Chapter 104 Destined Lovers
GAEL’S POV
Her voice had my heart racing when it settled in my ear. I turned around to see her, and everything that tightened in my chest loosened up immediately. I dusted off the invisible dirt on my trousers and held her gaze shyly. I have never been this tongue-tied in front of a lady before. Nia has a way of pulling so many unfamiliar emotions inside me. She looked impatient, eyes darted everywhere, refusing to focus on me.
“I am sure you heard me the first time. What do you think you are doing showing up every day and making everyone uncomfortable?” She questioned.
I played with the tail of my hair and swallowed in discomfort. What the hell is wrong with me? I have rehearsed many things to say to her with my wolf, and I felt confident until two minutes ago that I knew how to bring her back to me. I tried to open my mouth, but everything seemed stuck in my throat.
Nia scoffed with a glint of disappointment, “What was I expecting? Now that you have seen me, you should leave and never come back here. We had already gone our separate ways the last time we saw months back. So, if you don’t want me to have you arrested for trespassing, leave this instant.” She ordered, turning her back away.
“N… Nia!” I yelled like a fool. What the fuck is wrong with me? She stopped in her tracks. “Please, we have to talk!”
She faced me with a blazing rage in her eyes. “is this some joke? Oh, I see. You are here for the pregnancy. I hear all that matters to an Alpha is an heir to your throne. But news flash. This baby is mine and mine alone. Get that into your head and leave now when I am still nice.”
“Baby, listen…”
“I am not your baby!” She retorted, stomping her feet.
“Fine. Nia, listen, please. I am not here for the pregnancy; don’t get me wrong, it is not like I do not care. But you matter most to me right now. Nia, I am not here to justify my actions, and I know I deserve never to get close to you again. I wish I dared to stay away and not meddle in your life again. But I believe this is a second chance granted by the goddess. I have made many stupid mistakes, and letting you out of my life was the biggest one I would regret forever as long as I live.”
She didn’t respond, so I continued, not wanting to lose any chance I got. I fell to my knees. I tried to hold up her gaze, but she was shocked to see me in such a position.
“I am sorry, Nia. And if I have to say that a million times, I would as long as you forgive me. I was a nuisance till the very end. I didn’t stop to think of the things we shared to know that you will never do something like that to me. I let my rage blind me to see the truth right in front of me. I made a hasty decision, and I regret it. Please, Nia, allow me to make things right with you. I promise to do whatever you want. I am even on a journey to get better. I registered with a therapist, and I will be starting my sessions soon. I need you to seal this journey I just embarked on. Please, Nia. I love you so much, and I didn’t realize it until I lost you. I want you back; my life is nothing without you in it. Please.” My eyes watered, and I could no longer keep the emotions bottled.
“You are so delusional to think the goddess is involved in this rubbish.” She kissed her teeth loudly.
“You can go to hell for all I care, Gael. You knew how much I struggled to find my place in that pack. Not only did I get thrashed by the nobles, but even the enslaved people didn’t hesitate to lay their hands on me. I persisted and tried to live my life. You came to me, baring your heart out, making me feel like the only one you will ever love. You remember all the things you did to me before then. I am still shocked that I fell for someone like you. I shouldn’t have been surprised when you did what you did. It didn’t even take you too long before you pulled Gemma back into your bed. Didn’t Ezra tell you she knew about the setup?”
“I wasn’t thinking straight.” I defended.
“Of course you weren’t. The actual truth is you miss the wildlife you had always lived before I stepped into your life. You thought good riddance to bad rubbish when you tossed me away like trash. Now you are back because you got played. If you think I would be foolish enough to take you back, then you are joking. As you can see, I have a good life here. Go live yours too and never step foot here again. Or else I will be sure to keep my promise. Don’t test my patience, Gael. I am no longer that caring, Nia.”
“Nia, please,” I begged, teary-eyed.
Nia crouched low despite her giant belly and looked me in the eye with extreme spite. “Read my lips, Gael, if you remain here for one more minute. You will be shocked by what I am capable of doing. I would rip you apart if I had to. Stay away from my family and I. Do you get that?”
She walked away from me without sparing me a glance. I felt my insides freezing from the way she spoke to me. I have never seen her hold such a mean look before. I sat on the grass, feeling helpless. I guess this is it. It is all over, and I missed the chance to be happy and make things right in my life a long time ago. I wish it didn’t have to end like this. There is no way I am going to heal from this heartbreak that I brought to myself.
I dragged myself up with difficulty; the tears kept flowing ceaselessly, and I didn’t try to stop it. I walked back to my car and headed home. Nia was the only reason I stayed in a foreign land, and I would do it repeatedly if I had to. But it’s all too late now. I don’t know how I got to the airport driving so mindlessly. Ezra already had the private jet in place for whenever I decided to return home.
As the plane raced up into the air and the city of New Haven became smaller from my view, reality dawned on me that I was never seeing the love of my life again. Like a child, I held onto the window and cried. ***************
TWO WEEKS LATER
AUTHOR’S POV
Catelyn watched Nia closely as she stabbed at her food. She always has an appetite, but for the past week, she seems unable to eat right. It’s all because of that handsome devil, Gael, who made a mockery of her affection. She can finally affirm that her granddaughter still has hidden affection towards him. And it breaks her heart to see that she can’t do anything to help her. She didn’t want to get involved before, but from the look of things, someone has to do something, or Nia’s health will be in danger.
Clearing her throat, she took a sip of water. “Why are you so down?” She asked.
Nia sighed heavily and dropped the spoon like she had been waiting for the perfect moment. She can’t seem to get rid of Gael’s words to her the last time they met. He didn’t sound convincing enough to her when he presented his case, and that was just enough to get her angry.
“I don’t just get it.” She began. “He didn’t have a single good excuse to give for being an asshole. He only kept apologizing.”
“Would you have forgiven him if he weaved a couple of excuses for you?” Perry, who had been quiet all through the breakfast, asked. She got back three days ago and already feels frustrated with Nia’s unlikely attitude.
Nia slapped the table, “No, never. I am better off without him, and we would not be talking about him ever again.” She hissed, storming upstairs to her room.
“She is not better off without him,” Perry mumbled.
Catelyn sighed, rubbing at her wrinkled forehead. “We can’t leave her like this. She is pregnant and needs to be healthy both physically and emotionally for her to see the month through. What do we do?”Published by Nôv'elD/rama.Org.
“She cries herself to sleep every night. It is so annoying.” Perry groaned. “If I knew, I would return to meet a wrecked-looking Nia. I would have stayed back in Spain.”
“You would be surprised to know your presence has helped brighten her. She often stands like a zombie, lost in thought and unmoving.”
“This is bad.”
Kylia stepped into the house with shopping bags in hand, moving their attention away. She never comes by the house empty-handed, and everything she purchases is for the newborn’s arrival. Perry rushed to her in excitement.
“Hey there, my favorite aunty. You are a breath of fresh air. What did you get me?” She questioned in excitement, taking the bags from Kylia.
Kylia giggled, flicking Perry’s nose. “I am your only aunty; there is no way I wouldn’t be your favorite. However, I am sorry to disappoint you. There is nothing in there for you. It is for my beautiful babies, who are due to arrive soon. So get your hands off it. Where is Nia? How are you doing, mama?”
Perry threw her arms out, pouting. “Forget whatever I said the other time. You are a killjoy.”
“That is right,” Catelyn added, joining them in the living room.
Kylia stood with her arms akimbo, observing the women. “what is happening? Why does everyone look so gloomy?”
“Why don’t you ask your niece?” Her mother replied.
“She wouldn’t tell us what is wrong with her; maybe she would be nice enough to tell you.”
She huffed, “I have also been trying to make her talk. But she keeps denying that there is anything wrong with her. I guess we have to believe whatever she says.”
“We all know how much Nia enjoys food. Lately, she doesn’t even eat half the plate.” Perry mused.
“Okay, that is worrisome,” Kylia added.
“I was thinking of something though. Why not call Ezra to affirm how the other one is doing.” Catelyn suggested.
Perry snickered, “he is probably fine and living his best life.”
“I doubt that. If Gael and Nia love each other so much, they might have a mate bond that pulls their emotions together even if they are apart.” Said Catelyn.
Perry gasped in surprise. “You know about the mate bond?”
“Of course, her only son was mated to a werewolf. She would know about it. Moreover, it’s not much different from one’s soul mate as humans.” Kylia said.
Catelyn hummed, playing with her finger. “I have a feeling it is destiny for them to be together. And if my instincts are right, then we have something to do. So Perry, call your brother.” She instructed.
Even though she was a bit hesitant, Perry had no other choice but to dial her brother. Ezra picked up the second ring, and she put the phone on speaker.
“Hey, brother.”
Ezra yawned tiredly into the receiver. “How are you, pumpkin?”
“I am okay. Why do you sound so tired? Had Gael been overworking you?” She asked.
“I would have preferred if he did. That young man has been a walking dead since he returned to the pack. It feels like he became reclusive to everything around him. I have tried everything I can to cheer him up. I did warn him not to get his hopes up. Now that the cold truth has hit him, he can’t seem to cope with it. I don’t know what to do. I wish there were something I could do to help him. It is the first time I have seen Gael look this helpless. He wasn’t even like this when he lost both parents. I am worried something might go wrong.” He mumbled, sounding helpless.
The ladies exchanged a knowing look. Catelyn shifted forward to speak to the receiver. “I am guessing we all have a part to play here. Nia is nothing to write home about, too. So, are you ready to do anything for your friend’s happiness?”
Ezra coughed lightly, “Yes, of course. What do you need me to do.”
“Okay, here is the plan. Listen carefully.” Catelyn mused in a very soft tone to prevent Nia from hearing.
“That is a perfect plan,” Ezra mumbled after hearing them out.
“Are you sure you can make it?” Kylia asked him.
“Trust me, Aunt Kylia. I know just the right words to say.”
“Let’s make it a date then.” Catelyn said with a wide grin on her face.