258: A KISS ON THE FOREHEAD

A KISS ON THE FOREHEAD

It was so rare for Cane to ask her to walk with him and after being so annoyed by the way Nala and Laluna tried to get her mate's attention and kept staring at him secretively, Iris was more than willing to walk with him. 0

Laluna wouldn't have a chance with Cane, but Nala was different story. Albeit she was not very familiar with the matter in the palace, but Iris was well aware that Nala had the king behind her and that old man could do something to force Cane to take Nala as his mistress.

Cane wouldn't have a chance to stand against the pressure, since he didn't have any mistress now and with the excuse Nala was given to him as a blessing from the king, it would put Cane into a perilous situation if he outrightly rejected her, if he did reject her…

The thought of that alone made Iris's mood became gloomy. She couldn't imagine how those women in this place were able to share their mate with other women and shouldn't even allow to show their discomfort.

Iris felt she was being greedy now. It was already great enough that Cane didn't want to kill her, neither he looked at her with hatred. He treated her well, even if that was for a show or whatever reason behind his hidden agenda, but now she wanted more… which was a wish that sounded so preposterous.

"I am sorry for what I said," Iris said in small voice, she looked down, staring at the snow under her feet, while walking beside Cane.

The alpha had been very quiet and said nothing, even after half an hour walked around the garden aimlessly. This place was beautiful, though it covered with white snow. It looked like a white world belonged to them, as there were no one here.

Iris was not sure why Cane took her here. Probably, he wanted to talk about what happened, but his silent confused her, because he was not the person that would shy away from a necessary conversation, or maybe she just didn't know him well enough…

"I am just confused with the way you treat me and I am afraid I will be caught up with my feelings. I don't want to step over the boundaries and make an assumption, which will complicate things between us or make matters worse for you." She wanted to say she wanted a clear warning from Cane about her position, like he did to Aria, but she didn't think it was wise to mention her in this conversation, thus she had been beating around the bush. The type of conversation that Cane didn't really like.

However, the alpha didn't say anything, but he let her to talk what was in her mind, as he stared at her without her knowing it.

Somehow, it was so refreshing to hear Iris voiced out what she was thinking, instead of wrecking his brain to think what the true meaning behind someone else's words, as there would be an insult, a threat or a warning, behind their smile and gentle voice.

Cane had to be able to read between the lines and think of the counterattack, but with Iris it was different, he could put down his vigilant, because the meaning of her words would be the same, just like what she said.

It was a sincerity that he craved among all the manipulations surrounded him.

"I am sorry, I add trouble for you." Iris glanced at Cane and the alpha was actually staring at her.

Eventually, the two of them stopped walking. They stood under the tree, taking a cover from the snow that kept falling in this quiet night. It was so cold, but Cane was so close and Iris could feel her face heated up from being stared at.

She couldn't tell what was in his mind. Did she say something wrong again? Was he angry? But, she had apologized to him. Was that not enough?

After a long silent that felt like eternity, Cane finally spoke. He put his finger under Iris's chin to lift her head, so she could read what he said.

It was not much that he was saying, because it was only a short answer for her question.

"Let's work on this."

Iris blinked her eyes, didn't understand what he meant by that, she was afraid she interpreted the meaning of his words wrongly.

"What do you mean?"

Cane stared at her beautiful blue eyes. "You are my mate, the luna of the pack. That's where you stand."

It was an obvious answer. All of the people knew about that. "What about you? Do you really think of me as your mate?" Iris balled her fist, her heart thumped nervously, waiting for what kind of answer he would give her.

Cane was well aware what Iris meant by that, she wanted to know if she could develop feeling for him. The mate bond made things complicated between them, but smoothed some things as well.

It was not Iris fault to feel that way and for her to voice out her concern about how she should take this feeling, whether she could let it be or get rid of it, was something that Cane appreciated from her.

"Give me some time," Cane said. There were a lot of baggage that he needed to unfold before he could promise her anything, but he was sure about one thing. "I will make it right for you."

It was not a sweet promise about how Cane would love her with his life, or gave himself to her wholeheartedly, but he worked on this.

This was a baby step for both of them, a single step at a time to close the distance, the hatred, the diversity between them.

They would work on this and Cane was willing to give this relationship a chance, not only for a charade in front of the people, but the real one.

Obviously, it wouldn't happen soon, but in the course of time, they would make some progress, no matter how small it was.

Cane didn't give the same ultimatum like he did to Aria, instead he let her to have this feeling for him and he would work on his as well. After all, they would spend the rest of their life next to each other, in that sense, why not made things bearable for them, it would be a blessing if this worked in the end…

"You don't mind if… I act like your mate?" Iris asked in a small and cautious tone.

Acted like his mate. She put it in a nice way to say that it was alright for her to be affectionate with him and to think of him in a romantic way.

"Hm."

Cane stretched out his hand and leaned his body over. He tilted his head and his gesture was pretty obvious that he was going to kiss her on the lips.

Iris was stunned, she had never been kissed before and if Cane really did it, it could be counted as her first kiss. She didn't know what to expect and what to do, her face immediately turned bright red when he was so close to her and out of instinct, she shut her eyes tightly.

However, the alpha stopped when he was only a breath away to kiss her lips, instead, he kissed her forehead. It was not only a simple peck, but he lingered for a little bit longer, as he placed his hand behind her head, his thumb caressed her ear, which made her squirmed, because it was ticklish.

A kiss on the hand was a show of respect, a kiss on the cheek was a show of an affection and while the kiss on the lips showed desire and intimacy, a kiss on the head was a way to say 'you are safe here', it was a protection and respect…

Cane took a step back, but he still held Iris in his arms, as he stared at the girl, who looked at him sheepishly.

"Stay away from Lou," Cane said humorlessly.

==============================

The first thing that shook the entire continent, especially the royal family and the people in the capital city was the news of princess Osana was being cursed.

Her skin wrinkled and peel off, just like a snake shedding its skin.

And before the king could think of a way to cover up this fact, the news about it had been spread so widely. He was furious beyond word and a healer was summoned to his chamber because his anger was uncontrollable and affected his body.

It was a rare case for a shifter to be sick, but the news about princess Osana was being cursed by the dark magic had a great impact for the king.

People began to panic and pack their things to escape the capital city, because the following of the awakening of the dark magic, it would be an outbreak of epidemic of disease.

Those, who had the source to move away from the capital city until everything became stable had already left the gates, while some of them stayed inside their house. They heard about how dreadful princess Osana's condition and it fed to their fear and anxiety.

Everyone knew it was a common knowledge, when news spread from lips to lips, the content would be exaggerated from the truth, yet they believed it nonetheless.

"Yes, I heard, princess Osana is hissing like snake."

"Her skin peels off and she soaks her bed with her blood."

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