CAELLUM’S POV
“She wants to see you. I don’t know what else to say to her.” Korah complained, “She wants to leave.”
I looked up from the paper I was reading. “What do you mean she wants to leave?”
Korah planted herself in the seat in front of me. “She says she doesn’t belong here and she would like to lead another life, far from this place.”
I felt like a knife was twisted in my stomach. “She doesn’t belong here?” That has got to be the biggest joke I have heard all year. “Get her in here.”
I didn’t know when the words left my lips. Neither did I know what I was supposed to tell her when she arrived, but I remained planted in my seat, refusing to back down.
Korah nodded and made her way out of the place, I spotted a cheeky grin but it was non-consequential. It was about time I put a stop to this madness once and for all.
I felt when she arrived at my door, but she didn’t knock. She freaking stayed outside the door, refusing to walk in or at least knock. I waited a total of one minute before I got up on my feet and headed right for the door.
I pulled the door open and there she was, standing in front of the door with her hand balled in a fist, about to knock. She looked breathless, and breath-taking.
For several seconds, we stood there, taking each other in, and at a loss for words. I swallowed harshly and with the coldest tone I could muster, ushered her in.
The moment Naledi walked into my office and closed the door, I was soaked in her scent and I felt my pent-up emotions rush in with the force of a tidal wave. I refused to give in to it.
“Sit.” I said when she remained standing, watching me with hawk’s eye.
She shook her head. “I can’t.”
I felt like I’d been slapped, disrespected, rejected. The worst part of it all was the fact I was willing to feel all of those emotions all over again if it meant I got to hear her voice again.
“Fine, remain standing.” My voice was restrained and hateful. “Are you not going to tell me why you are here?” I said when she didn’t react.
“I came to apologize.” She said, staring me dead in the eyes. “I am sorry for all the trouble I caused you, and this pack. I appreciate that you are willing to let me stay here despite everything I have done, but I would like to decline-”
“Look at you.” I interrupted with a condescending tone. “You haven’t changed now, have you? Always running from your responsibilities. How did I get stuck with such an irresponsible mate?!”
Naledi swallowed, clenching her fist as she took my word abuse like a champ.
“If you are fucking grateful that I saved your life then you should make better use of the opportunity you have been given! Prove to everyone here that you are repentant and stop trying to run away at the slightest discomfort!”
“Ex-Mate.” She suddenly said, eyes on her feet. “I am not running away. It was never my intention to return to this place. I never wanted to cause any more pain or havoc than I already have.”
“Then stay! Don’t fucking run away and stay.” I got up, “Clear your name and be my-” I stopped midway, feeling crazy.
“Say it.” Her voice was shaky and hopeful. “Complete that line, Caellum.”
Hearing her say my name out loud was a different kind of ecstasy. I opened my mouth to speak, to tell her what I wanted, what I demanded from her, to tell her how I had died at the thought of losing her to the cold arms of death.
How I had spent many days and weeks trying to teach myself the art of falling out of love with her. Only to crash when she got within sight. “There is a mating ceremony, and we are hosting,” I said and watched her shoulder sag.
She sucked in a deep breath and nodded like she already got her answer.
“After the ceremony. We will finish this conversation after the ceremony.” I stated in a cold tone. “If you want to leave, wait until then.”
My words were law and left no room for argument. Naledi turned around and with a brief bow, she made her way out of the office, leaving me with the consequences of having her in my office and a whiff of her irresistible scent.
******
NALEDI’S POV
The mating ceremony was today.
I hadn’t seen Caellum since the last time, it seemed like he was avoiding me, alongside everyone else who gave me the cold shoulder except Korah.
She was pretty dedicated to ensuring I attended the mating ceremony looking my best and I couldn’t help but wonder what I had done to earn such fierce loyalty from her.
“Since we are both unmated, our goal today should be to have a man called mate by the end of the night.” She said as she dusted my face with makeup.
I fought the urge to roll my eyes. Been there, done that. I puckered my lips and she applied some lipstick as she continued speaking.
“I know you want to roll your eyes so bad but I promise, there are cases of werewolves who meet a second chance mate or fall in love with someone else.”
“You do know I’m still going to leave right?” I asked and she shrugged. I could sense she didn’t appreciate my reminder. “I need to break out there, Korah. And as much as I love you, and the idea of staying here and building something tangible, I can’t.”
“Why?” She dropped the brushes, “Why can’t you just stay? Why are you so desperate to leave? Is there something else you are hiding from us? Because that’s what everyone thinks!”
I got up from my chair, fuming. “If Marcus can’t get over the fact I deceived him ONE time because I was protecting the interest of my piece of shit of a father I didn’t know then so be it!”
“I can walk on eggshells and face the consequences of my actions! I can stay here and live despite knowing that half the population of the Cosa Nostra hates me and the other half doesn’t even want to see me here, but what I can’t live with is my Ex-mate, who will probably end up with someone else while I sit around and watch it happen because I am such a royal fuck up.”
By the time I was done, I knew I had made a grave mistake. I could feel the presence of Caellum standing right outside the door. And I was ready to bet everything on the fact that he had heard me say all of that.
Korah noticed it too because she made to open the door when it suddenly flung open and Caellum stood there, standing between the door with an unreadable expression on his face.
“Leave.” He said, but I knew he was not talking to me.
Korah didn’t need to be told twice, she walked through the door and right before she shut the door, she said to both of our hearing.
“Do not leave until this shit is sorted out.” Her tone was firm. “And I mean it.”