Chapter 195

AMELIA

Lucius pulled away, looking right into my eyes. “We’re not doing it again, Amelia. I’ve accepted my fate.”

“Well, I’m not! You should have told me. I could have done something other than keeping me in the dark. I have every right to know, Lucius. Have you forgotten that?”

“I know that, my love, and I’m so sorry.”

“Save it,” I said as I faced Ryden and pointed a finger at his face. “You, I trusted you. Are you happy now? Lucius had sacrificed his life twice for me so I could be with you. And I only asked one thing. Just one thing from you, and you couldn’t do it. You can’t be honest with me. Why should I stay with you if you don’t value honesty?”

Ryden looked away as pain and agony laced in his eyes.

“Amelia, don’t say that,” Lucius said.

“Oh, so now you’re his best friend because you’re peas in a pod?”

“Amelia, I know this is hard, but Lucius made his decision. You would have been dead by now and the rest of the werewolves who had fallen that day.” Shit. Zarah was right.

“Maybe I deserved to die that day, Zarah. There wouldn’t have been demons on the loose if I weren’t born. I shouldn’t have been standing right here, right now. My father said that no one should interfere with the natural order or there will be consequences, and now Lucius is paying that price. He deserves to live longer. He deserves to have his wolf. He’s the alpha king, for Goddess’ sake!”

“I told you, Amelia. I’d rather die than be alive knowing I didn’t do something that could save you. I will always choose you over anything, And I live my life for you. I will do it over and over again if given the chance.”

“You’re an idiot!” I shook to cry. My tears kept coming as I looked at Zarah. “Isn’t Margaret able to travel back in time? She owes her life to Lucius. I’m sure she can do something to pay him back.”

“No. No. We’ve talked about this, and listen to me for once, Amelia. No more breaking the law of nature. I’m fine. I’ve accepted my fate.” Lucius went to sit down on the couch as he grimaced, clutching his chest.

“Hey. What’s wrong?” Ryden came to him.

I really thought they were become friends without a hidden agenda. I knew what Ryden must felt right now, like he owed something to Lucius somehow.

“The rest you could do is spend time with him, Amelia. He doesn’t have much time,” Sebastien said.

I guessed everyone did know, except me. My brother probably knew it too. Ryden had told him who Lucius was to me, and he didn’t take it well, at first.

I sat next to Lucius and took his hand. “How are you feeling?”

“I’m a senior in human age, my love. What do you think I feel?” He managed to pull a little smile on his lips. “I’m growing old at a rapid pace. I called your father when you lay lifeless in Ryden’s arms. I made a deal with him, but to give me enough time to be with you before I take my last breath.”

“I should have been taking care of you instead of going to college.” I wiped my tears when I could barely see his face. “You should have told me.”

“It’s fine. Seeing you made my day better. You’re the reason why I wanted to stay alive now, to keep you safe until you fulfilled your destiny.”

“You saw my future?”

He slowly nodded. “I meant to die that day, Amelia. I’m only here on borrowed time, and I’m forever grateful for this chance to hold you and look at your beautiful face. I know you’re in good hands, and I have a great life, Amelia.”

I looked at Zarah. “Can you take us home? To his home, please?”

“Amelia?” Ryden called my name.

I narrowed my eyes at him. I was still mad at him. “Give me some time to spend his last remaining days with me. We owe him that much.”

“I know, and I’m sorry.”

I felt the sincerity in his voice, but that didn’t change the fact that he kept something so important to me.

I stayed with Lucius in his house. I took care of him like my husband and my mate. I was able to convince him for a full canvas painting since he once told me about a good painter.

On day eight, he deteriorated exponentially. He sometimes complained of body aches and painful joints. It wasn’t because he was old. Humans could live to a hundred years old, but I had a strong feeling he might have cancer or something. He had hair loss, and some hair clumps on his pillows and in the bathroom sink.

I helped him to the bathroom. His age right now was in his sixties, but because he was also terminally ill, he tried hard to be strong in front of me, but I knew he couldn’t keep it up any longer. Nick Gallagher had come to visit him every other day. They always shared stories with me during their time. When Lucius laughed and smiled, he made me forget my problem and heartache for a while.

I took a lot of pictures of him and us together. Maybe one day, I could show the pups and everyone who Lucius was and what kind of man he was to his people and friends.

I put him in bed, and he already refused to take pain meds. “Lucius.”

“No, angel. I’m good. Come to bed.” He patted the empty space on his side where I slept for the past week. “You should call your mate, Amelia. You have to forgive him. I made him promise not to tell you until I’m ready.”

“I thought we don’t keep secrets.”

“You can’t be mad at him, but to me. I’m the one who put him in a tough spot.”

“Oh, I’m mad at you, Lucius,” I said as I joined him in bed. My eyes watered again. “I’ve forgiven you. I just wish we had more time together, you know. Maybe this is me having all my regrets. I knew you were my husband and mate, and I pushed you away so many times.”

“Please, don’t do this to yourself.” He caressed my cheek. “I love you so much, Amelia Hayes till my last breath. And always remember, no matter how strong the hatred in someone’s heart, it is always the love that makes it beat.”