Florist

Ayla POV

Listening to Victor's apology made something inside me break to make room for something much better. As if I had been waiting for those words since the day he committed those actions.

I smiled a little more and hugged him tighter, leaning my head against his chest, and listening to his heartbeat in the same rhythm as mine. It certainly strengthened our bond even more.

There's simply no one else at this moment apart from Victor and me, even Soren has taken a back seat. I love Soren, but I know that I need to have these times with just Victor and me so that our bond grows and becomes stronger and stronger.

I closed my eyes and let myself be carried away by the gentle caresses Victor was making on my hair, his scent enveloping me and calming me even more. After a few minutes, I took a deep breath and stretched slightly, I knew that if I stayed like this I would end up falling asleep, still on his lap, and only then did I get off him and really wake up.

Victor smiled and got up, held my face by the left side, and briefly brought his lips close to mine, a delicate caress. My heart warmed, for I had never imagined that I would feel this way with anyone other than Soren.

"Come on, I'll take you to Skyler," Victor said and took my hand, intertwining our fingers.

When I turned around to see that Ghost was there, it was strange, because I felt something very different inside... I know that he had been listening to my entire interaction with Victor, but at no point did he make himself present or even hint that he was there.

Ghost was putting his cell phone away and raised his head, his face showing nothing strange. It was as if he hadn't heard anything, and that leaves me a little confused, as I don't know what to do.

Part of me wants to know what Ghost is feeling, what he's thinking... But at the same time, I don't want to, because I don't think it would change anything. He's doing his job, his work.

Victor continued to stand next to me, not moving, just waiting for me to make up my mind. He didn't want to interfere with my thoughts, because he knows it's something I'll always have to deal with until I finally get better.

Before I could do anything, Ghost turned his back, opened the door, walked out, and left it open for Victor and me to pass through.

My mate squeezed my hand lightly, and I shook my head from side to side to clear my thoughts. Ghost had one job, and that was to help me get my Lycan back.

I don't think I have anything more to do with him. In parts, I feel sorry for him, because I know he's lonely and maybe hoping he still has some connection with me, but I can't let that get me down.

"Let's go," I whispered and started walking.

Victor is by my side at all times, and this makes me even more confident in my decision not to get involved with Ghost any more than I have to. It takes us a few minutes to reach the room where Skyler is, and I can already smell the various flowers, today being the day to decide which ones would decorate the Castle.

Any worries I had about Ghost disappeared as soon as I entered the room and saw Skyler with the florist, there were so many flowers there that I felt at home, and it looked a lot like the inner garden.

"Soren or I will pick you up later," Victor said, lifted my hand and kissed the back of it.

"Right! I'll be waiting." I replied happily.

"Miss Ayla." I heard Ghost's voice and looked at him.

In his hand was a goblet filled with a bluish liquid with silver undertones, and just the smell made my stomach turn. It's one of the potions I need to drink to keep getting stronger.

I swallowed dryly, but took the cup and turned the liquid over, feeling my throat burn, as well as a few tears starting to run down my face, as my whole body ached, as if I had needles coming out of me.

This is the worst part, because I have to get through it alone, without the influence of Victor or anyone else, otherwise their auras will interfere with the potion's potency. Each new glass increases the pain I feel, and it looks like it's only going to get worse, as the potion needs to be stronger and stronger.

Ghost is watching my reaction intently, and I see him sigh.

"What's wrong?" I managed to ask in a hoarse, almost inaudible voice.

"Despite your training to withstand the auras... A large part of your body and aura is refusing the potions... That's why you're in so much pain." Ghost explained and then looked at Victor.

I can tell that they're exchanging mental messages, and I'm annoyed because I want to know too.

I can feel Victor's aura oscillating for a few seconds before stabilizing again.

"I need to talk to Soren..." Victor said seriously and then kissed me on the forehead.

"Vic... What did he say?" I asked, knowing it involved me.

"I promise I'll tell you later, first I need to talk to Soren," Victor replied calmly.

"It's something about the wedding, isn't it?" I start to feel a different kind of anguish because I don't want anything to get in the way of that day.

"Yes, it is... But now I want you to focus on what you came to do." Victor explained and smiled. "I promise, I'll tell you everything later. Do you trust me?"

I don't like being kept in the dark, but I did trust my mate, and I nodded.

"Don't think about it just yet..." Victor stroked my cheek again. "The wedding is looking beautiful... And look how many flowers you have to choose from, imagine how they'll look all over the Kingdom."

Victor had this gift with words to calm me down, and he always knew just what to say. I smiled and kissed him.

"All right, go on... I'll choose the best flowers for our wedding!" I agreed.

I could feel Victor's aura calm down, satisfied with my answer, so he kissed me on the forehead as a farewell and left the room.

Ghost walked to the door and stood to one side, picking up his cell phone and starting to fiddle with it. I know I'll end up forgetting you're there.

I turned to Skyler and the florist, approaching the table to start discussing the flowers.

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