Apart Again

TALIA'S POV

For the first time, the sight of an imposing palace feels repulsive. I don't doubt that Prince Miles will welcome me with open arms, but this is the last place I wanted to return.

The inside will still be as magnificent as it was the last time I was here, abused slaves probably won't be the ones mopping floors or serving food and I won't have to deal with jealous servants. Yet would still prefer having my mate by my side. I hate that in the end, I had no other option but to walk away.

He said that he would be fine, but I literally saw the pain that was in his heart gets reflected in his eyes and it looked overwhelming. Sacrifices are never easy to make, especially ones that hurt you both physically and emotionally.

I hate that we made this move, parting ways again in order to save my mother's life. When he was with Rose both my heart and body used to hurt. I know he felt the same and this isn't going to be different. We will both feel the pain.

I look back and see that Evan is gone and the portal has closed. He will be searching for my sister alone and he won't have all the time in the world as she is sick. He certainly didn't think that getting my family back was going to be this hard and agonizing when he made the promise. Not even he knew how many envious enemies he had until they put their true colours on display.

They may claim that what they feel is his fear of his powers, but what they are really afraid of is competing with him, feeling like losers every time their little success is compared to his.

I hate that I had to concede to Alpha Jason's lewd demands. I am at his son's palace just like he asked because it's the only way I can make sure that my mother lives.

I miss seeing her face. And I am probably going to miss Evan's too. The three soldiers escorting me towards the palace look astounded. Of course, no one was expecting to see me walk through the palace gates alone, with no escort or servants by my side.

I left my mate to come here and be with another man. How can they expect me to have his soldiers and maids by my side? I doubt any of them would agree to such an act of treason anyway, whether fake or real.

We walk through the door and I the few servants around the parlour give me the same look of astonishment. I don't hide my sad face as I follow the soldiers past the first room and into a long corridor.

"Alpha Miles is in a meeting with the pack's council, but he must know that you have arrived. Please follow me this way, my Lady." The soldier walking in front of me guides the way down another corridor and knocks on a wooden door that is painted silver in colour.

"Come in." A voice that is unmistakably Miles grunts with displeasure. He is clearly disgusted by the interruption.

The soldier pushes the door open and leads the way into an impressively furnished conference room full of councilmen. Miles sits at the head of the rectangular table and looks stupefied when I step into the room behind the soldier. The councilmen look up at me with gaping mouths. None of them utters a word for a long time.

Miles quickly disguises his surprise with a smile. "Beautiful Talia, you're finally here." He rises and strides to us, smiling casually like he was indeed expecting me. The soldier steps out of the way and the Alpha hugs me.

I understand that he is faking enthusiasm so no one will suspect that there is a deal between us. The older men around the table still gape in shock as he pulls back and pecks the back of my hand. I don't think all of his councilmen know who I am. They are shocked because girls don't get walked into council meetings unless they have committed a crime that they need to be judged for.

"Gentlemen, allow me to introduce to you our future Luna, the stunning and powerful Talia Abrams." He says to them and I hear several gasps. Were they not expecting me to obey the demands of their former alpha?

"The loveliest and most powerful of women chose our pack, we should have a celebration to welcome her." Miles states and it becomes my turn to feel shocked.

A celebration? Like I am happy to be here?

"No one is going to believe this unless we celebrate it. Or would you rather have a marriage ceremony?" Miles whispers in my ear.

"Let's have a celebration." I agree because I don't like the other option. I am sure a party to welcome me in their palace is enough to convince his father that I conceded to his demands and he doesn't need to harm mother. The councilmen don't look pleased though.

"Your Highness if I may speak." One raises a hand and Miles approves his request with a nod. The man stands, looking around at his fellow councilmen to see if he has their support.

"We would love to welcome our special guest as best possible. We also understand that this is what your father always wanted. But are we really prepared to fight King Evan when he comes looking for his mate? I am afraid that the decision to make his beautiful mate our Luna was a really bad idea unless we want our pack crashed to the ground." He firmly argues and all his fellow councilmen nod in agreement.

"We honestly thought that you and King Evan had become allies, it's what we would have supported." Another speaks and again they all nod and utter their agreement giving the man the confidence he needed to carry on. "I think it's obvious that our beautiful guest is only here because your father is holding her mother hostage. Love should never be forced and you know that."

Miles openly sighs in frustration. Turns out his councilmen aren't exactly as dumb as he had thought. At least they think like great minds of their pack they are meant to be. Their smart thoughts are however not good for our plan.

"Please leave us," Miles orders the soldiers that had escorted me here.

They leave and he walks to the head of the table again but doesn't sit. He casts his councilmen a menacing glare.

"Talia is here because she doesn't want to be with the man that ordered her execution. I don't care if you believe it or not because I am not seeking your permission to welcome her to my palace. King Evan won't be attacking us as long as his mate came to us willingly." He speaks with finality and no one dares object. "You're all free to leave. We will have another meeting tomorrow to make a perfect plan for the party."

All the men wear disappointed faces as they rise and head towards the door. But I notice that the last one is fighting hard to hide the smile that has spread across his face. I wonder what on earth he is happy about.

"You could have just told them the truth." I point out at the young Alpha after everybody else has left.

"Nice to see you too beautiful. Please have a seat." He gestures at the chair next to him.

I take the seat and he once again settles in his. "If my father has someone that is informing him of what I am doing it's highly likely that that person is one of the council members. They used to be very loyal to him. I can't risk revealing the truth to one of his spies." He explains.

How comes no one mentioned that he is so smart? At least he already knows that his father must have left someone to spy on him. Too bad he doesn't know who and was forced to act like a jerk towards the whole group of councilmen including those that sounded quite wise and honest.

"Whoever my father's spy is they will want to inform him that you have arrived and we are having a celebration. I have some soldiers watching the people that were most loyal to my father to see which one will leave to go somewhere or send letters." He says with a reassuring smile. "Until then I expect you to feel at home. You will have a personal servant and a room that suits your standards. I wouldn't want to disappoint Evan by failing to host you well." He adds still smiling alluringly.

"I will feel well-hosted as long as I find my mother," I reply, not quite able to feel at home. I wonder what the celebration will be like. Will every pack and Kingdom hear about it?