The Heartache

TALIA'S POV

Another sleepless night. Despite being in the most exquisite bedroom and feeling extremely tired my eyes remained open.

I worry about my sick little sister, my kidnapped mother, my powerful mate and about that celebration Miles said we are going to have. Enduring the heartache is even a lot tougher now than when Evan had to spend time with Rose but we were still close, only meeting behind her back. This time we are miles apart. And it feels like he walked away with half of me.

I won't be feeling whole again unless Miles succeeds in capturing his father's spies. I really wish that it happens before the celebration. I can only imagine what the people of our Kingdom will think when they hear that I walked away from their gorgeous and powerful King so as to save my mother's life.

Not many know that I am in Red Moon palace and away from my mate. But if there is a party to celebrate my presence here everyone will hear about it and I will become the face of betrayal.

I roll out of the big bed and the door clicks open just as my legs touch the soft mat. The personal servant that Miles assigned to me steps inside with plates of steaming breakfast balanced on a tray. She seemed like a nice woman, but she is accompanied by a tall girl that isn't dressed like a servant. I am not a big fan of girls of my age. Most tend to be too girlish which I hate.

The one walking in with my servant is dressed in a short and uncomfortably tight dress just like the ones Rose used to put on.

"Good morning my Lady, I am glad to see that you're awake early. I was afraid that your food would grow cold if you woke up later than now." My servant says setting down the tray of food on the small, round table with gold engravings that stands a few steps from my bed. There is a single chair beside it and its edges are also lined with gold.

Yeah, the room is magnificent. Yet its beauty doesn't help better my moods.

My servant turns and gestures at the girl that came in behind her but stopped near the door. "This is Lacey Thompson, she is Alpha Miles's true mate but he rejected her. She followed me here because she wanted to talk to you." She explains and they both stand awkwardly waiting for my answer.

Can't believe I have to deal with jealous lovers again. Or in this case . . . a rejected mate. Arguing with them is a real-life nightmare.

But Lacey Thompson looks like she is here to negotiate and not to create a dramatic scene. Too bad I cannot tell her the truth. Because who knows who else she will tell?

I stand and look directly at her face. "You're welcome to talk. Just don't accuse me of stealing your mate."

She shakes her head and steps farther inside the room. "I just want us to talk like adults. I promise I won't take much of your time."

I gesture at her to take the decorated seat. "You can have food, I am not in the mood to eat."

She smiles gratefully, walks to the table and sits.

"Are you not feeling well, my Lady?" My servant questions.

"I am fine. I am just not hungry."

She nods, seeming to understand even though I lied. "I will leave so you can have some privacy. See you later My Lady " She bows her head and walks out.

"Miles must really love you. He has never given any other guest his special room to spend a night in." She girl at the table says, taking a sip of the juice that came with the food.

I am dumbfounded for a whole minute.

* * * * *

EVAN'S POV

I hate emotional pain, probably because it's one of the few things that my powers can't solve. I can't magnify my own feelings, not that I am a fan of fake feelings anyway. But the heartache is a little too overwhelming and I honestly wish there is a way of curing it apart from going back to get my mate.

Letting her go made me feel like my heart was being ripped apart. For the first time, I couldn't even fight the pain displayed on my face. I still had to acknowledge that her mother's life is a thousand time more important than my feelings. And she would probably hate me forever if she actually lost one of her family members.

I pull my horse to a halt when I notice two of my soldiers escorting an old woman towards me. I am surprised to see the excitement on their faces because everyone including me has been looking tired and wretched.

"Your Highness we found out where the man is." One of the soldiers informs breathlessly.

"Really?" I question because I wasn't hoping to find out anything valuable this early.

"This woman claims to know a lot about him." He answers and the woman looks elated as she steps forward and bows her head.

"I am so honoured to meet you, your Highness."

I step off the horse, forge a smile and shake her hand just to make her feel comfortable. But her cheeks immediately turned red.

It's another thing I have grown used to, ladies of all ages getting timid in my presence. I take a step back to allow her space to get comfortable again.

"Please tell me what you know."

Her eyes glow with excitement. "I rented him a room for over a month when he was seeking to buy his daughter back from our Luna. He used to talk about his former wife and children a lot but sounded like he had a grudge against the wife. He said he had remarried but couldn't get over the pain she had caused him. He thought that if he bought his young daughter from the Luna and took good care of her he would feel better about having left his children with the bad wife." She informs, glancing at my face to see how much I appreciate her report.

"Did he say where he would take her?" I ask.

"He told me he came from a small town in the south of the pack. I am assuming that's where he took her." She answers.

I smile genuinely this time. "Thank you very much. You really helped us." I say reaching into my coat pocket and taking out about ten gold coins. She happily chuckles when I hand her the money.

"Thank you very much, your majesty. I have a sick daughter and this will help us a lot. But my real joy was meeting you, you're an ideal being and an incredible King. Thank you for being such a perfect role model to our children." She says and bows again and again.

Such compliments make me uncomfortable but people are always showering me with them even when I have done nothing to earn their praises. I never know how to reply and not turn the situation into an awfully awkward moment.

"I am glad to have met you too, you're an amazing woman." I shake her hand one last time then turn to mount my horse again. At least we now know where to find the bastard. Can't wait to help him regret every wicked thought he has ever had. Hopefully, I will also find my mate's sister alive, or the man will painfully die too.