CHAPTER 61
LOGAN’S POV
“I can’t believe you did that to your mate!” My father yelled in annoyance, whilst I just remained quiet in my seat. His anger was the least of my problems. All the while, uncle Justin, Liam, and Layla just looked at me like I had grown some horns overnight.
“Can you give me a response, and stop acting dumb?” Father requested, to which I shrugged.
“My girlfriend was clearly hurt, and I felt it was the right thing to put her feelings first.”
“Logan, you humiliated your mate, and you just speak like it wasn’t such a wrong thing. And since when did Hea….” He paused, trying to remember her name
“Heather.” Layla assisted.
“Yes.” He nodded. “Since when did she become your girlfriend? I thought you both were just friends?”
“They were, until he stuck his manhood into her vagina.” Layla said, making Liam burst into laughter. “I’m sorry brother, but I didn’t think you were gonna respond to father.”
“How convenient.” I said to Layla, throwing a glare at Liam who was still laughing.
“Really? You slept with her?” Father asked in disbelief.
“It wasn’t my fault. We were both drunk.”
“So in other words, you got into a relationship with her, to make yourself feel better about ruining your friendship?” Uncle Justin calmly asked, and I quickly shook my head in negation.
“That’s not it, uncle.”
“Then tell us what it is.” Father pushed.
“I really like her, okay? I do really like Heather, she’s an amazing person.”
“We’re not debating that fact. The problem is that your friend turned girlfriend, is getting in the way of your potential relationship with your mate.”
I looked at father, feeling so disappointed.
“Seriously? You say this like it’s so normal. Why the hell is Audrey my mate again? Is this what you’ve always wanted? No wonder you made her Gamma without my notice 5 years ago. You didn’t even care that she had hurt me so badly.”
“Logan, you also hurt her badly. Do you know the pain she been through in these last years? Plus, it’s not like she doesn’t deserve the position of Gamma! She is extremely strong. Moreover, she was once a queen.”
“Oh please! Sebastian’s mother was also once a queen, why didn’t you make her Gamma?”
“Don’t be silly Logan! She hurt your mother! She took your mother away from you! From Layla! Turned her into a creature she never planned to be. Made her a natural enemy to her own family and kingdom. And before you forget, she masterminded the plot to oust you.”
“A plot that your dear Audrey was a major part of! The same Audrey that made me beg for her love like I was nothing. The same fucking Audrey that slept with my stepbrother! A boy who made me a laughing stock at every given opportunity. He even gloated in my face, after I found them together.” I whispered the last part, because that was truly what hurt the most.
“But she is changed. She is sorry, and she deserves a second chance.” He sighed.
“Oh, she was given a second chance quite alright.” I nodded angrily. “Literally forced on me! I can’t believe the moon goddess would be so cruel.”
“What did you expect after condemning her to never have a second chance mate?” Liam chuckled, making me feel so irritated. “You simply told the moon goddess that you weren’t ready to let her go into the arms of another man.” He shrugged, further provoking me.
“Liam, please you’re actively grating on my nerves.”
“My apologies.” He muttered, his laughter ceasing instantly.
“All these, isn’t even the matter at hand.” Uncle Justin said. “What are you going to do with your mate now? What would you do with Heather too?”
“That isn’t even a question.” Father and I said at the same time, before eyeing each other.
“He would claim his mate!” “I would marry Heather.” We both said at the same time again.
“You wouldn’t dare it!” He growled.
“Trust me, I would. I am king, and I make the decisions here!”
“A king indeed! At the detriment of your kingdom? Your people need a true Luna! Look at my own life. See how I suffered through lots of heartbreaks, simply because I didn’t find my mate. Now, you have the opportunity to do things right, and you don’t want to?”
“Haven’t you punished the poor woman enough? You subjected her to a life of pain and lonliness for the last 5 years….”
“Mine wasn’t any different.” I cut him off.
“But you did have your fair share of women, didn’t you? Even to the extent of sleeping with a woman who is supposed to be you friend!”
“Audrey probably had her fair share too.” I muttered underneath my breathe. He definitely heard me.
“Oh? You think?” He glared. “Incase you do not know, Audrey has suffered from a psychological trauma, that prevented her from getting physically close to others, over the years. And it was all because of your cruel method of rejection!”
“Isn’t this wonderful?” I scoffed. “You even monitored her life this whole time?”
“Yes, I have. And I’m glad I did. That girl has suffered a great deal. She lost her parents and her only brother, who mistakenly died by her own hands. Do you know the pains all of that would have caused her?”
“Then let me reject her in peace!”NôvelDrama.Org holds text © rights.
“And I said no!!” He yelled back in my face.
“I don’t think you should.” Uncle Justin sighed. “There is definitely a reason why the moon goddess brought you both together again. Doesn’t this seem unusual to you?” He asked. “This is the first time this is happening. Who ever thought that their rejected mate could possibly return as their second chance mate? It’s called ‘second chance’ for a reason. A chance to go again at love. And if the moon goddess brought you both together, then you’re truly meant to be together.”
“Goddess! I’m going crazy here.” I paced around the study, whilst the others just watched me. “I would definitely not see her differently from how I currently do. It’s just a lost cause. Why does the moon goddess want to torment me?”
“Stop making it sound like your case is the worst! Have you looked at my life?” Father asked in annoyance.
“Father.” Layla called in worry. “You do not want your mate?” She asked in deep concern.
“Trust me Layla, I’ve never wanted anything else as much as I want her.” I guess he blurted out his words before he could even hold back, because the next second, he was looking away in embarrassment.
“Father!” Layla giggled happily. “There’s nothing to be ashamed of.”
“But she doesn’t even want me.” He sighed.
“Have you gone to see her since you returned?” She asked, and he shook his head in negation. I hated that I suddenly felt sorry for his plight, regardless of the fact he wanted to also push me into unhappiness. “Oh, father. You should have.”
“But I’m worried I’d only repulse her.”
“Father in law, have you seen yourself in the mirror? There nothing repulsive about you.” Liam softly chastised.
“I know you’re only trying to make me feel better Liam, but I’m 50! Mated to a young lady of 29. She’s almost half my age, and just 3 years older than my children.”
“It still doesn’t matter. Finding a mate at her age, should even be a good news. She’s way past the normal age of finding her mate.” Liam reasoned.
“That’s true, father.” Layla added.
“Xavier, you deserve every happiness you can get. You’ve never really felt the love of a true mate, and you shouldn’t shy away from experiencing it now.” Uncle Justin said.
“But she doesn’t even want me. She almost rejected me.” Father sighed, his shoulders slumping in defeat.
“But the moon goddess was gracious enough to not let it happen.” Uncle Justin countered. “What if she’s finally coming to terms with her destiny to be with you? How would you know, if you don’t go to see her?” He asked. “And who says you look 50?”
“Okay, that makes sense.” Father muttered.
“It definitely does.” I muttered, and they all looked at me in shock. “What? Father deserves every happiness, like uncle Justin has said. The fact that I don’t want my mate, doesn’t mean he shouldn’t have his.” I shrugged.
“Ohhh, Logan….” Father shook his head at me. “You better start preparing your mind to want her! Because that is what the moon goddess wants.” He pinned his hot gaze on me, before walking away. Great. Just great!
**
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THIRD PERSON’S POV
Xavier walked towards his chambers in slow steps, not knowing what to expect when he goes in. He hadn’t set eyes on his mate for over a week now, but she hadn’t for once, left his mind. He couldn’t believe the great pull he felt towards her the first time he laid his eyes on her. Neither could he express the fear he felt within, when she had almost rejected him. He didn’t want to believe that another woman who wasn’t Brienne, could have this much of an effect on him! And funny thing is, he didn’t even care that she was way younger than him. He just wanted her. All of her.
Mustering the needed couraged, he quickened his steps and got to the entrance of his chambers. The guards stationed there bowed in respect. They were about greeting, when he signaled them to be quiet. He didn’t want Emily knowing he was around. He thought of the last time he came to speak with her before he left for the pack visits. She had run into the bathroom and locked herself up, until he left. The thought made him smile. She acted like a baby. In that moment, her actions were heartbreaking, but now, he thought it was cute.
The moment he opened the door, Emily flung her faces towards the door, and her expression held a mix of shock and annoyance.
“Hello, Emily.” Xavier managed a small smile, regardless of how badly she glared at him.
“So you’re finally ready to let me out of here?” She asked calmly, a great contrast to how angry she looked.
“I’m sorry, but what are you talking about?” Xavier muttered in confusion, scared he may have really done something wrong this time.
“You locked me in here for over a week, not letting me step out.”
“No, I would never do that. I had been away on several pack visits. I just returned yesterday.”
“I do not care where you have been. I just want to go back home.” She muttered, hanging her head low. Xavier was so sure that she was crying, making his heart lurch painfully. He walked towards the bed, and carefully sat before her.
“Please Emily, can’t you give us a chance? I have waited for you my whole life, and I’m sure you have too.”
“I may have waited for my mate, but I didn’t know he would turn out to be someone old enough to birth me!” She suddenly yelled out. “All I wanted, was to attend the previous king’s birthday, and return to my pack with my parents after that. I can’t believe they abandoned me here.” She finally burst into tears. Atleast, Xavier was sure why she was crying. It wasn’t just about being mated to him. She thought her parents had left her here against her will.
“Oh, Emily.” He sighed, scooting closer to her. He expected her to move away from him, but was surprised that she remained on her spot.
“Your parents didn’t abandon you. They simply didn’t want to get in the way of the moon goddess’s plan. If it makes you feel any better, your father is here.”
“What?” She looked up at him hopefully. He couldn’t believe a woman as old as her, was so hopeful to hear her father was around. She really was a baby. A big baby.
“Yes, your father is here.” Xavier nodded. “In preparation for the upcoming war.”
“We are really going to battle?” She asked, looking quite concerned.
“I’m afraid, there’s no avoiding it.”
“When would I be allowed to see my father?”
“Emily,” He sighed. “You’re not in a dungeon. You’re free to go anywhere you want. I don’t know what made you believe otherwise.”
“Thank you.” She nodded at him. “But I still do not want this. I want to return home.” She muttered, unable to hold his eyes, knowing she was causing him pain. She also didn’t feel good about wanting to reject him, but how could she remain with him when…
“You want to reject me.” Xavier stated plainly, and she slowly nodded like a child. “Fine. I would accept your decision, under one condition.”
“What?”
“You would remain with me until the war is over. That way, if I die in battle, you even have a valid reason to leave.”
“And if you don’t die?” She blurted, before slapping her palm against her mouth. “Sorry, I didn’t mean it that way.”
“It’s fine.” He nodded with a small smile.
“I don’t want you to die. I just want to leave.” She sighed.
“I know. Even if I return safe and sound, you would still have the right to leave.”
“Are you serious?” She looked doubtful.
“Yes.” He nodded. “I just want to know what the love of a true mate feels like, even if it’s for a moment. So in essence, we would have to behave like every normal couple, until it’s time for you to leave. Can you do that much?”
She looked to be deep in thoughts, before releasing a sigh and nodding positively.
“Yes. I agree to your terms. But you have to keep your word. You wouldn’t hold me back against my will when it is time to leave?”
“I wouldn’t dare do that. I was once a king, and my word is my honour.”
“Fine then.” she nodded.
“A handshake to seal our agreement?” He requested, and she stretched her hand out to him. He took it in his, and brought it forward to his lips, leaving a chaste kiss that made her breathe hitch, as tingles spread through her hand.
Little did she know, that she had just sealed a deal that would tie them both forever.