Chapter 23

I was no longer myself again; I continued pacing restlessly around the room as I tried to calm myself down. I desperately needed to talk to Liora, the information we got concerning the Night Howlers launching another attack on us didn't sit well with me. I needed to at least show her how much I wanted her. I indeed caused her pain in the past, but I have changed. My feelings for her have always been real and are still real, and for what happened at the quarters, I meant everything. All I want is an opportunity to express myself. I searched for her in the quarters but met her absence. Luckily, I found her sitting down on one of the fallen logs outside her quarters. She was lost in her world of thoughts, a peaceful wonderland. She looked calm, collected, and enjoying her moment alone, which was the exact opposite of the whirlwind of emotions going on within me. I felt guilty at once that I would be interrupting her peaceful space. Taking a final deep breath, I made my way to her seat. 'Hey, beautiful", I said as sweetly and as softly as possible. She smiled and looked up, exposing her blue eyes which shone very bright under the light of the moon. 'Alpha Jaxon," she answered back. 'Can I sit with you for a few minutes, please?" I asked, still sweetly as I gestured at the log which she was sitting on. She nodded, amused that I had to ask before sitting down. 'I wanted, and have been meaning to talk to you...," I started, but my heart was already betraying me with the sound it was releasing. 'It's about how you came through for us when we least expected. You were amazing, and incredible at the same time, Liora. You did not just intervene, you saved the whole pack, and we are forever indebted to you." She smiled, already noticing my reason for meeting her was different from what I was saying. 'Thank you very much for the warm reception, Jaxon. And for the battle, it was more of a team effort." 'Yeah, I Know all that, but you boasted the spirit of the fighters; they followed your footsteps in fighting, and we conquered. I've never witnessed any wolf fight with the energy you fought with. The passion was worthy of emulation, the determination was out of this world." I paused, trying to catch my breath. 'You're not just a warrior or a healer, you are way more than that, Liora. And Silver Moon Pack and their Alpha, Jaxon, are very grateful." I tried adding humor to my speech to enlighten her mood and the environment. She smiled even more at my little joke. 'I have heard you, grateful Alpha of Silver Moon Pack. But don't forget that I was just doing what was expected of me as a good member of this great pack. Kindly keep all the recognitions, they are not necessary and I don't need them." 'No, I still insist. You ate more than a hero, you deserve way more than had been given to you." And leaning closer, I started with my reason for meeting her. 'And you deserve to be loved the right way, by the right person. You deserve to be loved by someone who cares and sees you for who you are and not what you can offer." 'I understand and appreciate you for that, but..." I interrupted her immediately, not allowing them to complete what she had in mind. All I wanted was to desperately pour out every content in my heart to her. 'Liora, I am here to let you know that I see you; it has always been you from the start; my feelings are genuine, only for you. You are my heart's desire, the only one that matters in my space. I want more of what we have together, our moments together are always magic and the best, and I never want them to end." She shifted uncomfortably and her body slightly touched my skin, warming its way up to my heart. 'Jaxon, I really don't...." 'You have to say anything now; all I need is your attention; listen to all I have to say, please. I've made mistakes before, been a leader of fools before, and the mistakes have caused me a lot. I allowed you to slip out of my hold before, gave you out to wild animals, even to dangerous rogues, but you still came out strong, stronger than ever. I know I was scared, but I have worked on my insecurities, and I am ready to accept my union with you." I moved even closer, gently touching her arm. 'Can't you feel it, how much I adore you, how much I cherish you?" Immediately my hands touched her, she shifted and gave me a warning look not to move an inch close again. 'You seem to be forgetting something very important. How can you suddenly forget your engagement to Seraphina, Jaxon? Or is she a joke to you, is that how bad you treat every woman in your corner? You can't just keep a blind eye to that." I remained calm immediately after she mentioned her name. She has been a thorn in my skin ever since I met her. 'I know, I also understand your point, but it's complicated. I am not planning on hurting her either, but work out something from it. But you should bear in mind that I never intended to engage her. Everything was done under pressure and advice from my council and family. I wanted the best for the pack, and it was with Seraphina, I had to give in even though I was hurting within me. My heart was already for you, and you can testify to that, the bond between us on the night of the moon ceremony was not ordinary. It has always been you from the start, Liora." 'Jaxon, and Seraphina are no longer the best for the pack now? Look, you would hurt someone for sure, Seraphina. She doesn't deserve such ill-treatment; no one deserves such, not even an enemy. I won't be part of this plan, the reason you break off a beautiful union. That wouldn't be the right thing to do." she advised as she conflicted within herself. 'You seem not to get my part of the story, I never intended to be part of her life.," I pleaded, already tired of convincing her. 'I only want you, everything about you. Pairing the both of us can take this pack very far, the moon goddess knew all these before mating us. I destroyed everything with my hands, and I am ready to make amends." She chuckles, as she analyzes everything for me. 'Jaxon, what happened to the responsibility that made you reject me? Or are you no longer the Alpha of Silver Moon Pack? The responsibilities will always be there, never forget that." 'I don't in any way care about responsibilities again, it has cost me my happiness, yet it wasn't enough for it," I replied in frustration. 'I don't want to live my whole life, attending to responsibilities, sacrificing everything for the pack, and getting nothing in return. I want no one but you to be my mate, Liora, my confidant, my partner in everything. Together, we reposition this pack. It's either you or no one." She hesitated before replying to me, already feeling the weight of my worries, and I was beginning to think her answers would be possible, but her facial expression changed almost as it appeared. 'Jaxon, do you realize that you're pressuring me to accept your proposal, asking me to break off your engagement? I can't play that role that you are giving me, please." 'Then let's work as a team and figure out something beneficial to both parties involved. There's always a way to make things work out, and I am open to change and advice." I reached out again to hold her hands. I slowly intertwined my fingers with hers, and I felt at peace, something that had been far from me for months. 'Jaxon, please don't rush me, I need time to process everything. This is a delicate matter that requires much time." She was still calm as always. 'I will wait, I'm more than willing to wait, I don't care how long, but I will wait for an answer," I replied, as I gently squeezed her hand. 'I'll do every possible thing, whatever would allow me to prove my love for you." 'But, keep Seraphina at…" she started, but I didn't allow her to finish. 'Seraphina can never own my heart, Liora. You are the rightful owner, and I will wait till you are ready to claim it. Even if I am to fight, I would do so, for us. Please, don't give me the chance that I seek." 'Jaxon, you need to revisit this issue and find a balance. You made your choice, forgetting that actions have their consequences. You're the Alpha and must maintain your reputation; your responsibilities won't attend to themselves; you are to take care of them, but your ability to find a balance is what matters," she advised me wisely while looking straight into my eyes. 'I will do my best to find a balance, but for the meantime, you are with my heart, Liora, please, take care of it. I told her. 'And one more thing...forgetting all that transpired between us isn't going to be as easy as you think, Jaxon. It's complicated." 'I know it would be hard, even before asking. But I'm ready for trials, to wait for you to heal, willing to fight for us. All I need from you is just the platform to show you the new me, please." She just kept quiet and watched me demonstrate how much I wanted her. I thought O was making sense, but on a second look at her, I realized I needed more actions than words. 'Take as much time as you think would dim fit to process and think about it," I finally said, unwilling to go, but aware that she wasn't interested in my speech again. 'But, always that I am by the corner, ready to love you as you Thank you for your time." With that being said, I hesitated before standing up, unwilling to go. As I took a few steps away from her, I saw Elder Marcus rushing into the pack from the woods. He was running with a great energy, greater for his age. On reaching my side, I expected him to stop, but he ran off without looking back. He didn't greet me, nor did he answer my greeting.