CHAPTER 200: _’LOVE’ ISN’T IN OUR VOCABULARY

Elian’s POV

*****

[MEMORY RESTORATION: 7%... IN PROGRESS.]

Elian’s eyes widened when the notification rang in his mind. He stepped away from Lucian, blinking at the system screen floating in front of him.

’Uh... What?’ Elian’s brows furrowed with confusion.

[What?]

’You’re not going to explain what the heck that notification means?’

[Oh, right. That. I thought it was clear enough.]

Elian’s fingers twitched beside him but he didn’t say anything, keeping his smile when Lucian stared at him weirdly.

[The thing is, you were right about something in that little speech of yours to Lucian. His memories of you might’ve been wiped. But his feelings?]

"Is something wrong?" Lucian grabbed Elian’s wrist just then, forcing him to whip his head to him. "I... I rushed things, didn’t I? I understand if this is—"

Argh, curse the system for making him space out!

[Right back at you, fruitcake. However, Lucian’s feelings are essentially tied to the mate bond. But over time with each mission, with each push of his seduction and possessiveness meters... They surpassed even the mate bond.]

[In lame man’s terms: His feelings for you might be the key to unlocking his memories fully. Once the memory restoration reaches 100% he’ll remember you fully.]

[Your challenge would be to find ways to trigger said feelings.]

Oh...

Elian pressed his lips into a thin line but soon gave Lucian a genuine smile, shaking his head. "You didn’t rush anything. At all. I... I actually liked that kiss and everything said in between."

The Alpha Prince’s silver eyes dimmed into slits, his smile slowly turning into something sly.

"Just ’like’? That’s... Disheartening."

Elian felt like he’d just been zapped by a bolt of awkwardness.

His eyes flicked repeatedly from Lucian’s face to his hand wrapped firmly around his wrist.

"Uh..." He slowly withdrew his hand from Lucian’s grip. "The word ’love’ has never been in our day-to-day vocabulary. Ever."

Lucian frowned. "We never told each other we loved each other?"

Elian’s heart did a leap into his throat before twirling like a ballerina in his stomach.

[More like twerking...]

"Hey, that’s not really a bad thing." Elian nodded with reassurance. "We... We were only mates for a few days before your amnesia. Telling me you love me would—"

"Really?" Lucian slowly folded his arms in front of his chest. "Enlighten me then. Have either Axel or Kyren used those words with you yet?"

Elian gawked at him like he had a flashlight pointed at his face. "What words?"

"THE words." Lucian pressed. "The one you said wasn’t in our vocabulary."

[Someone’s being dodgy.]

Elian tilted his head. "Why can’t you just say those words then?"

[Gods, you’re a handful.]

"Elian," Lucian spoke with a frustrated grunt, rubbing his forehead. "Just—"

"Fine." Elian chirped, flinging his arms into the air. "You really want to know? Axel told me. Back in the Dark Lands."

Lucian froze, his lips parting with surprise. An expression that soon made Elian anxious.

"Why do you have that look?" He asked.

"What look?"

"That look, Lucian." Elian nearly snapped. "The one that makes it seem like you’re judging."

"Judging?" Lucian shook his head, raising his hands in defeat. "Nope. I’m just surprised. If anyone among us was going to say those words first, I thought Kyren would be the one to take the cake."

Elian was left speechless, leaving an unnerving silence between them.

[Tick tock says the clock... You’re running out of time, fruitcake. 100% is a lot to get before tomorrow.]

That notification was enough to bring his mind back into the game.

"Well, I guess Beta Axel is more in tune and open with his feelings." Elian shrugged casually. "And as for Kyren... He doesn’t need to say those words. He’s a man of action."

Lucian nodded slowly while stepping closer to him. Elian’s breath hitched when the Alpha prince got a few inches in front of him, his breath hitting his face.

"And me?" He drawled, his silver eyes glinting with an unreadable light.

Elian’s lips opened but no words could come out.

How could he collect himself enough to make a comment when Lucian’s breath was literally tingling down his neck?

Eventually, however, he cleared his throat and gave Lucian a playful tap on his head.

"You avoid your emotions like a plague." He brushed past Lucian, heading for the exit. "Come on. There are so many other places we need to see in the—"

"I think that’s enough indoor field trips for one day." Lucian interrupted, forcing him to stop in his tracks.

He glanced over his shoulder, squinting at the complicated expression on Lucian’s face.

Gods, what now?

"It’s... It’s only going to take a few minutes." Elian remarked innocently.

[Yeah... Or a few hours, depending on how many clothes are left on you two once you head out of here.]

"My father kept the true lineage of Lord Kyren from us all these years, Elian." Lucian’s footsteps as he approached him were calm. "And now because of it, I have to rethink my place as an Alpha Prince."

Elian didn’t know what to say to that.

Kyren technically was an Alpha Prince as well. And there’s no telling if he’d want claims to the throne.

Although, knowing Kyren... That might be unlikely.

But Garrick? Wherever that bastard was, it was more than clear he was planning something that would topple the scales of power in the continent.

"It’s still a lot to process." Lucian continued. "Not to mention I need to prepare to interact with the Northern wolves council tonight at the ball."

Elian blinked with confusion, his mind reeling, trying to remember why he would need to do that.

But then—

"I forgot because of the whole amnesia thing but Aurora told me about it. Apparently, the council wants to discuss the possibility of me getting... Married to you." Lucian said softly.

It was then that Elian’s mind snapped with remembrance.

Fucking shit, he almost forgot about that.

"Oh... Right." Elian muttered, rubbing the back of his neck. "You’ve got to impress those old coots, huh?"

He chuckled dryly but Lucian’s face remained neutral.

[Smooth words...]

"Anyway." Lucian clasped his hands together. "I hope to see you again, Elian. Hopefully before the ball tonight."

The Alpha Prince winked before walking out of the training hall and leaving Elian standing there like a rejected puppy.

[Phew... Looks like you won’t be completing that mission after all.]

Lucian’s scent still clung to the hall, pressing into the deepest part of Elian’s psyche. Spurring his drive.

His fists slowly curled beside him as he shook his head. "I meant it when I said I don’t care what it takes. Lucian’s going to remember me somehow before tomorrow..."