“Your Majesty,” Farrell called, his voice steady but laced with urgency. “Now that we’ve cleared the air, can my mate stay with me, just for today? I need time alone with her to resolve our differences.” His request hung in the air, directed at King Maxwell, who stood rigid, his jaw clenched tightly.
Maxwell’s silence spoke volumes. Jealousy burned in his eyes, though he fought to keep it hidden. Under normal circumstances, I would have refused without hesitation. But after what i had witnessed today, i felt powerless to deny either of my mates anything.
“Alpha Farrell,” Rowan interjected, her tone diplomatic yet firm. “We understand your desire to bond with your mate. It is your right, as the goddess has willed it. However don’t you think it’s best to ask Delilah herself?” Her words were cautious, a strategic move to avoid conflict. I understood her reasoning all too well.
Farrell’s gaze shifted to me, and I found myself unable to look away. If the decision were mine alone, I would have chosen to be in the arms of both men, enveloped in their intoxicating scents, torn between the two halves of my heart.
“Delilah,” Farrell’s voice broke through my thoughts, soft yet pleading. “Please, stay with me tonight. We need to talk.
I couldn’t deny him, even though a part of me wanted to. My eyes flicked to the King, and I saw the storm raging within him. His jealousy was palpable, but it was more than that, he was hurting, struggling to share me with another. The pain in his eyes was unbearable.
Yet, I looked away and answered Farrell, my husband. “I will stay.”
The moment the words left my lips, Maxwell turned and strode out of the room, his sister trailing behind him. The door closed with a finality that echoed in my chest, leaving me alone with Farrell.
He stepped closer, pulling me into his embrace. His warmth was comforting, but my mind was elsewhere. I needed to see Maxwell before he left. The thought of him suffering because of me was too much to bear.
I pulled away gently. “I’ll be back,” I whispered, then hurried after the King.
I found him standing by the van, his back to me, shoulders tense. “My King, please wait,” I called, my voice trembling. He stopped but didn’t turn. I ran to him, wrapping my arms around his waist and burying my face in his back. His scent enveloped me, a bittersweet reminder of everything I was risking.
For a moment, he didn’t move. Then his hands came up to cover mine, his touch gentle but strained. He turned to face me, cupping my face in his hands. His eyes searched mine, and though his lips curled into a faint smile, the pain in his gaze was unmistakable.
“It’s going to rain soon,” he said softly, brushing a strand of hair from my face. “You should rest. I’ll come for you tomorrow morning.
But I wasn’t fooled. I could see the ache in his heart, and it tore at me. “I want you to know that…” My voice broke, and I couldn’t finish. Instead, I pressed my lips to his, pouring all my unspoken emotions into the kiss. He responded fiercely, his hands tightening around me as if he never wanted to let go.
When I finally pulled away, breathless, I whispered, “Goodnight, my King.” Then I turned and ran back inside before I lost the will to leave him.
As I leaned against the giant door, my heart pounded recklessly in my chest. The sound of the van driving away ⚫ echoed in the distance, and a sharp ache spread through me. Why did it feel like a part of me had been ripped
away? Was this what it meant to be separated from your mate?
1/2
- THE APOLOGY
+25 BONUS
I looked down at the dress I wore, one of my favorites, still hanging in Farrell’s closet. Memories flooded back. He had bought this for me, always loving how I looked in it. Closing my eyes, I inhaled deeply, and his scent surrounded me. He was close.
“Farrell,” I whispered, and his arms slid around my waist, pulling me against him. My breath hitched as I felt the heat of his body, his chest pressing against mine.
“I’m sorry,” he murmured against my neck, his breath warm on my skin. “I’m so sorry. It was my fault. I should have known you were destined for me. Please, forgive me, Delilah.” His voice cracked on the last word, and my eyes filled with tears.
Old memories threatened to overwhelm me, but his next words pushed them aside. “It’s you or I’ll die. Please, accept me as your mate. Don’t reject me.”
“I could never reject you,” I said, forcing a smile. “And stop talking nonsense. No one is going to die.”
His eyes darkened, filled with a mix of lust and something deeper, more intense. My body responded instantly, heat coursing through me. I pulled away, needing space, but the pull between us was undeniable.
I opened the door and stepped outside, the wind whipping around me. I walked toward the place where our love story had begun, a spot under a massive tree, etched forever in my memory. The thunder roared above, and rain began to pour, drenching me within seconds.
Farrell followed, his footsteps steady behind me. When he caught up, he didn’t hesitate. His lips crashed into mine, hungry and desperate, and I surrendered to him completely. This time, it was different. His touch was more urgent, his kisses more demanding. I felt alive in his arms, as if he were the missing piece I’d been searching for.
The rain fell around us, but we were lost in each other, the storm outside nothing compared to the tempest within.
