she wishes to come back to our Kingdom, you have no right to stop her." Adrian said, his voice firm.

I couldn't believe these guys were negotiating poor, little me.

"Oh you see, there's a slight problem here." Lazarus said, "She cannot keep going back and forth between the two kingdoms. It will create doubts in us as well as you."

"Fair point," Adrian nodded his head, "At the moment you wish to stay here, don't you?" His gaze was smoldering.

I nodded back confidently.

"Well if she ever wishes to come back to the Were Kingdom, we'll always be open to her." Jaxon and Theo nodded beside him, "But once you are in our grounds, Celeste, you won't be able to go back to the Vampire Kingdom."

I nodded.

"Let's keep it this way, Aiden and Cynthia haven't committed through mating rituals, yet. Once they complete their mating rituals, she wouldn't be allowed to go back to your territory. If she does, we will have the rights to punish her on the grounds of treachery."

I gulped; having to spend my entire life without having Adrian in it suddenly seemed daunting.

"That's fair." Adrian nodded.

"Also," Lazarus said, "While she's here, she cannot contact anyone from your territory. If you are seen with a Werewolf or caught with the same, Cynthia, " Lazarus faced me, "You will be charged with espionage."

I nodded.

"I think we have most of it covered. We can have further discussions as and when required." Lazarus said.

"Definitely." Adrian agreed.

It was so weird having to see these two talk so civilly. Come to think of it, I had never really seen the both of them back-bitching or bad-mouthing each other.

Maybe there was hope for peace.

I glanced at the three men, and wondered if I could ask about Liana and Mercy. I desperately wanted to, but I didn't know if this was the right setting. If I did ask Lazarus and Aiden to leave us alone, I knew they wouldn't like it.

"Liana is doing fine. She's still giving Jaxon a hard time, though. Mercy is fine, too. Theo, as far as I know, patiently deals with her pregnancy mood swings. Both look happily in love though."

Thank you.

Gosh, I wished I could be there with them. A small smile crept up my face at the thought of both Liana and Mercy giving their mates a hard time.

"Come back with me, Celeste. Don't stay here." Adrian said, his voice full of longing.

I can't; not until Delia is there with you. I wasn't going to budge.

I had my peace of mind here, something I won't have in the Were Kingdom. I could think things through, act with my mind and feel in control, unlike how I feel with Adrian around - losing my control over my senses.

I had the tendency to act like a brainless harpy whenever I was in front of him and it didn't appease me a bit. If I ever had to give myself to him, I wanted to give him everything I had and I didn't want anything to come between us.

The meeting was over, the Werewolves were escorted out of the territory. I retired back to Aiden and my room, took a shower to clean myself and then took a nap.

When I woke up, it was night and I wasn't really hungry, but Aiden was staring down at me and he had a tray of food besides him.

"Hey," he murmured softly and then bent to kiss my forehead. I groaned slightly, stretched myself and then shifted my head so that it was in his lap.

He stroked my hair, "I was so afraid that you would change your mind today." He murmured softly and sighed.

"When will you stop thinking about me leaving you. It won't happen anytime soon, or anytime later." I grumbled at him, still half asleep.

"But you are marked mates, Cynthia. It's not like what you feel for me has the same amount of intensity." He said.

"What do you want me to say, Aiden?" I was slightly annoyed, and perhaps defensive. "Not even once during the entire meeting did I think about going back with him. I told you, Aiden, until Delia is still in the picture, I'd die rather than going back to the Kingdom."

"What if Delia suddenly gets out of the picture now?" He asked quietly, "Would you change your mind instantly?"

"Oh, Gosh no. It's not that easy."

I turned away from him and pretended to fall asleep, again.

But deep inside, I asked myself the same question?

Will I stay?*********************

Hey guys,

I'll be editing all the chapters for typos and stuff once I finish the story. And yeah, you'd find this on Dreame, too, if you're comfortable there.

I'm updating all the chapters here first, then there.

Stay Safe,

M