"Anastasia, please, you must know that Darla is an important member of the group," said Kaizan. "Her valor is unmatched. She has been with us on many missions. In fact she volunteered to come with us on this one."

"I know, but she behaved too pettily!" said Anastasia, feeling disgusted about her attitude. "And I think you all have contributed to it. Just because she is an integral part of the group, none of you have said anything to her about what happened at the Virgine Falls. I would love to point it out to her, make her realize it, but then should I?" She exhaled heavily and looked at the ceiling.

Kaizan lowered his head and fidgeted his fingers, not agreeing to her. A moment later, he said in a low voice "I agree. Darla had been on her edge ever since she realized that you have grown close to Ileus. We have been with her for so long, but we have never seen her losing herself to this level. Maybe you are right-all she needs is a big realization."

"Ask me!" Anastasia commented, puffing her cheeks. Then she tilted her head and with a frown asked, "Can you tell me more about her? It would help me understand her personality, and I will not be affected by her constant interruptions." She was beginning to get a feel that they wouldn't get rid of Darla, but she wanted to.

"I think you already know about Darla's background, so I'll just tell you little details about her," said Kaizan.

A light knock on the door disturbed them.

"Come in," said Anastasia. A servant came and lay the breakfast on the table. He smiled nervously. He looked furtively towards Anastasia with a ruddy face.

Kaizan narrowed his eyes and watched him as he placed the tray on the table. With a tight smile, the boy left quickly.

Anastasia picked up a piece of fresh bread with cream and munched on it.

Kaizan continued, "Darla has been with Ileus for a long time. She was infatuated by Ileus. We all knew about it and teased her a lot. We thought that this was going to get over. Over the years we spent, Darla had patiently watched Ileus from a distance. She has never forced her will on him. In fact she was just like the rest of us. Ileus is a very popular man and trust me when I say this-he is very popular amongst girls and women and men."

Anastasia's eyes widened. "This is extremely disturbing." She stopped chewing her food.

Kaizan chuckled. "What I mean is that he has had lovers before but all girls. He doesn't have an interest in men. It's not his fault if they also get attracted to him."

Although a part of her calmed, still jealousy flared. She took in a big bite of bread and chewed it with vengeance.

He shrugged. "Ileus is a prince and a very handsome one. You should know that almost every girl in Draoidh and in Silver Vales would make herself available to him. Anyway, Darla showed utter control in her feelings. We all knew that you were supposed to be kidnapped and taken to Draoidh because we wanted to trade you with Iona. That didn't happen. We didn't know when Ileus abandoned the plan. All the while we were camped outside Vilinski, he never revealed his true feelings. It was our journey through Sgiath Biò when Darla realized the importance of your presence in his life."

He leaned forward and gave her an apple to eat. She took it slowly from his hand as a blush began to rise on her cheeks. "That was a big blow to her esteem, to all the hidden desires she had for Ileus. And we were also stunned. What happened at Virgine Falls was definitely her fault but you have to understand Anastasia, she is a werewolf. We love our partners with passion. It is going to take a long time to settle with the feeling that Ileus, whom she is dangerously attracted to, is now with you."

Anastasia blinked her eyes and pursed her lips. She felt all the more stifled at the situation. "What do you think is my position in Ileus's life?"

Kaizan jerked his head back. He tilted his head and gave her a disbelieving stare. "Anastasia, his wolf has marked you as his mate!"

The apple in her hand fell down and rolled under the table. Her pulse raced and she simply stared at him with wide eyes. "What does that mean?" she asked, her voice a mere whisper. "Why don't I feel the same? Why haven't I marked him as my mate?"

"Having mates in the Lore is very rare. One can spend hundreds of years and still not find a mate. Your mate could be someone sitting in the elf realm while you are a witch on the earth. What are the chances of such individuals meeting? Very rare. When a werewolf has marked his mate, he is going to care for her like she is a porcelain doll. He would do anything to keep her safe and secure. He would run hundreds of miles only to be with her, if he has scented her. Why do you think Ileus has opened up with you? That man is extremely cunning and too ruthless. But when it comes to you, he is nothing but overprotective, over-caring-" Kaizan rolled his eyes. "And you guys have been very annoying throughout the journey."

"Why is it that despite the face that you are a trained warrior, you never attacked him?" He looked into her sapphire eyes. "That's because somewhere deep down even you want him safe."

Anastasia drew in a sharp breath. The revelation was surprising.

"The naked truth is that our prince has found his mate and the process is permanent."

Her mouth became dry. She was Ileus's mate. The truth came crashing down like a huge weight on her heart. Was she ready for it? Anastasia was aware as to who mates were. Her parents were mates and her mother had often said how her father had marked her.