CAELLUM’S POV
I walked out of my room, dressed and ready to move when Donna stopped me on the way. Looking nothing like I remembered her to be.
“How dare you?” She asked, eyes seething. “How dare you embarrass me like this?!”
Dark circles danced around her eyes, I pursed my lips in a firm line. “Do not forget who you are talking to, Donna.”
“You said you were in for this! You said you were ready to forget about her and build a life with me.” She looked deranged, “And the moment she comes calling, you abandon everything and fall into bed with her?”
It was a miracle I had yet to rip her head off. I mean, on a normal day, she’ll probably be in Ghost Town, regretting ever meeting me in the first place. But I wasn’t. I was still reeling over the morning I’d had with Naledi so it was almost impossible to be angry.
“I have a meeting. After that, we’ll talk.” I reasoned with her.
She shook her head. “No. There’s nothing to discuss. I don’t want to hear whatever the hell you have to say, it’s just going to be a lie anyway!”
I watched her walk away from me and I felt like a bastard for not feeling anything. I knew I had told her we had a future together and I was willing to honour my late mother’s wish, but all of that was cancelled because of the recent developments with Naledi.
As I walked out of the house, joining Matteo and my father who waited for me, I entered the car, aware of their gazes, but refusing to speak on it. The last thing I needed was to do or say anything without properly speaking to Naledi.
I made a mental note to speak to her about our new relationship by the time I returned. The entire day was spent working and getting familiar with the new Cosa Nostra territory and soon enough, I was headed back home, tired but eager to meet my mate.
“Where is Naledi?” I asked Marcel who stood outside the house.
“The lady is in her room.” He replied, and with a nod, I made my way inside.
The first person I met was Donna. All dressed and seated with Naledi. They looked hostile and glared at each other.
“What is going on?” I asked when they didn’t notice my presence.
Donna turned around, surprised to see me, and then a smile captured her face. “Caellum!” She rushed towards me and hugged me.
I felt disrespected by her casual use of my name but bit back my tongue. Watching Naledi who was now on her feet and watching me with a raised eyebrow.
The look on her face was almost comical as she said, “Welcome back, Alpha.”
Donna stood beside me, after releasing me from her choke hold. “I’ve been waiting for you all this while.”
“I’m sorry I kept you waiting, love,” I said, looking right at Naledi whose lips cornered into a smile.
Donna looked between us, loss for words.
“I’ll just head on to my room, and let you both do whatever it is you do,” Naledi said, looking intently at me before making her way upstairs.
My eyes never left her until she disappeared out of sight.
“I think we need to talk.” I said to Donna who looked anything but happy now that Naledi was out of the room.
She shook her head, “You don’t get to call the shots anymore, Caellum.”
“The moment you made your intentions known to my Alpha, you took on a deal that you can’t back out from. Unless you want to destroy the relationship you’ve built with the Bravta.”
I couldn’t believe she was going that far. “I understand that I am at fault. I called you out of your pack and tried to make you my Luna due to my inability to manage my personal life.”
I looked her right in the eyes. “And for that, I apologize. But you need to understand my point of view.” A deep breath, “If you were in my shoes, would you pass up a chance to spend the rest of your life with your fated mate?”
A brief silence ensued before she answered. “You don’t seem to get it, do you?” She took a stance, wrapping her arms over her chest. “This is not just about you anymore. This is about my life and that of my family.”
“What are you talking about?” I was flat-out confused.
She made to open her mouth but couldn’t find the words.
“You know what? I can take you frolicking around with your mate. I can understand that you want to be with her and she’s your fated. And for that, I am willing to let you have her, but I am not willing to let you have her at my expense.”
“What do you mean?”
“We had an agreement. I will be your Luna. You can make her your mistress, whatever it is you want. I won’t mind, I’ll ignore it as long as you make me your Luna.”
Hearing her say those words infuriated me. “Make no mistakes, Donna. My informing you of my wish to end things between us is only a courtesy. Do not for one second think I am asking permission.” I corked my brows, “And just so you know, there is no way I am making you my Luna, or my mistress. It’s done. We are done.”
“I helped you bag the gold business deal. If you throw me out, that falls through.” She suddenly said, “Think about how much you have been making since the deal went through. If you make me your luna, I could even make you earn more than just a measly thirty-five percent. The Cosa Nostra could begin the business with my help.”
“You fail to understand me, Donna. My decision to make Naledi my Luna is not up for deliberation. It’s decided. And you are just a loose end I need to be tied up. I don’t care what you think you bring to the table, or your willingness to cater to my need for Naledi, we just can’t work.”
Donna stood in front of me for some seconds, breathing harshly, without warning, she came at me, going for a kiss I easily dodged. I held her back.
“Are you crazy?” My words held my anger.
“What exactly does she have that I can’t give you? Why are you so obsessed with her?” She cried, and I wondered how I got a lunatic in my house.
“Go to your room, Donna. Before I lose it with you, go to your fucking room!”