Chapter 33

'That's a great idea," I finally admitted. 'I would keep him close, but it will only happen on my terms." "What terms?" Mira asked. " You would find outs, o n," I said instead, loving the suspense I was giving her. Mira smiled widely, her enthusiasm infectious. 'Yes, Go girl! My girl is in control. You're the goalkeeper, girl; I am rooting for you. But don't forget how you started; remember, don't allow him to pressure you." I felt lighter after talking to Mira. She always has a way of calming me down. 'Thanks, Mira, you're a darling." 'Anytime, any day girl, we've got each other's back," she replied cutely as she nudged me playfully. 'Now, let's pause the story of heartbreak; we will continue next time, but now, how about we challenge each other in the training ground, Something fun?" I laughed at how she always picked training after a little talk. She wasn't taking it easy at making us the best warriors in the pack. I am forever grateful for her friendship. 'You managed to read my mind. Challenge it is! Let's distract ourselves with hard exercises, it would be a perfect way to spend our time together." As we made our way to the training ground, I felt happier, refreshed, great, and useful that I had a shoulder to lean on in my vulnerable moment. Maybe keeping Jaxon at a considerable distance won't be entirely bad. It would help me to think faster. That way, my memories and my cravings for him would be in check, I wasn't too close at the same time, wasn't too near Minutes Later We were set for the challenge; everything lined up, awaiting excursion time. Training with Mira has always been the best time we spend together. The way she exaggerated and magnified little efforts she made was up to be studied for a degree. She never accepts defeat, always blaming it on her weapons. 'So, what's the plan for today?" Mira asked as she dropped the last piece of equipment. "No cheating today Liora. Ensure to admit your d I grinned mischievously, "Of course, the real culprit knows herself, and if she would adhere to the rule herself, maybe there wouldn't be any rule in the first place." 'Cuprit? Ha, it's only you who knows what you are talking about! I am very much innocent." She grinned. With that, we went ahead with our training, enjoying every moment of it as we continued bonding. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Alpha Rhys sent me a letter requesting a friendly meeting. I couldn't place my hand around it, why does he want us to meet? Hope it will be friendly as he stated in his letter? After everything that happened, the battle with my pack, Silver Moon Pack, I was already confused about why he wanted us to meet. Rhys had been in good company and treated ng well since my first day at his pack, the Night Howlers pack. He never for a day gave me reasons to doubt his intentions toward me. He wanted the best for me, but for attacking my pack behind me, joining hands with exiled members of the pack to attack my pack was the height of it. Out of curiosity, I decided to meet him. I sent him my words to meet up in the woods. As it was still the borders of my pack Incase he has an interior motive. The wood, as usual,l, was quiet when I got to the venue. I chose it because of the soft breeze around the vicinity. It was a good place for a friendly meeting and a friendly discussion. Though the atmosphere was nothing but peaceful, my mind was the exact opposite of that. I continued walking, till I got to the spot where Rhys was waiting for me. He seemed to have come earlier than scheduled, and I had no idea why. It must be a serious matter for him to be punctual like that. I approached him, and I noticed his face lightening up immediately. He was no different from the handsome Rhys who had accommodated me for months and treated me with nothing but kindness. 'Liora!" he exclaimed, his voice as gentle as doves. He stood up and walked toward me. 'I'm glad you finally showed up. You look as beautiful as I have always known you to be." I just nodded, not knowing the right words to reply to him. "What's this meeting about, Rhys?" He waited for a moment, then he explained. "What I'm about to tell you is I didn't just wake up and decide to call you to vomit it. I have given it a hard thought. I have been lying to myself, but not anymore. I am tired of pretending to be okay. I have genuine feelings for you, Liora. Deep feelings rooted in good intentions. I know it may not be what you were expecting to hear, but I had to let them all out. I understand if you don't have any iota of feelings for me, all I want to achieve through this is to pour out my heart to you." It's true; I wasn't prepared for such a confession from him. I had the idea of him developing feelings for me, but I wasn't expecting him to still long to have me after the battle. I wasn't even expecting him to come all the way to express himself; I thought everything ended immediately, and we parted ways on a bad note. I had always known Alpha Rhys to be strong, guarding himself properly. I was shocked to see him in such a vulnerable state. I never knew he could break down in front of anyone. I just stood like a statue and watched him pour out his whole being to me. I had no idea what to reply to him. I wasn't prepared for such an encounter on my way home. Before I could gather my thoughts and reply, he pulled out something from a wrapped cloth. It was a long, sleek object. I didn't notice it when I met him. When he unwrapped the clothes, it revealed a beautiful sword, a well-crafted sword, a beautiful sight to behold. It would be no irony to say it was one of the finest I had ever set my eyes on. 'I got this for you," Rhys said, as he held it out to me. 'I was able to get it from the top nobles; it's recognized all over the nobles of a werewolf pack. I craved to have one myself, but I don't mind giving you this one till I could lay my hands on another one. You deserve more than this; I just bought this as a token of appreciation for coming into my life to show you how much I care for you." I was speechless, I stared at the sword in shock. The craftsmanship finished work on the sword. It was immaculate, and the sunlight did justice to the metal as it gleamed brightly. I hesitated, not knowing how to react to the gift. I reached out to take it, my delicate fingers brushing on it as I felt its magic blades. "Rhys, I am speechless, I don't know how to react." "Just ponder on everything I told you about, Liora," he said softly. "I am not pressuring you to do anything. I need you to take your time and consider everything. I only decided to meet up to free myself. But rest assured that I am ready to accept anything you decide on." I could sense the sincerity as he spoke. As we were still talking, I heard a rustling sound nearby. I quickly scanned with my eyes, even as Rhys was still talking. Maybe this was a good time to use my gift if anything funny wants to happen. "Rhys, did you notice any strange movement in the background? Maybe this is my time to use the gift you got for me." I said, trying to lighten his mood. He smiled, which is exactly what I wanted to achieve with what I had just said. "Not at all; it could be some wolves from neighboring packs or even wild animals." Just then, I remembered what Mira told me about Jaxon's view of my meeting with Rhys. Jaxon, according to a reliable source, had arranged for warriors to guard the woods during the time I would be meeting up with Rhys. I understand he was worried that Alpha Rhys might not mean well and might hurt me because he fought my pack. He could be here for a payback on how I betrayed them and supported my pack. I forgot entirely that I was with Alpha Rhys, and a smile escaped my lips. He might be thinking I was smiling because of what he was saying, not knowing I was doing so because of Jaxon. I had pursued him out of my house, but my heart hadn't done so. The little efforts he gathered at protecting me was enough to warm my heart. I was seriously torn between a love triangle. Rhys was before me, pouring out his soul and being to me, and Jaxon was getting tired and worn out already from trying to convince me. But I was confused about who to choose, as I like both of them. The only one my heart longed for had wronged me before and could do it again, and the other, was genuine, but I couldn't love him more than I already did. 'Liora, are you still with me?" Rhys' voice stormed into my thoughts and pulled me out. I nodded in affirmation. "Yes, I heard everything you said, I was just overwhelmed, but I appreciate your gift, Rhys. I do, but I would require time to process everything." Rhys agreed at once, though it was obvious he was disappointed. He was expecting a better answer, something positive, but even in his disappointment, he was still hopeful that something might come out in his favor. How I wished I dared to give Rhys the answer there instead of making him wait for it. He was sincere in telling me everything, to express his feelings to me from the deepest part of his heart, but I was scared to let mine out, scared that I might hurt him, scared that I might hurt myself also. I turned and made my way back to the pack to process everything and give each of them the answers due to them.