The Past.

The silence was deafening between them, and she clutched her dress even harder, awaiting his reply. 

Zeke could feel her anxiety growing every second. Her words made a lot of sense, and he already knew he would have to let her know about it sooner or later even if she doesn't remember him from before. Coming closer to her, she reached down and took her hand in his leading them to his room. 

It was just as simple as the one from his other house, not Fancy. His bed was very big though with a black sheet covering it and white pillows. He took her to the couch instead and made her sit on it so she wouldn't have any ideas about him if he took her to the bed instead. The reason he had left the dining was because he didn't want to risk someone eavesdropping even though no one would try it. 

Ezekiel squeezed her hand in his, going into a squatting position so he could see her face properly. She had a sad look in her eyes, he didn't want that. 

"Being a Lycan means I do not get old, Arielle." He threw the first bomb that had her eyes widening, "And so far, I'm the only one of my kind. I've lived for about a thousand years now, and I have proof if you want evidence. Being an immortal was extremely lonely till you came into my life five hundred years ago. By then, I was still the King of the kingdom of Euscarria. Even back then, you were sold to me as a slave along with other things as a treaty to stop an ongoing war. You were beautiful and selfless and stubborn and always getting yourself into trouble with my mistresses. Your name was always brought to my table, and I thought of throwing you out at first but then one thing lead to another...and I started to get attached to you. I made you my personal servant because I believed the feelings that were growing inside of me could be controlled, but when I found out I have made a big mistake it was already too late and I was terribly in love with you. You were my weakness and my strength, and you were there for me throughout," He explained calmly. 

Processing this new information was difficult for Arielle. How the hell was she supposed to believe all this? She looked into his eyes and all she could see was sincerity and the truth. She could feel it. 

"But there was a problem, and the other species wanted me dead and used you against me. You tried to kill me several times and when you would regain control of yourself, you would sob and sob. Eventually, when the threats and actions became too much to handle, you rejected me as your mate. You ran away so you would no longer have to go out of control and hurt me. I tried to find you, but when I did it was already too late. They had stabbed you, and you were on the brink of death. I went out of control and murdered every single last one of them, and you died in my arms. I loved you so much Arielle, and I still do." 

She could see him biting his tongue and drawing blood. Like he was suppressing his emotions and trying not to show too much. Arielle wanted to stand up and leave. If that was really her past life, then it was frightening because the same thing might repeat itself. But why was she the one always getting controlled? Why her in particular? It didn't make sense. She wasn't the only person around Ezekiel. He had others in his life. 

Soon enough, she realized he must be in more pain than her. He was the one that struggled the most all this while. As much as she found it hard to believe him, the answers she had asked him earlier had been provided with an answer from this narration he had given her though she would still like to see the proof. 

She couldn't remember anything about her past life, but she did feel like she knew him before. She felt the need to touch him and caressed her fingers into his beautiful dark soft hair. His body was trembling slightly from the memories, and she could only offer her comfort. He's been waiting for her to return for so many years. 

If that was true, then it was already melting her heart and the defenses she had put up. Now that she thought about him, he's been melting them ever since she set her eyes on him. Ezekiel was a good man as much as she could tell. 

The feelings she felt were overwhelming. Now she knew why. Even her wolf wasn't trying to talk her out of it. With or without the mate bond, she still felt strong emotions for him. With him, she felt free and loved. She felt like a bird soaring across the sky. 

She's never felt so cherished. All her life had been filled with blood, torture, and loneliness. 

This new feeling was extraordinary. She loved and welcomed it. It washed away all hatred and fear in her heart, replacing it with its warm welcomes. 

"Oh, Zeke..." She flung her arms around him with no hesitation. He hugged her back with as much ferocity, and everything seemed to have fallen back into place. Arielle was contented. The feeling was addicting. Even if he would only show them when they're alone, she would take what she can get though she had crossed her mind on that when he had kissed her earlier in public. 

' She's ready to be claimed again. Her wolf is ready!' Zeus informed Zeke immediately, his Patience running out. He needed to mark her as his again, and his control was slipping now that her scent was around him along with her soft body. 

But before Zeke could make his move, Arielle had already pressed her lips against his. She kissed him so hard that it knocked the air out of his lungs, right before he caught her lips and began to devour them like a starved beast. He was soft, yet rough at the same time as if he was desperately trying to hold back on her. 

Her back was against the couch, as he claimed her lips till they were burning and swollen from his pleasurable torments. As much as he would like to stop there and give her time to breathe and get back to her senses to see if she would like to continue, his hands had already found their way down her neck. 

Arielle's body tingled with need and desire. It was the first time she didn't recoil when a man was touching her and was leaning in to feel more of what he had to offer. 

Ezekiel had gotten to her, and her emotions had been lit. Regardless of what would happen, she would selfishly say she was glad she found him. She was happy she had this sweet moment with him, and feel like they both owned each other. 

But Arielle couldn't completely be calm. She was still afraid of herself and what she would do to him. As if he could feel her sudden distress, he stopped keep kissing her neck and hugged her instead. 

Ezekiel didn't know what was happening to her, but her body fell on him and she instantly passed out just like that. She was still breathing fine, but her temperature had risen fast. Ezekiel was hoping she would tell him something about herself, but this happening to her reminded him of when he found her lying in the woods. 

Adjusting the both of them, he placed her on the bed and covered her up. He didn't want to push her. Revealing their past life to her was already a major shock to her, and he just wanted to take care of her. He was somehow hoping the story would trigger her memories and would help her remember but even though it didn't, he knew she had believed him but something had gotten in their way again. 

"You shouldn't keep things from me, " he caressed her sleeping face, "I know I haven't given you any reason to trust me wholeheartedly, but I won't make the same mistakes I did before." He pronounced clearly, knowing he was referring to himself this time, "I'll learn to love you properly this time. I'll do it all right this time. I won't make you suffer this time. I promise, mate," He said it like it had been torn out of a deep part of him. 

Just then, Nico's voice spoke inside his head again, "Your Majesty, The Ravenclaw Park seems to have finally made their move. I think it's because of your return. There have been multiple attacks on werewolves in town just this evening." 

Ezekiel's brows creased. His return had certainly stirred up a lot of things, but this one was an emergency that had to be taken care of. From the reports so far, Ravenclaw was a distant pack that had an ancestral problem with Euscarria. Their hideout changes from time to time, and they're made up of very skilled werewolves that attack and weaken defenses bit by bit. 

They were smart. 

Ezekiel was angry he has to live Arielle again. Placing a kiss on her head, he sighed deeply and left the mansion to attend to the matter on hand. As he and Nico walked toward the Royal court, Gerald stepped out of the shadows with his hands on his back. 

Ezekiel's eyes turned dark when his gaze met the man who had been his substitute King. Gerald was too cunning.