Capítulo 34: Regret and Karma

"Don't come near me." Long Cheng shouted in disdain when Lou Mary tried to get closer. Aside from being repulsed by another female, because he was now considered a mated male, the potion that Lu Meili forced him to drink was still in his system. There was no way he planned to be puking and losing more strength any time soon.

Lou Mary stiffened, with a flash of hurt in her eyes, which she is quickly masked. She bowed her head respectfully to Long Cheng and stepped back.

"Farther!" Long Cheng exclaimed, with a deep frown on his face. He was annoyed.

She nodded her head and smiled stiffly, "Is this enough, Your Highness?" Lou Mary asked softly.

After giving a wave, he asked with eyes narrowing Lou Mary suspiciously, "Did someone really died?" Then he added with regret look on his face, "He has a mate?"

"Yes, Your Highness. The woman killed, Rusan. I witnessed it " Lou Mary did her best to tell the lie without giving away anything, even though her heart was beating fast like it was ready to get out of her chest. She could not believe that Long Cheng was standing in front of her and having a conversation with her. 'I can't mess this up' With that in mind, she decided to keep that lie until death and vowed to herself that Lu Meili would be punished rightfully for her.

'If only, I was quicker.' Long Cheng blamed himself. If only he had found Lu Meili sooner, the mess of dealing with someone's death could have been avoided.

For Long Cheng, it was his fault. As he could have easily stopped any confrontation with his position alone. He regretted asking, no, more like he demanded Long Jun to mobilize every soldier he has got to chase her.

It would have been fun to hunt her personally, but when it came to her, he was not much confident to be successful. Now, he was paying for the consequences.

Long Cheng knew that he was a failure as a mate. "'What is this, karma?" He thought to himself as Long Cheng remembered the warnings he got, from other mated shifters about her sleeping around a whole lot.

What could he do? He was now alive for so long himself, and sex, relieving stress, and also gave them strength.

This regret was something he kept pushing, at the back of his mind, but it just shows up now and then, whispering to him, riling him up, like a conscience, trying to piss him off. It was silently telling him, 'You messed up dude. BIG TIME,' he always replied with annoyance, 'I know. Damn you.' Even his beast has become grumpy and silent.

'Karma', was a word invented by humans, but Long Cheng felt like his situation was exactly that.

"Your Highness, the woman is too dangerous and treacherous. She killed Rusan without mercy! She-' Lou Mary suddenly halted, before gulping nervously because of the murderous glare, Long Cheng gave her.

Then she added carefully, keeping her voice soft and her head bowed, "I am sorry if I crossed a line, Your Highness. However, Rusan is mated and she might even be pregnant. Please, have mercy and avenge our comrade. The woman killed Rusan like some savage beast!" Lou Mary insisted, still not looking at Long Cheng, with both fists Clenched tightly, on her sides, showing her utmost determination.

Lou Mary was gambling at the moment. She was proud of herself for not stuttering, despite feeling her heart in her throat.

"Like a savage beast?" Long Cheng repeated suspiciously. He could not believe in any words, coming out from Lou Mary, without facts.

He released a profound sigh, "Do not attempt to kill her." Long Cheng said seriously, almost warningly. He could not stay mad at Lou Mary despite being unable to accept what happened. "She will get the proper trial accordingly." He added softly.

The idea that his mate would be judged in front of all the clan elders because of killing another dragon shifter, appalled him. It also left him with no choice at all. Because, If she really did it, then Long Cheng was willing to accept, whatever the punishment will be.

He wanted to see the body to check it himself but knew that any time wasted, would create more chances for Lu Meili to run away again.

'Well, there was also the option to run away and hide in the farthest planet…' Long Cheng thought, his heart aching. He was already making plans and arrangements if it was proved that Lu Meili has committed a crime in his home planet.

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Authors Note: Thank you for reading! If we reach 250 votes, early update for the next chapter. :-)