Tyler.
The soft glow of lamplight bathed my office in a warm ambiance, casting a comforting veil over the room. Behind the mahogany desk, I sat in contemplation, the whispers of rumors still echoing in my mind. Nate, my close friend and confidant, as well as my Beta, sat in a chair opposite me.
“Tyler, what's eating at you?” Nate asked, his eyes reflecting genuine concern.
Leaning back in my chair, I released a heavy sigh. “It’s Arya. I know she likes to be independent but I’m wondering how long the rumors would have gone on if you hadn’t told me. Something tells me she wouldn’t have told me at all.”
“She’s quite self-reliant, yes,” Nata nodded. “At least she told Natalie and Natalie told me, otherwise no one would have known.”
“But it’s crazy. How am I supposed to protect her if she doesn’t tell me anything?” I sighed exhaustively. “Did you know she was first mated to Ethan?”
I watched Nate’s face light up with surprise. More than anyone, he knew of the crisis I’d faced against my younger brother four years ago. He had been right there with me, by my side. When I’d made the decision to leave, Nate had offered to go wherever with me. He was my closest friend, and quite frankly, the only person I trusted.
“How did you find out?” he asked.
“She told me when she first came here. She lived in the Crest but they weren’t good to her. Apparently, Ethan accused her of being a witch and trying to bewitch him into marrying her. He would have executed her, had she not run.”
Nate whistled. “Damn. Four years and Ethan’s a giant ass.” Then he looked at me and his eyes widened a fraction. “You’re second chance mates.”
I nodded. “Looks like it,” I said. “I vowed to protect her, Nate, but not if I’m in the dark about what’s happening. Learning that Lauren was spreading false rumors about her throughout the company came like a blow. It's affecting her standing, and I can't stand idly by.”
The lies were tarnishing Arya's reputation, and it tore at me that I couldn't protect her from this onslaught. Felix Steele owned shared in my company; I couldn’t just fire his daughter with no forethought.
His expression mirrored my frustration. “Lauren's stooping pretty low. Does her father still think you’re going to marry her?”
“I couldn’t care less what he thinks. Marrying Lauren is the worst thing I could do for myself. Not only is she vile, she’s desperate and those are the worst kind of people.”
Nate visibly shook. “Arya deserves better. If it were Natalie, there was no telling what I’d do.”
I’d been with Nata long enough to know that he loved his wife to a fault. I’d never seen anyone show another person that kind of devotion and love. Once or twice, there had been a prang of jealousy that ate at me. I’d always wanted to experience that kind of devotion. It was why I couldn't wait to mate with Arya.
“What do you plan to do?”
Determination flickered within me. “I can't let Arya's name be dragged through the mud like this. I've decided to make a stand. I want to mate with her.”
Nate's eyes widened in realization, then a slow smile spread across his face. “Finally making it official, huh? Arya's a fine woman. You two will make a formidable pair.”
I debated if telling him that she hadn’t transformed before would be wise. After a moment, I decided against it. That would open another can of worms I’d rather keep closed. Maybe another time.
Encouraged by Nate's support, I nodded. “It’s not just about us. It’s about the pack as a whole. I want to consolidate the pack and you know a pack is never complete without its Luna. I was thinking of seeking out the counsel of the elders first.”
Nate gave me an approving nod. “Natalie will be over her mind once I tell her. I’m happy for you, man.”
My lips broke out into a smile for the first time and I leaned back against the chair and held his gaze. “I care about her, Nate. I never thought I’d find my own person. All these years, I searched. And then suddenly, the moon goddess is bringing her to my doorstep. Just like that.”
A corner of his lips curved upwards. “And she was once fated to your brother. Do you not see how ironic that is?”
I chuckled. “It’s as obvious as day.”
Nate’s expression got serious. “Are we ever going to talk about Ethan?”
“No.”
But Nate wasn’t backing down. “Ever since we left Crest, you’ve been giving me crumbs. I decided to follow you because I trusted in your leadership but it doesn’t change the fact Ethan stole your birthright and branded you a tyrant. Surely, you won’t just take this lying down.”
How did I explain to him that I couldn’t do anything because Ethan and I had reached a compromise? I’d agreed to leave, in exchange for a lack of bloodshed. I couldn’t go back on the promise I made to my mother to protect him. Even if he had wronged me, Ethan would not die by my hand.
“Let it go, Nathan,” I sighed, shaking my head.
“He’s a usurper. It’s great that everything worked out for you in the end. You’re richer than Midas now but what if it hadn’t, goddammit?” He shot to his feet, running a hand through his hair. “You’re not the only one who had to give up something, you know. Crest was my home too!”
A silence ensued. It was in rare moments like this that Nate gave me a glimpse into his feelings. He was so closed up, just like me, that it was hard to read him sometimes and that was saying something because I’d known him since I was a teenager. We’d practically grown up together.
While I’d known that Nate had wanted me to stay at Crest and fight for my title, I hadn’t known leaving meant so much to him.
“I’m sorry you had to leave your home,” I said. “I thought you were happy here.”
Nate ran a hand through his hair, frustrated. “I am, Tyler. I have a wife and a home that we’ve built here. I.. just wish you’d done more.”
Every waking moment for the past four years, I’d wished the same thing. Nate was the one person who understood what it had been like for me. I owed him my life. But Crest was in the past for me and I hoped he would move on one day. There was no going back.
“Me too.”