Chapter 193

Chapter 193
AMELIA

It had been three months since that war against The Director ended, and our lives had finally returned back to normal. 

The pack was going strong. No more sightings of demons and wraiths. No more threats other than rogues on occasion. The mother and son Ryden took in, and some werewolves had become the new pack members.

Theia and Bryan were still like cat and mouse, but I could feel how much their relationship had developed, especially when it was built with trust.

The two elemental werewolves had begun their training at Elysian. We still talked over the phone, especially with Ryden, since he was one of them.

Margaret finally woke up a few days after I went back home. Zarah, Samarah, and her had never been closer, and that made me happy.

My Relationship with Ryden had never been strong. I told him everything, and he forgave me. He and Lucius seemed to have formed a friendship, which was weird. 

Since the day I left the hotel room, I stayed close to Lucius, not as a mate or a wife, but as his best friend.

I still loved him, and I didn’t think it would ever change. Everything I brought up the topic of letting him find a new woman in his life, he always brushed it off, and admittedly, as selfish as I was, it crushed my heart, but I wanted him to have a family and be happy.

And guess what? I took Ryden and Lucius’ advice that I should go back to college. I took business administration because I needed a degree, and maybe one day, I could help run the SEO.

Hawk and I and the rest of the loyalists of the Enochian were still gathering some information now that the tower was brought to its original place. As I promised to my father, I would build the Enochian from the ground.

When the bell rang, the professor gave us an advance assignment. “Read Chapters 7 - 8, and we will discuss this next week.”

I left the campus pretty quickly. I hadn’t received a text from Ryden. He didn’t call either. He was supposed to pick me up today because we had a dinner plan tonight at the newly opened restaurant downtown.

He was also stuck up with the work he left since those threats months ago, and he just started to get back on his feet, but the business was running well. Lucius even invested his money in Ryden’s company.

I waited. I was supposed to see his bike, but he must have forgotten my time out. I typed a message when a Jaguar sports car stopped before me.

The door opened and the driver got out. “Need a lift?”

I was already smiling as I shoved my phone into my bag. “Hey. What are you doing here?”

“Hey, angel.” Lucius was in his usual outfit with a dark shirt and suit jacket. He smiled and rounded to my side. He then wrapped his arms around me and kissed my lips.

“What the hell? I thought she was with that guy on a bike. Why is she kissing a man the same age as her father?” said the bitch from my right.

Lucius growled from within his throat and turned his head slowly to the girl who just insulted me.

“Ignore her.” I cupped his head. I only missed seeing him for a week, but something had changed in him. The hair on the sides of his hair was graying, and he had wrinkles on his face. His skin looked dry too. No wonder that bitch said he was like my father. “Are you okay, my love?” 

“I’m fine. Let’s go.” He opened the passenger door and helped me in.

Once we drove off to the main street, I held his hand and faced him. My heart was already clenching. “Lucius, what are you not telling me? No more lies, remember? Like we promised.”

“Sweetheart, I’m good.”

“No. You’re not.” My heart felt like it was about to implode in my chest as I sniffed him. How did not I notice it for months? I squeezed his hand tight when my hands shook and pressed it against my lips. “Where’s Ryden?”

“He’s caught up with the meeting with other alphas. He called me to pick you up. You’re not thrilled to see me?”

I glared at him. My eyes began to sting. “Of course, I do. I only got to see you on weekends. How’s the pack?”

He smiled. “Is that really what you want to know?”

“Because you’re not telling me shit!” I yelled in the car as I began to cry. The windows shook. “Park your car somewhere safe.”

“Why?”

“Just do it. Damn it, Lucius.” I sobbed hard until I couldn’t breathe.

“It’s okay, my love.” I felt his hand rubbing my back and telling me some sweet words, but it didn’t calm me this time.

I hugged him tight and brought him to Zarah. We fell into one of the living rooms in the castle.

“What the fuck, sweetheart?” He looked around and realized where we were.

“Zarah!” I rose to my feet as he helped me up. “Zarah!”

The double door swung open. Sebastien and Zarah stormed in.

“What’s going on, Amelia?” Zarah asked but didn’t wait for my answer as she and Sebastien saw Lucius with me. “Oh, dear. I didn’t think it would happen so fast.”

“You know?” I yelled at her. “Why did you not tell me? Why is it everyone has to keep something like this from me? Let Ryden come. I need to talk to that man. My guess, is he knows it, too. Am I, right?” I glared at Lucius. “Why?”

“Sit down, honey,” Sebastien said as he came to comfort me. “I’m so sorry. I know it’s hard.”

I took a seat, feeling my world just dropped before me. When I thought everything was going in the right path, I was wrong. When could I have a normal happy life? 

I cried until I couldn’t.

“Amelia?”

I lifted my gaze to see Ryden standing before me. Then I rose to my feet. “Since when Ryden?”

He looked in pain. His gaze dropped with guilt.

“I told everyone not to tell you. Don’t blame Ryden and Zarah, sweetheart.”

I turned and glared at Lucius. “I have the right to know, Lucius. I’m still your mate and your wife. But why?” I turned to Ryden. “Since when he’s human? What happened?” 

Ryden breathed deeply and called my name, “He didn’t want you to blame yourself, Amelia. You died. When I thought the elixir worked, I was wrong. It wouldn’t work on dead. I didn’t even know he asked your father for his wolf and life, the same way you did to me when I was dying.”

Interfering with nature always comes with a price.

My chest rose and fell hard. I felt like they both ripped my heart out of my chest. I looked at Lucius again and shook my head. 

“Why did you have to do that? Why did you have to risk your life twice for me? Why did you have to be so selfless? I don’t deserve this. You deserve to live like every werewolf, Lucius. What about your people, your pack?”

“They know. I already told them. Drak will run the pack if I pass away.”

“Pass away?” I swallowed hard. “You sound like you’re ready. Well, I’m not! No. No.” I shook my head harshly before I threw myself at him and hugged him tight. “You should have told me. I’ve wasted months of my life while you’re suffering alone. It’s unfair. So unfair. You can’t do this to me, Lucius. I will call my father. Even if he takes my power away, I’m fine with it.”