*I don't know who he is but that man in the picture above looks like Apollo in my head.*

• • • • •

Self- control went down the drain the moment I saw her face. He was looking at her and his aura was most genuine. White always proved to be the personification of truth and fondness of the heart. Emotions were intoxicating, driving the beast and the fire within me to push forward and let this woman know what or rather, who, she had no right to be with anymore.

Upon feeling the scorch of jealousy gnawing my rationality, I stepped forward, mindless of what the audience would think. Illaria...

She had the power over my mate to change him and his character with her mere presence. The duke and I shared not an ounce of romance for each other, but the fire within me urged the beast to fight for what was supposed to be hers and hers only.

An impending storm startled the guests. The skies roared and lightning flashed twice already, putting the palace in gloom. But my eyes were set on one person. I cared not about nature's wrath but of my beast.

When Illaria gazed back at Apollo with a smile, I swallowed hard, keeping the green- eyed monster at bay. I thought I had a javelin from hell at that moment to impale her with. I was jealous, I admit. I had never been that possessive until she arrived.

"Ipse est." Stoked was the blue ball of fire within me, whispering words of hatred in my ears. 'He is mine,' she declared, her voice was like mine but it was softer. She was aggressive yet somehow I knew she was pleading for me to do something to appease her.

As I moved past Apollo, our shoulders brushed. I would never know what he was thinking. All I could recall in my head was his blatant display of affection towards his past lover.

"Et quod non sint." The ball of fire believed. I was silent; not answering her for what she said was questionable. 'He was never hers' was all she meant.

My wolf growled in agreement, urging me to let my claws and fangs out. It was yet another half- shift. I was partly in control. Maybe an agreement between the three of us inside this body was the key I was hoping for when it comes to shifting. It was dangerous; I was afraid of being ruled out of my own temple, but the situation had my head spinning and lurking in the shadows of confidence.

Gasps from the crowd surfaced as I stepped closer to the enemy. Spine straight, I had my eyes on her the whole time. Illaria was my prey. She would be killed.

"Ego sum immitis." I said under deep breaths. 'I am merciless.'

I looked at her eyes as if I was staring at a poisonous snake. I had known nothing about her except for the fact that she was his former betrothed, but there was this strange feeling of instant dislike and envy; one that I could not explain but felt.

Wherever the emotion was coming from, I was inclined to its main statement that she was not to be trusted. I was not one to judge but the red clouds surrounding her in my vision would never lie. She had ire for me too. In this equation, we were equal.

Before me was a woman of fair skin, of exquisite beauty. She would've passed as innocent looking if I was not clairvoyant. The sounds of my shoes were clucks on the marbled floor as I neared her. She had a stoic expression and I felt Apollo's distaste because of my actions.

"Illaria." I raised my chin. Spine straight, I levelled my gaze with hers.

"Lady White." She answered, having the audacity to curtsy without bowing. Her voice was sweet but it was not music to my ears.

Apollo was obviously behind, watching my back with a piercing glance. My fangs shrunk but my claws were alert and ready to damage Illaria's porcelain skin.

"You must have received my invitation." I said. The blue fire was forcing the words out of my lips. In a snap, I roar of thunder followed.

"Indeed. You have challenged me and I accept it." She retorted, furrowing her brows with a critical look.

The crowd was silent, hearing only our conversation in between loud cracks of thunder. The monumental castle was surely drenched by rain pouring down in the City of Therion. It would be a cold night. If this continued, the guests would have to stay.

"Do you know why I challenged you?" I began, balling my fists as she looked over my shoulders and passed a look of worry to whom else but my fated.

"No" was her soft reply. She watched me as if gravity was no longer pulling me down. She was confused I must say.

I almost raised a brow but stopped half- way. "You and I can never share anything." I spoke, garnering whispers form The Ton.

Illaria visibly clutched her skirts and passed a lump in her throat. The queen was behind her and she was as quiet as her son. She was observing both of us intently. A quick sideway glance allowed me to see Dilly and Catherine beside the queen too.

"Pardon, milady? As far as I am concerned, we share nothing." The female alpha calmly replied and took my attention.

Would she really result to playing the victim? She must seize her days for I would show her the true alpha ways.

"I hope that is precise and true." I commented. "My people are under your governance. They are mine. That is why I challenged you."

It was only right for the audience to hear us. Their hypocrisies would cease once I become their queen, but first, I would prove my strength by defeating this woman.

"They have been inducted after submission as my allies. Why do you want to force yourself to be their alpha when you can be their queen soon enough?" She badgered. The murmurings of everyone reappeared, hearing a verse about the throne.

My claws ached to grab her face and warn her. The beast in me was very mad that she could twist Illaria's neck and kill her instantly. She was that feral when our pack was involved. A strange connection was left between them and she knew not to give them away to someone she could not trust.

"I will be true to my words." I tilted my chin higher, showing off my claim of authority. "I will bout for the title no matter what you say."

Illaria returned my gaze with a hard stare; her eyes were shifting gradually into black. Bottled were her feelings but she was sure to take everything I say with grace. She seemed to be that kind of woman who could please everyone with her look of virtue.

"It will be my honor to fight the future duchess." She said, stepping forward, closing the gap between us before inclining her head to the side, allowing her cheek to touch mine in a friendly gesture.

The Ton seemed mesmerized and entertained by our exchange but what they didn't know was the fight within me not to grab her by the throat as her bloody aura touched my skin. Was I the only one seeing the real her behind that veil? Or was my vision not reliable anymore and could only be clouded by the anger of my wolf and the fire?

Stepping back, Illaria curtseyed and retreated, channelling the alpha within her that was dubious. As I viewed the train of her black dress gliding against the floor, I felt the need to exemplify my entitlement. She could not walk away just like that.

"Gifts from the heaven cannot be stolen by another." I stated, making her stop. "What fate has given me is for me to own, not anyone else's. You could have had a taste of it in the beginning, but in the end it would be for the truly blessed to take. What is mine is mine alone."

It was raining cats and dogs, needing the servants to rush and rustle back to their duties. The Ton, astounded by my declaration, pointed looks at my direction as I whispered to myself the last words I wanted for Illaria to hear. "He is mine."

I turned around and focused on shifting my claws back to their normal state. Heading towards the gigantic wooden door, I was trailed by a few people I knew. Lord Dilmond and Catherine's apprehensive auras poked me but I ignored them. They had their mouths shut but their anxiousness was evident, prickling my skin.

Apollo's scent shadowed my figure as I thought of my sudden need to claim him before everyone else. These were feelings that the blue ball of fire in my mind was transmitting. She desired the duke. She had passion for him; an obsession I could not deny.

How could an element contain such emotions? How was she making me feel her pain, her jealousy, and her desires?

The Castle of Therion was heavily guarded and chambers were occupied by the nobility due to the heavy storms. I was not able to finish the feast with the crowd of nobles as I had chosen to be locked in my chamber, preferring to be beside my adopted son. I had fallen asleep after shifting and no one dared to speak to me before that. Just remembering the words that came out of my lips had me feeling the little thorns of jealousy again.

I closed my eyes and sighed for a moment. Sitting up, I tapped my palms on the mattress, aiming to touch the comforting warmth of Galax. The sheets were cold and no soft snoring passed my ears. My heart bellowed against my chest because of worry.

My emotions had been very extreme since Apollo's marking. I strode out of my chambers with heavy feet. Torches were lit in the night and two sentinels exchanged glances when they saw my shadow in the hallway. I would have escaped but this time, I approached them.

"Have you seen Galax?" I asked, expressing vexation.

They were clothed in iron mails and helms but I heard one of them sniff. He later on pointed to the left wing of the hall and I nodded in reply.

The direction led me to the library but when I went in and checked, there was only a fragment of his scent. I looked around and I did not chance upon Galax nor did I feel his presence.

Seeking for him desperately, I examined the rest of the castle floors but was unfortunate. Was he with the queen tonight or with Catherine? I searched for him even in the halls of the King's Chambers.

Nobody was allowed to roam around there uncalled except for the royal family and their lookouts. It was to my surprise that the sentinels did not barricade my path. My feet led me towards the private chambers next to each other.

The scent of Apollo was alluring, waking the beast a bit from her slumber. But I focused more on the scent of Galax. It was getting stronger the nearer I walked towards the rows of royal rooms. A soft giggling alerted my ears, identifying the voice of my pumpkin.

I walked faster and reached the Nidus. I was certain my son was inside the nursery but he was not alone. Abruptly, I turned the knob and found an unexpected sight. Sitting on a red settee was the duke with Galax on his lap, reading an old, thick book.

"... and he promised he would bring her a bowl of fruits the next time they see each other, hoping they could be playmates though the prince knew it was not allowed." The duke read, closing the book, regarding my presence.

Galax pouted and grabbed the book from Apollo's hands and turned the hard cover. "Polly, why did you stop?" He asked, dropping the shortened name.

"Your mother is here." Apollo glanced at me briefly. "It is late too. You must sleep." He added.

Galax finally had his eyes on me and he yawned at the same time. "Will you read this book to me again, milord?" The little boy asked, pleading.

I stood there, examining a rare scene of the duke interacting with a child. He was not yet in his sleeping clothes and still wore the midnight black attire from earlier but he looked more gentle and ragged, having the ends of his hair splayed a bit in different angles.

"Of course. I will." He replied to the child.

The merriment of Galax was evident when he smiled and yawned again, tucking his cheeks on the chest of the duke. Apollo did not stand up. Instead, he sat back and rested with my child, rubbing his palms in circles on his small back. Galax nuzzled his nose on Apollo's chest like a pup would his parent.

I could not take my eyes off of the beautiful picture before me. It was as though the bearer of death did not exist in this man. I never knew he could have this soft side, letting a child be in his care lest be this affectionate towards him.

"Will you do it every night before I sleep with Momma?" Galax sleepily asked, keeping his arms circled around the duke's torso.

Apollo once again gazed at me as if gauging my expression for an answer. It was awkward and highly absurd for me to agree but I nodded, not wanting to deny my child's simple request.

"I will. Until we reach the end of it." He answered in a husked tone.

"I like you, Polly." Galax commented, and this made the duke chuckle lowly.

"Sleep now, young man." Apollo hushed.

When I saw Galax close his eyes, submitting to the gentleness of my betrothed, I was ready to turn away and leave but Apollo had something to say.

"Will you stay for a while?" He asked whilst placing the book on the side table with his free hand.

I was unsure but I nodded, gazing at the empty seat beside him. It was cold inside the room for the fireplace was unlit. I thought of Galax as I sat beside the duke, taking my robe off to blanket him with. The closer I moved beside Apollo, the more his warmth caressed my skin like an invisible hearth.

Placing the cloth around the little boy, I leaned back against the couch and stared blankly at my fiddling fingers. I had too many questions to ask yet none of them were coming out during this opportunity with His Grace. I still had negative feelings for him after his aura changed tonight.

With Galax, he also emanated white bands of light. His aura in the color of purity was the most beautiful I'd ever seen aside from the bond being satisfied. But the sad thing was, towards me, he could not display such favour.

His greyish aura was stagnant at the moment. It was not as strong as the obnoxious black but it was enough to tell that he was not that genuine and transparent with me. He was cloaking himself with a dark veil of secrets, attracting the shadows of doubt and dishonesty.

Was I unworthy of his trust? It had always been the dispute- our dispute. He wanted my trust but he could not give his to me. We were on polar opposites in trusting each other. We were repelling each other no matter how forceful fate had been to knot our threads in the great tapestry of life.

"You shifted partly." Apollo voiced, looking down at Galax's ruffled hair. "Was it my fault?" He asked, knowing well now he was the trigger.

My lips were shut, unable to form an answer. I could not be frank and relay the blind emotions of the blue fire in my body that craved him; that was obsessing over him.

"Freya, was it my fault?" He repeated, stopping the mild ministrations of his hand against the child's back.

I almost sighed but was able to prevent it from being released. The sound of the rain continuously pouring and drenching the windows echoed in the chamber. Should I tell him that I was consumed by jealousy?

"It could have been you... it could have been Illaria." I uttered, staring at the window pane to my right.

"Ah." He noted. "Is that the tone of envy I am hearing?" He sounded amused.

My brows met, curling in annoyance. It was not a little thing for him to jest upon. The fire made me say things that I would have kept to myself than share with a large crowd. Knuckles scrunched, I fought the impulse to agree.

"I would have marked you in front of her if I was envious." Goddamn excuse.

He chuckled at that, shifting his gaze towards my direction, hurling my eyes to look into his black ones. "Pray tell you would believe me. I was once captured by the beauty of the Alpha of Crux and she became my betrothed for political reasons."

He was staring at the fireplace, looking distant... as if he was travelling back in time in his thoughts. Unconsciously, I pressed a palm on my chest, soothing my heart. First. Second. Third. Each beat was in different rhythm. The fire wasn't there but her essence was awake.

"It is not necessary to tell me your story." I murmured, feigning a bored tone.

"Maybe not. But is it not interesting to know why I gave her the land of Crux?" Apollo was good at baiting curiosity.

I focused on Galax's relaxed sleeping figure, leaning a bit closer to the duke to touch the young one's blonde curls. It was then that I felt more calm and undistracted by the duke's aura. "It is obvious that you still have penchant for her... that is why you gave her the southern city." I mused. "Your aura changes with her."

The rain grew heavier, mimicking the burdens of my soul. My bare feet curled under the long, white chemise. The cool air enveloped my skin just as the windows became moist under the siege of the storm.

Apollo was quiet for seconds but not until he grabbed my hand from the child's mane and squeezed it gently before bringing my knuckle to his lips. He caught me unguarded as he kissed the back of my hand.

"Your vision says the truth but your interpretations of it will not be accurate at all times, my duchess." He rubbed his thumb gently on the gaps of my fingers and I blushed; heat crept into my body like a wildfire in the rain.

"Will you describe my aura when I am with you?" He requested and released my hand. His eyes flared in their original colour. The tender hue of blue overpowered the light grey. His aura was the same thick smoke.

"It has always been a perfect storm to me." I told him. "You personify my fear." I looked him in the eye. "You bring clouds of silver and grey... You embody the scythe of death. You cloak yourself with darkness to the point that I wonder if you think I am your curse."

I did not hold it back. What seemed to be the truth escaped my lips. It had been a dull, incessant pain. A twinge of fear coupled with the throes of agony. I was taught to believe that mates were blessings from the heavens and must be accepted willingly. But when I met mine, we had the same response.

We did not concatenate.

We were fragments of our pasts that could not be pieced together by each other. Perhaps he was right that I was the moon goddess' mistake.

"A curse, a blessing, an anathema, a gift- they are all the same." Apollo uttered, leaning against the back rest of the settee, looking up at the ceiling.

I continued to study him as he spoke thoughtfully, opening his brilliant mind to me in this sporadic chance. A perfect storm- he was truly that. The nimbus of death was circling together with the hails of his wisdom. If one would look at him closely, he would find him a living god, capable of holding dominion over those who could not defeat his strong will.

"What you are to me cannot be described alone by what fate has decided upon." He continued. "But I am gambling with the heavens by accepting you as my betrothed. I cannot be swayed by the physical lures of the bond but I will take a chance with you by fulfilling the script of the heavens."

He spoke in riddles, in metaphors. He was a commander of words and he was not easy to admire. "I could have rebelled against the bond by leaving you in your world in the first place. I could have let you drown in misery when you tried to take your life in the lake and leave but I saved you." He still would not look at me as he spoke.

"Know this, Freya." Intently, I listened and waited for the next words from him. I was deep in thoughts, capturing every single word he gave away and imprinting them in my brain.

"You were sent to me for a reason. I have never had a strange connection with anyone than I have with you." He released.

"I do not know why but you bring me fear when I do not even fear the fatal silver." His words struck me, shocked me, and petrified my drumming heart into a globe of stone.

"I am braving my greatest fear by accepting her as my fated. Whatever the future holds, I will assure you of a better place with our beasts both satisfied. We cannot be spent and cannot be conquered." He uttered with firmness.

"The day you mark me, you would know that you are not alone in this game destiny weaved for us."

I was holding my breath, feeling a tightening in my chest for I now knew why he had that aura in my presence.

"And on that day, I will mark you once again." He ended, sending chills down to my spine. He was promising it and I simply knew it would happen.

• • • • •
That is so deep, Apollo. I think I just had my brain washed with my laundry in the washing machine. Soooo. We are hearing more from the duke though he speaks in riddles just like what Freya mentioned.

I hope you guys are still enjoying this because we are probably half way there. Haha. More mysteries will be unravelled in the next chapters. And Illaria... Oh Illaria... do you like her or nada? Will you give her the benefit of the doubt?

Anyways, please don't forget to vote and comment so other people could discover this story? I always wait for 50 votes before updating. Haha. :D
I dedicate this to @antoinetteabadicio because her request gave me an idea of finally explaining some of the aura's meanings especially Apollo's. Lol. She even lost her account and had to make a new one to read this.

If you have any questions do comment them and I'll make sure to answer them in the coming chapters by imbibing it in the story.

- Lady Therese