CHAPTER 286

CHAPTER 286
Chapter 286

“Are you okay, my love?” Lucious asked the moment their car pulled away from Tristan and his pack.
Haven nodded and gave him a small smile. “Yes, I am.”
Lucious kissed her forehead gently, then peered into her eyes. “I love you.”
“And I love you.” She giggled amidst a second kiss, this one on her lips. Haven sighed in contentment when he pulled away.
“I’m so lucky to have you in my life,” Lucious continued, and Haven felt teary-eyed. “Thank you for coming into my life, thank you for staying. I’ll forever cherish you and what we have.”
“And so will I,” she replied and kissed him this time.
Everything felt perfect.
The rest of the journey flew by quickly. Lucious cuddled Haven while she slept and didn’t wake her up until they were home. They arrived at the pack house quite late.
“My love,” he said gently while caressing her cheek. “We’re back home.”
“Huh?” Haven barely heard him.
He didn’t push it. She hadn’t regained her strength fully, and he didn’t want to stress her either, so he opted to scoop her into his arms instead.
“Welcome home, Alpha.” Raphael and Kai, all smiles, were already waiting at the front. Lucious smiled back as he walked past them.
“We’ll meet tomorrow,” he whispered, signaling to his mate. They gave him knowing smiles and bowed while he disappeared into the building.

“What is that…” Rosie and Avena’s eyes widened the moment they laid eyes on Haven’s neck.
“Isn’t that… the mark?” Avena’s eyes widened even more while Rosie froze in shock.
“You guys… mated?” Avena asked again, her jaw dropping.
Haven nodded shyly. “Uh huh.”
Avena and Rosie turned to each other and then—“Eiiiiiiiiii!” They shrieked so loudly, Haven had to cover her ears.
“Oh my goodness!!” Avena squealed.
“Finally!” Rosie clapped her hands excitedly. “Oh, thank you, Goddess! Thank you!!”
“Oh, Haven!” Avena grabbed her hands, jumping around. Rosie joined them. “I can’t believe this!”
“I can’t believe it too,” Haven giggled as the three jumped around in the kitchen, stopping after a while to catch their breath.
“I’m really happy for you, Haven,” Rosie smiled genuinely. “I hope this marks the beginning of a beautiful relationship for you both.”
“Thank you, Rosie.” Haven hugged her.
“Now only one person is left.” Rosie and Haven turned to look at Avena, who was making a cup of coffee.
“What?” Avena frowned. “Why are you guys looking at me like that?”
“Why wouldn’t we?” Rosie frowned too.
“Whatever thoughts are going on in your head, you better kill it.” Avena brought the cups over to the table where they sat.
“Thank you.” Haven picked a cup up and sipped. “How are things with Raph?”
“Yes,” Rosie chipped in. “You guys spent quite some time together. Everything is better now, aye?” Rosie winked, both she and Haven giggled. The look on Avena’s face told them otherwise.
“What’s wrong?” Haven frowned, seeing Avena’s teary eyes.
“Did something happen?” Rosie was worried too.
“Nothing,” Avena sniffed. “It’s just… I’ll be leaving soon.”
“What?!” Both Haven and Rosie got to their feet. “I don’t understand. What do you mean by leaving?” It was Rosie who asked.
“I want to leave from here.”
“What’s wrong?” Haven asked again.
“It’s nothing really.” Avena stood up too. “I think it’s time I go. A guest shouldn’t overstay his welcome.”
“Are you being serious?” Rosie almost scoffed. “Why are you talking like this? Who said you were a guest?”
“It’s because of Raphael, isn’t it?” Haven frowned. “What did he say? What did he do to you?”
“No, Raphael didn’t do anything.”
“Then tell us?” Rosie held her. “What’s wrong?”
“I just miss home.”
“Isn’t this your home?” Haven felt slightly offended.
“Don’t get me wrong. I like being here—I love it, really—but everything feels different. The air, the houses, the faces, everything. I miss being back home. I miss doing what I do.”
“Don’t do this, Avena,” Rosie pleaded. “You can’t leave us.”
“I’m sorry, I’ve already made my decision, and there’s no going back.” She blinked back the tears threatening to fall.
Rosie started, “But—”
“Leave her, Rosie,” Haven interrupted. “Didn’t you hear her say she’s already made up her mind? Why try to stop her?”
“Haven, what are you saying?” Rosie was confused now. “We should try to stop her!”
“Why should we? She didn’t think about us when she made the decision, so why should we care? It’s not like we mean anything to her.”
“H–Haven!” Rosie called after Haven, who had stormed away. She turned back at Avena, shook her head, then stormed off too.
Haven locked herself up in her room for the rest of the day. She refused to see everyone and spent the rest of her day crying her eyes out. She had already lost her parents and recently found her only sister, and now she was going to lose her too.
Wasn’t she destined to have her family by her side?
“My love.” His soothing voice came as he wrapped his hands around her waist and kissed her cheek. “It’s been three days already,” he reminded her.
“You still won’t see her?”
“I don’t want to see her,” Haven refused and got up.
“Give her a chance at least. She probably has a reason.” Haven didn’t say a word as Lucious caressed her cheeks.
“Tomorrow is her last day in this pack, and I’ve promised to grant her two wishes. The first one is to see you, so I’m letting her in now.”
“You can’t do that,” Haven tried to say, but Lucious was halfway across the room.
“Talk it out.” He winked and exited the room. The door opened, and another pair of eyes stared back at her.
“Haven…”
Haven turned away. “I don’t want to talk to you.”
“Please hear me out,” Avena pleaded. “Please.”
Haven still had her back to her. “You have two minutes.”
Avena didn’t know where to start or what to say. “I’m sorry,” was all she got out. “I really am.”
Tears gathered in Haven’s eyes, but she refused to face her sister.
“I just can’t do it anymore. I never wanted to be a second-chance mate,” her pained voice uttered.
“Avena.” Haven finally turned to hug her sister. Avena broke down in her sister’s embrace.
“He said he’ll never love me, Haven. He said no woman can ever replace her. He made it very clear he’ll never love me.”
“Sit.” Haven led her to the bed and waited for her to calm down. She knew Raphael was the only reason Avena would want to leave; she just didn’t want to accept it and had acted stubborn for the past few days.
“You’re really leaving?” she asked finally.
Avena sniffled. “Yes. Please don’t try to stop me—”
“I won’t stop you.” Haven wiped off her tears. “And don’t you dare cry. Raphael doesn’t deserve you, nor your tears,” she added.
Avena smiled, cleared her throat, and sat up.
“Now, for my second wish…”