STARLETTE
Days passed, and I still struggled to forgive Maximus for what he did, even though he continuously bought gifts to appease me. He was my mate; meant to be my protector, but he shattered me instead. Could I ever find it in myself to forgive him?
Amidst everything that was happening, I wouldn’t stop thinking about the invisibles and how the prisoner that was captured was from my father’s pack. This troubling thought was too dangerous to share, for fear of putting my father in jeopardy.
I was in the library, searching for something to read when I heard the door creak open. Turning to see who was coming in, my eyes met with Tom’s, and he quickly turned to leave.
“Tom.” I immediately called. This had been going on for a while now; he avoided me and wouldn’t be in the same space with me. I needed to know why.
He sighed heavily before slowly turning to face me. “Starlette.” He flashed a smile at me as if he wasn’t about to walk away.
“Can we talk?’
“Uhm…” He raised a brow. “Now?”
“Yes, now.”
“The alpha just called for me, and-”
I interrupted him. “Do I disgust you?”
“What?” His eyes widened in shock. “No. Why would you say that?”
“Because you have been avoiding me as though I were a disease. You wouldn’t even practice with me anymore. Whenever you see me approaching, you just disappear.”
“I-” he rubbed his hand across the back of his neck. “I am sorry, it’s just that.”
“It’s just that what?” I urged him to continue.
He exhaled deeply. “It’s just that I have been so ashamed to face you after the whole Lauren incident. I failed you; I should have found a way to help you when I knew you were innocent.”
“I am not even angry about that. Even my mate didn’t find a way to help me, although I am upset with him. But not you.” I assured him.
“But-”
“No buts. If I were still angry about that, what you’ve done for me outweighs it. You’re the reason I’m alive today.”
Confusion crossed his face. “What do you mean? How?”
“If you hadn’t agreed to train me,” I moved closer to him. “I would have been dead. Remember the day the invisibles attacked the pack? It was the little skill I had that helped me stall time until the Alpha arrived. If I didn’t have that skill, I would have been dead.” I flashed him a smile. “So, yes. You technically saved me.”
“Still, that doesn’t justify what I did. I should have helped you.” He insisted.
“I’ll let it slide. But if you avoid me again?” I narrowed my eyes in a fake malicious look. “I won’t forgive that.”
He chuckled softly. “Yes, Luna.”
“Luna?” I laughed at how absurd it sounded. “Joker!”
“You’ll be this pack’s Luna soon enough. Just watch.” He said rather confidently.
“Lauren would be the Luna, Tom. She’s carrying his baby.”
He narrowed his eyes as he stared at me. “Do you seriously think he would make that brat his Luna? Although she’s pregnant with his baby, where do you think his heart lies?”
“I-Uhm-the-” I stuttered, not knowing what to say. Tom was right. Although Lauren was pregnant for him, it was obvious that he didn’t care about her anymore and had been doing everything possible to please me. But the idea of being his Luna was something I had never thought about.
“I have to go. The Alpha just called for me.” He suddenly said, and I raised my brows suspiciously.
He chuckled. “I’m being for real this time.”
“See you later then.” I smiled wildly and pointed a warning finger at him. “Don’t avoid me again.”
“Your wish is my command. When should we continue our practice?” He asked.
“Later.”
“Okay, later then.” He turned around and walked towards the exit.
“Tom?” I called quickly.
He half turned to look at me. “Yes?”
“Uhm… Have you by any chance seen Lucius today or lately at all?” I asked. Since he saved me, I haven’t had the chance to thank him properly.
He shook his head. “He has been really scarce lately. Not surprising, though. There are times he just disappears and reappears like it’s nothing.”
My mind immediately went to his secret place; that’s where he must be.
“Why are you asking? You need something from him?” Tom continued with a raised brow.
I slightly shook my head, a tight smile forming on my lips. “No. Thank you, Tom.”
He gave a slight nod before turning around and leaving the library.
Lucius had told me that he only went to his secret place whenever he needed to clear his head. What could he be going through at the moment? I wondered. Anyway, I wanted to be there for him just the way he had always been there for me, even when no one else, not even my mate, was there for me. He was like my little angel in this pack.
I returned the book I held in my hand to its shelf and left the library, heading towards Lucius’s secret place. I had paid close attention to the route we took when he brought me there, so I was confident I could find it.
“Do you think this is a good decision?” Iris asked as I slowly traced my way through the woods.
“Do you seriously also think Lucius is dangerous?” I couldn’t stop the frown that masked my face at her question.
“No, that’s not what I meant. You know there have been multiple rogue attacks lately, even during the day. So roaming around alone is quite risky, don’t you think?”
She had a point, I knew. But I was too determined to turn back now.
So, letting out a sigh, I assured her. “We’ll be fine.”
Hopefully.
After about thirty minutes of roaming about the woods trying to find his secret place, I finally found it, a sigh of relief escaping my lips. I found him by the stream, tossing stones into the water, seemingly lost in thought.
I spproched him, a small smile on my lips, as I opened my lips to speak, but my words died on my lips when he spoke first.
“I never thought you’d be able to find this place.” He stopped throwing the stones and turned to face me, a hard frown slated on his face. “What are you doing here?”