Eternal

Chapter IX - Tryst

Tryst – (n) a secret meeting between two lovers

Origin – Old French

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The knock echoed throughout the hallway, causing the dread Adelaide felt to rise a notch. She wasn't ready to face her mate just yet. The memory of their last meeting was still fresh in her mind. It haunted her continuously, but it also piqued her curiosity.

"Come in." Theodore called. Adelaide hesitated for a second before pushing the doors open and walking inside. She found him perched on top of his chair, leaning slightly towards the table and signing papers. The sight of his regal posture made her wolf swoon. He appeared imposing – kingly - which he was. For a second, she forgot the reason she sought him out.

The clearing of his throat snapped her to attention, and she suddenly seemed to remember that she was in front of him; the man who almost hurt her when she last saw him – her lycan mate. That thought was like a bucket of ice water thrown into her face. It awakened Adelaide from her defiant thoughts and reminded her why she was there; the letter.

Adelaide glanced at the envelope she held in her hands and back at Theodore only to find that his frown has deepened. His irritation could be felt in waves.

Her hesitation came back full force, and she wondered if it was a good idea to seek him after all. Then, she remembered her purpose once again.

With a sudden blast of courage, she stepped closer to the desk. Adelaide peered at her mate once more and felt her mouth dry. She tried with all of her might to hold on to that piece of strength that led her on.

"A man gave me this in the gardens," Adelaide stated. She held the paper out for Theodore, waiting for him to grab it. The slight tremor of her hand didn't go unnoticed, but they both ignored it as he took the letter from her.

"He said that they're-" She faltered, "That they're coming for you, but I don't know who they are. He didn't mention it."

Theodore's head snapped up so quickly that she feared he might rip a tendon out of his neck, and when he read the symbols written in front of him, his eyes darkened considerably.

Did he understand those symbols?

Well, he obviously did, or he wouldn't be this angry, would he? But what does it mean? Who sent it?

He hasn't said a word yet, and with every passing moment, Adelaide grew more and more apprehensive. Her jumbled thoughts were interrupted when she heard him swear loudly. It was the only thing he said since she entered his office. Theodore threw the envelope and the paper on the desk as he stood up and charged to the door like a man on mission.

He brushed by her and in that second she managed to inhale his scent as deeply as her lungs would allow it. It was addicting.

"Gamma!" Theodore bellowed. He held the door tightly, his knuckles turning white at the pressure. She could hear the lycan's deep breaths all the way across the office. She was thankful that she wasn't in the middle of his warpath, and that she somehow managed to escape his wrath, even if it were for a few minutes before he turned his anger at her.

"Yes, my king," A deep voice said. Adelaide couldn't see the man since Theodore blocked her view of him, but she could only assume that the one who answered was the indeed the gamma.

"Secure the borders immediately, and send for Tomas to come back at once. Am I clear?" He ordered.

"Of course, your highness. I'll be back."