Chapter 34

Back at Silver Moon Pack, my pack, I found Mira waiting for me, but as usual, she was with a mischievous grin. 'Well, well, here comes the princess of the moment" she teased me, 'looks like my girl is trending! The great Alphas are tripling to have you, I guess. Jaxon isn't the available one; you've got choices to make. So? How magical was the meeting with the lover Alpha?" I simply rolled my eyes; I already knew how dramatic Mira could be. 'You seemed to be meddling more in people's businesses, dear friend; why can't you concentrate on your business and leave mine? Remember you also have a love life which you found difficult to share." I paused trying to reply to her. "It went well, I guess everything was cool, at least, Rhys came out plain. He was sincere in everything, and to think that he brought a gift." I held up my sword gift for her to see. Mira's eyes shone with happiness; it was as if it was hers, more happy than the real owner. 'Whoa! That's incredible, that's an amazing sword you've got there. And to think I was privileged to see it once, he must like and care for you. It's not like it's not just any sword. Rhys must care about you." 'Yeah, I guess so…" I sighed, as I sat down beside a chair nearby. 'But Jaxon also sent his warriors to watch in the background, to take care of me. He seemed to also care about me and was worried about my safety. It was a kind thing to do." Mira, for instance, decided to be serious. She wore a sympathetic look as I talked. 'Everything is left for you to handle now. Considering the way both of them are rushing you, you need to be careful as you make your choice. But be sure to take your time, and don't rush in deciding. Rhys could be a better option, and Jaxon could be the one, but it only depends on you. Don't take a step without being sure." I simply nodded and listened attentively to her advice without involving her playful part. I won't be wrong if I say that I am among the luckiest in this pack, having someone as humble, loyal, and compassionate as Mira. She wasn't the type that spread rumors and gossip about other pack members. Those who find pleasure in backbiting others. I feel indebted to her in many ways. That our paths crossed was a blessing. As for now, I have to decide on who to choose, but not after watching them for some time. The two men in my life were making things difficult for me. They both claimed a part of my heart, cornering me at a close edge. Rhys' POV I waited patiently in the woods, my heart pounding and I was beginning to think she wouldn't show up again as each minute passed. Liora said she was coming. After all that transpired between her pack and mine. My pack betrayed hers in war, we were supposed to be close allies, but we betrayed that trust. I was worried, worried about what would be her reaction to seeing me after a long time. Would she be happy to see me, or was she just coming because of old-time sake? But in all, I need to see her today, at least, to tell her the truth. I have been living for so long with that weight on me, letting it out today would make a big difference. Then, I saw her approaching, the wind in its innocence playing with her hair, enhancing her beauty the more. Her eyes, those blue gifts on her perfectly carved face,e, were searching for me. My heart swelled on sighting her, I have been carrying this emotions for the longest time, burying it deep inside of me, but today, I am ready to let them out, to free myself from regrets. She hasn't changed a bit, looking as strong and confident as ever, and then, there was the usual softness which carries which ends up leaving me speechless. I don't deserve someone like her, I may never do even shortly, but I wanted her to know everything, to know why I acted swiftly without thinking. 'Liora," I started, lowering my voice to normal. I never learned the tactics of rendering a good apology, but for her sake, I had to try to give my best. 'Thank you so much for coming." She stood like a statue before me, her arms folded and her beautiful eyes cautiously roaming around. 'You mentioned in your letter that this was a friendly meeting, Rhys. What do you want to achieve through this?" I swallowed an invisible lump and gathered the courage to speak out. The silence that followed formed a wall between us, and for a moment, I feared my ability to cross it to her side, to convey my feelings to her. But even at that, I have to make an effort, to at least try. 'I owe you a sincere apology," I said, but I rushed it, too fast than I had intended. 'For everything that happened. First, for attacking your pack, that was very mean, for betraying Jaxon who came to us for allies. Instead of helping out, we joined the enemy to fight him. I regret all my selfish acts toward your pack. Everyone." She narrowed her eyes at my confession, and I could sense I had awakened a fresh wound in her. But she made no effort to say anything, so I continued. 'I can't live with the stigma of you hating me or anything that has to do with my pack, I can't bear it," I finally confessed. 'That's why I instructed that we keep the truth from you. The attack that we launched at your pack didn't just happen. It wasn't connected to territory or power. It was something personal. Our packs, the Night Howlers and Silver Moon Pack, have a history that dates as far back generations, a grudge lasting for generations, originating from our carried forefathers. When I read the story again, in a small library in my chambers, fresh anger arose in me. I allowed myself to be caught up in it—my pride, my untamed ego, I found it difficult to concentrate and let go. Jaxon, in all-round, represented everything I desired to destroy, to tear down." Liora's intense gaze softened slowly, but I could still sense the hurt from my actions. 'I shouldn't have awakened old woods. The past was better off in the past; living in the present with an old grudge would only lead to more problems. I should have protected your interest, knowing that whatever affects your people affects you. I shouldn't have betrayed Jaxon, helping him would have increased the bond between our packs. The worst of all, I betrayed you, I am regretting everything now, and I'm truly sorry." Yes, I have said it, I have apologized. I let the truth out into the open, leaving it bare before us. I wasn't sure if it was too late to make amends, but at least I had said something; I hadn't kept quiet. Liora sighed, maybe bored with my story. 'Alpha Rhys, why now of all time? Why did you choose now to tell me all this?" 'Because I want to…" I paused, my chest tightening. 'Because I care so much about you. More than I ever thought I could. I promise it wasn't intentional; I didn't know what happened. I've been selfish, but I hope it isn't too late for amends. I don't want you to have a bad impression of me, that was never what I intended to achieve. But in all, I shouldn't have attempted such in any way. The gift, my token of appreciation and peace offering, it's not enough to atone for my wrongs. It's also my way of showing you that my in-depth feelings for you are Genuine." I quickly reached into my bag and pulled out the gift that I brought along with me. It was a sword and on unwrapping it, the blade shone brightly under the sunlight. Liora's eyes widened in surprise on sighting the well crafted weapon. The craftsmanship was only made available to the highest of nobles in the werewolf race. 'I desire to have this in my possession, but I was unable to achieve that. " I said quietly, as I stretched out the gift to her. 'But I forfeited my opportunity of having it, just to gift this to you. It's to show you how deeply I care for you. It represents something, it's a symbol of how I value you, of your worth to me." For a brief moment, Liora was stunned, unable to say a word. But after getting herself together, she stretched out her hand rather slowly and received it. Her delicate fingers brushed mine briefly, sending shivers of current through my veins. But I quickly let go, cautioning myself to remain calm. I watched in silence as she examined the sword, but her expression was blank. I tried to figure out what could be in her thoughts but I failed woefully at it. I tried to know if my gift was accepted as a peace offering or if it would continually remind her of what had happened between us. 'I am lost of what to say," she finally said something, her soft voice distracting me from concentrating on what she was saying. 'You are not obligated to say anything now," I replied. 'I just thought it wise to pour out everything, to let you know of my feelings, and if there could be space for me in your heart. I've made wrong choices, big ones with regrets, but I haven't regretted ever loving you. It has been real from day one." A rustling sound, maybe of approaching footsteps, was heard in the woods, and I paused involuntarily, spurning to action to protect her. Liora seemed to notice, too, but when she asked me, I denied hearing such a sound. This is because I noticed Jaxon's warriors in the background. I had seen them just the moment Liora arrived. He seemed to be as interested in her as I was. His warriors were to watch over her, and probably protect her from me, not trusting that the meeting was friendly as I wrote. How did he know I had the intention of meeting Liora in the woods? I wasn't surprised that he could do that owing to what happened before, and his interest in her, but my only concern was how he got to know about the meeting. To my utmost surprise, a smile tugged at Liora's lips, maybe she had seen them, or she was aware of the arrangement. The smile could be mistaken to be for me, but l know very well that it was because of Jaxon. Was I too late in professing my love to her? How can she warm up so easily to someone who rejected and humiliated her? The smile was the first of its kind since she arrived for the meeting. Should I be bothered that Jaxon had taken extra measures to protect her from me? What has he been feeding her mind with? I had no intention of forcing you to accept my proposal, but I didn't want to lose to someone like Jaxon. It would be a blow on my face to allow that to happen. 'I would give everything a thought. Thank you once more for the gift; I appreciate it." She had said. I wasn't expecting an instant answer, but I would return for one.