Chapter 73 - Rejected by My Best Friend & Alpha

KILLIAN'S POV

"Can I talk to you?"

Vivian looked around me before nodding. "Sure, come on in."

I stepped inside, resisting the urge to wrap my arms arounds her, holding her against me and never letting her go. But instead, I waited for her to motion for me to sit down and do the same. "So what's up, Kill?"

I reached over, grabbed her hands, then stared at her and caught her eyes. "The Blood Moon is coming up. Are you any closer to a decision?"

She pulled her hands from mine. "That's what this was about?'

"The war is over. It's time to get things in order, and it's time to choose a mate, Vivian."

Her eyes narrowed. "And getting me in line and mating with me is just on the agenda?"

I reached for her again, but she just moved her hands. "No, it's not like that. I was also reminding you that the reasons you delayed before are no longer relevant. And you can focus on this—on us."

"You should go."

I sighed. "Okay. I'll go for now. But promise me we'll talk again before the ceremony."

She nodded. "Of course."

"Will I know your decision before then, or will you blindside me?"

"I'm not sure how you want to do this..."

I paused. I wasn't sure either. "The three of us will meet beforehand and announce it to the pack right after."

"That sounds like a good plan."

I winked at her. "Of course it is; I came up with it."

She tried to hide a smirk but failed. "Come on, I have stuff to do today."

I stood, letting her guide me to the door. I paused there, then swooped down, kissing her cheek. I didn't want to be as bold to kiss her lips this time. She seemed standoffish right now. She touched her cheek, offering me a small smile. "Goodbye, Killian."

I smiled back. "Goodbye, Vivian."

Then, I was off and headed straight to Maya's room. We had an overdue talk. I hadn't bothered with it before, but now was a good time. Reaching the door, I knocked softly. I didn't need to scare the poor woman.

She opened the door, smiling up at me, warming. "Welcome back, Alpha. I have the tea ready."

I wasn't feeling angry or rushed today, so I nodded. "I appreciate that."

Stepping inside, I walked straight to her couch, making myself comfortable. We were silent as she got us a cup of tea and settled in the chair across from me. "To what do I owe the pleasure, Alpha?"

I stared into my tea. "Why did Vivian never mate to me?"

"My only assumption is that you were never meant to be her mate."

I shook my head. "I felt it. And she never mated to Chris, either. She mated to no one other than a fake mate bond to Caleb."

Maya tapped her chin. "Perhaps her mate bond with her original mate, Zeke, was never truly severed. Maybe it's still there, waiting to be finished off."

"How can I get rid of it?"

"She would need to do it herself by rejecting him again."

"Shit. How do you expect me to explain that to her?"

Maya shrugged. "It's irrelevant once you claim her after the Blood Moon."

"If she chooses me. I feel like she's hesitant to choose me. I'd like her to feel a mate bond with me beforehand so she's more inclined to choose me. So having her reject Zeke beforehand, mating to me before the Blood Moon, would help me out."

Maya looked at the door to ensure no one was there. "Or there may be another way."

"I'm all ears."

She leaned forward, as did I. "A fake mate bond."

I sucked in my breath. "The kind that Caleb and Vivian had. No, I can't do that."

Maya leaned back. "Yours is for a better cause."

"It's still deceiving her."

"I'll place this in your hands. Some witches can force this with their minds. I'm more of a traditionalist. I use herbs."

She stood, heading towards a cabinet. I watched as she searched for a second before finding a small bottle heading back toward me. "I prepared this in case you came to me for this exact situation."

"Thank you for your vote in confidence."

"The longer you two seemed unmated, the longer I suspected something was wrong."

I looked down at the bottle, curious. "How does this work."

"She should consume half the bottle. You mix it in a drink. Then, within 24 hours, you must consume the other half. Otherwise, the potion will not work."

I nodded. "Thank you."

"This decision is now in your hands. Do with it what you will."

*****

CHRIS'S POV

She had never told me about being an Alpha. And figures I had to learn about it from the Alpha-hole. "She's an Alpha. She needs to be with another Alpha."

The words still stung, and I would usually ignore Killian, but he was too confident for me to ignore. I was headed to Vivid now to confront her. Seeing Zeke about to enter her room, I shoved him aside. "Not right now, asshole."

Zeke stumbled but quickly regained his footing. "Hold up. You're not going in there. She's waiting for me to take her outside and doesn't want to see you."

I sneered at him. "I don't care. Now fuck off."

I shoved him again until he stumbled into the opposite wall. Then I stepped into her room, quickly closing the door behind me and locking it. Within seconds, Zeke was banging on the door. "Get the fuck out of there, Chris."

I turned around and saw Vivid staring at me from the bed. "I see you two are getting along, as usual."

I grinned. "Just the best of friends. Like always."

She giggled. "I'm so glad you came to visit. Come here."

I made a beeline for the bed, perching myself on the edge. She reached for my hand, gripping it. "I've missed you."

"I've missed you. I wish I had more time to talk, but with Zeke making that commotion, I guess I should be quick."

She nodded. "Yeah, I guess so."

"Why didn't you tell me that you were an Alpha?"

Her gaze dropped from mine. So it was true. "Who told you?"

"Killian."

"Of course he did. But it doesn't matter, Chris. It's just...it doesn't matter."

I gripped her hand. "But it does. It means I don't deserve you. I could never match you."

She gasped. "What are you saying?"

"This entire time, you were never mated to me. And probably for good reason. I was never worthy enough for you."

She stared at me. "Chris, none of this matters. It doesn't matter to me and shouldn't matter to you."

I reached out, catching the stray tear falling down her cheek. "I can't tell you what to do or who to choose. I'm here to tell you I wouldn't blame you if you didn't choose me. And I don't hold any anger towards you. I completely understand now."

I leaned forward, kissing her nose. She shook her head. "You are worthy, more than you know..."

I stood. "We'll talk more later. I know you have a lot on your mind right now, and I don't want to be a source of frustration when you experience enough stress while healing."

I grabbed her hand, and she looked up at me. "Thank you."

I kissed her hands. "I'll be here for you regardless."

She smiled. "I always thought Zeke was my best friend, but you've taken that spot—and more."

I winked. "I like the 'and more' part."

She grinned as I let her hands go and headed towards the door. Opening it, I saw a furious Zeke leaning against the wall. "Are you done being a grade-A asshole?" he huffed.

"I don't know, are you done being a whiny bitch?" I retorted.

He shoved past me, ignoring me. I grinned. He'll always be second-best, and at least I know Vivid wouldn't choose him.