Chapter 123 Chapter 123
Marie had walked out after that, her scent still lingered. I stood frozen for a few seconds and wondered what she meant by I’ll keep seeing her face.
‘She may be planning to stay here’ my wolf said and I shook my head.
That was not possible. Both she and Lorcan would leave today and I was going to make that happen.
My new mark burned faintly, an echo of Lucian’s presence somewhere within the pack grounds.
I thought today was going to be a great day for me but Marie had ruined it. I kept asking myself what I ever saw in Marie before to think she was a good person.
“Did someone offend you?”
The voice cut through me like a blade.
Lorcan.
I didn’t turn immediately. I closed my eyes once, steadying myself. My wolf stirred, hackles raised.
When I finally looked at him, he was standing only a few steps away, hands clasped behind his back like we were about to discuss the weather.
“I was heading inside” I said evenly. He stepped to the side, blocking my path.
“Of course you were”
His eyes swept over mec over the gown to my mark, I felt uncomfortable as his eyes lingered on my mark.
He smiled. A wry smile.
“I suppose congratulations are in order” My fingers curled at my sides.
“Do you really mean that?” He didn’t hesitate.
“No”
The honesty almost stunned me more than a lie would have.
“You know, you don’t have to congratulate me”
He moved closer, he didn’t touch me but he was so close that I could feel the heat emanate from his body.
“It was supposed to be me” he said quietly. I let out a hollow laugh.
“Was it?”
“Yes”
The conviction in his tone made my stomach twist.
“I didn’t realize what I had, until you were gone” he continued, voice lowering.
Gone.
The word felt like an accusation.
“You left. You vanished without letting me explain” he sounded pained. I stared at him in disbelief.
“Explain? You had a chance to explain when I came to let you know I was leaving”
“I looked for you” he pressed.
“For months. I went to the borders. I asked neighboring packs. I…”
“You couldn’t find me” I finished for him. He nodded, his jaw tight.
“I realized my loss when you weren’t there anymore. I realized your worth” I scoffed.
“It took me leaving for you to realize my worth?” I asked annoyed.
His silence was answer enough.
“You didn’t deserve me” I said. His jaw flexed.
“You think I don’t know that?” he snapped. “You think I haven’t replayed that night a thousand times?” I swallowed.
“Marie seduced me” he said suddenly. I blinked.
“What?”
“She orchestrated it, she made me think she was a better option because she wanted to prove a point” I let out a sharp breath of disbelief.
“Marie was able to prove that point because you allowed it. So don’t put the entire blame on her. I should have known I didn’t mean anything to you, when I saw you hugging a servant” his eyes flashed.
“I was stupid”
“Yes. You were” I agreed calmly. His hands clenched and unclenched.
“She only wanted to become Luna. She wanted that position snatched from you”
It’s funny how I long it took me to realize that Marie always wanted what I had. From clothes to jewelries but I didn’t think she would want my mate.
Ex-mate.
I corrected myself.
“I’m tired and want to go back to my room” i said quietly
“Why are you suddenly bringing this up now?”
His gaze softened in a way that used to melt me once.
“Because you deserve to know the truth. It was Marie. She manipulated it. She wanted the title but didn’t want me”
“And you wanted her enough to betray me” I replied. He flinched.
“It doesn’t matter. It’s in the past” I continued.
“It’s not.”
The firmness in his tone made my wolf growl low inside me.
“It’s the present too. Because I want you back” he said it so lightly like it was a normal thing.
“What?”
“I’m ready to fight for you. For us” he said.
“There is no us” I whispered. His gaze dropped to my neck.
”There was an us and there could still be an us”
”I don’t want that because I have another”
“I’m Lucian? Who would want to be mated to Lucian?” he asked.
I didn’t hesitate. I pulled my collar slightly aside, revealing the mark clearly.
“I’m marked”
The symbol felt like a shield. He stared at it, his expression darkening but not with defeat.
“That can be rectified”
“What did you just say?”
“It’s possible. Marks can be broken. After all, is that not what happened last night?” My wolf snarled violently inside me.
“I don’t want anything rectified. I love Lucian and I would spend the rest of my life with him” I said sharply.