Chapter 41
Gradel
It was for the best. Ending things between us like that was better than a public rejection. She didn't deserve to be treated in such a manner ever again.
"You have to understand me, Iris. You can't be with a man who has so much baggage. A man who doesn't even know how to love a woman. Do you enjoy suffering?" I asked her.
She sniffed, fighting hard to keep her tears from falling and it broke my heart because I didn't want her to cry because of me. I wished I could make it easier for her.
"So you are rejecting me just like your brother did?" She hiccuped.
I tilted her face upward and held her hands. "I'm not rejecting you. I know the pain that comes with being rejected and I can't put you through that. This decision should make you happy. Think of all the benefits that come with living your life the way you want."
She shook her head vehemently and snatched her hands from mine. "Are you listening to yourself? I'm wearing your scent like a second skin and you think that it will be possible for any sensible unmated man to approach me for a date?"
I pinched my forehead in frustration. "There are ways around it. I can get you something to mask your scent and everything will be alright."
My wolf snarled within me at the thought of another man coming close to her in ignorance, but I shoved it aside. There was no need to fight for a lost cause, I'd accepted my fate and I hoped she would.
"Oh, Gradel. You make me mad. Are you quite sure that you'll be comfortable seeing me gallivanting around the pack with other men and imagining what I'd be doing with them in private while I'm still your mate?" She questioned and jealousy flared up within me.
You're not a whore, I wanted to say but I decided against it.
"You are free."
She nodded and inhaled deeply. "Alright then. I guess I might as well leave the pack house tonight to my apartment. It would be very difficult for me to sleep in the house of a man who has rejected me."
"I didn't reject you." I argued.
"But you have done that in your heart," She scoffed. "Thank you for everything." She said coldly.
About to leave, I called her name. "I have a question for you and I hope you reply honestly." She kept mute so I took her silence for a yes and went ahead to ask. "Are you in love with me?"
She huffed and whipped a glance that I couldn't interpret at me. "I would have gladly given you an answer if you had asked me before letting me go. Right now, I'm not obligated to give you any sincere response. Have a nice evening."
*********
Iris's POV
I slammed the door behind me and crouched on the cold floor with a different kind of pain stabbing my chest. This man I'd come to love had dished out the rejection I feared, only that it was served more subtly.
Alone in the room, I let out a scream that caused my ribs to ache after I snapped my lips shut. I was tired of being rejected.
Only a few hours ago, my heart had swollen with love for the prince because of what he did. Now I wasn't sure of what I felt for him.
Friends. I scoffed at the thought of having a platonic relationship with the man I wanted to make love with. The man I was dreaming of bearing pups for.
A knock came on my door and I hissed loudly. I'd asked the guards not to let anyone in and it wasn't Gradel because it was his room and he could barge in as he pleased.
I got a grip on my emotions and wiped my face with the hem of my dress. Whoever was at the door had better be worth it.
"Come in," I croaked.
The door made a creaking sound and Hazel bounced in. I sighed and then she glanced at me with worry appearing on her beautiful face.
She scooted beside me, taking my face in her palms. "What happened to you? Your face is red and swollen. Did anyone beat you up?" Her voice was angry with concern and I knew that if I allowed it, she could beat up whoever I told her to hurt me.
Tired of keeping secrets to myself, I told her the truth. "It would have been better if I was beaten up."
Her brows arched in confusion. "What do you mean?"
I fiddled with my fingers just to be distracted from my pain. "I was rejected by Prince Gradel."
"He said that he doesn't want to be your mate anymore?"
"Nope. He didn't say it verbally but according to him, he has so much baggage that he doesn't want to transfer to me so he's trying to protect me from the lonely life I might live if he continues to be with me."
She came closer to me. "So he didn't reject you verbally and you're free to be with another man?" I nodded, unable to say anything. "You should be happy, My lady. It's a win-win situation."
I sighed and then she passed me a knowing look. "You are in love with him?" She whispered.
My lips parted as I was about to respond and then another knock interrupted me. "Excuse me,"
I stood up groggily and turned the doorknob, taking a sneak peek at the unwanted visitor. The Alpha's messenger stood outside with his head bowed.
"What do you want?" My tone was rude but I didn't care.
"The Alpha wants to see you now, My lady. He asks that you make haste."
The memories from our last meeting flashed before my eyes and I hesitated before giving a reply. It would be wrong to refuse him but I didn't want to set eyes on anyone who would remind me of my present predicament.
"I'll be with him shortly."
That's how I found myself traipsing in the hallway that led to the Alpha's chamber. I'd never been there and if it was a different scenario, I'd have fed my eyes with the splendor of his wing.
After confirming that I was in the right place, the guard standing by the door went in and informed the Alpha of my presence and a few seconds later, I was in.
I inclined my head, my hands folded behind me. "Greetings, Alpha. You sent for me." I said curtly.
If he sensed the bitterness in my voice, he didn't say anything about it.
"Take a seat. We have a lot of things to talk about."