The Alpha King's Nemesis-Chapter 75: An Unwelcome Guest ()

Askel sucked in a deep breath as Zariah stepped into one of the rooms and slammed the door shut.

Askel could have sworn, for a moment there, her cold facade had faltered as her gaze roved over him and Askel was certain his mate approved of what she saw.

It was clear in her gaze and how she had unconsciously flicked a tongue out to wet her lips.

The sight of that small, wet appendage had Askel’s heart beating faster than he had ever thought possible...with Zariah, Askel found he always reacted in ways he previously did not think himself capable of.

And then those alluring crimson orbs that trailed down his chest slowly, it had only been for a moment but her gaze had left a heated trail as it moved across Askel’s chest.

Askel wished she hadn’t stopped, but he had spoken up intending to get her to stop, Askel knew if she stared at him in such a way for too long, he would loose every ounce of self control he was struggling so hard to hold unto.

Askel could not understand it, why Zariah had decided to accept Prince Treyton’s living arrangements even when she clearly detested being in close proximity to him.

Whatever it was, she had just signed up to make their stay in the Sea Kingdom a thousand times more difficult for Askel as the struggle for self control and restraint had already begun from just a lingering gaze,

And they were meant to actually, truly share the very same quarters? Right next door to one another, with only a thin... easily breakable wall separating them?

Askel felt he would have to take it upon himself to remind his wolf and his beast that neither the Sea King nor Zariah would appreciate a broken wall,

But Askel doubted his beast would care, his wolf was a little more agreeable but when it came to their mate, even his wolf was out of his control.

But who could blame them? Askel could hardly control his ownself whenever he laid eyes on their mate.

Askel was drawn out of his thoughts by the sound of the door opening up again and he glanced up.

Zariah emerged from the room she had just stepped into almost immediately, lifting her gaze to Askel for a brief moment and just that brief moment had Askel’s heart fluttering.

Her gaze lingered for just a moment before she diverted her gaze again, gesturing towards the room she had come out of.

"I think that one’s yours...I mean the change of clothing on the bed... it’s..well, for males." Zariah relayed in a hesitant tone.

Askel quirked a brow at her wandering gaze, knowing she was intentionally avoiding his eyes.

Askel sighed quietly, nodding as he moved away from where he stood blocking the other door to allow her entrance.

Zariah walked towards the door and turned the knob, pushing it open and just as she was about to slam it closed, Askel placed a hand on the door, stopping her.

Zariah’s questioning gaze lifted up to Askel and Askel’s gaze searched hers, an action she only allowed for a moment before those Crimson orbs were diverted again.

"What do you want, King Askel?" Zariah asked in a chilling cold tone.

’You... you are what I want.’ Askel was tempted to say in response, the words got caught in his throat however as her chilling tone ached his heart.

"Mhíjani... I do not want you to be displeased, if you do not wish to be around me, I will leave. I just want you to be comfortable Zari... nothing else." Askel told her honestly.

As much as it hurt him to admit, his presence was making his mate uncomfortable and he was willing to leave if she did not want him around.

Askel did not mind...or rather, he did mind. If she actually sent him away, Askel would be deeply hurt but as long as Zariah was happy, then he would oblige.

"I said it was fine because it is. I am not uncomfortable, go and get changed King Askel and get some rest, something tells me tomorrow will bring with it bothersome sights." Zariah said before she shut the door.

Askel was momentarily stunned by her response, it was in times like this that Askel could see his mate, Zariah was infact quite different from the cold hearted facade she put up.

In times like this when she unconsciously expressed care and concern for his well being and didn’t even give much thought to it.

Askel’s heart warmed, a small smile settling on his lips as he stared at the door shut firmly before him.

Askel then headed into his own room, stripping out of his wet clothing the moment his door was shut.

Askel changed into the clean pair of clothing and laid down on his bed, his mind clouded with thoughts of his red haired angel... and a certain small, wet appendage he had caught sight of grazing over his skin.

_________________

Askel’s eyes fluttered open as he picked up a scent approaching, he got off his bed and headed out to the receiving room.

Askel pulled open the door, frowning as he could already tell who was on the other side from the scent.

Askel’s chilling cold gaze settled on the merman whose hand was poised to knock, he seemed at a loss on what to say upon sighting Askel.

"King Askel..." He greeted, lowering his head to a deep bow.

"I... I received Lady Zariah’s summon..." He continued when Askel did not make any indications that he planned to move out of the way.

"Did you now?" Askel replied in a cold tone that had the merman struggling to conceal his visible nervousness.

"I understand you do not want me anywhere near Lady Zariah, I sincerely apologise for endangering your mate then...I...I don’t dare hope for your forgiveness but please let me convey my apology to Lady Zariah in person." The merman, Kristen continued.

Askel quirked a brow, wondering if this merman truly thought an apology was going to make any difference whatsoever.

Askel recalled vividly how this merman had lunged for Zariah with intent to kill and demonic possession considered, Askel simply did not want this male anywhere around his mate.

It irked Askel that his mate did not seem to mind this male’s presence at all but rather seemed to favor him, going as far as requesting a pardon from the Sea King all for him.

What annoyed Askel even more was the fact that his mate seemed genuinely concerned about this merman, and wanted to examine his condition... whatever it was, personally.

Askel did not find this situation pleasant at all, neither did he need any insignificant person disturbing his mate’s peace unnecessarily.

"Kristen?" Zariah called out, as she stepped out of her room.

Askel grumbled inaudibly as his mate walked up to him and fixed him with a withering glare.

She had a large coat wrapped around herself which came down to around her ankles and her feet were bare.

"Would you mind stepping aside, King Askel?" Zariah asked, eyes narrowed sternly, daring Askel to defy her.

Askel reluctantly stepped to the side for fear of incurring his mate’s wrath yet he maintained a reasonable distance, watchful eyes fixed on the merman as he stepped into the room.

For reasons best known to the merman, he had shed his tail in exchange for a pair of legs and was dressed in a casual tunic and leather breeches.

"Lady Zariah." The merman greeted, lowering his head in a bow of respect, his guilt visibly reflected in his actions.

"Before you begin, I have already heard enough apologies regarding the matter. I am alive and well and there is nothing for you to be sorry for, neither will I appreciate wasting words on the very same issue." Zariah clarified before the merman could apologise.

"I...I just want you to know that I’m truly... deeply sorry for that event." The merman said in a helpless tone.

Askel resisted the urge to scoff, the merman did not seem so helpless just a moment ago when he was holding Askel’s gaze albeit with difficulty,

However now, he looked like one who had recently been bereaved and Askel found it irritable.

"You are forgiven, do take a sit." Zariah permitted, gesturing to the seaters in the receiving room.

The merman nodded and walked into the receiving room whilst Zariah passed Askel a stare that clearly warned him to maintain his limits.

"I don’t like him." Askel declared without hesitation, he was willing to maintain his limits on every other thing but this certainly was not one of them.

Askel heard the merman cough from where he sat since Askel had made his declaration in an audible tone, without a care for the merman’s presence.

Askel expected a deadly glare or even a biting response from his mate but Askel was stunned when instead, Zariah laughed.

Askel swore his heart stopped as that melodious sound, like the delightful tingling of bells warmed his heart.

"You don’t seem to like anybody King Askel, it doesn’t count." Zariah replied with a shake of her head as she headed over to the receiving room.