Chapter 77

• ALPHA ZACHARY "Apologize to our mate when you see her today." Serge whimpered like he had been doing since the first daylight graced the morning sky. I wished I could taunt him about calling Haera our mate after using that term for Ilvira over the past few months but I couldn't because I was equally guilty. We ruined the bond before it had the chance to grow and after what I did yesterday, I'm not sure I still had the right to stand in her presence. "Don't make excuses for us when she comes for breakfast. Simply apologize." The seriousness in my wolf's voice could have been hilarious if I hadn't messed my fate up. Talking about breakfast made my heart ache painfully because I knew the food wouldn't be the same. Breakfast wouldn't taste the way it did when Haera prepared them. My fated mate wasn't an ordinary chef anymore. She was an Alpha born Princess and she had returned to where she truly belonged...with her parents. "We should have told her how sorry we were yesterday or better still, chase her- Argh. It's all my fault. I was so obsessed with Ilvira." There he goes again. Serge had blamed himself greatly when we found out the truth. He kept insisting that he wasn't the one that made me turn a blind eye to our real mate, all for Ilvira who eventually betrayed us and the pack at large. "I have told you to stop taking the blame when I'm just as guilty as you are or even more than you. Let's focus on getting Haera to be the sweet woman we spent time with within the wilderness." I cautioned my wolf, forcing the bitterness of the past few days away from my mind as I imagined a whole new future with my rightful mate by my side. "Let's show her that rejecting us isn't an option." I added confidently as I made my way to the dining hall along with courage and a little headache. I hoped Haera was able to bond more with her parent last night. She deserved all of their love and more of mine. I entered the dining hall and my eyes quickly searched for her when my nose failed to breathe in her scent. I could see Alpha Jarvold and his Luna including the kitchen maids but Haera wasn't in the hall. "We might not be who you are yearning to see but turns out we are her parent." Alpha Jarvold joked and his Luna chuckled heartily. They were delighted. My heart ached for these two when I found out they had been catering for and loving their maid's daughter while their biological daughter had to struggle through hell. And I? I didn't relieve that hell for Haera. Besides, everyone could see that I had increased the temperature of the flames. "Where's Haera?" I kept my emotion in check but deep down, I was scared Haera had left my pack for- "Her parents are still here. She wouldn't leave them when they just reunited." Serge pointed out thoughtfully. "My daughter thinks fancy dresses aren't befitting for her. So she's taking her time to find her taste." Luna Elena cooed about how she thinks Haera had a very unique fashion sense. I watched Haera's biological parents chatting about all the new things they got to know about Haera within the short time they spent together yesterday. I proceeded to my seat at the head of the today but the moment her scent captured my nostrils, I stopped dead in my tracks. Haera's natural scent was different in a good way. It was stronger, dominating, and purer than it has ever been. I didn't have to turn my head to catch a glimpse of her in a dress. I was completely frozen on the spot, veering around fully to admire the woman I had never seen in anything except a maid uniform or that of a chef. The turquoise green dress she wore was captivating just as it appreciated every detail of her body. The swell of her breast was rising and falling so slowly that I had to follow the rhythm to calm my erratic heart. Haera made me breathless. It was different from the usual shortage of breath that I experience during training. Seeing Ilvira naked couldn't be compared to staring at a fully dressed Haera. "What's going on with me, Serge?" I asked through the mindlink but my wolf was as speechless as I was. This was what we had been missing. We abandoned something so natural for an authenticated feeling. We were foolish.... "My darling! You finally followed my advice. You look stunning." Luna Elena's compliment rescued me from making a fool out of myself and I quickly sat down. I averted my eyes from her body but her scent was still everywhere. "She joined us at last! Come sit beside me." Alpha Jarvold hinted and I almost cried out my protest. Sitting beside her father would take her further away from me. I was hoping she would sit close to my seat. Right where Ilvira used to sit... That was where she belonged....beside me not beside her newfound father. "Thank you." Her voice reached my ears and traveled all the way to a strange core that I didn't know I had in my body. Haera was appreciating one of the kitchen maids that served her. I could sense tension from Dina, the head maid definitely because of Haera's elevated status. Breakfast was served but I wasn't eager to taste the food, knowing that it doesn't have that special Haera's Touch. I ate anyway just like everyone else. Thank goodness Alpha Jarvold and his mate were around, if not, breakfast would have been eaten in uncomfortable silence. I had never minded eating in silence before now. "Alpha Zachary, we'll be leaving for Moonstone pack later in the day. This trip was the best, I must say." Alpha Jarvold murmured, informing me of his departure plan. I couldn't be happier because I would finally have my mate all to myself when her parents leave. "It was indeed a pleasant and fulfilling trip. Thank you for uncovering the buried truth, Alpha Zachary." Luna Elena was quick to support her mate's claim. They wouldn't stop thanking me for yesterday's event but unknowingly to them, I was beating myself up for some of the things I did yesterday because they were long overdue. "I missed the taste of your delicacies, Haera." Finally, Luna Elena spoke the words I had been harboring in my mind. I didn't back her words up though. "You won't have to miss them anymore. I'm going to cook for you and Papa whenever you want. You can ask me anytime." Those were Haera's words. She voiced them out confidently, leaving me confused. "Apologize before she announces our biggest fear. Please." Yet, I merely watch her like everyone else in the hall. We were all waiting for Haera to clear the clouds that her statement had created in the air. "Are you insinuating that you are returning home with your father and me?" I could hear the excitement in Luna Elena's voice when she asked Haera my greatest fear at that moment. I gulped water to hide my nervousness just as Haera opened her mouth to respond to her mother's question. "Of course, Momma.
• 🤧 There's nothing for me here." I choked on the water that had been trickling down my throat without issues until I heard my fated mate's utterance of confirmation.......of my biggest fear. "You can't leave, Haera." I said. Just like that...simply... I didn't even know when those words forced their way out of my mouth. I ignored her parents and the maids as my gaze held Haera's unyielding amber eyes. She also didn't look away, challenging me with every fiber in her body and showing me that she wasn't about to change her mind. Serge whimpered in my head and I almost emitted the same weak sound. The urge to command her like I used to was strong but that wouldn't work anymore. I wished I could tell her that her departure from my pack would ruin me beyond repair. "Excuse me, I lost my appetite and I also have some packing to get to." That was it... Haera rose from the talk, wasting no time to spare me another glance after our mini staring contest which she won. My eyes didn't leave her figure as she sauntered out of the dining hall. I counted her steps as I prayed she would turn back to me...that she would run into my arms. And she did. Haera eyed me before speaking. "If it isn't much of a problem, I would like to take Opaline with me to my parent's pack. I hope you can do that much for me. As a parting gift perhaps." She didn't wait for my permission or answer before she disappeared behind the door. I was speechless. I was hurt. I felt disrespected but funny enough I knew there was nothing I could do about it if I didn't want to push her further away from me. "I-i'm sincerely sorry for that. If you'd excuse me." Luna Elena apologized but heaven knows I didn't register her words. I heard her but I didn't take her words in. "Chase her....Chase HER!" That was what I comprehended. Serge wasn't allowing me to think. The situation was worse but my wolf's lament was making it unbearable. What should I've done? Chased her? "Alpha Zachary." I heard him too but I couldn't react to his voice. "Breathe, Alpha Zachary." Alpha Jarvold's hand squeezed mine tenderly. His affectionate gesture cleared my mind instantly. His eyes held understanding but I doubted if anyone could fully understand what I felt. I wanted to chase Haera and make her know that I was an Alpha that shouldn't be disrespected. At the same time, I felt taking her into my arms to pacify her was the best action to take. I was also considering kneeling in front of Haera just to get her to stay. I needed her with me.....more than ever. "You're all excused." Alpha Jarvold sent the maids out of the dining hall and I couldn't be more grateful because I could perceive myself breaking down any minute from now. "Breathe, Alpha Zachary, and look at me." He said to me. Alpha Jarvold's voice at that moment wasn't the one I was used to. He sounded like some sort of therapist that was about to take my pains away. He sounded like Serge.....normal Serge, not the one howling in my head. "She'll be back before you know it. The mate bond wouldn't let her stay away from you for long and one certain thing is that she's suffering like you are." Alpha Jarvold muttered. "I don't want her to suffer, Alpha Jarvold." I explained. "She doesn't want you to suffer too. Haera is just blinded by anger and pain. She was hurt and you of all people should understand the pain of seeing one's mate with another." Alpha Jarvold stated. He must have been referring to seeing Ilvira having sex with Tybalt but my mind sent images of the moments I saw Haera with Tybalt to me instead of the steamy sex scene. The moments Tybalt carried Haera. Those moments he kissed her forehead. That moment that she laughed because of something he said to her. I shook my head to get rid of them all but I stopped when realization set in. I realized that I had done far more intimate things with Ilvira and Haera saw most of it. Those intimacy that she didn't see must have been felt painfully. "Give her time. She'll come around. Don't think I'm trying to have her to myself and trust me when I say I would look after her." Alpha Jarvold said, adding a promise. It was obvious he was anticipating the bond he and Haera would create. I was jealous of him but I agreed with him. If she needed time, then I would give it to her. I was forced to finish breakfast with Alpha Jarvold and by the time he finished his food, he thanked me once again for bringing his real daughter back to him. "Please, try not to be too harsh on Ilvira. She was wrong and deserves extreme punishment but I hope you'll judge her with mercy." I didn't know if it was a request or a plea but those were the last words Alpha Jarvold said to me before he left me in the dining hall. Truly, he was a great Alpha but a better Father. My mate was lucky....