Chapter 65
Iris
"Well done, Luna," I heard behind me.
My eyes widened with astonishment, upon realizing that he had been watching us all along. Another shiver worked its way through my spine as I stood speechless. His sudden return brought several feelings: numbness, anger and sadness.
I turned around and bowed before him. "Thank you, Your Highness."
The elders and Head sentinel rose to their feet and inclined their heads, welcoming him from his trip. Seeing that there was no need for me in the courtroom anymore, I collected my shopping bag from the guard at the door and left.
I hadn't gotten too far when I heard my name behind me. What did this man want?
Though I'd halted on my steps, I didn't bother sparing him a glance. He could go to hell for all I cared.
The heat emanating from his body told me how close he was. I don't know what it was, but I could melt if I didn't give him a distance.
"How have you been?" He voiced gently.
"Been good," I replied curtly.
Other words were begging to be said, but I didn't want to give him the impression that I missed him. I shouldn't have missed him in the first place.
His hand grazed my shoulder and I held my breath, hoping that my body wouldn't betray me.
"What do you want from me now?" I spat and he took his hand off, twirling me around.
He scanned my face intensely for a moment then went on his knees. A gasp escaped my lips and that of the servants who were working around the courtyard. "I've been a fool, Iris. "
I glanced around, watching how dazed they were and shame washed over me. I reached for his hands, tugging at him to stand up.
"Please, people are watching." I pleaded.
He shook his head, his lips pursed in resolution.
"I won't get up until I've apologized for every wrong thing I've done to you..." He trailed off and swallowed. "My pride has always prevented me from getting good things but I didn't know it would make me lose you too. I should have accepted that my mother's death wasn't your fault or even your late mother's but the man I called father, yet I let my ego take over."
I ran my tongue over my lips, bewildered and happy at the same time. Who was this man kneeling before me because it was definitely not Gradel.
"And what made you realize that? Is it after dropping a silly note ordering me to leave before you return? Or is it because you need a constant sex body who would relieve you of your sexual burdens?" I retorted sharply.
His eyes watered as he entwined our fingers. "It's none of that, baby. Non at all. I realized that I love you and there is no other woman for me apart from you. You are the bane of my existence and the reason I push harder every day. I don't think my life made any sense until I met a beautiful, caring and resilient woman like you."
My heart thumped faster than usual and my palms became clammy with sweat. I blinked hard twice to be sure that my ears weren't playing games with me.
Did he just confess that he loved me? That he had fully accepted me as his mate?
"Oh no, Gradel. You don't have to say what you don't mean. If you're guilty about the note and how you've been treating me then I forgive you, but don't say all those beautiful words to me when you'll hurt me again. I'm human, Gradel and there's only so much I can take." I croaked.
He said nothing as he got up and released my hands. Then he tugged at his bracelet and stared at it for a while. I looked away, expecting him to confirm my doubts but he did the opposite.
"Here," He offered the bracelet to me.
My lips fell open and I quickly palmed my mouth so I wouldn't drool. My legs staggered backward as my strength failed me.
"Don't tell me that you're giving me your late mother's bracelet," My voice was shaky and I knew that the tears glistening in my eyes would pour out any time soon.
"Yes, I am. This used to be the most important thing to me until you came and now I want to show you that nothing has more value in my life than you. Not even my late mother whom you remind me so much of. Please, don't turn this down, it's from my heart."
I reached for the bracelet, holding it tenderly with admiration. This bracelet brought me so much pain at first and then it brought us closer and now he was handing it over to me as a gift.
When I thought that my life had hit the rock, fate brought my heart's desires to manifestation.
"Oh thank you, sweetheart. I love this gift and I love the giver too," I gushed, flinging my arms around him.
He hoisted me up, holding my ass firmly while I wrapped my legs around his waist. "What did you say?"
I batted my lashes shyly and moistened my lips. "You heard me," I murmured with a smile.
He squeezed my ass, causing me to squirm in his hold. "If I did, I wouldn't be asking you for a repetition." He smirked mischievously.
"I said that I love the gift and the giver," I said a bit loudly.
"And I love you too," He screamed without any care in the world.
I smacked his back and signaled him to be more discreet. "People are watching and the meeting with the elders has to continue. " I reminded him.
He sighed, rolling his eyes.
"The meeting can be postponed to any time I choose, but my hunger for you has to be sated right now. I want to mark you, baby. I want everyone in this pack and beyond to know that you belong to me." He drawled with a tone of finality.