The Crown's Entrapment

Seth had no intention of revealing the fact that Lena was his mate. When he first met her, he was surprised and taken aback by her striking resemblance to the Queen Fairy, whom he adored a lot while watching the Queen’s trials inside the Element Forest. Then, her scent overwhelmed his senses, drawing him in like no other.

He immediately acknowledged the unmistakable Mate Pull which was later confirmed by his wolf, Saul. He couldn’t believe how fortunate he was to have a mate who had the physical features that he dreamed of. However, just like all good things, there was a catch. Lena was human and wouldn’t experience the Mate Pull like he did.

But that didn’t deter Seth from pursuing her, even though he had to compete with Kasper, another suitor vying for Lena’s affection. Lena had initially turned them both down but unlike Kasper, he didn’t stop wooing her. He continued to stay with her. He even gained an advantage since Alpha Calypso assigned him to be Lena’s personal guard, upon his begging of course.

He wanted to give her his all without asking anything in return. However, when he learned that Lena had decided to participate in the competition for Helion’s selection of a Queen, Seth felt his world crumble apart.

[What if she’s chosen? Do something! She’s our mate!!!] Saul grunted at him with a growl. 𝘰𝑣𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

[Do you think it will make a difference if I tell her that she’s our mate?] he asked his wolf as he paced around their camp, searching for Lena. He soon caught a whiff of her distinct scent and followed it. His face automatically lit up the moment he saw her. She was scanning the area as if looking for something or someone.

[I hope she’s looking for us!] Saul excitedly commented. Seth immediately approached her.

But when he went and asked he learned that it was not him she was looking for but their former Great Admiral Osman, so he simply offered to walk her to him.

Like others, he too was baffled when he found out that Lord Osman was alive. Thankfully, their King and Queen had briefed them in advance about the situation beforehand.

All they knew was that Osman had lost his memory due to that incident and they believed he was dead. But his real family found him and saved him, only to discover that he was the missing heir to the throne of Helion. They were informed that Osman was the new King of Helion but he was currently known as Amon so they were to act accordingly when they saw him.

Seth had no interest in finding out more about it but what he couldn’t fathom was why would Lena want to become King Amon’s Queen. In the short time he had known her, Seth had gathered that she wasn’t someone driven by a desire for power or a high position.

Was it because she was attracted to King Amon?

He wanted to ask her about it but stopped himself from doing so. He didn’t want Lena to feel pressured by him. His goal was to make her feel comfortable, to be someone she could lean on and rely on without any added burdens.

“Why haven’t you asked me why I decided to participate in the selection for the Queen of Helion?”

Lena’s question caught Seth off guard as if she had plucked the very thoughts from his mind. He sighed deeply in response, not sure how to feel about it.

“I do want to know, Lady Lena, but I am well aware of my boundaries. I don’t have the right to question any of your decisions. I am already grateful that you allow me to stay by your side, and that you don’t push me away when I look after you and protect you.”

Lena remained silent, her expression tinged with sadness. Seth couldn’t help but feel a growing unease in his heart. He didn’t like the sight of her sad expressions.

[What are you doing? Tell her that she doesn’t stand a chance at winning as everyone in our kingdom knows that the Great Admiral has his eyes set on Lady Bella. He may not remember her now, but his heart will surely recognize her…] Saul retorted.

Seth hesitated, feeling torn between telling her the truth and hiding it. But with Saul’s persistent nagging, he finally mustered the courage to speak out loud.

“Are you aware that King Amon… back when he was Osman, our Great Admiral… he and Lady Bella were-” Seth stumbled, searching for the right words to convey this sensitive piece of information to Lena.

“They were in love,” Lena interjected, completing Seth’s sentence with an air of understanding. “I know all about it, Seth. The Queen has already shared the whole story with me.”

[She knows?! Then why is she still participating in that damn competition?! We can’t let her enter Seth!] Saul scowled.

“Seth,” Lena’s voice broke through causing him to stop in his tracks and face her. He looked at her intently, trying to read what was bothering her through her expression. Her nervous lip-biting and fidgeting only added to his unease. He had a sinking feeling that whatever she was about to say was not something good.

“You should stop now,” Lena began, her voice filled with a mix of sadness and determination. “Stop wasting your time on me, and find someone who deserves you more than I do. I… if you continue to stay with me like this… it will only hurt you, and I don’t want that to happen,” Lena weakly stated.

It wasn’t the first time she told him to move on, but this time, something in her eyes made him pause.

[Dammit Seth! Just tell her she’s our mate! She will understand and not go to that stupid competition!] Saul growled. He wasn’t sure if revealing the truth would make any difference, but a sharp, painful sensation gripped his chest. Why did he have this overwhelming fear that he could lose her for good this time?

Seth gazed deep into Lena’s eyes, his expression unwavering. He inhaled deeply and spoke firmly without hesitation.

“I can’t do that, Lady Lena. I can’t leave you, despite my head continuously telling me to stop and walk away,” Seth stated, his voice dropping to a hushed whisper. “I can’t leave you, not because my heart only beats for you, or because my eyes only see you. I can’t leave because you’re my mate…” he confessed with a serious face.

Lena blinked at him, her eyes wide and filled with surprise. “Seth… I…” Lena tried to speak but it looked like she didn’t know what to say. A heavy silence hung in the air until she finally managed to murmur, “Why are you telling me this only now?”

Seth smiled at her and said, “I… I didn’t want to pressure you. But in the end, I needed you to understand why I couldn’t simply let you go.”

Lena knew that the smile on Seth’s face was nothing but a facade. She could see through his eyes that he was in pain.

“I don’t understand why you’re willing to go. Do you like King Amon? Was it love at first sight?” Seth suddenly asked.

Lena felt her heart racing as Seth’s emotions seemed to seep into her own. She couldn’t bear the thought of hurting him. Right now, she needed space so she could find out what it was that she truly wanted. She knew about the Mate Pull and she fully understood the things Seth had to go through if she would end up hurting him.

‘Maybe I should just tell him the truth. I trust him…’ Lena contemplated.

She looked around and said, “Come with me. Let’s find a place where no one can overhear us.”

Seth extended his hand and Lena accepted it. This was not the first time she had held his warm hand as he would always assist her but this time it felt special.

‘I think I’m going crazy,’ she thought as she unknowingly stared at their intertwined hands. Maybe she got accustomed to it too much.

Seth guided her to a big tree where he placed his cape on the ground before letting her sit on it.

“Come and sit with me. I’ll tell you a secret that you must not share with anyone. It should just be between us Seth…” Lena started. When Seth was sitting by her side, she took a deep breath and then began narrating the situation she was in.

As Lena finished explaining everything, she anxiously looked at Seth, waiting for his response. He seemed lost in thought for a moment, his lips parting and then closing. Lena was growing increasingly worried as she waited for him to speak but he simply stared at her.

Seth simply raised his hand and gently tucked a few strands of hair stuck on her face behind her ear.

“Seth, aren’t you going to say anything?” she asked, her brow furrowing in concern. Seth smiled at her and replied, “I still can’t believe that the woman I had a crush on before is the same woman I love now…”

Lena was taken aback by Seth’s confession. He had only mentioned liking her before, and this was the first time he had uttered the word ‘love’ in reference to his feelings for her. She blinked at him in disbelief.

“You need closure, Lena… Not with me, but with Lord Osman… King Amon,” Seth firmly stated.