Garren’s POV:
She was crying yet again, and I was the bastard to blame. My lycan was furious with me, and I felt very angry with myself as well.
Her words not only cut deep through my heart, but they also made me realize how unfair I was to her.
It wasn’t her fault that I was her mate; it was fate’s fault. And just because I hated her father, I had no right to hurt her. If she wasn’t Ian’s child, would I have loved her? Without a doubt.
In a few days, she proved to be what I secretly wanted in a woman. She was strong, courageous, intelligent, and sensitive in bed. As much as I wanted her, it always occurred to me whose child she was. But after hearing her sad words, I felt something in me break.
I wanted to treat her right, even if it was just for a moment. I wanted to be the guy she wanted badly. I wanted to be her mate, but for some reason, I just couldn’t.
I pulled back and raised my hand to wipe the tears from her cheeks.
“Roxanne, if you truly want to be with me and if you really want me to love you without thinking about the blood ties related to you, then run away with me,” I said seriously as she looked at me puzzled.
I wasn’t perfect in any way, and I wasn’t lying to her because I truly wanted to see her smile. I wanted her to stop crying and be the cheerful, prideful woman that she was. Even if it was very selfish of me, that’s why I was going to give her a test.
“What?” she asked in a cracked voice.
“Let’s leave it all behind us and start afresh. Wherever we go, you won’t be the daughter of the man who killed my parents, and I won’t be the man whose parents were murdered by your father. There, we will just be mates and love each other wholeheartedly. The council elders wouldn’t find us easily, and even if they did, they wouldn’t do anything to us because together we would be stronger and unstoppable,” I said as she slowly moved my hand from her cheek.
“Is this some sort of test?” she asked.
I stood up and brushed my hand through my hair.
“Do I look like I am lying to you, or does it seem like I’m testing you right now?” I asked seriously.
She stared into my eyes for a minute, then lowered her gaze.
“You want me to leave my pack, family, and everything I have ever known just for your sake?” she asked.
It was very selfish and stupid, but that’s exactly what I had suggested. It was the only way I could confirm if she really wanted to be with me. As she had said, it was a test of whether she loved me enough to give it all up or not.
“It’s so hard,” she said in a cracked voice as my heart ached.
There they were, the words I had expected from her. There was no way she truly wanted me; it was obviously her attention and the mate pull that was screwing with her heart and influencing her mind.
“But if you promise to love me only and be faithful to me, then I am willing to do it. I will leave everything behind for you if that will make you fully accept me as I am,” she answered, shocking me.
“What?” I asked in disbelief.
“I said I’ll do it. Just tell me when we will be leaving,” she answered.
“Roxanne, did you hear me correctly?” I asked seriously.
“Yes, I did, Garren, and I am willing to go with you. All I want to ask is your permission to leave my parents a message before we go to the place we will settle in. I wouldn’t want them to forever look for me or be very sad thinking I am dead. That’s why I’m asking you to please let me write one letter for them before we go,” she answered.
“What!” I exclaimed in my mind.
“See, our mate has always been sincere to us,” Roman said proudly.
“Roxanne, do you understand what I’m telling you right now? If we leave this place, we will both cut ties to our past,” I pointed out.
“I know, that’s why I’m asking you to let me write just one letter as a goodbye to my parents,” she answered.
I powerlessly turned and went to my desk, grabbing the whiskey bottle and quickly opening it. I was grateful that each room had a whiskey table and desk because I usually took a drink whenever I felt uneasy.
“Garren,” she called when I took a mouthful of the liquid.
“Are we leaving tonight?” she asked seriously.
Was she serious? Who could easily sacrifice their past just like that in the name of love? I did suggest it, but I had no idea she would agree so easily.
What was she up to? Did she plan to leave a secret message for them?
“No, she wouldn’t risk it because you would get angry and leave her behind,” Roman answered, and his response made a lot of sense. I felt defeated.
“Yes, we will leave tonight, so be ready,” I answered.
If she knew that I was testing her, yet she was going with the flow, then I was going to entertain her.
“I’ll give you a pen and paper to write on, and on our way, we will post it,” I said.
She stood up and moved to where I was standing. Before I could ask what she wanted now, she wrapped her arms around me. I froze instantly as my heart began to beat rapidly.
“Thank you, Garren. Thank you so much for this because I know how hard it is for you to give us a try. Once we settle in that place, I will work hard to win your heart as well as your trust,” she whispered softly.
I relaxed, then smirked.
“I look forward to that,” I responded, then pulled away from her embrace.
“Excuse me, I have a few things to look at before the departure,” I said and then went around the table and pulled open one of the drawers, grabbing a piece of plain paper and putting it on the desk.
Next to the paper was a file, and a pen was on top of it that she could use.
“You can write here if you want. I’ll be in the opposite room,” I said, then walked back to where she was standing and, without thinking, leaned in and kissed her forehead lightly.
“Take your time,” I whispered, and then walked out of the bedroom and went to the opposite room, getting in and throwing myself on the bed with the bottle still in my hand.
The letter she was going to write was going to go nowhere because I didn’t trust her. But it was going to be fun living a couple’s life for a while. I definitely wasn’t going to be bored.