CAELLUM’S POV
I hated that he was right.
When I embarked on this journey, I wished with all my heart that he lied. That it was just another one of his sick plots to make me bend to his will.
Like my mate, I had restrained him to the comfort of his guest room where he was to stay till I was back seeing Donna’s mother, accompanied by Alek and Donna.
It wasn’t a sweet journey. Alek made sure to show his dominance as Alpha of the Bravta pack, located in the heart of Russia. It didn’t help that he was also the Alpha of the said woman who was supposed to be my mother’s best friend.
A journey that should have taken me three days became a week’s journey, and although I was able to confirm things, I wasn’t satisfied and every moment was spent with thoughts of Naledi.
I respected my mother. I loved her to death. There was nothing I couldn’t do for her and it hurts me that I can not honour this wish of hers, but I couldn’t live without Naledi.
She was my mate. My other half. And no promise could change that. After meeting Donna’s mother, I was convinced she had been my mother’s friend. I could sense the light in her – the same my mother carried before it was torched off by my father right before my eyes.
When she spoke of my mother, she spoke of her like an angel, and I was reminded again of what my father had robbed me of – An opportunity to know and experience the fullness of my mother.
An unpardonable sin in my books.
I didn’t waste time telling Donna’s mother why it was impossible for a union between me and her daughter, who had yet to declare her stance in the grand scheme of things.
I didn’t know what I was expecting from the woman, but it wasn’t her total acceptance. She’d said the promise was just their way of hoping I was mated to her daughter and was not intended to be a restraint.
Hearing that was relieving but I couldn’t help the little side of me that wanted to try the waters, and see if the grass was greener on the other side of things. I knew I was a fucking douche for even considering that but I couldn’t ignore the small fact that Naledi hadn’t in any way shown or voiced her desire to be with me.
Going from our previous arrangement, she was going to reject me on the full moon, which from my calculations would be coming very soon. As much as I couldn’t imagine living without her, or having her reject me, I had to take that as a probability.
A living breathing probability until Naledi decided she was in with me. Until we crossed that barrier and she saw how well she fit into my life. How much she could be if she embraced the union between us.
I was willing to do all it took for it to work, to get her to that place where I could present her as my Luna. My fucking mate and Donna. All in good time.
We were on our way back to the headquarters when my phone rang. It was Matteo. “What’s up?” I spoke as soon as the line connected.
“The Lady. She lost consciousness.”
I couldn’t explain how I felt in words. The first thing I thought of was my father. He was there. If he somehow manipulated any member of mine to let him out and have something to do with my mate’s unconsciousness, then I was really going to kill him.
“What happened?” I asked, breathing fury. His silence irked me. “What the hell happened to her?!”
“According to her guard, she suddenly started groaning and after some time, they checked in on her and found she was unconscious.”
The car degree went down a couple of notches.
“I’ll be there soon.” I cut off the phone, knowing I might kill someone if I heard anything more about how they managed to mess up one fucking job.
Soon enough, I was back at the headquarters. I didn’t waste time and headed straight for the Alpha’s quarters. Where my mate was supposed to be, hale, hearty, and awaiting my presence.
The first person I saw was my father. He sat in the sitting room with his legs crossed. I stomped over to him and before I knew it, we were at each other’s throats.
“What did you do to her? How did you get out and why would you flaunt my orders?!” I roared, pinning him on the wall.
My father was no weak man, he wrestled me and soon pinned me to the wall. “Control yourself, boy!”
I turned him over, delivering a punch in his face. “IT’S ALPHA TO YOU!” I roared, unable to keep my emotions in check. “By the time I come out, I want you gone, out of my life and out of my pack. And if I do find that you had something to do with my mate suddenly turning up unconscious, I swear with everything I hold dear, I will send you to hell!”
“Alpha!” I was distracted by Matteo, who stood at the top of the stairs. By the looks on his face, I could tell things were not looking good.
I made for the steps without a second thought, jogging my way up until I was on the same level with Matteo who led me to my mate.
“Where is she?” I asked when we passed her quarters, “What happened to her?”
“We took her to your quarters.” That was surprising. “The lady is in a lot of pain.”
“And you fucking took her to my quarters?” My tone was incredulous as well as threatening. “What happened to inviting the pack doctor? Where the fuck is Doctor Carson?”
“He’s been invited. He is with her.”
We got to the front of my door and I was more confused than ever.
“He recommended we move her to your room, says it would help with the pain.”
I pushed the door open and the first thing I heard broke my heart in half. I hadn’t seen her but I could hear it. Her harsh breaths, sighs, groans, and pain.
“Alpha.” Doctor Carson greeted me as soon as I entered.
“What is wrong with her?” I rushed to her side, she was unconscious, and sweaty. Her pain was evident in her face.
“The lady is in heat.”