Ri
“Excited?” I turned to look at Eana who came into my room. I smiled. “Let me guess, I think it’s not excitement I see. It’s sadness.” I stared at her and shook my head.
“I’m fine, Yans.”
She shook her head. “It’s not wrong to cry or to be sad, Ri. You may be our empress, but he is still your mate. And I know you’re hurting.”
“I did not tell him the truth because I don’t want to hurt him. In a way, I still hurt him, Yans. That’s why I am hurting.” I let the tears I’ve been holding for days fall.
Yes, it’s been a week and I haven’t heard anything from him since then.
“Go to him, Ri.”
I shook my head once again. “What will I tell her, Yans? That I am sorry coz I can’t be with him? No, Yans , I can’t hurt him more.”
“How about telling him you love him?” We heard someone said from the door. We turned to see our mom.
“What are you doing here, Mom?” I stood up to meet her.
“I can feel what your feeling, Ri, even if you won’t say anything. I’m your mother.”
I hugged her tightly “Mom.” She led me back to the bed and sat there with me.
“I can’t hurt him more, Mom. And telling him I love him will just hurt him.”
“But he would know, he is not the only one hurting. That you have the biggest sacrifice in here.”
“I don’t know, Mom. I don’t think I can.” She did not reply instead, she hugged me tightly.
I walked towards the edge of the forest. I decided to let Cassy out. It’s been long since I let her out.
I change into my wolf and ran. I let out all the frustrations I am feeling. I reached the place I planned to be. It was a small lake surrounded by flowers and bushes. I changed back to my human form and sat on the ground letting my feet touched the water.
I let myself lose. I did not think of anything. No Fraeia. No Gabriel. I just feel the calmness and the relaxing feeling the water brings.
“Where are you, Ri?” I heard my Mom asking me through our mind link.
“I went for a run, Mom!” I replied.
“Take care, Princess.”
“Okay!” I then feel them block me. I once again felt the calmness and tranquility of the place.
Suddenly, I saw something moved from the waters. I smiled. The river nymphs are dancing and creating another relaxing symphony. Hearing the soothing music, I felt calm inside.
I heard a rumbling from the bushes. Standing up, I prepared myself for a possible attack.
“Gab!” I said in surprise and relief.
“What are you doing in here?” we said in the same time. I looked away from him. I went back to my position earlier.
“What are you doing here, Gab?” He did not answer. Instead, I felt him sit beside me.
“I went to your house to talk to you but they said you were out for a run.” I heard him spoke afterwards. “I want to know…” he paused. “Is it really hard to choose me?”
I looked down. “When you left more than two years ago, I felt my world stop, you know. I had to stand up against my father and defied his order for me to be with you. But I was devastated when I reached your home and you were not there.
I hired an investigator to find your location but they couldn’t find you. I couldn’t find you myself coz of these rogues but you don’t know how I wanted to do it.
So when you came back, I felt so happy and blest. I told myself that this time, I will do what is right. That I won’t let you go. I’ll make you the happiest woman in the world.”
He moved closer towards me. I realized I was crying when he reached out and wiped my tears away.
“I don’t wish to make you cry so please don’t. I love you so much, Ri. So, I am letting you go no matter how painful it is.”
I hugged him tightly. Letting my emotions go, I said, “I love you, too, Gab. Very very much. That’s why I did not tell you. I love you too much to let you choose between me and your pack. No, Gab. I would rather live my life without you than taking you out of the life you love. I can’t stay here, and I can’t take you away from this life.”
“Ri!” He spoke softly. I looked at him and this time, I wiped his tears. “I’m an alpha. I decide for myself. The reason why I got angry is the fact that you don’t let me decide, Ri. You did not give me the chance. You don’t even know what I would choose.”
“Are you going to choose me, Gab? Are you willing to leave this pack for me?” I saw the confusion in his face. When he did not answer, I said, “That’s what I thought. I can’t let you leave this pack. I know how much you love this.”
“But–,” I put a finger on his lips. I shook my head.
“There is one thing I would want from you, Gab. Kiss me.”
I saw him stare at me as if trying to ask if I am serious with what I hinted. I nodded. “Yes, Gab. I want it. I want a beautiful memory to remind me of you.”
“Ri–,”
“No buts. Just kiss me, Gab.” He smiled and lean to kiss me. I met his lips and instantly, he deepened the kiss. I felt his hands moved over my body feeling every inch of it. My hands did the same to his. When he laid me down and started taking my clothes off, I realized, this would be the best remembrance my love has given me.
“Thanks, Gab.” I said to his sleeping form as I fixed my clothes. I smiled at him. I bent and kissed him. “I love you but I’m sorry.”
“Aren’t you going to say goodbye to Gab, Ri?” Mom asked as we put our things in the car. We are on our way to the airport.
I just shook my head and smiled.
“There is something strange about your smell, Ri.”
“What are you saying, Mom?”
“You’re not pregnant, are you?”
‘What? Me, pregnant?”