Rhys Pov

"Rhys, right?" Mira widened her eyebrows in anticipation. "I've been listening to lots of rumors." "Yeah, you are right, it's Rhys," I admitted truthfully. "He's been making advances at me for the longest I can remember, and if I'm not mistaken, it should be on my arrival at their pack. And to be honest, I kinda like him also. He's different from the species of men that I know. He may not be too cool due to his temper, but he's kind, and the most interesting part is the way he treats me, he doesn't see me as a refugee or as a toy he could play with, he never forced me to be in a relationship with him during my stay with him, but..." "But what?" Mira perfectly interrupted me, not allowing me to finish up. "But, the truth is, Jaxon is still very much in the picture somehow," I finally confessed, letting the cat out of the bag as I leaned back on the tree like I said nothing. "He's pleading that I forget everything that happened between us, wipe off the memory of the rejection, and the humiliation. He thinks as the Alpha, he could use his power and influence to impress me, to make me start up from where we stopped like none of such ever happened, that's we ever started anything." Mira in her usual dramatic gestures, released a low whistle. "Ah! What an Alpha you've got there! He got vibes, hard to come by nerves, didn't he?" I chuckled as I joined her in mocking him, "Alpha with guts, he must be thinking he's playing his card well. He has been stalking me since my arrival like I am with his kidney. I may run off again, but this time, it's no more rejection but love that is pursuing me, and the funniest thing is, it's the same person that made me run off the first time, would be responsible for that. Mira became quiet all of a sudden, and for some moment, I feared that what would come out of her mouth would be disastrous and dramatic at the same time, knowing her time of person very well. "Do you still have feelings for him or better put, do you still love him, Liora? Or is it just the bond that was created on the night of the ceremony that you're feeling?" I was already confused about my feelings; I bent down and stared at the ground, not knowing how to reply to her. "I don't even know anymore," I admitted sincerely. "Maybe, I am feeling both of them, love and bond. The bond that was formed that day is very strong, but so is the pain that he caused me. I find it difficult to forget how he treated me. And the last I would marry him just because everyone expects from me." Mira's face softens. "Then don't, don't do it if you don't want to. Don't allow anyone, not even me, to talk more of Jaxon, push you beyond your limit, or pressure you into doing something that you don't want. You've not only earned the right to choose by butute, you've also established yourself as an authority, Liora. If Rhys, as you narrated, is the one, the only one who makes you feel safe and secure, then I did advise you to follow your heart. And if Jaxon still holds a great portion of your heart, do not hesitate to give love a chance, then ensure your decision is out of love, not because you were pressured, let love guide all that you do." I smiled at her advice, a good friend indeed. Was she right? Of course, she was right. I couldn't let matters concerning the pack dictate my life, and to think of it, they were the ones who betrayed me; they never cared about me, so their expectations of me may not be granted if it's not in line with my heart desires. My life can't be dictated by others; this was my life, and only my choices matter. "And enough about me, let's talk about you. Is there any love interest in your life?" I asked as I winked at her, turning the table of the conversation to face her. "Anyone? You know, the special one?" Mira grinned, and I loved seeing this look on her. She sheepishly started to narrate hers. "Well, nothing that serious but, there seems to be this warrior…" I gasped, as I displayed dramatically, just as she had done in my case. "Mira! Who could have thought we did have a lover girl in our midst? I was thinking you've made up your mind not to marry." She laughed heartily as she tried covering my mouth with her hands. "It's not entirely like you are saying it. He's somehow interesting. You know, very strong, and also smart, and he has been persistent in trying to capture my heart, but I haven't given him much attention to do so. I needed to leave him to do the chasing, to woo me properly before I would give in." "And did you in any way show him that you may be interested?" I teased her, enjoying every moment of it. She dramatically, a typical her, rolled her eyes. "Maybe, or maybe not. You know I'm not exactly the type concerned with the romantic aspect of a relationship, Liora." "You can't fool me with your story; I only believe what is good for my ear," I continued, grinning from ear to ear, as I winked at her playfully. "All I know is that someone is finally falling hard, but still forming hard to get." "Whatever you think, Her Highness," she gave up arguing with me, knowing that I wouldn't stop teasing her. She tried keeping a straight face just to trick me into believing that she was angry, but I knew her too well. She was known to be miserable at pretending. We enjoyed each other's company, and to crown it all, we spent the remaining hours challenging each other, arguing, and practicing to know who was better at one thing or the other. We started with sparring, it was a moment of reunion, training like we used to in the old good times. The feeling was amazing, pushing ourselves again, challenging each other in hard tasks all for fun, and eventually gaining a lot. We ended up both breathless, but our laughter never ceased to echo in the background, just like it used to be years and months ago. With all that, we decided to go home. The sun was already setting, and darkness would soon cover the training ground. We left our favorite spot with cheerful hearts, and we are looking forward to more moments like that and creating memories for the future. I was happy that I had someone like Mira, who I could share my inner secrets and deepest fears with; I was no longer bothered about getting a mate soon. It could be Jaxon, Rhys, or anyone else, but not now. All I need is to focus on getting myself back and not give anyone the chance to pressure me into doing anything, not even the pack. >>>>>>>>>>>> "It would be great if we do this again," I had told Mira the previous time we were here, and this is us again today, ready to have alone time only for the girls. Sparring got nothing on me, as I had been doing for months constantly without stopping in Night Howlers. But doing it with Mira was different; it was fun, a relaxation exercise where I cleared my head of worries about the things asking for my attention. I was grinning from ear to ear as I beat Mira to it for the fifth time. "Give up already!" I had advised her, "Noway, not under my watch!" She replied. When Mira saw that I was gaining the upper hand in our training, she decided to trick me and also stress me. "Mmm.. there's something... something I need to tell you... something very important, please." I halted on my track immediately, anxious to know why she looked troubled. I involuntarily narrowed my eyes, both worried and suspicious. I know Mira to be a mischief planner, but she looked serious while talking about this one. "What is the problem, please? You look serious, but at the same time, like you're up to something." Mira's smile disappeared entirely on her face, scaring me the more. "Promise me one thing, please, that you won't get mad at me." I blinked in confusion. "What is going on? Why would I just be mad at you? Mira, what exactly is going on?" "Just, just give me your word, Liora," she said, still serious. By this time, she was biting her lips non-stop and fidgeting already. "It's very important that you promise me, please." Now, I was close to losing it already; she seemed very serious. Refusing to give in to Panic, I crossed my arms and watched her closely, trying hard to read her facial expressions, but it was blank. Tired of guessing, cracking my brain, and worrying myself sick, I decided to oblige to her request. "Okay, fine, I promise if that's what would make you talk fast. I won't be mad at my girl, I promise. Now, out with it, what is this all about?" "And one more thing, promise me...it won't... won't break or have an effect on our friendship," she added almost in tears. At this point, my heart failed me, my heartbeat increased, and I continuously skipped a beat. Just when I thought I had a real friend, and after all we passed through all these years, she could do something that might break our friendship; no, Mira can't do such. Of all I knew, Mira could be teasing me, but what this has passed teasing, what if there was something very serious behind her words? What could she have done, something terrible that I can't forgive her, or might make me distance myself from her? Could she possibly put our friendship on the lifeline? "Mira, Mira, Mira, how many times did I call you?" I warned as I urged her to open up immediately. "You're getting me scared with everything that you are saying. What exactly did you do?" "I didn't plan to do it, knowing that I wouldn't like it, but I had to do it because there was no other option." she narrated in tears. "But I am ready to do anything to gain back your trust. Whatever punishment you deem fit for me, I am ready to do it, just to distance yourself from me, please. I checked other options, but that was the only one available. Believe me, I tried not to, but I found...I found myself...." "Tell me already!" I shouted as my temper flared up. "You're keeping me in the dark and driving me insane!"