16- Dismayed and Hurt

THERESE’S POV.

“What brought you here, Danson? It’s been a while since you visited me.”

Father spoke while everyone remained silent.

To be honest, I didn’t expect to see Danson. He was such a little boy when he lived with his father a few years ago. Now, he looked like a real grown-up man.

Danson chuckled.

He set aside the fork and knife, then reached for the glass of wine.

“I wanted to meet Therese’s mate.”

Hearing Danson’s response changed father’s mood. The smile on his face vanished, and he got disappointed.

I gasped and held Trevor’s hand under the table. I didn’t want to make him feel like an outcast because of my father. Trevor is my mate, and he proved everything in front of the pack.

To stop my father from making his malicious claims, I giggled. Then I raised my eyebrows to get Danson’s attention.

“Why? Don’t tell me you want to play your favorite game with Trevor?”

“I would love to, but I’m no longer a kid. Can’t you see that I’m a grown-up man now, my lady?”

Danson smirked, leaving me speechless.

He then looked at Trevor, who remained silent and calm beside me.

“It’s my pleasure meeting you. I’m Danson Glamming, the young lady’s favorite kid.”

Trevor smiled at him, showing nothing but perfect composure. He didn’t even blink his eyes, proving how much more powerful he was than anyone else.

“Trevor Gulfen, the young lady’s mate. It’s my pleasure meeting you, young man,” he replied.

I hoped father wouldn’t interrupt them. I knew he liked Danson being around because of his exceptional fighting skills. I would never argue with him about it.

“Well, to answer the young lady’s question, I’m here to request a battle with you. Would you grant my request, my lord?”

A deafening silence lasted for a few seconds.

Trevor didn’t have to grant his request, knowing how powerful Danson was. I didn’t want to witness another bloody battle that almost took my breath away.

To keep Trevor safe, I squeezed his hand under the table. I looked straight into his eyes, hoping he could understand what I wanted to tell him.

Yet father interrupted the conversation and decided on behalf of Trevor.

He said, “Yes, of course! You are my visitor, and I should grant your requests.”

I wanted to walk out with Trevor.

The whole thing disappointed me and wanted to stay in my room the whole day.

“But father—”

To my surprise, Trevor held my hand and tilted his head. He agreed to grant Danson’s request to please my cruel father.

“Yes, it would be my pleasure," he mumbled.

“What are we waiting for? Let’s head to the battlefield at once!” Danson replied.

Excitement showed all over his face, mocking the hell out of me. I wanted to rip off his lips to tell him that it annoyed me. If Danson hadn’t mentioned it, Trevor wouldn’t be in trouble.

I hated him!

I hated Danson!

***

Nervous to watch Trevor and Danson’s fight, I walked back and forth. I wanted to stop it, but father would never allow it.

“I hate Danson so much!”

I mumbled.

Until Valor appeared out of the blue. He rubbed his chin and stood next to me like we were close friends.

“I’ve warned you, my lady. You shouldn’t have married that man in the very beginning if you wanted a peaceful life with the twins.”

The way he spoke caught my attention. I knew how obsessed he was with being my mate. But he had no right to dictate what I wanted to do with my life or who I was supposed to marry.

“Stop! You’re crossing a line you’re not supposed to, Valor!”

“I’m telling you the truth, young lady. If you want to protect yourself and your children, leave Trevor as soon as possible.”

I turned around and walked into the hallway.

But Valor followed me, trying to poison my thoughts.

“Don’t you dare turn your back on me! I’m concerned only about you, for heaven’s sake!’

I ignored him.

I kept walking until Trevor appeared in front of me.

His face was covered with darkness, which confused me. I had no idea until he passed by and grabbed Valor’s collar in an instant.

“Why are you bothering my wife?”

Trevor's eyes were burning.

One wrong move and Valor would turn into ashes.

Shocked, Valor widened his eyes. He couldn’t utter a single word, knowing Trevor’s power, which could kill him in the blink of an eye.

Trevor’s deep voice caught father and Danson’s attention. They walked toward us, trying to know what was going on.

“What happened?”

Danson asked me.

I gasped and ignored him.

The only thing in my head was Trevor’s safety. He had to stop before Valor transformed into a merciless monster.

“Take this as your last warning. Stay away from my wife, and I won’t lay my finger on you!”

Tears flowed down my cheeks. Seeing Trevor this way made me emotional. His efforts got wasted in a glimpse because he protected me from Valor.

Through my peripheral vision. Father meddled between and looked at Trevor with anger in his eyes.

“Explain yourself, Trevor!”

I couldn’t bear to stand and do nothing to save him from embarrassment.

To clear his name, I wiped away my tears and spoke the truth without hesitation. I looked at him, but he tilted his head. A sign that he wanted to deal with it by himself.

But I chose to protect him. I wanted to do something in return for his luna.

“Trevor didn’t do anything wrong! He only stopped Valor from harassing me, and that’s the truth, father!”

“Stay away from this, young lady!”

Father didn’t believe in me. He took Trevor’s action for granted and used it to embarrass him. I knew he would always choose Valor over my mate. It shattered my heart into pieces as I saw how he mistreated Trevor in front of Danson and Valor.

“I repeat, explain yourself!”

Father gasped.

Right then, Trevor let go of Valor and bowed. He didn’t explain his side; instead, he lied in front of me.

“I apologize for causing trouble, my lord. I was carefree, my lord,” Trevor said.

“No, that’s not true!” I interrupted.

“Enough! Stop protecting your husband because he was at fault!” Father said.

Valor smirked.

He thought everything was fine because father took the blame for Trevor. I will never forget this day. Someday, I’ll make him pay for everything.

“I don’t want this mess to happen again, do you understand?”

“Yes, my lord!”

Trevor mumbled like a puppet.

At that moment, father walked back into his favorite spot. He waited for Danson and Trevor’s fight like nothing happened. He never tried to know the truth, which disappointed me.

“I am dismayed and hurt,” I mumbled.

Then I left the battlefield with a heavy heart.