Chapter 102

• HAERA
• Things in the past few days have returned to how they used to be but of course with me still finding a way to get Zachary's memories back. But everything didn't entirely go back to how it used to be. The only thing that felt normal was my relationship with Zachary. The day of the meeting when I ran out looking all over for him in case he might be in danger, the words he said made my heart melt and made me feel even more guilty for yelling at him the way I did. He felt really sorry and bad and must have felt like he did something really bad to hurt me and that's why he was doing what I asked him to do. His other words still stick like glue to my brain. That day, he had turned his head to look at me with sad eyes that spoke of the pain he bore. "You told me to think or leave you mum. But I can't leave you." He had said. "I have nowhere else to go and no one I would love to be with except you. I will think mum, I will think and not leave you." That moment, for the first time since he lost his memories, I actually saw him as a 10 year old boy who was scared and still knew nothing about this world. He was a vulnerable child who was scared to death that he would be taken away from his mother. I had remembered Tybalt's words at that moment too. His words about Zachary's childhood and his past. That 10 year old boy later got taken away from his mother and he grew to be who he was now. He must have gone through a lot in a place where he was both unwanted by a mother and her son. It made me rethink thinking of myself as the victim all of the time. Zachary didn't have a perfect life because he was born an Alpha prince and the fact that he didn't grow up with a perfect life is what led him into this situation. I didn't feel pity for him. I just wanted to hold him and assure him that I would be there for the rest of his journey. I wanted to tell him that it was okay to be vulnerable and scared with me. I wanted to assure him that I would take it all; his pain, his sadness and his joy altogether. And that's what I've done in the past few days. I left it all to hope that doing all of that would bring his memories back while also doing other things to help him regain his memory. At the back of my mind, I had the tugging feeling that Zachary would be dethroned anyway but I was ready for anything. Anything at all. I would be with him throughout what's left of his journey. Letting myself go that way actually made me enjoy being with Zachary and seeing him for who he really is. Our relationship changed to how it used to be or maybe even better because of how much fun I had with him. It was perfect. The only thing that wasn't perfect about our life and what I would have done without was the reminder of Zachary's impending doom. Tybalt. Tybalt now walks about the palace and the pack like he owns it. He struts around with the grace of a swan while telling everyone that he is going to be the future Alpha and they must respect me. It baffles me how the council could be so insensitive and blind as to allow such a man to even step foot in the palace after all the atrocities he has committed. The fact that he was even given such freedom was beyond me. I steered clear of him anyway even if we practically lived in the same palace. And I didn't only stay out of his way, I made sure to get Zachary out of his way as well. I couldn't take any chances considering what he said to me after the meeting. I couldn't let him and Zachary meet and so I have always had Zachary by my side at all times. This time, I was the clingy one who held onto him for fear that he would be in danger if he ever came across his brother. And I was lucky that he was also the clingy type as well because he was always joined to my hip at all times. Another thing that was different and not normal was my father's presence in the pack. However, him being in the pack didn't mean I had the chance to see him whenever I wanted. The council of werewolves restricted our meeting because they didn't want him to be compromised for when they would make another decision in a few days time after the time I've been given elapses. Either the turn out is good or bad, I wasn't allowed to see my father or send messages to him when he was so close to me in the palace. I didn't mind though. His presence alone was enough for me to know he was there for me. It beat fighting it all alone because his scent was now all over the pack and it gave me the strength I needed to forge on. I made sure he was well fed though even if I wasn't able to see him. My mother sends words daily and I reply to her with letters of my own that my father and I were doing okay and she doesn't need any reason to worry. She feeds me with news of Basil and how he is doing a good job helping her since my father left the pack. It made me happy that someone was there for me even if he wasn't here with me as well. Things weren't really looking hopeful or well but I've never been happier. Today was another day to wake up and think of something else to do with Zachary. These days, I get excited just thinking about him and all the fun things we could do together. The only thing wrong about today when I opened my eyes was that Zachary wasn't the one who woke me from my sleep. In fact, he was nowhere to be found around me. It wasn't the first time he's done that all in a bid to get me a present before I wake up or just do something to make my morning worth it and so I just smiled that morning in anticipation of what my mate was out getting for me today. I took my bath and dressed up, walking into the dining hall just in time for our food to be served. Dina and the maids dished out the food without a word while I waited for my mate to come. I looked around the room for minutes but he didn't show up. I ordered Dina to cover up the food so I could go looking for Zachary. I found Alan on the way outside and he bowed in respect. "Have you seen Zachary today?" I asked. He grinned. "Last I saw him, he was going in search for flowers as beautiful as his mum and oh! He told me to keep it a secret, it's a surprise." I smiled in return. "Well you just ruined his surprise but I'm good at pretending." I said and we both shared a laugh. "I'll go get him." Alan said but I stopped him, telling him I would go in search of him myself. I set out to find him around the huge palace but he was nowhere around. I called out his name so he would scurry over to my side but I didn't see him come to me. I became slightly worried and asked the next maid I saw if she has seen him anywhere around. "Oh, the Alpha? I saw him by the lake." "The lake?" I asked. "Yes, he's probably still there but he wasn't alone when I saw him and walked past him." It made me frown. Alan was at the throne room and there was none other than him whose company Zachary enjoyed. "Who was he with?" "The Alpha Prince." The maid said. My eyes widened and I didn't wait for the maid to say more as my heart began thumping loudly in my chest. What in the world was Zachary doing with Tybalt? Tybalt's words from the day of the meeting echoed in my ears and I couldn't think of anything other than something bad happening to my mate. Zachary wouldn't remember him. He was clueless! I ran as fast as I could to the lake and I was there in seconds. My mate was really there by the lake, holding a flower in front of him while Tybalt stood in front of him as well. The mischievous look in Tybalt's eyes told me he was up to no good. It seemed like they were both talking and Zachary enjoyed talking to him. No. He shouldn't enjoy the company of that vile wolf. As I trudged forward to meet them, their words filtered into my ears. "Are you sure those flowers are enough for your mum? She seems more beautiful than they look." Tybalt's voice was faint because of the slight distance. "I'm sure they're okay. Mummy doesn't like extravagant things. Thank you for helping me pick them." Zachary said genuinely. "Oh it's nothing, your mummy is a very good friend of mine." "Oh really, how did yo–" "Step away from him Zachary, he is a bad man." I said, my voice raised as I finally reached them. Both men looked up to see me. While Zachary's face brightened, Tybalt's face went cold and hard. I glared back at him before getting in the middle and putting Zachary behind my back to protect him even when he was twice my size "Mum!" Zachary yelled excitedly behind me. I ignored him and still had Tybalt pinned with a glare while he looked back at me with amusement. He must find the situation funny since he finally met the Alpha whose brain has been reduced to that of a child. "Mum! His name is Tybalt. He said he's the next Alpha of the pack and he helped me pick flowers. He's a good man mum." Zachary piped. "Keep it down Zachary or I do it for you." I warned and he went silent. Tybalt chuckled. "I can't believe this is what my dear brother has been reduced to, controlled by a woman who looks like a termite beside him." Tybalt spat. "Of course. No thanks to you." I spat back. He chuckled again, this time, even more darkly. "It's really sad. I never intended for this to happen. All I wanted was an escape but I've always known the moon goddess was on my side and not on the side of this pesky illegitimate child." Tybalt said with a scowl. "No one is interested in your stories,Tybalt. Just leave." I warned. He smirked. Looking away from me and at the man behind me. He shook his head. "This is going to be so easy. With such a small brain as his, I wouldn't have any problem with getting what I want when I want it." Tybalt said and made to walk past us both stopped close to me so he could whisper words meant for my ear alone. I kept my posture even if I was losing my shit. "Be prepared little princess. I won't go easy on you when I finally sit on that throne or who knows...might also be before I sit on the throne." And with that, he left me and Zachary standing. "Bye, incoming Alpha Tybalt!" Zachary called after him while I just watched his retreating figure till he disappeared out of sight. I knew his words were anything but empty threats but I was going to protect myself and my mate at all cost. So bring it on, Tybalt, whatever you have.