Sabrina’s POV
“Who’s this? New Evan?” I ask as one of the elders walk in to my office with a young man about Evan’s age, who looks a little like Evan.
They both nod their heads in respect.
“This is Evan.” The elder responds and walks out of my office, leaving me with new Evan.
“Do you have a name?” I ask, his demeanor and clothing reminding me of old Evan.
“My name is Evan.” He responds and I smile.
“You were born as Evan?” I ask.
“I was born Evan, raised by the elders to serve and protect the moon goddess.” He says to me, finally making sense.
“Good. I’m guessing the elders have told you what happened to the old Evan?” I ask and he steps closer to my table.
“We deny such an Evan. The traitor deserved the stripping of his wolf and his death.” New Evan says, you could see the anger in his eyes.
“Good to know. Now, I need you to find loyal subjects to go door to door requesting a meeting with all heads of each household in this realm. The meeting will take place on the night of the full moon.” I say and new Evan nods his head before heading out of my office.
‘We still have to deal with Aiden.’ Athena reminds me and I let out a sigh.
I have been putting it off for days. Keeping myself busy with my new world order, new rules that will be enforced after the full moon. Many won’t be happy but since they want to live a life where they are monitored, my family has no choice.
With Anthony enjoying life and not taking his place, all the work was left for me and Hunter. It would actually serve well if Anthony was present… he is more sane, less inclined to be harsh and not ruled by past atrocities that plague the heart and mind.
My father and I on the other hand, we have been burned so many times that we can’t trust anyone. At least my dad has my mother. I can say I have Josey but it’s not the same…
I could say I have Xander but he’s occupied with mate duties since he has been completely healed. The two have not left the room since news of his full health broke out and I can only take comfort in knowing he’s alive.
I paired them together, I should allow them to explore a life together. No matter how that makes me feel…. Xander was far from my mind when I allowed Aiden to complete the mate bond.
I was in such bliss then, having accepted Aiden wholeheartedly and then his betrayal. I can understand his pain to an extent…. his actions however I cannot.
He became what he swore he would kill. His family…
He promised them death if they ever hurt me but ended up doing the exact opposite. He hurt me on purpose, whereas I killed his family based on what they did to mine. As a wolf, he should understand that but his wolf is just as upset, if not more.
I stand up and walk out of my office to my bedroom.. where Aiden was kept prisoner.
He had freedom to roam around the bedroom and bathroom but could not leave the room. It was starting to drive him insane, that much I could feel. Coupled up with images of his burnt friends, I’d say Aiden is a quarter to madness.
Hopefully then can he explain to me his reasons. I need him to explode in anger, not in sadness because with sadness comes thoughtful wording and reasoning. When enraged, there is no time to pause and think…. that’s what I respect about anger. It unleashes the truth, no care in the world how it lands but the truth comes out like a volcanic eruption and that is the kind of truth I want.
The real truth.
The one behind all of his actions, the real reasons behind his betrayal. How he could make love to me while he was busy planning to hurt me. How he could lie and pretend to comfort me while he was the one behind everything.
He owes me that much.
Right now, he wasn’t talking to me. He eats whatever is given and drinks what is available. The alcohol in the room completely finished thanks to him. He was always drunk or as drunk as can be with our metabolism and even in his alcohol infused state, he kept his composure.
Even though I can feel his emotions, a ball of hurt and a rush of anger almost to the point of madness, he maintained a cool stance on the outside, almost forgetting that now we were interlinked, forever as one.
I walk in to find him sitting on the floor, tears on his face and a bottle in hand. A green substance I think everyone calls absinthe, almost empty.
“I need to get out of here.” He says to me.
I close the door and ignore him as I make my way to the closet. He follows me, swearing under his breath as he storms in.
“Did you not hear me?” Aiden asks and I turn to look at him.
“I heard you.” I say and I turn back to change out of my clothes. I take my jeans and top off before I feel his arms on my shoulders, pushing me towards a wall and turning me around.
“I’m going crazy here Sabrina. Four walls closing in on me…” He says, his hand softly caressing my face. The stench of alcohol flooded my nose.
I remain silent.
“I miss you. I miss us. I miss being able to do this.” He says before kissing me. All the hurt and anger inside me, silenced by the love I feel through his kiss and I kiss him back.
Images of Adrastos dying on his bed flash through my mind and I start to feel sick.
I push him away, the anger coming back to me as he chuckles.
“You still love me.” He teases, turning around to dance as if there was music playing.
“I could do anything and there will always be a part of you that will always love me. You are no different, I love you. Even though I wish you pain, I also wish you happiness. I can’t hate you because if I did, I would have planned to kill The Boy but it was never my intention or plan. He’s innocent, I don’t really want to play stepfather but who could hate that adorable face? He looks just like you, further imprinting in to my heart.” Aiden says, his walls beginning to come down.
I quickly put on sweat pants and a matching sweater.. before he thinks of trying anything again.
“I love that boy. You may not see me with him or talk endearingly about him but that’s just how I am. You just didn’t pay enough attention, just like you didn’t know what was happening right under your nose. You like live in your own bubble, happily escaping reality and leaving all of behind. Calling on us when needed and tossing us to the side when done with. I can promise you that I’m not the only one that feels that way…. don’t you see it? From one mate to the other…. that’s not to whore yourself out. No, that’s what people keep missing. They are solely focused on your body count but never on the fact that you hold the power to bring all men to their knees and choose one forever after. Society has taught us how to view women based on how many partners they’ve had and that’s a shame, it really is. I’m a man and I can tell you now that I see things differently. You are no whore, that I truly believe! You just know what you deserve and it takes an insane amount of strength and will power to walk away from matters of the heart.” Aiden says, making himself comfortable on the carpeted floor.
“You are a queen and we are just your followers, all begging to sit beside you. Becoming your king? The power is all too consuming too. I mean take me for instance… I’m mated to you and the minute I feel anger, I create a resistance to fight my battles. I was so entitled, spoiled. It was barely any power but it was enough to almost feel invincible… you give off that kind of assurance, that when we become one, I share the same as you but just as you give, you can take away. Taking my manhood with you. It’s not enough that I know you are stronger and all so powerful, you have to say it so it rings much louder in my head to emasculate me. Remind me of the position I hold as your lover alone oh moon goddess.” Aiden says, taking a final gulp of the green liquid.
“Maybe growing up in power is why I can’t comprehend yours. Why I can’t take a back seat and watch you do the work while I, taking up the position mostly women do and watch. When I close my eyes, I see my family looking on and shaking their heads in shame. That I have been ridiculed to being just your mate, doing nothing but staying at home. What would you like for dinner my love? I made spaghetti.” He says.
I look at him, finally seeing him for what he is.
“Oh your life is so bad, boo hoo! It’s okay to expect a woman to be in the kitchen but never a man. You knew what being with me entailed and you accepted it but I guess it got to be a little too much? It still won’t change the fact that you are my mate and no matter what, I’ll stay the ever praised and prayed to, while you stay the unknown mate of the goddess. You want to do more? I won’t stop you. I was raised in a beta family, a family that can fight it’s own but when I found out I was mated to an alpha, I put that aside to be what my mate needed. I was raised that the same is expected of a man, forget your place in society because sacred law demands that you put your mate first before anything else.” I say, walking out of of the closet to my bed.
I had a second bed delivered in to my room, I had to put Aiden on a different bed.
“I’m grieving my family! What’s so hard to understand about that?” Aiden stomps his way towards me.
“I have all these emotions to deal with and as soon as they died, you forgot that I lost the people I loved all my life. You went on with life, business as usual and I was alone with all the pain. Have some sympathy for me woman! I am allowed to grieve them and I needed you by my side, I know they hurt your family man. It still doesn’t change that they were my family.” Aiden confesses… finally giving in. His eyes brimming with tears once again as we look in to each other’s eyes.
It dawned on me now that I will finally get all my questions answered..