Chapter 263 - A step forward

Anastasia.

Sebastian and Leon both looked at me in confusion when Nikolai asked that question.

Yes, the question remained. To punish them because of their deeds or to forgive them because they accepted their faults? What to do?

What did I want from them?

“It’s fine if you don’t want to forgive me. It’s fine,” Leon added, looking into my eyes. “But, my feelings towards you aren’t false. I love you! And it’s the truth! If you choose to forgive me….I’ll spend my whole life atoning for my mistake. I want you to know that.”

Even someone like Leon who doesn’t like to talk about his feelings in front of anyone is talking about loving me openly in front of others? When did he go through such a change? Why did I fail to notice it?

“Me too,” Sebastian said with a half-smile. “I may have done something wrong to you. But, it doesn’t change I love you. You know that more than anyone. Or do you want me to prove it?”

I know how much sincerity his word holds. He doesn’t need to prove it to anyone.

I didn’t answer anything right away. But, somewhere deep within my heart, I knew. That there was no way I would be able to stay angry at them. I just couldn’t do it.

I took a deep breath and cleared my thoughts.

What’s more important to me at the moment? That is–

“I choose to forgive you two,” I replied, “But you have to promise you can’t abandon me, or betray me, or hurt me. That’s the condition. Can you keep it?”

Sebastian and Leon’s faces were lit up the very minute.

“Have you thought this through?” Nikolai asked.

I nodded. “I did. And there’s no point in holding a grudge against the people who are so dear to me. And I think they feel the same as well.”

“Hm……that’s kind of you–“

Leon gave over to my side and hugged me tightly.

“Thank you,” he mumbled. “Thank you for being in my life. I’ll never hurt you or abandon you, let alone betray you. And I hope you’ll do the same for me.”

I hugged him back. “You bet I will. Thank you for being by my side and supporting me and caring for me. I knew you did it out of your kindness and not just because you felt guilty about your deed. The Leon I know is kinder than anyone, he just can’t show it to anyone like Nikolai.”

Nikolai hugged me from behind. “Why you gotta compare me to him? We aren’t the same.”

“Don’t leave me out of the fun!” Sebastian yelled, joining alongside Leon. “I want some hugs as well.”

“Thank you for your help too, Sebastian,” I said. “If you weren’t there, I would still be hanging onto my feelings for Ryan. You made yourself a villain in my eyes just so you could get me out of my sufferings when you were the hero all along. Your contribution is no less than Leon.”

“Well, that’s kind of you to say that. I still played dirty and was forceful. You were mad about it at first, weren’t you?”

“I was, but you did manage to get me out of my shell. Thanks a lot for–“

All of a sudden my wolf called out mate to the two of them. And I could feel my connection with their wolves.

Sebastian and Leon both pulled away looking into my face alongside Nikolai.

“You–“

“You too?” Sebastian added.

“Yes, It was definitely the mate bond,” I replied.

“It’s not fair,” Nikolai comments with a frown. He didn’t seem too happy about anything.

“What’s not fair?” Leon asked.

“The fact that I have to share her with the two of you. It’s not fair.”

What?

“I don’t like sharing her with you too,” Sebastian added with a playful smirk, “But, now that our wolves have recognized each other as mates, I don’t think there’s a reason for complaint.”

“Or do you want to have a competition against us to see who is the most suited of us three?” Leon suggested with a smile.

“It would be unfair with two against one. So, no,” Nikolai backed out. “I don’t want to stain my hands with mud. I prefer to stay clean.”

“Hey, are you underestimating us?” Leon retorted. “Or do you think you can win against us easily?”

“No, you are just imagining it.”

“Didn’t seem that way when you put it like that,” Sebastian added.

“All of you are in so much sync now,” I chuckled unable to hold in my laughter.

“What do you mean by that?” Nikolai asked.

“Three of you are getting along well now, that’s what I’m saying. Even when fighting you don’t look like you are hating against each other. It’s kind of relieving.”

They glanced in each other’s direction and smiled softly in agreement.

“You are just imagining it,” Nikolai said, stepping forward, “I still owe something to you. So, I’ll be taking it for granted.”

He caressed my face in his hands and pressed his lips against mine softly.

“It’s not fair you can kiss her in front of us without our permission,” Leon grunted.

“Truly, he has no shame. Go to your room if you want to flirt so much. Don’t do it in front of us, will you?” Sebastian mocked in a pretending tone.

Nikolai broke the kiss and kissed me even more passionately, leaving me breathless when he pulled away.

“You don’t have the right to say it when you did it in front of our parents!” Nikolai yelled, turning to Leon. “At least we did it behind their backs.”

Leon looked at Sebastian and he averted his gaze shyly.

“So, how are we going to convince our parents to allow us to date her?” Leon asked, turning to his brothers. “We can’t argue with them forever. Can we?”

Nikolai and Sebastian both went silent.

I almost forgot about it. That their parents don’t like me.

If our relationship isn’t accepted by their family, what’s the point of being mates?

“They have a problem with her past because her father’s killer hasn’t been caught yet,” Nikolai comments, looking in my direction. “If we manage to prove her innocent and allow her pack to accept her then there won’t be any problems, right?”

“Yeah!” Leon nodded his head.

“But, how are we going to do that?” Sebastian asked.

“We’ll know that if we do a proper investigation after going there,” Nikolai suggested.

“It’s been many months since his death. How can you investigate now?” I asked. “It’s impossible to find out anything.”

“Even if it seems impossible we have to do it,” Leon replied with confidence. “For your sake, for our sake, for our future’s sake.”

I never imagined a day would come when I’ll be able to rid myself of the murderer's claim. But, it sounds possible when they say it.

“Thank you. Thanks for your help. I'll also assist you however I can."

"That's the spirit we need," Sebastian said with a smile.

Something big is going to happen very soon. And I can tell it's for our best.