Book 5: Chapter 61 – Only For Me?

Book 5: Chapter 61 – Only For Me?
Cerelia’s POV 

I watched my mate in awe. How did his speech melt the bitter hearts of two hundred silver wolves? I had no idea, and neither did Alpha Alexios. He smiled at my mate, embracing him for easing his task. It wasn’t easy to convince bloodthirsty wolves who had been agitating for the last two months. Yet my mate made it look like a child’s game. I was glad he could connect to them with his honesty and simplicity, the way he connected to me. 

“Beta Theodore, do you agree to the rules of the council and the new rules of the pack?” asked Uncle Alarik. 

“Yes. If no one has a problem, I don’t either.” 

I released a sigh of relief that all matters were resolved, and there would be peace now. 

“The meeting is dismissed. Let’s join hands and make Pieria a heaven on Earth for all silver wolves. There’s another good news for the pack members. As a token of appreciation, Dr. Vasiliou has agreed to set up a hospital for all of us in Pieria. We wouldn’t need to go to Thessaloniki for medical emergencies.” 

A gasp of surprise escaped my lips. I watched the pack members celebrate the announcement, thanking my mate repeatedly. Even Beta Theodore embraced him, making my eyes pop out. 

Xandrios had become a hero here in my pack, too. At that minute, he looked up at me and winked, in front of my entire pack and family! Was he crazy? 

I hid behind the curtains, my heart pounding with excitement. I knew what this meant. It was time to leave my family and go home to Lucania. 

Maybe I should start packing. Would Xandrios want to leave right away? Then why wasn’t he coming here to woo me? Didn’t he know I was still mad at him for misunderstanding me? He might have won over my pack and family, but not me. 

I unlocked the door and waited for my dumb mate. Didn’t he know he should come over and apologize to me? 

Aunt Elena came over with Aunt Sophia but not my mate. “Sophia, is she fit enough for long-distance travel?”  

“I just checked her today. This is the perfect time to travel. After this, she can’t travel until the pups are at least six months old.” 

I panicked at the thought of staying that long. “That long? Gosh! I can travel now, Aunt Elena. Will you help me pack up?” 

“Sure, dear. I was planning your nursery, but now maybe we should drop the plans if you aren’t staying here with us.” Aunt Elena looked crestfallen and I felt a little guilty. They had done so much for me. 

“I’ll keep you updated, Aunt Elena. Once the pups are born, all of you can come down to Lucania. It’s not that far.” Aunt Sophia smiled and patted my cheek. 

“Now that the hospital will come up here, your mate will visit often. You can also accompany him when you can.” 

I nodded. “Yes. I’m glad he has patched up with all of you. You’re my only family, and I didn’t want to break ties with you.” 

“Yes, we’re glad too. I hadn’t expected things to fall into place this soon. I had expected bloodshed and war. But your mate has effortlessly convinced the pack members when none of us could. Of course, Alpha Alexios helped him a lot,” said Aunt Elena. 

“Yes, Dad underestimated Dr. Alexandrios. I wish we could fight for Spiros and Sierra. They loved one another so much,” said Aunt Sophia. I sighed too, remembering Nikos had mentioned his older brother and his human mate. 

Aunt Elena had tears in her eyes at the memory. “I’m glad we could save other lives. The new rule would help us multiply.” 

Aunt Sophia left, and Nikos and Alekos joined me in my packing. “I can’t believe you’re actually leaving, Cerelia. Don’t be surprised if I land up at your house any day as a permanent house guest.” I glared at Nikos but he chuckled so much, I realized he was messing with me. 

“You can always come over. I’ll surely expect you when the twins are born.” 

They smiled and nodded. “We’ll be there a month before.” 

Although I discussed my life with my family, my heart wanted to meet Xandrios. Where the hell was he? Why hadn’t he come over to see me yet? 

“Lunch will be served in the dining room for the guests. I’m joining them as the Luna of the pack. Are you interested in joining us, Cerelia?” 

My heart skipped a beat. Would Xandrios be there? “Yes, Aunt Elena. I’d love to.” 

“Fine. Change into something appropriate, and Nikos will escort you to the dining hall.” 

After she left, I quickly changed into a turquoise dress, combed my hair, and applied a little makeup before rushing to the dining hall with Nikos. 

The moment I entered the hall, my gaze flew towards my mate, sitting and laughing beside Alpha Alexios. He was so busy catching up with my family he had no time to meet me! Jealousy gripped my heart. It seemed as if he came here to win my family over, but not me. If he was so damn happy with them, he was welcome to stay with them. 

I tore my gaze away and pulled the empty chair beside Alekos to sit. 

“Why are you sitting here? I don’t want your mate to attack me the way he punched Nikos,” whispered Alekos with a laugh. 

“I’m sure you can defend yourself.” Sandwiched between Alekos and Kostakis, I avoided Xandrios’s fiery gaze glued on me. He seemed happy building hospitals for my pack while I struggled with my health and pregnancy. 

“She’s mad at him,” whispered Nikos from the other side of Alekos. 

“Yes, I am. It doesn’t seem he came here to meet me.” I grumbled as I served myself. With my uncles in deep conversation with the members of the council, I was sure no one noticed me. Coming here was a mistake. I should have had my lunch in my room. 

“Hello, Cerelia! It’s nice to see you after such a long time.” Alpha Alexios’s voice startled me and I focused on him. 

“Hello, Alpha. I thought you had forgotten me.” I was upset with him, too. He had promised to rescue me from here in fifteen days. If Grandpa was alive, I could have died waiting for him.

“Please forgive me, Cerelia. There was a curfew situation here, and I had an important job in Siberia.” 

“Forgiven. Thank you for fighting for me.” Yet I didn’t glance at Xandrios who sat staring at me. Since the moment I had stepped into the room, he had hardly spoken a word to anyone. All he did was eat and stare at me. 

“I was just doing my duty. Your mate's efforts to win their trust were commendable. You’re so lucky to have someone like him in your life.” 

I nodded and looked down at my plate. My family supported Alpha Alexios wholeheartedly and sang praises for my mate. I knew I should have been happy that they had accepted him, but I was jealous instead. 

“So what are your plans, Dr. Alexandrios? Will you stay with us for a few days? We could plan the hospital together,” said my uncle Alarik. 

“Maybe later, Alpha. Right now, I’m leaving with Alpha Alexios after lunch. Our flight is tonight.” I gave him a look of confusion. Our flight? Was he going back with Alpha Alexios? Wasn’t he taking me back with him? I looked up at him in confusion. 

He gave me a strained smile, but I looked away. My heart wanted to demand an explanation from him. If he had no plans to take me away with him, why was he here then? 

I lost my appetite and escaped the moment dinner was over. Going into my room, I locked the door and felt tears sting at my eyes. Xandrios had changed so much. He didn’t want me to return with him. Then why did he fight for me? Why did he save my life? 

A knock on the door alerted me. I could feel his presence near me. I could feel his scent lingering in the air. He was here. Why? Did he come here to meet me for the last time? Panic gripped my heart, and I sat frozen, unable to open the door. 

He knocked again, and I slowly eased out of the bed and opened the door. I gasped to see my mate standing in front of me with a sad, dejected look on his face. With his bloodshot eyes focused on me, I almost lost my mind. Had he been crying? 

“Hello, Cerelia! Won’t you talk to me before I leave?” 

My heart sank at his announcement. I wanted to howl and scream in desperation. Why was he leaving me behind? Why wasn’t he taking me with him?

“Why did you come here if you wanted to leave?” Tears rolled down my cheeks and I couldn’t stop them this time. 

“Only for you, Cerelia. I know you don’t want to stay in Lucania with me. So I’m building another hospital here. Then I can shuttle between the two and spend time with you here. I can’t let go of my dad’s dream or live without you. Aren’t you happy? I did everything for you.”