Chapter 36 Chapter 36
Chapter 36
\- Jason -
I looked at Marcus and smiled
"I was just having a chat with your wife," I told him
"You did not come to the summit with your wife so that you can go around trying to talk to other people's wives?" Marcus retorted but I remained calm.
"Why is that a problem?" I asked him. "We were just talking."
"And I am sure she does not want to talk to you," He pushed her protectively behind him. "You think I do not know your history with my wife?"
"Oh, you do?" I raised a brow at him.
"I know everything about how you and your brother fought over who could have her. How your brother died because of it and now you are here, even though she is married, still trying to have a go at her."
I smiled again.
"You really really did not hear that well, Marcus. Your wife is not even my spec. I don't have eyes for her. My brother might, but don't ever be mistaken about this. Not Jason. Secondly, what interest could I possibly have with a married, pregnant woman?"
"Then why are you here talking to her?"
I shrugged
"I cannot talk to her?"
"No you cannot! That is my wife," he almost spat in my face. I moved away slightly
"Yeah yeah, for the hundredth time, I get it. You don't have to say it again. But she was once with my brother you know."
"What happened between her and your brother was in the past."
"He died because of her and she knows it," I looked at her and she averted her eyes
"Your brother faced the consequences of his actions. It was no one's fault. He was a rebel and a coward."
"Yet, Sophie was with him all along," I shook my head. That statement made him speechless for a while
"She is a lovely girl. The kind any man would like."
"Yeah I bet she is," I replied dryly
"Honey let's get out of here," Sophie took his hands. "There is no point in indulging him. He just wants to pour out his frustrations on us. We shouldn't entertain him."
I watched them leave. And Sophie turned round one more time to look at me.
"Alpha, you are here," someone said behind me, and I turned round to see Alexei. He stood beside me and we both watched the arrogant Alpha leave
"I wonder what he would look like when he finds out he is living a lie after prosecuting his real mate and marrying that deceiver," Alexei said
"I live to relish that moment, Alexei," I told him. "It's just a matter of time. And I am patiently waiting for it."
"And when that moment comes," he turned to face me. "Have you decided what you are going to do with Aria?"
I thought about that for a while, and that was when I realised I had not really decided how this was going to end.
All I wanted was to see the end of Marcus
"When that time comes, we'll handle it," I replied guardedly. "Before then, we can only hope Aria will last till then. I really hope she is worth fighting for and keeping. But she's proved otherwise, and it doesn't seem like a good win, keeping her against Marcus. The only advantage is her carrying his child."
Alexei winced
"I don't think she is that bad, Alpha," he said. "Too soft and naive yes, but that is her only crime."
"Soft and naive is a crime enough in these games we play," I told him. "She will have to be better if she wants to survive it."
"So what now? Do you regret taking her in?"
I did not have an answer for that yet.
Part of me was not impressed, another wanted me to give her a chance, a chance she might still fumble
But then I thought of the baby growing in her. A royal possession and the only lifeline of Alpha Marcus.
It was worth the bait
"No I don't," I finally replied. "At least, she still has an asset that keeps her relevant."
"You have left the pack in her custody," Alexei reminded me. "I hope we will not return to ruins."
"She'd hide in the cupboard in my absence. She will not be able to handle all of that alone," I said and remembered her request before I left
She had asked for my sceptre of honour. I wondered what good she would make out of it while I was away
I do not expect anything commendable anyway
She is not able to handle the maids in the palace, how much more any other person?
"Alpha?" Alexei called.
I looked at him questioningly.
"Do you think you could ever open up your heart to love again?" He asked
His question hit me without notice and I could not tell why he had brought it up all of a sudden
"I mean," he continued. "I know how much you loved Luna, Queen Elena. I know that when she died, she left with a part of you. Do you think if someone else can fill that Vacuum, you could love them?"
"You said it yourself Alexei," I sighed deeply. "If someone can fill the vacuum. But there has not been a single woman since Elena died, who is half as good for me as she was. Not a single one. Your guess is as good as mine. I have met hundreds of women, far and near, of all authorities and power, none of them is half as good. I have given up all hope, though. I don't look out for such experience anymore."
"Not even a woman who's been so close to you for ages and understands you?" He asked that codedly, but I knew who he was talking about
"Natasha is not the one for me, Alexei. Don't put your bet on it. She is my friend and no lies she understands me so well. But she doesn't fit where a woman like Elena does. I know you like her. You can have her if you get lucky and she gives you a chance.
He frowned and I grinned at him.