CHAPTER SIXTY THREE - ADRIEL
CHAPTER SIXTY THREE - ADRIEL
I forced myself away, forced myself to let her go, when all my instincts are to hold her tight and never let her out of my arms again.
I could see from Ryker’s face that he thought we’d fucked. As if I would cross that line, as if I would betray Maricela with such an action when she clearly isn’t ready, when she’s told me over and over that she won’t do anything while I’m still with Lia.
As I stalk through the corridors, I ignore the looks from the Wolves around me. I can tell they all think I’ve been for a run and that’s why I’m naked, well, they can think what they want. Soon enough they will learn the truth. Soon enough everyone will understand what’s really been happening, and I can see it now, their confused faces as I announce who my true Luna is.
I’m in my office, yanking on a pair of jeans when the door opens.
“Tillie,” I state.
She nods, ducking her gaze like she can’t quite look me in the eyes – although that’s nothing new. Maybe it’s the size of me but enough of my Pack are so intimidated by what I am that they barely raise their heads to above my chin.
“You summoned me.” She says so meekly.
I lean back against the desk, folding my arms, “We need to talk.”
Her eyes widen. For a moment I see the blatant panic there and then she quickly covers it. “What, what is it?”
“Lia,” I say. From today whatever madness has griped me will be over. I’m done with it. I’m done with it all. I’ve put my entire Pack at risk by acting like a child, by acting like this curse is real. I won’t do it anymore, I won’t play these games. Lia needs to be dealt with. To be made accountable for everything she has done.
“Your mate?” She says confused.
“She’s not my…” I groan as something grabs me, as something takes hold of me and that denial is all but torn from my mouth.
“King Adriel,” She says so gently, so soothingly as she closes the distance between us. “I know this has been stressful for you. I know that that imposter hasn’t helped, but you’re really not making this easy on yourself.”
I blink, I gasp, trying to stand but my whole body is trembling like I’ve lost all my strength.
“Maricela isn’t the imposter.” I grit out.
She tuts, twisting her hand and it’s like a bolt of lightning tears through my body. I slam onto my knees, panting, heaving, as actual tears escape my eyes.
“You need to mark your mate,” She states. “Mark Lia, and then all of this drama will be done with. You can rule your little kingdom, and you’ll be happy, content, you’ll give your Pack what it needs, you’ll give all the Wolves what they need. Stability and strength. Lia will give you that, your mate will give you that.”
I can see it, I can literally picture it. The future she’s describing. My mate is sat beside me, we’ve got all our pups around us, and we’re happy, we’re smiling, we’re at peace.
Lia.
That name keeps echoing in my head, over and over and over.
Lia is my mate. Lia will give this Pack what it needs. What I need.
I groan, blinking, staring at the carpet in confusion. Why am I on my knees, why am I even here? What the hell is going on?
“King Adriel?” Tillie says, bending down. “Are you okay?”
“Fine,” I say quickly, getting up. I need to find Lia, I need to find my mate.