Chapter 44
Author's POV
In the middle of a thick forest, that no one knew existed, roars rang so loud that the tall trees around them shook and anyone who was three miles close could hear them. Unfortunately, no one could.
A young man, whose black robe were torn in different places stood with his head inclined, and his subordinates bowed before him on their knees.
They had just witnessed the rarest thing ever; a man shifting from his human form to a mountain lion that they were ignorant of its existence.
The young man himself who didn't know that he could change into such a form was in awe of his strength which caused him to roar in excitement.
"You don't need to be afraid of me, everyone. I won't do anything to you. Please, get up," He said to the men who shivered visibly.
They did as he asked for the fear of being torn into pieces. He could be merciful sometimes, but knowing the strength he possessed, no one wanted to be used as a scapegoat.
"It is time to claim what belongs to me." He snickered.
His subordinates began to chant as a way of declaring their support.
"We are ready!" They chorused, singing and dancing until dusk fell and the reality of their agreement dawned on them.
And then they began to plan.
**********
Iris's POV
"How do you feel today?" Hazel's voice was bubbly and filled with so much enthusiasm.
One would think she led a life of ease, not knowing that she had learned to make the best out of every situation.
I reflected on the trajectory of my life for the past few days and concluded that I had to do something. No matter how insignificant it was.
"Better than the last time you met me," I admitted.
She nodded, linking her hand to my arm as we strolled to the market to get dressed for the Alpha's birthday party. Days back, I'd have been more than delighted to go on a shopping spree with Gradel, but now, we barely spoke to each other after how I pushed him away.
"I have something to show you, but it won't be today. Prince Gradel gifted me a house and I'll be moving in soon but I won't live there alone. Boredom might consume me if I attempt that so I'm asking that you come stay with me." I informed her, hoping that she would accept my offer.
An excited scream tore out from her lips and I sighed in relief. "I'd have been mad at you if you didn't ask me to come over. Finally, I can have some privacy and I'll know how it feels to live without the control of my parents. Thank you so much for this, Iris. You don't know what this means to me," She pulled me close for an embrace, holding me tightly.
"Ummm, I'll be suffocated if you keep holding me like this, Hazel." I made a choking sound and she let go of me.
"I'm sorry, girl, I was just too excited."
We continued our stroll and I fell into silence, thinking of how my life would be if Gradel eventually knew about the relationship between my late mother and his father. I didn't care that I'd be made a laughingstock again, I was just scared that our relationship would be over completely.
"You're thinking of him again, aren't you?" Hazel's voice jolted me from my thoughts.
I jerked and rolled my eyes since I didn't want to accept the truth.
She stopped walking and I halted too. "Sadness is written all over your face no matter how you try to hide it and I'm not happy about it. I don't know what is going on between the both of you, but you have to cheer up. That reminds me, why do you want to live in the pack house? Did he send you away?"
I wanted to tell her everything but that would force me to tell her everything, including the short-term contract we had, and I didn't think Gradel would appreciate the fact that our secret was told to a third party.
"It's nothing. Just the usual couple of issues between mates, nothing we can't handle."
"Alright, then I have a solution for your depression." Her expression was bright, almost addictive to see.
I never regretted having her as a friend. She was the sister I never had.
"Let's go to the Young Club." She proposed and my eyes popped out of their sockets.
"The Young Club?"
She nodded vigorously and propped her arms against her waist.
"Yes, that club. What's wrong with it?"
I shook my head and took a step backward. Nothing was wrong with the club, but everything would go awry if I stepped foot in there.
Gradel hadn't openly rejected me so I was his mate in every sense and his scent was still on me. I wasn't ready for the kind of gossip that would spread around the pack if anyone saw me there, which they would.
"I can't go there, Hazel. Please think of something else," I refused gently.
She scoffed in disbelief and folded her arms.
"And why can't we go there, huh? You're not going there to get laid or have a makeout session with a man. We are just going to dance and have some drinks. That's all," She suggested.
"It's still a no from me, Hazel. I'm not going there. Let's just get a beautiful dress and return home, my stomach has been making some weird sounds since we got here. I think I'm hungry." I pulled her away and went to the clothes section.
Two hours later, I traipsed through the hallway, the low heels of my flip-flop clicking away noiselessly which I appreciated as I got to Gradel's room.
I'd already turned the doorknob, about to step in when I heard groans that could only come from someone who was enjoying some moments of pleasure.
The voice was awfully familiar and the groans too. And then a moan followed, almost inaudible but I heard it.
My grip on the knob tightened as my heart tore into two. My eyes were already beginning to water and a little voice in my head was pleading with me to go away.
But I wanted to see for myself that I wasn't hallucinating and that he was heartless enough to bring a woman to our room... His room. I corrected myself.
So I opened the door slightly, ensuring that the door didn't make any sound and peeked into the room. Bile rushed through my throat and I stopped breathing.
They were truly having the best moments of their lives on the bed I slept on every night and my presence was so inconsequential that he couldn't notice my scent.
I closed the door quietly and held back a sob until I got to the courtyard, ignoring the servants who went about their daily activities.
I didn't bother asking myself why he hurt me like that because the answer glared in front of me.
In his head, we had separated, so he was free to do as he wanted, and so was I.