Chapter 33 — The Breaking Point

I asked Sadia to meet me in the woods near the pack house. We walked to a field. “Being engaged to someone you didn’t date has been kind of weird right?” I started.

Sadia chuckled. “We were best friends before, and I told you I always liked you. It’s not so weird.”

I sighed. “It’s been weird for me Sadia, it’s been confusing.”

Sadia walked around a tree while staring at me. “Well, you like me now, don’t you? We’ve been going on dates and having sex. We didn’t do those things before we were engaged.”

“I know Sadia.”

She stopped walking and stood in front of me. “Do you like me Lexus?”

“Why do you expect me to Sadia? I didn’t ask you to marry me because I liked you. I asked you to marry me, so you’d be happy. You were miserable with the idea that you had to stay in the pack house.”

A tear rolled down her cheek. “I thought you cared about me so much because you liked me. I always knew we weren’t marrying for love, but I thought we were falling in love…” Her voice cracked.

“I don’t think we should get married anymore.”

“What…?” She hugged herself. “Why? What’s changed?”

I reached my arm out to comfort her, but she moved. “If I get married, I think I want to get married for myself. It’s not fair to you to marry someone who doesn’t have feelings for you. Look at you, this is the proof. If we were marked, you’d know I wasn’t feeling romantic love for you. This whole time I thought you felt the way I did. I thought this was only about getting you out of the pack house. I didn’t think you had any feelings for me. I thought we’d eventually both get there after being married for a while.” I could have fell for my best friend but not now, not with Aqua around. “You already being there and me not is just hurting you. I thought you were more interested in being queen and living in the castle.”

Sadia wiped the few tears rolling down her cheeks. “I was just being delusional, Cade was right.” I guess Cade was telling us both what we didn’t want to hear. “I should have never told you I loved you.”

I hated seeing her so upset. “This would have been inevitable, Sadia. It’s better we end it now.” She turned her back to me and walked towards the pack house. “Sadia,” I called out then followed her.

“Just leave Lexus. I’ll come over later to get my fucking stuff.” I really did ruin my friendship with her. “I’ll just go back to living in a place I can’t escape.”

I walked to the door and stopped because a wolf was growling at me. It wasn’t Calvin or Tam. It was another member, and they were being protective of Sadia. They shifted into their human form and ran after Sadia. I had seen her around a few times, she was a little younger. 

I flew back home, and I saw Aqua talking to Arma in the Garden while they worked. She always took on extra shifts to help her friends with their work. I walked and sat at one of the benches that they were near. “Don’t forget to pull up the weeds.” I teased.

Aqua held back a smile and Arma rolled her eyes. “What are you doing here?” Aqua asked. “Do you need me? I might not be the most help right not I’m feeling nauseous.

I shook my head. “I’m just bored.” I noticed Stewart and Vella were working too. Vella was working in the garden while Stewart was leaning the benches. I guess the garden was a nice spot for a lot of people to work and hangout today. Even Cade was hanging out in the garden with Gray and Konn. Gray was sleep on Konn’s lap. The Guards all looked pretty cheerful. There were other workers spread out in different sections gardening. It was a nice day, but it was hard to enjoy after what I did to Sadia.

Arma was concerned. “Aqua if you’re not feeling well you don’t have to help.”

Aqua shook her head. “It’s a weird feeling, I think it’s a holder thing. I just feel like something really bad is going to happen, but I don’t know what.” I was worried about her but if I showed too much concern it’d be suspicious. I trusted Arma to comfort her for me.

I looked down at my phone to see that Sadia sent a message that she was on her way to get her things. I got up. “Now I’m not bored.” I needed to get all her things together, so we didn’t have to see each other for long.

“Where are you going?” Vella asked. “Your girlfriend is right there.” She looked like she hadn’t got much sleep last night. I looked over to Aqua who was kneeling over now and Arma was rubbing her back. Konn gave Gray who was still asleep to a Guard and walked over to Aqua.

“What are you talking about Vella? I don’t have time for a story.” I walked past her.

She grabbed my arm and I stopped. “I’m talking about Aqua. You ghosted me to sleep with her instead?” She whispered. That really wasn’t the case because I regretted sleeping with Vella immediately after. It was just poor timing. 

I sighed. “No Vella, I ghosted you because you were with my best friend. Nothing is going on with Aqua.” I said at a low volume so no one would hear but Arma was staring at us. 

Vella scoffed. “I saw you both by the hiking trail last night. I couldn’t really hear you, but I could see you two clearly making out.” She wasn’t whispering anymore. “You and Aqua.” She turned to Aqua. “You think you’re lucky because you’re sleeping with him? It’s not going to last, someone else will come along.”

She wanted to expose us, she said it loud enough for everyone in the garden to hear. Cade walked to us. “Vella, this has nothing to do with you.”

Vella glared at Cade. “No, it does. It’s his fault we’re not together anymore.”

“What? Lexus had nothing to do with our breaking up.”

I glared at Vella. “You’re making yourself look crazy Vella, do you really want to lose your job over this? I looked down at my phone to see a message from Sadia that she was here. 

Vella chuckled bitterly. “He ruined our relationship because we slept together, Cade. I was so guilty about it that it ruined our relationship. It’s not fair that he did the same thing as I did, and you guys still act like best fucking friends.” 

At first, I thought anger was running up my spine, but it was fear. Cade looked at me in a way I never expected him to. “What? You slept with my girlfriend? And when I confronted you about it after Arma told me you lied.”

I couldn’t lie anymore. “It was only once, and it was a mistake Cade.”

I noticed Sadia walk out of one of the back doors of the castle from the corner of my eye. She was looking for me to get her things.

I couldn’t stop Sadia from hearing what Cade said next. “So, you had sex with my girlfriend and was so regretful you started sleeping with my sister? I kept trying to convince myself that you weren’t a shit person for what you were doing to Sadia but it’s clear to me you are because how you treat the two people you call your best friends. You’re really one of the best liars and manipulates I know Lexus. You acted so concerned when me and Vella broke up.” He looked at Arma. “I guess you’re happy now, you were right, and I was wrong.”

Arma looked down and frowned. “I didn’t want to be right.” She muttered.

Konn walked up behind Cade. “Cade—”

Cade cut him off. “No. There’s nothing you or he can say. I quit; I’m not working anywhere near him. Tell the King and Queen that I’m sorry for not giving any notice.” He looked at me one last time. “I defended you.” He chuckled out of frustration. “You know I felt guilt just from the fact that I started to like Sadia even though you never felt anything for her? Meanwhile you were having sex with my girlfriend and my sister with no issue. You were raised by my father, I guess you’re more like him than I am.” He turned around and walked towards one of the castle entrances passing Sadia.

Sadia was staring at me and looked even more hurt than before. When we made eye contact, she turned away. I rushed to her before she tried to leave. “Sadia.”

“Stop, just stop!” She yelled. “I’m leaving, I don’t want my stuff anymore. You were really cheating on me the entire time we were together. And with my friends.” She glared at Vella. “You disgust me.” Vella’s expression went from her being on the verge of breaking down to guilt. 

Aqua rushed over to us as Vella left. “Sadia I’m so sorry.”

Sadia glared at her. “No, you’re not. I know you haven’t been here long, but I thought we were friends. You try to come off like you’re harmless and care about people. You’re selfish Aqua and you know what? Your ex was right, you are submissive.” She paused. “I was there for you since we met. I was one of the first people to reach out to you to be your friend, so you’d be comfortable in a new world. I was there for you when you were heartbroken over your breakup.” She was trembling as she spoke. “I introduced you to Calvin and tried to give you hope. When that didn’t work out, I was there. When you felt like you weren’t a part of your own family and broke down, I was there. Even when you were feeling down the other day because of your mom and I still don’t even know exactly what that was about, but I was there for you. I was jealous of how much time you got to spend with my fiancé. That night you cried to me about your mom, and I held you I was jealous of you. I thought something might have been going on between you two. I was still there because I was convincing myself you wouldn’t do that.” She scoffed with tears running down her cheek. “I wish I could take back all the time I was there for you because you just deserve to suffer alone.” She took a few steps back, shifted and flew off before anyone else could say anything else.

“That’s the bad thing I felt coming…” Aqua mumbled and I watched her tears hit the ground.

I looked at the main back door and saw my parents walk out. The guards were speaking with them so I could only assume they were informing them about everything that went on. 

My mother gestured for me to go to them, so I did. “Lexus we’re disappointed in you. We should have known something was going after you asked those questions.” My mother sighed. “You need to leave Lexus. We don’t think you should be here right now. We’re firing Vella but we can’t do the same with Aqua. It’s better that you leave. Your relationship with her has been highly inappropriate. You can stay wherever you want, there are tons of nice hotels in the central city. Me and your father have a lot to discuss moving forward.”

“I’ll escort you to your room to get whatever you need then see you out.” One of the guards said.

“You don’t understand, me and Aqua are—”

“Over.” My father spoke over me. I didn’t try to finish because why would they care that we were mates?” All they cared about was their image and their kingdom, not their son or his happiness. 

“Fine.” I left with the guard and got a few important things. I ruined everything; I didn’t care about whatever punishment my parents would think of. I cared about how badly I hurt my best friends. I probably won’t be able to see Aqua either.

I flew for a few hours. I wanted to get as far away as possible. I didn’t even want to stay in the kingdom, so I went to one of the neighboring kingdoms. I stayed in an inn in a small village. It wasn’t that bad, no one had noticed who I was, and I had a lot of time to reflect. Aqua called me the next night. I wanted so badly to take her with me, to just run away. “I’m staying in an elf kingdom. I’ll be fine, what about you?”

“I don’t know… it’s weird being here without you. Plus, it feels like everyone knows. I’m getting a lot of strange looks and I don’t even know what I’m supposed to be doing with you gone. I’ve been thinking a lot about what Sadia said. Cade is still here but he’s been packing. I don’t think he really wants to talk to me. Lynn was trying to convince him to stay since Vella was officially fired and you’re gone. He’s not even talking to our father.”

“I made a big mess.”

“We made a big mess.” Aqua corrected. “The way we did what we did was wrong.” 

“Maybe we shouldn’t talk for a while, I don’t want to get you in trouble Aqua.” 

“Oh… for how long?”

“I don’t know. Take care of yourself, okay?” 

“Okay…”

I hung up and didn’t get any sleep that night. For the next month I helped out around the village. I had no contact with Aqua or anyone from home. 

I looked down at my phone to see who was calling me and it was Cade. “Hey?”

“Where are you? Is Aqua there?”

“Aqua’s not with me, why?”

“I’m serious Lexus, this isn’t the time to lie. Where is my sister?”

I was starting to get worried. “I really don’t know, when was the last time you saw her? I haven’t spoken to her in a month.”

“Fuck, she’s missing, she’s been missing for a week.”