Ronan’s POV
“What? Did you think you’d be left off the hook just because you’re not the Alpha?” He asked.
“You seem to have forgotten that you’re also supposed to choose a suitable mate as soon as you can.”
I rolled my eyes. “Let’s focus on my brother first,” I replied.
He trained his intelligent blue eyes on me. “You already have eyes on a certain woman right?” He queried.
I shrugged.
“I’ll take that as a yes. I’d love to meet her,” he said, a bright smile on his face.
“You can’t meet her now.”
“Why not?” He questioned.
“It’s complicated at the moment. Something close to unrequited love,” I answered.
“You know you can have any woman you want right? You’re a great catch. You don’t have to pine after a woman who doesn’t return your affection.”
I closed my eyes and released a frustrated sigh. “But I don’t want any other woman.”
He shook his head. “You’re just as bad as your brother.”
“No, I’m not,” I disagreed rather vehemently.
He looked taken aback.
I took a deep breath and continued in a calmer tone.
“I’m not like him. I will never ask for a woman’s hand only to later change my mind about it.”
He placed a hand on my shoulder and squeezed gently.
“Just remember that anything you decide must be for the good of the pack. And it’s okay to be with the woman you love. We all know how much your father loved your mother.”
I nodded. “Always for the good of the pack. I’ll keep that in mind.”
“How’s your sister?” He asked and I froze.
He released a sigh. “Ronan, I thought we talked about this before I travelled.”
“I didn’t make any promises,” I replied.
“She needs to come back home. She belongs here just as much as you and Ryder do,” he said.
I gave him a wry grin. “Tell that to my brother.”
“So if Ryder agrees to bring her to the palace, are you going to be fine with it?” He queried.
“Why wouldn’t I be?” I returned.
“That’s good then. I’ll talk to Ryder about that too,” he concluded.
“I do not envy you at all,” I said with a smile.
“Someone has to do the dirty work and we both know that dealing with your brother when he’s adamant about something can be called dirty work,” he grinned.
“Good luck,” I said.
“Thank you. I’m going to need it.”
We walked out of the conference room together, making small talks about his vacation. He and his mate had had a little fight about his decision to cut their vacation short.
“I told her she was free to stay back if she wanted to and she exploded. Apparently that was the wrong thing to say.”
He grimaced as he revisited the memory.
“Women! What exactly do they want?” He wondered.
I laughed. His mate could be hot-tempered at times.
“You’re in trouble,” I said.
“Don’t I know it!” he exclaimed.
“She’s not going to let me hear the end of it for cutting her vacation short. Do you think I could stay with you in the meantime?”
I gave him a look. “Hell no. There’s no way I’m getting involved in this. Your mate is going to have my head.”
He gave a sigh of resignation. “I’m going to have to carry my cross alone then,” he murmured.
“It’s the right thing to do, I replied with a grin. “Don’t worry, in the future when I have issues with my mate, I’m not going to come running to you.”
He grinned. “Oh, you would. I’m sure of that.”
He ruffled my hair affectionately. “Your father would be so proud if he could see you now.”
I snorted. “Indeed.”
“I know you think he may not have been the best father to you. Even I disagreed with his methods of raising you and your brother at times. But trust me, he meant well. He really loved you both.”
I merely nodded, not trusting myself to speak.
“And I’m pretty sure that if he had lived long enough after your mother’s death, he’d have come to love your sister too.”
I gave a harsh laugh. “Yeah right.”
“Enjoy the rest of your evening, son,” he said before parting ways with me.
As expected, he had a wing all to himself in the palace. My father had made sure of that.
I wanted to stop by Malia’s room but I didn’t want her to feel too suffocated by my presence. I felt I was getting too clingy. That wasn’t going to get her to fall in love with me.
I opened my door and started to stroll inside my room. Then I stopped short.
“Lila.”
“Ronan,” she said with a grin.
I rolled my eyes. I didn’t like locking my door but I guess I was going to start doing that.
“Nice painting,” she commented, referring to the wall painting of Malia. “You’re that into her huhn?”
“What do you want?” I asked.
Her expression became serious.
“Ryder doesn’t wish to make me Luna anymore right?”
I froze for a second before I recovered. “Why the hell would you think that?”
“Tell me the truth so that I’d know what to do. Please,” she begged.
I hesitated for a moment. I knew how crazy Lila could be. I didn’t want to risk her doing something crazy.
As though reading my thoughts, she gave me a wry smile. “Trust me I’m not going to go crazy. In fact, I already have my answer. Your hesitation gave you away.”
I moved to sit beside her. I took a deep breath and exhaled.
“He wants Malia to be his Luna, right?”
“Gamma Lucien is back and has promised to talk some sense into him so you don’t have to worry. He has no choice but to make you Luna.”
She scoffed. “Are you kidding me?” He’s the Alpha. He can do whatever he wants to do. He can choose not to listen to Lucien.”
“He has to,” I replied vehemently.
She gave me a knowing look. “You want Malia for yourself.”
I didn’t give her a response.
“Ronan, I think we should work together. We both want the same thing.”
I looked at her. “What do you suggest we do?”
“Make her fall madly in love with you. I’m sure you can do it,” she said.
I snorted. “Trust me I’m trying. I don’t think it’s working.”
She stayed silent for a moment.
Then suddenly she rose to her feet.
“Leave it to me. I know what to do.”
I narrowed my eyes in suspicion. “I don’t care what it is but no harm must come to Malia.”
“You have my word,” she said, a grin on her face. But for now, I’m taking a break. I’m going on a vacation.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Shouldn’t you be here to guard your territory?”
“I’ve heard that absence makes the heart fonder,” she replied.
I snorted.
She blew me a kiss and was gone.