Chapter Twenty-Seven - Confess

Caspian and Athereld turned to me, noticing my presence. They seemed unprepared for my unexpected appearance. Caspian released Athereld's chin as Athereld fixed the lapels of his white coat.

"Don't hurt her," Athereld turned to Caspian and calmly said. "I won't forgive you. If you don't wish to accept her, in that case, I won't back off. I am an alpha, after all," Athereld said, locking his eyes with Caspian.

"You are confusing me," Caspian said, frowning.

"If I hadn't met Bailey, perhaps I would excuse your arrogance. But now, I can't overlook this," Athereld answered calmly.

"Are you in love with Bailey?" Caspian questioned, clenching his fists.

Athereld unexpectedly chuckled, playing with Caspian's mind.

"Why do you ask? Did you ever care about my emotions? Is it because of Bailey that you are concerned now?" Athereld asked back.

Caspian's face hardened as he clenched his fists, unclenching them shortly at Athereld's words. However, it didn't take long for me to realize what they were talking about.

Athereld turned to leave. But he stopped before me as our eyes met. It was hard to read Athereld's face. However, Athereld abruptly leaned down, bringing his face closer to mine as my eyes widened.

Athereld gently caressed my face as I slightly shivered at his touch. Athereld cupped my face and abruptly placed his lips over mine.

I froze at the place as my eyes fell on a dumbfounded Caspian. I attempted to push Athereld away, coming back to my senses. However, Athereld's grip tightened on my chin, his slender, long fingers pressing hard on my cheeks.

Athereld deepened the kiss as Caspian couldn't endure the scenario longer. Caspian reached us in a glimpse, splitting Athereld's body from mine.

Caspian's widened eyes met Athereld's. Nevertheless, Athereld appeared calmer than ever.

"See? That's what's going to happen if you keep denying your wolf," Athereld calmly said as if nothing had happened. Athereld turned to me, attempting to pat my head.

Caspian grabbed Athereld's hand rapidly, preventing him from making further contact with my body.

"Stay away from her," Caspian coldly said. His voice almost came out as an angry wolf.

I looked into Caspian's eyes. But they weren't glowing, making it apparent that he wasn't in his wolf's possession. However, Caspian seemed madder than ever.

Athereld smiled slightly, freeing his wrist from Caspian's grip.

"That's how I also feel," Athereld said, leaving as we stood there bewildered.

Caspian grabbed my hands before I could say anything. He took me to his bedchamber, locking the door behind me.

I had never been to Caspian's room before. I got mesmerized by the elegant decor inside the room with the blue-gray slated ceramic floor and ash and white furniture.

But I couldn't get distracted for long as Caspian exhaustedly fell on the massive bed with the white embroidered silk bed sheet.

"Am I your mate?" I questioned him calmly. Caspian got up, staring at me calmly. His shoulders appeared even broader as the tight-fit shirt beneath his vest struggled not to rip.

"You are," Caspian answered calmly.

I felt as if my gut would come out of my mouth. My heart clenched inside hard, making my throat sore.

"And you are upset about it," I attempted to stay calm. However, my voice became heavy.

"We can't be together," Caspian said, getting up from the bed. He raked his finger through his silky blond hair, standing by the glass wall.

"Is it because I am a rogue?" I questioned again. I didn't realize when my eyes got teary.

Caspian turned to me, leaning on the glass wall, shoving his hands in his pockets aimlessly.

"I am bound to fulfill the Alpha Lord's every wish," Caspian said calmly. He came to me slowly and whispered in my ear, leaning a bit, "The world we live in doesn't count if we are mates. We must do what we need to let our pack reign."

"Why didn't you reject me then? You hurt me every time intentionally, and I was a fool to believe you only thought of me as a contender," I said between sobbing.

I hated to cry in front of him. If I was going to get rejected, I didn't want to look weak in front of him.

"What's there to reject?" Caspian asked calmly.

I looked up into Caspian's eyes, frowning. My eyes had refused to listen to me long ago as I could feel my wet cheeks.

"What do you mean?" I questioned, frowning.

"You can't even wake your wolf, nor feel it. What's there to reject?" Caspian asked back.

I couldn't bear it anymore. Caspian stared at me, getting perplexed as I slapped him out of reflex.

"You asshole!" I yelled, crying.

Caspian's eyes glowed up for a moment, making his ethereal face almost appear like a monster. However, he didn't even flinch or respond to me.

"I won't return to you even if you beg," I yelled again, leaving his room shortly.

I came to my bed-chamber, curling up on my bed. It was true that since my wolf was in a stage of eternal sleep, I couldn't feel the rejection properly. However, the pain I felt inside was greater than any physical pain.

I couldn't fathom how he could reject his mate when Aphrodite didn't even love him. However, I had never felt such hatred toward anyone before.

"I will never forgive him," I mumbled as my depleted body fell asleep soon.

The next day I woke up late to avoid having breakfast with Caspian. As I came downstairs, I saw my uncle sitting with Athereld in the living room. Athereld's face brightened up, noticing me.

However, I felt anger rushing through my veins, recalling the kiss earlier.

"These self-centered, egotistic bastards think they can force themselves on me whenever they wish?" I thought.

"Bailey," my uncle called my name cheerfully. "Athereld said I can live in this house since the wolf treatment is compatible with my body. He will come here to check on me every day."

It was indeed good news for me. Yet, I couldn't bring myself to get excited like the other days.

"Uncle," I said calmly. "Let's return to our home once you get cured," I said, smiling at him painfully.

Athereld hastily got up, listening to my words.

"What are you talking about, Bailey? This is your home. Your grandpa is your family, Bailey. How can I take you back again?" My uncle questioned me concernedly.

"Let's talk about this once you get better," I answered calmly. "I am getting late for school," I said, attempting to leave.

Athereld called me several times, following me outside the apartment. I tried to open the car when Athereld pushed the door close, trapping me between him and the car door.

"Please, listen to me," Athereld said desperately.

"Why?" I turned to Athereld. ''You love Caspian like your brother. Are you done making your brother jealous? Or do you wish to use me for something further?" I asked angrily.

Athereld seemed unprepared for my charges.

"Bailey," Athereld cried out, grabbing my shoulders. "You have misunderstood. I never intended to use you for any purpose, please, trust me," Athereld said, closing the gap between our bodies.

"Let go of me!" I tried to free myself from Athereld's grip. However, he didn't even flinch. Are these jerks made of stones? I wondered.

"Bailey, I am a mateless alpha. However, I never thought of taking someone as my mate," Athereld said. I struggled in his grip but he continued.

"Since I grew up with Caspian, I shared my every precious memory with him. I mistook my affection for him as my possession. However, it wasn't the kind of love you would feel for your mate. Caspian meant everything to me. Hence, I wished for him to think of me the same way. Yet, I was never more than a friend to him. I couldn't endure it when he fell for Aphrodite. But I wouldn't stop him from pursuing Aphrodite if she didn't try to tempt me."

Athereld paused, saying. "When I met you, you looked like a lost puppy I wanted to raise. But it didn't take long for me to realize that you belonged to Caspian. Yet, I failed to give up on my desires. I couldn't even realize when the simple interest in raising a lost puppy turned to love," Athereld said, looking into my eyes.

My body stiffened as Athereld finally confessed, "I fell too hard for you, Bailey."