I knew my mother had a point. I urgently needed a Luna for two reasons, but the thought of being with someone I felt absolutely nothing for irritated me. I didn’t want to be with anyone.
“Let her go. I do not want to see her. Not now, at least.”
“Jaris…”
“I’m done with this conversation. And trust me, mother, my ability to stay polite is slipping fast.” My tone had no room for further argument, and my gaze when I looked at her was icy.
I couldn’t exactly be faulted. Growing up, I’ve always hated to be control. And when I finally became Alpha, it grew worse. I didn’t like anyone telling me what to do. I also didn’t like to be disobeyed. If it wasn’t for the fact that she was my mother, there would have been repercussions.
Finally, she did leave, giving me some space.
I finished undressing and changed into a simpler outfit for the night. I had a lot of work to do, but my mood had already been ruined. So, I simply took a seat on my study table.
Beside me, there was a safe. Inputting my passcode, I took out the photo. A certain calm enveloped me, but at the same time, I felt a sharp sting.
After five years, I couldn’t believe I was yet to get over her. Who was she and what did she do to make me so addicted? Why did she have to hurt me the way she did?
I traced my fingers along the outline of her face. It was a faint image of her leaving the hotel that morning. It wasn’t clear, but it was better than having nothing.
It was just an image, yet it meant the world to me. What ever happened to her? Was she dead? Because for five years, I’d been searching for her but to no avail.
If only my mother could understand that I felt nothing for Bennett’s daughter or my fated mate she’s been desperately searching for.
In our world, seeing your fated mate was rare. Most times, we had to choose a person we were attracted to. I’d found my fated mate nine years ago but lost her before we could even bond. And since then, mother had been keen on finding her. But I didn’t care even about her.
The only woman I cared about was the very one in my hand.
My princess.
She was the one I wanted to make my permanent Luna. Where did she go?
*****
Hours later, when I was sure the unwanted guests were gone, I left to check on the kids. Fortunately, Xyla and Xylon were playing on the bed with Xyla giggling ’cause she was winning.
My heart warmed up at the sight-my favorite sight. These days, they were the only reason I get to experience true joy, even if I could hardly express it.
Marta was by the side of the room, mixing something in a bowl. And I didn’t miss the interest that sparked in her eyes when she saw me.
Upon seeing me, the kids jumped out of bed.
“Daddy! Are you done for the day?” Xyla asked,
She did most of the talking as Xylon had problems expressing himself.
For the next one minute, we had a light conversation on how both our days went,
“Daddy, Xylon had one of his crisis today, Xyla said, shattering the tiny peace I felt.
“Did you?” I looked at him, running my fingers through his hair,
His gaze dropped to the floor, indicating his sadness,
It was always a torment for him, and it broke me each time he suffered it without remedy.
For years, I’d employed the best doctors from all over the world to treat him, not none had been able to help. It was devastating that there were certain things my wealth and title could not solve.
“But he had quickly gotten better!” Xyla expressed. “Unlike before, he didn’t suffer for much today.”
My brows furrowed. “Okay. What happened?”
“Someone treated him.”
JARIS
Someone else treated Xylon? How did that happen without my knowledge?
And was it really effective like Xyla claimed?
Xylon had been suffering from this for years. No one has been able to help.
“Who was it?” I asked, more interested than ever.
“Oh, silly Xyla,” Marta suddenly cut in, chucking. “Did you really have to call me someone else? You want it to be a surprise?” Holding a cup of what she had been mixing, she approached Xylon with it, urging him to drink.
“Xyla just wants it to be a surprise, Jaris. I actually came up with a new formula, and thankfully, it worked. Right, Xyla?” She offered a smile and touched Xyla’s hair with tenderness. “Why don’t you go get some water for your brother, honey?”
Xyla stood up and left without saying a word. She looked uncomfortable.
“So, it was you?” I asked Marta.
“Of course. Who else would come into the kids’ room?”
It made sense. No one would enter to treat Xylon without my permission. Besides, Marta was the head doctor at the Central Pack Hospital, and she had been working tirelessly to find a solution for Xylon’s health. It was believable that she might be close to finding one.
“So,” she cleared her throat, folding her hands while her eyes dropped to the floor. “I heard you had a guest today. Your future Luna.”
Okay, that was it. I wasn’t ready for another conversation that would get me into a worse mood.
“I’m not doing this, Marta.”
“Why can’t I be enough for you and your mother?” There was a crack in her voice. “Come on, Jaris! I’ve given you two kids. An heir! How do you and your mother despise me so much?”
“I told you from the onset that bearing these kids was not going to be enough to make you my Luna. Don’t get me wrong, I love my kids with every fiber of my being, but we didn’t agree on them before you became pregnant, Marta. And I made it clear to you that I had no intention, whatsoever, of making you my Luna. So, quit trying to play the victim card.”
Making someone like Marta my Luna would be a big mistake. She was vile, poorly mannered and hardly cared for others. While I was most of these things, I couldn’t have a Luna that was just like me. Two monsters could not exist.
I had actually been shocked when she took in. Like it was with every woman, I had not been able to finish on her. But then, it wasn’t medically impossible for her to take in even without me coming. And it felt good to have the one thing I never thought I could have. But it still wasn’t enough to make someone like her my Luna.
Her eyes became teary, and I knew I had to leave to avoid any more of her dramas.
“Come to my room when you’re free, okay?” I said to Xylon who nodded happily.
It dawned on me that his mother and I just had an inappropriate discussion in front of him.
Damn it.
Tousling his hair, I left the room.
LYRIC
And here I was, thinking my new face could never be rejected. Apparently, Alpha Jaris was an exception.
It stung when his mother had returned and told us the Alpha was busy but promised to get back to us. I didn’t need anyone to tell me it was a polite way of saying “he is not interested.”
Well, maybe it was a good thing, because I didn’t think I was interested in him anymore. He was a liar and rude and arrogant. I didn’t want to be with someone like that.
Father was clearly disappointed. The entire ride home, he didn’t say a word to me.
Reaching home, Nora stormed toward me, looking furious.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.