Chapter 21

"I'm sorry for being a disappointing mate!" He continued. "I'm sorry for not being there for you, I'm sorry I couldn't protect you, I'm sorry I failed you but please don't leave me " He pleaded. "I won't be able to forgive myself." He whispered Hearing those precious words from my mate last night was what saved me from crossing the thin line between life and death.

As I emerged from the bathroom, dressed in a pink off shoulder top and blue jean I reminisced about last night. If anyone had told me Jerry could be that monstrous, I would have outrightly denied it. He was someone I considered a friend until yesterday.

I toured about my mate's room whilst tolerating the mild pain that still raged in my muscles. Thanks to Kevin, I survived. I leaned against his luxurious wardrobe with my eyes staring at the king size bed where we sat side by side earlier this morning.

Leaning against his perfect shoulder while our hands bonded with exciting sparks which actually eased my pain to a great level. I wished he had stayed longer; his warmth and comfort were enough to shun those hurtful memories of yesterday.

I remembered how he had fought for me, the pain and guilt he went through. At the same time, I wondered how Jerry escaped prison or how he even knew I was Kevin's mate in the first place.

The door quietly opened for a lady to saunter in with a tray beholding breakfast.

"Good morning." She softly greeted but I frowned. Her face was familiar.

"You." I uttered while my eyes squinted. "You look familiar."

"My name is Rose and I'm Alpha Kevin's personal Delta." She courteously replied.

"Aren't you the same lady who was dancing with my mate on coronation night." I stated with a faint hint of anger and jealousy. Her eyes lowered.

"And you have the audacity to come in here." My irritation couldn't help but blare in my tone.

"Please let me explain." She beckoned me to listen, but I rewarded her with a harsh glare.

"Just leave." I gestured.

"Please—"

"I said leave!" I pitched causing her to startle before parting out of the room, quietly.

Here I was still reveling in Kevin's heroic act but now she ruined it all. She had to mentally remind me; my mate was a flirt who stole other people's mate. Jerry for starters. My hands curled into a fist as I stormed to the bed, banging the pillows with the little strength I had.

I was beginning to regret the fact I was accepting him in my life or that I had to confess my feelings for him.

The gentle knock on the door ceased my tears, I stared at it wondering who might be there. Just like how Jerry came in yesterday. My heart started to race as fear and anxiety dawned. Numbness overtook me.

"Claire are you okay?" Gabriel's voice broke my thoughts, only then did I realize he was still knocking, and It wasn't Jerry.

"Come in." I answered, rubbing through my hair frantically.

"Good Morning." He greeted with a tiny smile. "How are you feeling?"

I looked to the innocent pillows I hurt before letting the words roll out.

"I don't know."

"I want to say something, am I permitted?" He asked with a stern expression. I retained silence for a few seconds before nodding in agreement.

He pulled out a chair from the desk opposite the bed before sitting.

"Kevin has never for once chosen any other girl over you." He started.

"I'm sure he sent you to say sweet things about him." I rolled my eyes, already tired of the conversation even before it began.

"No, I came here because of the little misunderstanding you had with Rose." He corrected sternly.

"Rose has a mate."

I arched my brow upwards, my interest slowly picking in his talks again.

"If she has one then why was she with mine?"

"She is mated to Jerry." He answered and if I hadn't been so weak I could have gasped. Now I understood what Jerry meant by Kevin stealing his mate. "He rejected her."

Gabriel quoted worriedly.

"She confided this with Kevin, but he couldn't bear seeing her in so much pain and sadness. Hence, he released Jerry and entered a fake relationship with Rose. So, Jerry could be jealous and fight for his mate but apparently," he pursed his lips while my eyes twitched. "He acted otherwise. Even though it meant hurting you, Kevin only did this for Rose. He was only trying to help."

My heart broke as tears slowly climbed its way to my eyes. I had misjudged my mate. I had considered him a flirt when in fact he was Alpha, who cared for his Pack dearly.

"Although he claims to hate Greenville," he chuckled sadly. "but deep down, I know Kevin would do anything to protect his people."

Guilt started to pang in my chest as I recalled yesterday, how I had shut him out from explaining the truth. Perhaps if I had listened, things wouldn't turn this bad.

"It's alright if you're still angry at him, Kevin is a jerk." He chuckled again. "But I want you to know, he loves you."

"So, I was wrong all along, I'm the bad person here." I whispered hoping he wouldn't hear but he did.

"It's not your fault. Now I want you to cheer up and forget your misunderstanding with Rose. She's a kind soul." He asserted with a smile while I nodded.

"So, would you like to join us downstairs for breakfast or would you like it here?"

"I'm fine actually. I just need to be alone for a while."

He nodded before aiming for the door.

"Just in case you need anything, I'm downstairs."

He muttered before exiting. I needed someone though. Kevin. He was probably somewhere feeling guilty about all this when in fact he was only trying to help. I should be the one apologizing, for not paying listening ears and jumping to conclusions easily.

I arose from my bed, taking a snail pace towards the door. My feet marched against the cold marble floor as I trailed to the veranda. I was instantly welcomed with sweet scents coming from the garden below. The wind solemnly streamed past my hair while I enjoyed the beautiful view Greenville had to offer. In a strange way, it reminded of home. Ever since I found my mate, I haven't spoken to my father nor friends from Moonsville. I wasn't even sure if he knew Alpha Jason is dead and my mate, the new Alpha.

I was sure if he heard about last night incident he wouldn't hesitate to bring me back home.

I thought about Kevin again, how his eyes had changed to a sparkling red and how his aura boasted of power on a whole new level.

It was finally dawning on me that my mate was the new Wolf of Justice. I thought they were only tales my father used to tell until yesterday. A smile crept to my face at the thought of my mate being a special wolf. I was mated to an extremely powerful mate. One who would do anything just to keep me safe.

"Hey." His voice suddenly tousled my thoughts. Anxiety sprung to life as I turned to my back. There he was, dressed in a green T shirt and a pair of ash knickers. His hair was overly messy, but his beards were perfectly combed. He was nervous too; I could tell from his eyes which couldn't meet mine.

"Gabriel informed me you haven't had breakfast."

"Yeah I don't think I have an appetite." I mumbled.

"You should at least have something; your body is still recuperating." His words came out more like a plea while my heart melted at his affection.

"I'm fine, Kevin." I assured but he didn't seem to be buying it.

"Why don't we go for a walk."

His face brightened.

"I guess that's a good idea." He cleared his throat, trying to hide his excitement which he failed at horribly.

As we toured to the west region, across the gardens, the small river that travelled gently, none of us spoke a word. There was this uneasy silence between us as we kept on enjoying the beautiful view Greenville had to offer.

"I'm sorry." I finally mumbled after long deliberation on how to start a conversation.

"For what?" He asked.

"Misjudging you and Rose. For not giving you a chance to explain yourself." He held my gaze, his countenance still donning a worried expression.

"I should be the one apologizing because in the end, my actions almost cost your life. It was a reckless decision, a stupid one in fact. I thought perhaps the fake relationship would change Jerry but—" his voice trailed off as he stared at the valley across. Once again, his guilt was judging him, and I didn't want that.

"It's not your fault, you were only trying to help." I soothed but he wriggled his head with teary eyes. As we neared the edge of the valley, I wondered how to comfort him. To at least ease this guilt eating him.

"The cigarette in your pocket, please throw it away." I muttered. He tried to feign innocence but when he saw I wasn't buying it he heaved a sigh.

"Fine." He mumbled as he reluctantly pulled the pack out. He stared at it for minutes, holding it dear as if his life depended on it.

"Why do you love it so much?" I couldn't help but ask, many an occasion have I seen him smoke wraps after wraps.

"It helps dampen the voices in my head." He responded, his gaze still on it. I almost asked but then he continued.

"Voices that try to judge me, to make me angry, act reckless and stupid."

"Well, you don't need it now." I retrieved the pack off his hand. Staring at it alone made me recall his mother's words. How she had spoken about his turbulent past. I should be the dampener and not some cigarettes. And so, without thoughts, I threw it at the river below.

"I'm here for you now." I shot him a smile.

He frowned.

"Does this mean you've accepted me?"

I looked down to his right hand before holding it in my left. Gripping him firm and gentle.

"Yes."

His eyes exclaimed as a smile crept on his face and in a flash, our lips bonded. How it happened I didn't know but I responded back. Our tongues tasting each other, intertwining in passion and lust while excessive sparks coursed throughout our bodies. I didn't care whether we were at the edge of a cliff, having an affectionate kiss, or that the sun blessed us with its beautiful rays, that the birds chirped, and the winds were gentle against our bodies.

All I cared about was Kevin and the beautiful life ahead of us.