Chapter 61
Iris
"And why do you think it will be that easy to stay away from him? He's my mate and we're supposed to be inseparable like the other couples. Why can't he forgive me for a sin I didn't commit?" I argued, my voice was beginning to quiver as I was on the verge of tears.
He took my hands and squeezed them. "Look, Iris, you have gone through a lot but don't be so desperate to get your mate back. He'll come for you soon. Just occupy your mind with other things like your training because the Prince needs a strong woman by his side right now since he has automatically become our Alpha."
He was right, but I couldn't help the hollowness that increased each minute we weren't together.
"Well, I have no choice but to take your advice." I sighed and fed my eyes by the activities of the market women around.
And my mind reverted to the first stroll Gradel and I took and the night run. I got to know things I didn't know existed and he wasn't done teaching me.
To think that we were going to have another spicy lesson and my late mother's issues just had to spring up and spoil things for me. Can't I have one good luck in my life? Why did things have to go sour each time I took a deep breath of satisfaction?
Truthfully, I was beginning to consider meeting a seer who could tell me more about my past. I had to know if I was cursed by my late mom or someone who loathed my existence.
The silence that reigned between us while we strolled was interrupted by Hazel. I didn't know when her name went past my lips when I saw her, and as usual, she dropped her bag on the trader's table and barreled towards me.
"My Lady," She flung her arms around me while I narrowed my slits with a teasing smirk on my face.
She hardly referred to me as 'My Lady' except other people were watching, but now there wasn't anyone giving us attention aside from Hegar who stood behind me.
"You came to get some items, right?"
"Yes," She mused and waved at Hegar. "Hi," She said to him.
He lifted his eyes towards her and waved back slowly. I retreated, watching them gape at each other as if no one existed. The chemistry that sparked between them immediately was almost unbelievable, but I kept my lips shut.
I couldn't be the party pooper. The fact that my relationship was a mess didn't mean that other people should find their better halves. I only prayed that they were both mates.
The joyful screams coming from the children playing around brought their eye contact to a halt and Hegar looked away, clearing his throat.
"The prince needs my presence now. Please, have a good day." He bowed and stalked off eagerly.
Hazel's eyes lingered on him until he was out of sight and then I patted her shoulder gently, causing her to jerk. She inclined her head but it didn't prevent me from noticing the red blotch on her cheek.
"Tell me, dear friend, are you about to harbor feelings for my trainer?" I teased her.
She smacked her lips with a wide grin on her face. "He's my mate," She blurted and I screeched, unable to hold back my excitement.
"Don't be in a rush to conclude, Hazel. You don't joke with such an important issue," I chided her but she shook her head with admiration in her eyes and they were not directed at me.
"I'm not joking, Iris. I'd been moving from one stall to the other since I got here in search of some food items that we'd need at the pack house when a strong scent hit me. I tried to trace where it came from but none of the men around me bore the scent until I heard my name from you and realized that it could be coming from the man behind you. I wasn't sure till I came close." She gushed.
I pulled her into an embrace, overwhelmed with happiness for her. She had her fair share of suffering and there was nothing better than meeting your mate who had the second rank in the pack and came from a reputable family.
And knowing how tender Hegar could be, I was very certain that he'd treat her right no matter what.
"Congratulations, sister. You don't know how happy I am for you to have met the rib of your rib. The both of you are going to make beautiful babies, and I can't wait to be a godmother."
Her face fell and sadness flickered in her eyes.
"What's the problem?"
"I don't think he likes me. He noticed that we were mates but he didn't say anything to me. Isn't that weird?" Her lips trembled.
Her fear was evident by the way she kept batting her lashes and fiddling with her fingers but I wasn't going to watch a budding relationship fall apart.
Hegar couldn't reject her no matter what; not under my watch.
I found a place to sit and led us there. Then I placed her head on my shoulder and ran my fingers through her hair.
"Hegar is a man of honor. I don't think he'll subject you to the kind of humiliation I faced. He's not the kind of man," I said firmly.
"But why did he walk away so quickly? He wasn't even happy," She lamented.
"I think he was overwhelmed by the strong chemistry you both shared and had to get some time to himself so that he could face you properly. From what I've observed, he rarely speaks except when it's necessary and that's why are you going to be his mouthpiece. I'm sure he'll become more expressive when he stays around you frequently." I assure her. "You're a chatterbox," I added and burst out laughing.
"Thank you so much, Iris. I don't know what I'd have done if you weren't here with me."
"Don't thank me, just ensure that you're prepared for his visit tonight because he'll come over to state his intentions," I smiled.
She rose to her feet abruptly, her eyes dilated in realization. "That's true. I have to go home then," She planted a kiss on my cheek and dashed off.
*********
Returning to an empty room wasn't something I enjoyed but it had become my reality.
It was late already so I went into the bathroom to freshen up and after that, I'd go to the dining room for dinner but a piece of paper on the bed stand caught my attention.
No one could enter the room apart from Gradel so I picked up the paper and scanned its content.
My heart sank as I read the words and hot tears slid down my cheeks as I tore the note into shreds. How dare he do this to me?
How could he leave for the human world without waiting for me to return home so we could talk about it?