Adrian watched them leave, confused, because why was she angry? He had only told the truth.
The door closed, and he lay back on the bed, staring at the ceiling again.
In her own chamber, Arin paced the floor. Her maid stood near the window, silent.
"He looked at me like I was a stranger," Arin whispered. "Like I meant nothing!" She knocked the dressing mirror off the table, which terrified the maid.
"Perhaps it is grief," the maid said carefully. "The king's death, and the pressure of the throne."
Arin stopped pacing. She pressed her hand against her chest. "I can feel him," she said softly. "He is still my mate. The bond is there, but something has changed."
She moved to the balcony and looked out over the palace grounds. "No matter what happens," she murmured to herself, "I will protect him and make sure Vaelor will not take the throne. Even if he does not remember me."
Her maid lowered her head.
Later that night, that same maid wrapped a dark cloak around her shoulders and slipped quietly through the palace gate. The guards barely noticed her. She walked quickly through the trees until she reached an old stone pavilion beyond the outer walls.
High Chief Dorthane stood there waiting. Beside him stood a woman with her back turned, her long hair falling down her back.
The maid bowed. "My lord."
"Well?" Dorthane asked.
"The king rejected her again," the maid reported. "He pushed her away, and was still speaking of another wife in another world. The crown queen is heartbroken right now."
Dorthane's lips curved slowly. "Good."
"He truly does not remember anything," the maid continued. "He looked lost."
"We shall see, I don't trust either of them," Dorthane replied.
The maid hesitated. "But the queen vowed to still protect him, no matter what."
"She can only do that for now," Dorthane said calmly. "You have done well, return to the palace before she will started looking for you."
The maid bowed again and hurried away as Dorthane turned to the woman beside him. "It is time," he said.
The woman slowly faced him, it was Lady Selene Virek. She was known across the packs for her beauty and her eyes were bright and sharp with her lips curved into a quiet smile.
"Are you sure?" she asked.
"He is pretending to still be weak," Dorthane replied. "Pushes away the crown queen, and that leaves space for you."
Selene's smile deepened. "And what exactly is my role, this time around?"
"Gain his trust," Dorthane said. "Stay close to him, and learn what he remembers. If he begins to recall too much, let me know soon enough."
She adjusted the sleeve of her elegant hanbok. "And if he falls for me?" she asked lightly.
"Then the throne becomes even easier to control," Dorthane answered.
Selene nodded once. "Very well." She walked toward the palace without looking back.
The next morning, Adrian was changing his clothes, he had just finished bathing. Then suddenly, a knock sounded at the door. Before he could answer, it opened, and a woman stepped inside.
Adrian looked up and forgot how to breathe. She was striking, her long hair framed her delicate face and her movements were slow and deliberate. She wore a soft colored hanbok that fit her perfectly.
She bowed lightly. "Your Majesty," she said in a smooth voice. "I am Lady Selene Virek."
He exhaled hard. "I don't think we've met, before." Adrian stutter, trying to composed himself.
A small smile appeared on her lips. "I was told about your health, your majesty. I am your concubine."
Adrian stared at her in disbelief. "My what?"
She stepped closer. "Before your collapse, you favored my company and I was brought into the palace to serve you."
Adrian's mind spun, wait, what? Wife, crown queen, wolves, now concubine? This world made no sense. "I don't remember that," he said honestly. "And isn't that illegal for someone that has a wife?"
Selene turned her head aside, scoff and murmured to herself, "It actual true that he has being saying nonsense."
Adrian noticed, "What did you say?" he asked frowning his brows.
She quickly smile, "I mean, that is why I came," Selene replied gently. "I heard you have been troubled, and I only wish to ease your heart."
Her eyes looked warm, concerned. Adrian forced himself to sit straighter. "I am not interested in… any of this," he said carefully.
Selene tilted her head slightly. "Not even in conversation?"
He hesitated because, she's beautiful, and it was impossible not to notice or just let her go. "I suppose conversation is harmless," he said.
Her smile widened just a little. "Then allow me to stay," she said softly. "You should not be alone while the court whispers about you."
He looked at her, feeling confused. Meanwhile, outside the chamber, unseen by him, Dorthane lingered in the corridor, waiting to see how the king would react to Selene.
"What are you looking at?" Vaelor asked as he stepped beside Dorthane because he was about to go and see Adrian.
Dorthane turned and saw him, "I think it's time you spoke to your mother again about the throne. Think about it, your brother is not improving, who knows... she might reconsider and gave you the throne." Dorthane's words stayed in Vaelor's mind long after he left the corridor.
The palace was quiet that afternoon as servants walked carefully through the halls, speaking in low voices. Ever since the king collapsed and began acting strangely, the entire court felt tense.
Vaelor walked straight toward the queen's chamber, and two guards opened the door for him. Inside, Queen Elowen sat on a low chair beside a wide mirror. Several maids surrounded her, one brushed her long dark hair while another gently pressed her feet.
The queen looked calm, but her eyes were tired. The moment Vaelor entered, the maids quickly stepped back. "Leave us," Elowen said.
They bowed and hurried out of the room, then Vaelor stepped forward and suddenly dropped to one knee. "Mother," he said.
Elowen turned slowly to face him. "What is it?"
Vaelor lifted his head. "The kingdom needs a leader right now."
Her eyes narrowed slightly. "And?"
"My brother is not stable," Vaelor continued. "Everyone can see it, and the court whispers about his behavior. Even the pack is losing faith in him."
Elowen's voice became colder. "What are you suggesting?"
Vaelor took a breath. "I should ascend the throne until he recovers, for the good of the pack. I will protect what Father built and I will keep the other Alphas in line."
For a moment the room was silent, then Elowen stood up so quickly that the chair behind her moved. "No! I forbid that." Her voice was sharp.
Vaelor stiffened. "Mother, remember the healers said he may never heal. We cannot wait forever while the borders weaken and the Beta clans grow restless. I am only thinking about the kingdom."
"You are not thinking about any kingdom Vaelor! You're only thinking about the crown," she replied. "You always wanted it."
"No, Caelan is not in his right mind!" Vaelor argued. "He speaks about strange worlds and even rejected his own queen. He tried to kill himself yesterday! Why are you turning a blind eye to all of this?"
Elowen's eyes flashed with anger. "Caelan is still the king, the Moon chose him for a reason," she said firmly. "And he will remain the king."
"But why always him?" Vaelor demanded.
"Because he is the chosen alpha, I don't have to remind you of that!" Elowen spat.