Chapter 7: Embers of a Mating Bond

Chapter seven:

Aria's POV:

The next day came too fast. I hadn't gotten much sleep after my conversation with Anthony. My mind wouldn't let me sleep at all. After getting ready, Claire informed me that I was to have breakfast with Anthony.

The dining hall was in another wing—I guess Anthony's private wing. It was a very impressive hall, with high ceilings and golden chandeliers. Everything screamed pure wealth. I mean, what else did I expect from the Lycan King himself?

The dining table would comfortably fit a hundred people. At the far end of it, I spotted Anthony. The nervousness settled in my belly again; all I could hear were the sounds of my heels clicking on the marble floors. The closer I got, the more nervous I became. Anthony rose his head from his breakfast, his eyes meeting mine.

"Good morning, Alpha Aria." He said, tipping his head in acknowledgement.

"Alpha Anthony, good morning too." I replied, my voice sounding breathless.

"Join me," he said, pointing to the seat closest to him.

As I sat down, servants were pouring in, putting food on my plate. Everything looked so delicious, reminding me of how hungry I was. I took a piece of bread and spread some jam on it.

"Oh my..." As I bit into it and chewed, I gasped. "This is the best jam ever. "

"The fruit is grown on this very land," Anthony explained.

I ate another piece of it. "Compliments to the chef."

A comfortable silence settled over us. I felt my nerves dissipate as I ate more. Maybe I mistook them for hunger. After a while of silence, Anthony cleared his throat. I looked at him.

"There's something I need to tell you," he said, his tone, grave.

My heart skipped a beat. "Did I do something wrong?"

"No, it's not you." He pushed his half-empty plate to the side. His eyes bore into me intensely, and I wondered what was so serious that he wanted to say. "There isn't any better way to say this, so I'll just say it."

I realized I was holding my breath. I dropped the piece of bread in my hand back onto the plate. My throat felt parched, even after I had just drank some water.

"You're poisoned," Anthony said.

My eyes went wide. "Poisoned?"

"Yes. Something about your scent has been bothering me. I thought about it all night, and the only conclusion I came to was poison."

I laughed, feeling uneasy. "But Alpha Anthony, poison....... Even I would know about it."

"I thought you did, but from your reaction, it's clear to me that you aren't aware."

Poison? That was insane. Yes, I may be weak, but I am still an alpha. He was an alpha. But I could sense poison. And I'm sure I'll be able to tell if I'm being poisoned. There weren't that many poisons that affected us in the first place.

Who could be behind it?

The whole pack didn't like me. My meals were prepared by the pack cook. If she had poisoned me, wouldn't it have affected everyone? Would she even be able to do that?

"Alpha Aria?" Anthony's voice drew me from my contemplations. I looked up at him, offering a smile of apology.

"I'm sorry, did you say something?"

"I was saying..."

The doors were thrown open with such force that their sounds rang through the dining hall. I turned to the sound, wondering who could be interrupting.

A woman stormed into the hall. She moved with grace, her gown bunched in her hands. Her heels clicked in urgency as she made her way over to us. She glanced at me, her dark blue eyes narrowing in anger. Then she turned to Anthony, and a smile appeared on her face.

"My Lord," she said with a bow. Her long, blond hair flowed with the movement. She raised her head back up.

"Cordelia, what is this interruption?" Anthony asked in a brusque tone.

Cordelia smiled. "I was wondering if you skipped breakfast, my Lord, seeing as you hadn't sent for me yet."I had no idea you were here already." At the end of her sentence, she turned to me. And I could see how unwelcome I was in her eyes.

I ate some more bread, picking up the scrambled eggs.

"As you can see, I'm with a guest right now."

"Oh," Cordelia said. And it was an oh that said, Oh, what a waste of time. She turned to me and bowed. "Hello,"

"Hi," I replied.

She turned back to Anthony. "Shall I join you, my Lord?"

"Leave us," Anthony commanded.

Cordelia looked shocked. She quickly composed herself and bowed. "Yes, my Lord. I shall see you at lunch."

Anthony didn't reply. Just as she came in, she walked out. In her wake, she left behind a cold, rose-scented breeze.

Who is she to Anthony? A mate or something? I hadn't gotten a glimpse at her neck for a mate mark. Subconsciously, my hand went to my neck, where Logan had marked me. The mark was faded. In a few days, it would be gone completely.

And just like that, I thought about him again.

"I apologize for the interruption," Anthony said, making me turn to him. His eyes were on my neck, averting my face.

"It's nothing." I lowered my hand to my lap.

In a few days, the last tangible proof I had of Logan would be gone forever. The mating bond was still there—small embers of it. My heart hurts to think of him. But I couldn't forget him.

Anthony cleared his throat. "I will have the pack healer take a look at you," he said.

I nodded. "That's okay."

Anthony looked like he wanted to say more, but he didn't. He brought his glass of water up to his lips and drank from it. My thoughts flitted to the woman, Cordelia. I had to clear the air up now before things got too complicated.

"Is she your mate?" I asked.

Anthony choked on his water.