Chapter 190 Lost but Found

Chapter 190 Lost but Found
Ian's POV

I couldn't sit and watch Shanty's conviction. A girl I have loved for the longest time. She was the only one I allowed into my space for the very first time. I was on a mission that I didn't want to be distracted from so I had no friends, no confidant, nothing until I met Shanty.

Shanty betrayed me in the worst way ever, but my heart was still reluctant to let go of every memory we shared.

I left the panel in the middle of a hearing. No one stopped me and I didn't look back either.

I was in the bush all alone for two days eating whatever I could get. I was used to that anyway. I stopped being a loner after I met Maureen and the whole team.

I shook my head to dispel the thought that I would never be invisible again. It was painful, but at the same time, it was a relief.

I sought Grandma Gina and the leader of the waiters out the very minute I got to the council from High Moon. I wanted to know why I could no longer be invisible. I discovered that I lost my ability after the wound on my stomach caused by the bane. Shanty stabbed me with closed eyes.

The golden stripe on my hand, too, had receded. I could still see the highlight but it was no longer pronounced.

'You were given that gift by the moon goddess to help you protect yourself and the bane. Now that you no longer need it, it was taken away,' Grandma Gina had said when I told her what was happening.

'You are lucky to still be alive. That blade was forged from the highest magic at the time it was forged. Losing an ability is a small payment in exchange for your life,' the leader of the waiters had added.

'But one thing I am sure of is the fact that your place is beside the golden wolf. You will somehow discover that you have another gift that is useful to the citadel,' Grandma Gina said.

'Thank you,' I said to both of them and left.

I had planned to tell Maureen and the others about the loss of my ability after we left the hearing the day I went into the bush, but I couldn't stand the heartache of seeing Shanty's pitiful face.

Maureen had called me and I had told her that I needed time to myself. I had not lied. I needed time to sort through my emotions.

On my fourth day in my solitude, it hit me like bricks: I miss Leila! My wolf howled at the thought of her. How could I have left my mate for that long because I was hurting for a betrayer?

I was dirty, I was unkempt but I didn't care. I got down from the tree I had slept on and went in search of my mate.

I went to the citadel first but she wasn't there. Dominus was surprised to see me looking that unkempt.

'Where is Leila?' I asked him.

'Do you now remember her? News flash my dear friend, your mate cries herself to sleep every night since you left. Isn't that wonderful? She followed the golden wolf to the hall in the council. They might still be there,' Dominus said then walked away.

If my heart ached for Shanty, it was a child's play to what I felt at Dominus' words. My Leila! My wolf screamed in my head.

I wanted to stop at the room we shared to have my bath and change clothes, but I changed my mind and went to the hall instead.

I didn't bother to acknowledge the presence of the others there because all I wanted to do at that moment was have my girl in my hands. I kissed her passionately to let her know I was sorry for leaving her for that long.

I excused us from the others and pulled at her hand so that we could leave the hall together. I planned to explain myself to the golden wolf and the others later.

We walked in silence towards the citadel for a while before Leila suddenly removed her hands from mine and stopped moving forward.

'Leila?' I called her name as I looked at her, wondering what was wrong.

'Where are we going?' She asked with a stubborn look in her eyes.

'I told you. We need to talk,' I said as my frown deepened.

'Oh, so you suddenly want to talk?' Leila asked as her voice rose a pitch higher than usual.

'Leila, I know you have every right to be mad at me. You can scream my head off, you can even slap me but please, let's get to our room first,' I said pleadingly.

'Ok. Fine,' Leila said and started moving, but she didn't allow me to hold her hand anymore.

We walked into the citadel and went straight into our room. Leila sat on the couch folding her hands stubbornly on her chest.

I removed my shirt, knowing how dirty it was and how offensive the smell might be to her, before sitting beside her.

'Leila, look at me please,' I said gently.

'I don't have to look at you before we can talk Ian. I am listening,' Leila said and refused to meet my gaze.

I needed to weaken her resistance and the only way that could happen was for her to look me in the eyes. She loved me and I knew it from the very first moment we met.

'Look at me, Leila,' I said quietly. I smiled when she gently turned her head to meet my gaze. There were tears in her eyes, which made my smile slip.

'What do you want now Ian?' Leila asked and I felt bad.

'I don't want anything, my love. I just want you to know how sorry I am for hurting you so badly. My mind was clouded because I was holding on to something that was never mine to keep. I was grabbing for something I already lost when I should have been holding on to what I found. Forgive me,' I said looking deep into her eyes.

'You hurt me, Ian. I doubt if rejecting me would have hurt as bad as you ignoring me,' Leila said and allowed the first drop of tears to fall.

I caught the drops with my thumb and pulled her face closer to mine. She had no option but to move her body closer to mine.

'I am sorry that I made you cry every night since I left,' I said and her eyes widened in surprise.

'How did you know about that? I I do don't cry,' She asked, stammering.

'I know that you try to act strong in the presence of others. I am your mate, Leila; you are free to express yourself with me. I know that I have not created an avenue to be your friend ever since we met and I am sorry. From now on, I am your best friend, and you are mine too forever,' I said, meaning every word.

'Are you sure of what you are saying, Ian?' Leila asked, searching my eyes as if she could get her answer there.

'Yes, I am sure. I am not making empty promises,' I answered, then kissed her lightly on the head. That broke the dam. She cried until she was spent.

I didn't stop her from crying. I allowed her to offload every pent-up emotion. When I was sure she was okay. I pulled her away from my chest and cleaned her face.

'I am going to have my bath. Would you mind joining me?' I asked her, winking at her.

She turned away and blushed beautifully then said yes. I had only meant to tease I had not expected her to say yes. All the vessels transporting blood in my body left their normal route and transported blood to my third leg.

Damn! I had never had an erection that quickly in my whole life. I moaned and my wolf howled in my head.

I pulled Leila up from the sofa, pulled her into my hands, and gently caressed her sides before moving down her back.

'You know what taking a bath with me will lead to, right?' I asked because I wanted to be sure she knew what she was getting herself into. I have had my share of women over the years but I never stuck around long enough to know them.

Mating with Leila was different, she was not a fling, she was my mate. The love I found and will keep forever.

'Yes,' Leila answered, and I almost cum right there by just holding her with the lust that rushed into my brain.

'I will try my best to please you, Leila, but it has been a while. I might lose touch, but I will try,' I said.

'Shut up and kiss me already Ian,' Leila said but her mouth didn't move.

'Did you say something?' I asked her.

'Damn you Ian. I need you now. Stop talking, she said again, but her mouth didn't move. Then I realized something, I could hear her thoughts clearly.

'What is it, Ian? Leila asked as she noticed that I was distracted.

'Nothing Leila. I am fine. More than fine,' I said, smiling at her happily.

I pulled her hand and led her into the bathroom, ignoring the frown on her face.

Like a child unwrapping a present, I gently and carefully undressed Leila. I could hear her thoughts, so it helped me in pleasuring her. I knew what she wanted and I did it, giving her every pleasure she imagined. I wanted her in a very comfortable position when I mate with her so all I did in the bathroom was pleasure her just the way she wanted.

I helped her dry up when we finally got around to taking our baths. We got to the room, and she went for her clothes.

'You think it is over?' I asked and carried her to the bed. She smiled seductively at me as I lay between her legs.

As I slipped into her, I felt the resistance of her maidenhead so I had to stop and help her relax before I went in completely.

I felt so complete, so contented and fulfilled. I lost a love I thought I found, but I found a love that I deserved. And if my guess was right, I lost a gift and found another. How fairer can life be?