Chapter 83

• HAERA How do I stop a grown-ass man from being a pest in my life? As much as I put in efforts to get him off my back, Basil wouldn't let me be. It was embarrassing enough that I initiated a kiss with him yet he continued to feed me a dose of embarrassment everyday and every moment he had. I should write a warning note somewhere because I was about to drop dead from Basil's taunts. I should have at least warned my parents about the possible demise of their beloved daughter but even the process of explaining what happened to them was embarrassing. What should I do? "Maybe you should try not hiding away from it. After all, you kissed him." Dezra advised wickedly. The past few days had been hell because my wolf had betrayed me by siding with Basil. I was subjected to fighting an enemy within me and another in my house, roaming like he owned the damn place. "Can you stop stating the obvious? I know you are mad at me but I can't have my wolf supporting someone who is hell-bent on making fun of me." That wasn't the first time I had pleaded with my wolf but it all fell on deaf ears. Dezra had reprimanded me for kissing someone who wasn't our mate but I couldn't allow myself to feel an ounce of guilt. If anything, the kiss with Basil could be seen as my way of getting back at Zachary but that didn't suffice for the pain I had to endure when he went extremely physical with his fake mate. If revenge was what I was after, I would have kissed one of Zachary's men in his presence where he would have been able to witness it. Saying his name in my head was like a mental punishment. I just hope my wolf would understand that our destined mate was the selfish one, not me. "Princess Namia. It's a beautiful morning, isn't it?" Opaline greeted me as she entered my bed chambers. Although she was still her reserved self, Opaline has opened up to and with me a little more than before. I smiled at her, thinking she had brought breakfast along with her like I had asked her to be doing ever since the morning I kissed Basil. It was one of my ways of avoiding my tormentor. "You came empty handed!" My eyes widened as I stated the obvious. To be honest, I'd been expecting breakfast because I woke up hungry but the fear of running into Basil made me stay in my chambers. It was safer my by chambers because I had instructed the guards not to allow him into my comfort zone. "I'm sorry but your parents have requested that you join them in the dining hall this morning. They stopped me from bringing breakfast to your room." Opaline informed me to my dismay. I stumbled onto my bed releasing my frustration on the soft mattress. My game of hiding and seeking was about to be cut short by my parent's demands and I couldn't deny them the pleasure of seeing their daughter, not anymore. "I'm sure you didn't try to save me despite knowing my plight." My gaze rested on Opaline as I asked but she simply averted her eyes. Everyone around me was slowly becoming a betrayal...slowly. Opaline helped me dress up for breakfast while I thought of how I could escape going to the dining hall. "Tell my parents that I'm unwell. They'll definitely let me eat in my room if they hear that." I suggested but Opaline disagreed with me, responding quickly like she had practiced her words beforehand. "The Luna asked me to tell you that they wouldn't eat until you join them. We don't want to starve your parents, do we?" "I have to say. I think I prefer your reserved self to the chatterbox that you have suddenly become." Opaline tried not to laugh instead she smiled at me. She was aware of who I was trying so hard to avoid but she didn't know the reason behind it. I couldn't bring myself to share the details with Opaline or anyone else. "Luna Elena also said she's aware of your charade with the Beta's son and she didn't invite him for breakfast because of you. So off you go your highness." My mouth hung open due to Opaline's statement. What charade was My Momma referring to? There was only one way to find out. "Forget about thinking, I'll choose the quiet Opaline over you any day." I muttered to Opaline before leaving my chambers. My steps felt heavy and too calculated probably due to the anxiety of knowing what my mom knew about Basil and me. He couldn't have told my momma that I kissed him, could he? "He's a clown. We both know he can tell anyone anything." Dezra voiced her opinion. My wolf was clearly finding pleasure in my dilemma but I ignored her as I entered the dining hall. My parents were sitting in their seats and thankfully, it was just them at the table. It was a family breakfast. Phew. I was relieved. "Why have you been hiding your pretty face from me, Haera?" My papa questioned in an accusing manner when I moved to kiss his cheek. He always found a way to say the right words to me. I chuckled before kissing my momma's cheek too as a way of greeting them. "I was beginning to think you despise being in our presence." After summoning the chef to serve breakfast, my momma etched in to validate Papa's accusation. "Let's say I was reflecting on myself." I answered. None of them showed any sign that they believed my excuse. They weren't fools. "And does that have anything to do with Basil?" I shifted my gaze from the plate in front of me to my momma. She twitched her nose at me while my father laughed, saying my expression was hilarious. It was safer not to answer the question because I knew it was a trap. My parents were trying to find out what happened between Basil and me but I wasn't about to tell them. Focusing on my meal, I savored the taste of the freshly smashed avocado toast, beautified with flappy fried eggs and the recipe stunned me. I had to ask the chef to teach me her recipe. She agreed. I wondered if it was okay to be jealous of the beautiful relationship my parents shared as mates. They loved each other loudly enough for everyone to see. Even the blind could sense something as exceptional as this. My heart ached to enjoy such affection but I had to shove the mere thought of it away. "I'm right here you know? I had to interrupt but even that did nothing to take out the fire burning in their eyes for each other. It was beautiful but at the same time, suffocating. At least to me. My father was prepared to lecture me about how I could enjoy the same affection if I forgive my mate but Basil's voice reached our ears, disturbing any other thought from settling in. "Alpha Jarvold." He said. I hid my face from him and I didn't know if I should be grateful for his interruption because he had unknowingly saved me from my father's lecture or if I should have him crucified for ruining breakfast for me. "Luna Elena, you'll have to forgive me for showing up after you told me it would be a family breakfast but an urgent issue that needs the Alpha's attention was brought in and my father-" "It's alright, Basil." My momma ascertained. When I didn't hear his usual witty comments, I made the mistake of thinking Basil wasn't in the mood to make fun of me and I cut my eyes to his face. "Pardon my manners, Princess Namia." Basil apologized with a wicked smile and I didn't miss the brief kissing gesture he made with his lips. Like I said earlier, he was hell bent on never letting go of the incident. I squinted my eyes as the embarrassment began to invade my mind once again and with the help of Dezra, Basil successfully got to me again. "Excuse me. I've had enough to eat." Without looking away from Basil, I rose to my feet but stumbled. My father was quick to catch me which I immensely appreciated because heaven knew I didn't want to be reminded of the way I tripped before kissing Basil yet the mere act of being caught and helped by my father was like a replay of the incident. "I've to leave!" I squeaked and Basil chortled. My walk of embarrassment began once more with breakfast long forgotten. I hurried back to my chambers, ordering my guards and maids that I didn't want any visitors except my parents. That should keep Basil away from my neck. "Are you ready to talk about him now?" Dezra asked the moment I collapsed on my bed. She was referring to the issue of how she wanted me to forgive our destined mate but I wasn't ready for that discussion. For all I know about myself, I would never be ready to forgive him. Why my wolf continued to hesitate day after day was confusing because I had thought she would be mad at him for all of our pains. I quickly put a mental wall between Dezra and me. I wasn't about to start fighting with her just because of someone who hasn't tried to contact us ever since we left his pack. "He doesn't care so why should I be the one chasing him?" I asked myself. There was no one else in my chambers with me but I had to call for Opaline because I was craving the avocado that was served for breakfast. "Bring me some and make sure you tell the chef that I'm ready to learn the recipe." Opaline nodded before leaving me to my thoughts again. I searched for what I could do to make myself busy without leaving my room but I found none except engaging myself in reading those boring books. I've to admit that I missed Basil's presence around me. Who wouldn't miss him anyway? After thinking for a few minutes, I decided I had played around enough with Basil. I needed to talk things out with him like the adults we are. It was better that way. I wanted my friend back and I would get him. "Your highness, you have an important guest waiting outside your chambers. Should I let h-" "Male or female?" I asked, cutting the guard off. Despite everything that I had considered, I found out at that moment that I still wasn't ready to face Basil. If he was the one at my door, I wouldn't let him in. "A male your highness. A Beta male to be precise." The guard informed me. It was Basil. There was only one Beta male in the pack that would come to look for me in my chambers- Basil. It could only be him. "Don't let him in." My voice doesn't waver as I expected when I ordered the guard. He nodded, bowed to me, and left my room without delay. I was happy someone was actually performing their duties of standing by what I asked. The guard appeared to be someone I would live to keep by my side. Haha. Opaline entered my chamber with a tray of the deliciousness I ordered for but without the chef. My eyebrow furrowed because I was anticipating the chef's presence. I'd probably have to go to the kitchen myself. "The chef didn't come with you?" I asked but it was more of a statement than a question. Opaline replied, saying the chef said she would be joining me soon. The news made me smile but when I peeped at Opaline's face, she wasn't as excited as I was. In fact, I sensed her worry and uneasiness. "Are you alright?" Opaline raised her head as soon as she heard my question. Strangely, she was worried for me and not for herself. I thought she was scared of being punished for a mistake she must have made but that wasn't the case. "He's here to see you." She responded. "Don't tell me that's why you are worried. I'm not interested in seeing Basil, not yet Opa-" "It isn't Basil, Haera." Opaline cut in and that got my attention. "Then who?" I demanded. "It's Beta Alan of the Imperial pack." My eyes mirrored Opaline worry but there was also confusion in mine. What could Alan be here for? Did Zachary send him to get me? A lot of questions that needed answers were zapping through my head and the only way I could get those answers was to let Alan in. I did just that. "Princess Haera." Alan greeted me with a bow of his head as he entered my chambers. Being respected by the Beta of Imperial Pack was definitely a first but Alan had always been cool-headed. "Welcome Beta Alan. To what do I owe your unexpected visit?" I asked bluntly. Opaline offered Alan a seat before she excused herself. It was just Alan and me in my chamber after she left and I didn't like that. I felt uncomfortable in my haven. Alan cut the chase immediately and I could perceive his fear even though he was known to be a composed and expressionless man. "He needs you, Haera. We all need y-" "Don't patronize me! Did he send you here to tell me that? Oh wow. He has a beautiful way of showing me just how much I'm needed." Sarcasm dripped out of my mouth along with my words. Alan wasn't the one to be blamed for what happened between Zachary and me but I transferred my anger to him regardless. "Please hear me out." Alan pleaded. Dezra surfaced in my head, pumping her fear, excitement, and worry into my system. I calmed my nerves, telling Alan to talk afterward. "Alpha Zachary was involved in an accident an-" "You came here to tell me your Alpha is injured?" I tried not to but I butted into Alan's statement. "Listen to him. Please!" Dezra shouted in my head. I was tired of being told what to do by my wolf yet I did the exact thing she said. "I came here to inform you, Alpha Zachary's true mate that he has lost consciousness." Alan supplied. I was affected by his words but I hid it from his piercing eyes. It was better to be emotionless. "Your mate has slipped into COMA!" Alan stated, trying to get a reaction from me but... I couldn't think of the best way to react. What was I supposed to feel?