The Alpha's long lost heir
Chapter 149: Upper hand

Chapter 149: Upper hand

Aegis lay on his bed, feeling the dull ache of his injuries lessening as the treatments from the doctor slowly took effect. His mind, however, was far from restful. His thoughts churned with frustration and suspicion, yet he could not place the source. The grand room felt stifling, the air heavy with the scent of herbs and balms. He was about to close his eyes when a soft knock interrupted the silence.

"Enter," Aegis called out, his voice rough.

The door creaked open, revealing Thorne. His presence was unassuming, yet Aegis sensed an underlying tension. Thorne stepped forward and bowed deeply. "Good day, Your Highness."

Aegis nodded curtly, barely glancing at him. "What do you want, Thorne?"

Thorne hesitated, standing awkwardly beside the bed, his cheeks faintly flushed. "Your Highness, there is something I would like to ask of you," he began, his voice faltering slightly.

Aegis turned his tired gaze toward him. "Yes?"

Thorne took a deep breath, his posture straightening as he spoke with renewed confidence. "It would be my pleasure if I could have your special adviser, Nyx."

The request hung in the air, heavy and unexpected. Aegis’s expression darkened instantly. His brows furrowed, a storm brewing in his eyes. "Why?"

Thorne’s cheeks reddened further. "I like her, Your Highness. She would do as my second wife. My wolf always reacts in a certain way to her scent."

Aegis sat up abruptly, wincing from the sudden movement. He stared at Thorne, his shock plain. The room seemed to hold its breath, the weight of Thorne’s words sinking in. Aegis’s mind raced—Nyx as Thorne’s wife? The thought alone made his blood boil. He did not trust Thorne; there was something unsettling about the man’s demeanor, something that had always put Aegis on edge.

U

Thorne moved closer to the bed, keeping his posture respectful and his eyes lowered. He cleared his throat nervously, his fingers fidgeting with the hem of his tunic. "Your Highness, there is something I would like to ask of you."

Aegis glanced at him, noting the flush on Thorne’s cheeks. "Yes? What is it?"

Thorne hesitated for a moment, as if gathering the courage to voice his request. "It would be my pleasure if I could have your special adviser, Nyx."

Aegis’s expression darkened, his brows knitting together in clear disapproval. "Why?" he demanded, the single word laced with irritation.

Thorne’s eyes flickered, and he swallowed hard before continuing. "I like her, Your Highness. She would do well as my second wife. My wolf... it reacts in a strange way to her scent."

Aegis sat up straighter, the shock of the request momentarily pushing away his fatigue. "My special adviser? Nyx? You want to take her as a wife?"

Thorne nodded, though his confidence seemed to waver under Aegis’s intense gaze. "Yes, Your Highness. She is strong, intelligent, and my wolf finds her irresistible. It is more than just attraction—it feels like fate."

Aegis stared at him, his mind racing. Nyx had been invaluable to him, not just as an adviser but as a steady presence in the palace. The idea of her leaving, especially under such circumstances, was unsettling. "You do realize that Nyx is not just any woman? She has her own plans, her own loyalties."

Thorne’s face reddened further. "Your Highness. But I am willing to do whatever it takes. She would be respected, cherished, and my household would honor her strength."

Aegis’s expression grew colder, his patience thinning with every word. "You truly do not understand, do you, Thorne? Nyx is not some ornament to adorn your estate. She has fought battles you cannot even begin to comprehend, and she is bound by nothing but her own will."

Thorne, emboldened by his emotions, pressed on. "I am not asking this lightly, Your Highness. I understand that Nyx is unique, and that is why I want her by my side. I do not wish to diminish her; I want to elevate her in a way only a true mate can."

Aegis scoffed, disbelief clear on his face. "Elevate her? You think that marrying you would be an elevation for Nyx?" He shook his head, leaning forward with an intensity that made Thorne take a step back. "Nyx is already more powerful and influential than you will ever be, Thorne. Do not delude yourself into thinking she would need you for anything."

Thorne stood there, his confidence faltering as Aegis’s words sank in. He had known that convincing Aegis would be difficult, but he had not expected such vehement opposition. "Your Highness, I—"

"Enough," Aegis snapped, his voice sharp and final.

Nyx passed by the room just as Thorne’s voice rose slightly, catching her attention. She paused, curiosity piqued, and edged closer to the door, pressing herself against the wall as she listened in on their conversation.

Inside, Thorne sighed deeply, frustration evident in his tone. He was not ready to give up so easily. "Your Highness, it is not as if you wanted to marry her, right?"

Aegis’s reaction was instant and explosive. He looked up at Thorne, his eyes wide with shock that quickly turned into a blazing fury. "What? Are you trying to say that I would stoop so low as to marry someone who is young enough to be my granddaughter? You insult me with your presumptions!"

Thorne flinched, realizing his mistake. "Your Highness, I did not mean—"

"Enough!" Aegis roared, his voice echoing off the walls. "You are treading on dangerous ground, Thorne. To even suggest such nonsense—do you truly think I am so desperate or foolish? Get out before I kill you!"

Thorne flinched, realizing his mistake. "Your Highness, I did not mean—"

"Enough!" Aegis roared, his voice echoing off the walls. "You are treading on dangerous ground, Thorne. To even suggest such nonsense—do you truly think I am so desperate or foolish? Get out before I kill you!"

Nyx, still concealed behind the door, chuckled softly to herself. She could not have planned it better. The seeds of discord she had sown were sprouting perfectly, and the sight of Thorne’s mortification was just the beginning. She had no intention of marrying anyone, and the thought of Aegis doing so was laughable. Still, the chaos it caused served her well.

"Your Highness... please hear me out," Thorne pleaded, his voice breaking slightly.

Aegis pointed a trembling finger toward the door, his expression thunderous. "I said, go away! Now! I will not hear another word of your idiotic fantasies. You have overstepped, and I will not tolerate it."

Thorne, thoroughly chastened and humiliated, bowed his head and quickly left the room. As he rushed out, Nyx deftly moved out of sight, pressing herself flat against the wall so that Thorne would not notice her. His face was flushed with embarrassment, his steps hurried as he stormed past her hiding place.

Once Thorne was out of sight, Nyx allowed herself a moment to savor the triumph. Aegis’s outburst had been more than satisfying, and the rift it created between him and Thorne was exactly what she needed to further her own plans. She did not need loyalty; she needed uncertainty and mistrust among her rivals.

A new thought crept into her mind, and she smiled slyly, her eyes narrowing with mischief. She decided to follow Thorne, her footsteps silent as she trailed him down the corridor. She found him just as he turned a corner, muttering to himself in frustration.

"Thorne?" she called out, her voice smooth and deceptively gentle.

Thorne stopped abruptly and turned, surprise flickering in his eyes when he saw Nyx approaching. He looked conflicted, caught between his desire to impress her and the sting of Aegis’s harsh rejection. "Nyx," he greeted, trying to compose himself. "I... I did not expect to see you."

Nyx raised an eyebrow, her expression unreadable. "Did you not? It seems you have been thinking about me quite a lot."

Thorne flushed, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly. "I—yes, I have. I just—"

Nyx stepped closer, her gaze locking onto his with an intensity that made Thorne’s breath catch. "You want me as your wife," she smiled, battering her eyelashes at him.

He nodded, his cheeks reddening all the more, "I do.."

She chuckled, "Well well, is that not funny?" She smiled at him sarcastically.

He was a little hurt by her words, "What do you mean by that?"

"Come to think of it, you are so much older, I am younger.. way younger."

He was embarrassed, "Are you trying to mock me or something?"

She shook her head, "Oh no no, I am trying to tell you the truth, so you do not forget."

He looked away, "I should leave," he said more to himself than her.

"Oh I see, but there is something I want to tell you, but if you want to leave, no problem then," she feigned disappointment.

He suddenly took interest in her words, "Yes?"

A corner of her lip tuned up in a sly smile, "Let us go somewhere more private."