CHAPTER 12
LOGAN’S POV
The moment I opened my eyes, the blinding sun rays that filtered through the window made me hiss in discomfort. I looked around my room and the events of last night came flooding in. I had found my mate yesterday. An event that was supposed to mark a new turn in my life, but somehow, it marked what seemed to be the beginning of sorrow for me.
I remembered running after my newly found mate, only to watch her run into the embrace of Sebastian. I heard her say he was the one she wanted, and I watched as they both kissed each other. I guess that was what broke me. Watching a woman I had waited for, all my life, kissing my stepbrother who despised me so much.
I couldn’t take it anymore, so I walked out of the garden in disappointment, and made my way to my chambers. It was suprising that I didn’t shed a single tear, and I knew why. For the first time in my life, I felt a pain so great, that every other emotion in me was overcome.
I wondered what it was gonna be. I knew Sebastian would do all he could to make her his, and it was going to be the same for me. I had waited so long to find her, and I was going to be a fool to let her go, just because Sebastian wanted her too. I was going to fight for her, regardless of the fact she didn’t love or want me. She was mine, and I wasn’t going to let another take her away from me.
Just then, a knock came on the door of my chambers, and I muttered a ‘come in’. Slowly, the door creaked open, and I looked up to see Malcolm. He was part of my father’s retinue.
“Good morning your highness.” He bowed.
“Good morning Malcolm.” I stood from my bed and walked towards the bathroom.
“Your father, his majesty, has asked that you come see him in his study immediately.” I knew that was the reason he was here.
“Thank you Malcolm. I would be down in a bit.” I said, dismissing him. He gave another low bow, before exiting my chambers.
Seeing as my father had asked to see me immediately, I rushed into the bathroom for a quick shower, after which I got dressed. All the while, I tried to shake off the vision of a particular beautiful face in my head, but wasn’t successful.
Was this how it was? Was that what it meant to be mated to someone? You found it difficult to think about any other thing that wasn’t them? With how she had reacted to things yesterday, I was doubtful she thought about me this way. She clearly wanted nothing to do with me.
I stepped out of my chambers and walked to my father’s study, hoping that the day didn’t have any unwelcomed surprises for me.
The moment I got the the door of his study, I gave a light knock before stepping in. He was seated behind his desk, actually doing nothing as he looked into empty space. My presence seemed to have made him cut off from his thoughts. He looked up at me, and it was clear how disturbed he was.
“Good morning father.”
“Logan.” He sighed, gestured to one of the empty seats in front of him. “Please sit.”
I did as he asked, and took the empty seat by his right. After a great and awkward moment of silence, he finally spoke up.
“I felt we needed to talk, considering how yesterday’s event unfolded. And I know you have a lot running through your mind.”
“I do.” I muttered, looking at anywhere else, but him. I knew he would start sympathizing with me, and to be very honest, I did not want anyone’s pity.
“I am…” He was still speaking when another knock came on the door. My father muttered a feint invite, and the door opened to reveal the all too familiar face of my mate. Father had called for her as well?
The vivid look of disappointment in her eyes the moment she saw me, made me feel like a thousand pieces of needle had been pierced through my heart. Eventually, she teared her eyes away from me and looked up to see my father. Her eyes widened slightly and without hesitation, she gave a low bow. My father released a low sigh before speaking.
“It’s nice to finally meet the daring she-wolf, who pretended to be Sebastian’s fated mate, and almost lied to me and a lot of important people last night.” His face contorted in anger. I didn’t appreciate the fact that he was showing his apparent annoyance towards her, but in his defense, she did mess up.
“I am sorry about the incident, your majesty.” She bowed slightly. In as much as she apologized, there wasn’t a single trace of remorse in her words or tone.
“This is not about the incident. This is about the fact that you knowingly tried to elude your goddess given mate.”
“I’m sorry, but Sebastian and I love each other. It is only fair to have a chance to be with each other.” Hearing her say that, only made my stomach twist in pain. She was making it obvious that she was in love with Sebastian, not caring about the level of pain her words caused me.
“You know what is not fair?” My father asked. “What is not fair, is gladly signing away your opportunity to ever meet your fated mate. You agreed to do the mating ritual, not so?” What was he talking about? A few of us knew about the mating ritual, and how permanent it could be. I hoped father wasn’t right with his assumptions, because that would mean… I looked at Audrey, and look of shock on her face, was enough to let me know that indeed, that had been her plan. “You planned to keep yourself mated to Sebastian through the aid of the ritual, not right?” Father pressed on.
“I… we… we were…” She stuttered, making fresh tears clog my eyes. I fought so hard to not let them fall, which was quite a task.
“You never even gave us a chance.” I muttered, and she looked at me. I couldn’t make out any particular emotion from her. She just looked at me stoically. “You knew the mating ritual would severe any form of bond you could have with your goddess given mate in the future, and you were still willing to do so. Is that how much you love Sebastian?” I knew I sounded petty, but it couldn’t be helped.
“Yes. That is how much I love him.” She replied boldly. “You can help us both avoid a future and life of pain as each other’s mate. I do not love or even like you, and I don’t think I ever will.” Why did I feel as if I was being jabbed in the heart with a knife, over and over again.
“You are very right Audrey. It’s best to avoid of lifetime of suffering.” Father smiled. “I’m glad you both found each other, and that is why I would give you a chance to be together and avoid a lifetime of sadness.” My father muttered, before looking up at Audrey, who looked to be surprised. I was too. Actually, ‘shocked’ was a better adjective.
What was he saying? My heart raced so fast as I tried to understand his statement. Was he going to let Audrey go ahead and marry Sebastian? No no no! He couldn’t do that to me. He didn’t even try to fight for me. Nonetheless, I remained calm, waiting for the other things he had to say.
“So Audrey, when do you want your wedding to be fixed?” He asked and right there, my heart almost gave up on me. I would have loved to stand up and walk out of my father’s office, but that would be a great level of disrespect. So I was forced to sit, and watch my mate being given to another. It hurts so bad because more than anyone else, my father new how long I had waited for her to show up in my life. He had always treated me like the favourite son, but today, his actions proved otherwise.
“W.. haaat?” A smile broke on her face, and it hurt that it was because of Sebastian. “I would absolutely love to pick a date, but Sebastian has to be involved as well.”
“Sebastian?” He asked, and she nodded in agreement.
“Yes! He needs to have a say, since it’s his wedding too.”
I looked at my father and for the first time since I could ever remember, all I felt towards the man was the pain of his betrayal. He was supposed to help me claim my mate, not let Sebastian take her away from me so easily.Têxt belongs to NôvelDrama.Org.
“And who said you’re getting married to my second son?” Father asked, making me look up at him in confusion. I thought… “You would be getting married to only one person, and that would be your goddess given mate, who happens to be sitting right next to you. You would have to marry Logan, in order to escape a life of sadness. He is your mate, and you would only regret not given yourselves a chance to be together.”
I looked at my father to see he actually seemed serious.
“No!” She whispered to herself, but we all heard.
“Absolutely yes!” My father yelled out in annoyance that had clearly been bottled up for a while, exerting his power over his judgment. I was still confused and shocked, but in a good way. If I was getting it right, then he wanted Audrey to marry me.
“Your Majesty, please. Prince Logan and I are yet to bond, let’s take things slow.” Audrey pleaded, and her desperation to buy time away from me, wasn’t so pleasant.
“We all know that you wouldn’t waste your time trying to bond with Logan. Instead, you’d be actively scouting for a loophole out of this situation you see as a predicament. Moreover, you were willing to do the mating ritual with Sebastian, before you found out Logan was your mate. Nothing is stopping you from going ahead with it now.” She had said nothing in return, which only meant that he was right. “It would only be right for you to know that I have submitted a petition to the royal council, to deliberate and give an approval concerning your marriage. Once their approval is given, you both would get wedded and start preparations for your coronation as the next Luna Queen and Alpha king. You both can leave now.”
I was so thankful to the goddess for the turnout of things. I knew this next phase of my life wasn’t going to be easy, as Audrey would try her possible best to be rid of me, but I was gonna try. She was worth it.