Chapter 70 Onyi's POV
Alexis stormed back to his chambers, anger in every step. As he entered, he heard soft sobs. His mate, Rose, was on her knees in the moonlight streaming through the window, tears streaming down her face. She was whispering prayers to the moon goddess.
"...make Alexis love me... please, moon goddess... make him love me..."
Alexis stopped short hearing her words. Even in his anger, he felt a twinge of sorrow seeing Rose in tears. But his resolve hardened.
Rose looked up, saw Alexis standing there. She tried to hide her tears but couldn't.
Alexis approached her, voice cold despite a hint of pity. "What were you saying? What prayers to the moon goddess?"
Rose trembled. "I... I was praying... for you to love me."
Alexis's expression turned colder. "I'll never love you, Rose. You know that."
Rose moved closer to Alexis on her knees, tears streaming down her face. She reached out a trembling hand toward him, her voice breaking in pain.
"Why... why can't you love me?" Rose sobbed, eyes pleading with Alexis. "I'm your mate. Why can't you love me?"
Alexis looked down at Rose, his expression unyielding despite the pain in her eyes. He spoke with a cold tone.
"You know why, Rose. I don't feel the bond like you're expecting. It's just a duty to me."
Rose's sobs intensified at his words, like they were cutting into her deeply. She collapsed forward onto her hands, crying harder in anguish.
In a hidden glade deep in the palace gardens lit by moonlight, Laila stood before two birds perched on a low branch. They were unusual birds with gleaming eyes. With a whisper of ancient words, Laila raised her hands.
The two birds spread their wings wide. In a burst of moonlit magic, they transformed. Two tall humans with feathered remnants on their arms stood before Laila now.
Laila's eyes gleamed with urgency. "Spread the news. Onyi, the princess's mate, is possessed by evil. Tell everyone in the kingdom. Warn them to stay clear."
The two transformed humans nodded, faces serious. "We'll spread the word," one said. They turned swiftly and vanished into the night shadows to carry out Laila's command.
Back in Alexis's Chambers:
Rose still sobbed on the floor, anguish over Alexis's cold words wracking her body. Alexis watched impassively.