The door clicked shut behind him as Thorne stepped into his study, the scent of Adina still clinging to his skin like glue. He didn't want it off, no—he loved it. He was obsessed with her scent.

It had taken everything in him to leave her this morning and come to the palace. He shook his head, getting into the king mode. He had scores to settle.

Caelum was already there, standing stiff near the window, arms folded tightly across his chest. He turned as Thorne entered, bowing.

"Your majesty."

Thorne nodded, walking towards the table.

"How's Adina? Is she okay?" Caelum asked, and he nodded. "She's good." He replied, straightening up to look at the beta.

"Where's Elara?" He asked immediately, going straight to the point.

Something crossed Caelum's features. "Your majesty…There's something you need to know."

Thorne didn't speak. Just raised a brow, "Surely it can wait. I have to speak to Elara so you can—"

"I'm afraid not, my king. It can't wait. It is very important you hear this," Caelum said, frowning.

Thorne stared at him, brows cocked up. He then nodded after a beat. "Tell me. What is it that is so important?"

Caelum exhaled deeply. "Elara…" he began, gauging Thorne's reaction then continued. "I'm afraid she's been keeping things from you."

Throne frowned. "Speak clearly, Caelum."

"There was an attack in the dungeon where Alpha Radek has been kept four days ago. A guard was wounded brutally from this attack," he said.

"What?"

"That's not all. Elara was there and told the guards not to mention this to you," he paused for a bit, "She said she would tell you herself but it's been four days since then and she hasn't brought it up. Alpha Radek went feral, and we didn't know about it. He almost killed a guard, and General Elara chose to keep it hidden."

Thorne's jaw clenched. The veins in his neck bulged, and his hands slowly curled into fists.

She'd concealed that? She'd hidden an attack? Radek had gone feral, and she'd said nothing?

He scoffed, running his hands through his hair. His ears were ringing with Caelum's words. How the hell did he not see this? What was she doing?

Caelum watched silently as Thorne grasped his words. "Your majesty, I'm afraid that's not all."

"It's not?"

He shook his head. "Lord Varrick has been missing ever since he came to the palace. The Lord never made it back to his estate since he visited his majesty."

"What? Why am I just learning of this?" He asked. Just how many things was he not aware of? Varrick's missing? Elara's betrayal?

"I found out just recently, my king. What are your orders?" The beta asked.

"Send out the search party for Lord Varrick and have them trace his whereabouts. Since he left the palace and didn't reach his estate. He went missing along the way. Have them search thoroughly," he ordered, and the beta nodded.

"And Elara?"

Thorne's voice was quiet now. Too quiet. The kind of calm that came right before the storm. "Send her in."

Caelum straightened. "As you wish, your majesty." He bowed and stepped out of the room.

A few moments passed. Long enough for Thorne to feel the rage settle in his chest. He wasn't going to yell. Not yet. He wanted answers. He needed her to look him in the eye and lie. Elara was never like this…she wouldn't do something to harm the kingdom or him but yet….she harmed Adina.

At the end of the day, she wasn't ever like this but now…. She was exactly like this.

The door opened.

Elara stepped in gracefully. Her eyes landing on Thorne who stood by the window, gaze outside. Her smile grew softer and wider when she noticed he was alone. No Adina hovering like a goddamn leech.

He had called for her. Only her.

The butterflies in her stomach erupted with excitement. From his stance, she could tell he was battling with something internally. She also knew it had to be Adina's situation. Eh, you lose some, you win some. Adina was taken by the rogues, and it was normal for Thorne to be distraught. She was his mate.

Elara wondered if he saw her being pounded by those savages? Oh, how she wished she was there. Such a pity she wasn't there to offer a shoulder.

She shook her head internally. Thorne looked stressed, tired even. There wasn't a single Thorne's emotion she couldn't decipher. She'd studied him like her life depended on it, and now, it was paying her. She could decipher his every emotion and look.

"Your majesty," she called, voice softer than usual. He didn't turn, but his back tensed at the sound of her voice.

Adina must've done a number. She could imagine it all. He'd been out of the palace chasing after his mate all night. She would've told him not to go chasing after air if she could, but he needed to see it with his own eyes.

With the sexual enchantment spell working so well, Elara knew it was only a matter of time before Thorne would realize what Adina truly was. A slut. A whore who would spread her legs to every single person. King or rogue. She only wanted to be stuffed full with cock. She smirked, she couldn't wait to tell Carter he owed her. After this, Thorne would be convinced that Adina seduced Radek, and this Radek would be set free.

Killing two birds with one stone.

She was such a genius.

Thorne still hadn't turned to look at her.

Elara's brows furrowed just slightly. Why wasn't he looking at her? She rolled her eyes. That damn bitch really did have her grip tight on her if he was this distraught over her. She was here though. She'll make sure he forgets Adina like she was yesterday's news.

She had to step up now. Show him she'll always be the constant woman in his life. The only one he truly needs.

"You sent for me, your majesty?" she asked again, stepping closer.

Finally, he turned.

His face was unreadable, an icy mask of calm. It sent the tiniest chill down her spine, but she pushed it aside. He was always like this before he opened up to her. Always so guarded.

"Sit," he said simply, gesturing to the chair before the table.

Her heart leapt. She obeyed without hesitation, her hips swaying as she made her way to the seat. She crossed her legs gracefully, trying to look as poised and dainty as possible. Like a queen beside her king.

Thorne walked over slowly. He didn't sit in his usual chair behind the desk. Instead, he came to her, stopping directly in front of her and sitting on the edge of the table.

Her breath caught as he looked down at her.

Fuck….he was truly the most gorgeous man alive. And he was all hers….he just didn't know it yet.

He was so close. His scent, his presence, it always made her weak. She tilted her face up to him, lips parted just slightly. Waiting.

And then… he reached out.

His fingers brushed her cheek. Light. Soft. Almost tender. Her skin tingled, and stomach fluttered. Her eyes closed, and she blushed.

He was touching her again. Oh, she truly won.

"Why?" Thorne asked, voice so low it was almost a whisper. His thumb lingered on her skin.

She blinked, eyes fluttering open. "Pardon?"

He didn't repeat himself. His hand slid from her cheek, then suddenly gripped her jaw. Hard.

Elara gasped, eyes widening at the sudden shift.

Thorne's golden eyes burned into hers. "Why, Elara?" he growled, "Why did you do it?"

"I—I don't know what you're talking about—"

"Don't," he cut in, gripping tighter. "Don't lie to me. Not here. Not now."

Her heart pounded as she stared up at him, shocked and struggling to find her voice.

"You used the sexual enchantment spell on Adina," Thorne said coldly. "You hid Radek's attack. You hid everything from me. Why?"

She shook her head in his hold, her voice breaking. "No, I—I didn't! Who told you that? Who's been feeding you these lies—?"

"TELL THE TRUTH FOR ONCE ELARA!" Throne snarled, pushing her back, slamming his fist against the table it cracked.

Elara jumped back in fright.

"I trusted you, Elara. If there was one person I thought wouldn't betray me, then it was you," he said, "You've been by my side for years. I trusted you more than I trusted myself."

He shook his head, pacing once before turning to her again, "And still, you went behind my back. You betrayed me. Why, Elara? I would've forgiven a mistake, but this? You had her spelled. Rogues were after her. This was deliberate. You know what she means to me."

His voice cracked slightly, like it pained him to say it.

"You knew Adina is my mate."

His eyes locked with hers again, "Why would you do this to her?" he asked. "Why would you do this to me?"

The words struck her harder than a slap. Her whole body recoiled. Elara jumped to her feet, her chair screeching violently across the floor.

"SO WHAT?!" she screamed. "So what if she's your mate?!"

Her voice was furious now, her eyes wild. "You never wanted her as a mate! So why are you so hurt now?" She screamed at him.

"What?"

"I've been by your side for years, Thorne! I've fought for you, bled for you, stayed when everyone else left, and now she waltzes in and you forget me?"

"ELARA!" He growled, but she didn't flinch, her eyes burned red. She stepped closer to him, body trembling at the intensity of it all.

"I'm in love with you, Thorne." Tears clouded her eyes. "I have been in love with you for years. I have given you all I have to offer. Every single drop of blood in my body. Every part of my body. My soul. My existence. I have given it all to you. I will die for you, and yet….you won't look my way? Why? What does she have that I don't have?"

"Elara…"

"Tell me, What is it that she does? What is it that she has that I don't have? I'll morph myself into her? I'll become her but please—please don't."

Thorne squeezed his eyes shut. This wasn't happening. No- it wasn't.

"Don't make me choose between you and her, Elara." His voice dropped lower. "Because I won't choose you ."