Chapter 99
AMELIA’S POV
Walking to I and Donald’s usual meeting spot in the dimly lit alley near the border of Moon Shadow, a sense of anticipation fluttered in my chest. Even though the Queen Mother hadn’t explicitly instructed me to meet him, it was an unspoken agreement between us that we would meet at our secret meeting place whenever possible.
However, as I approached the alley, my heart sank at the sight of an empty, desolate street. Donald was nowhere to be seen, and a sense of disappointment washed over me. I had been looking forward to our meeting for one reason or the other.
But as I took a step forward, the dull ache of
my recent injuries reminded me of my limitations. My journey to the alley had been slow and arduous, my movements hampered by the lingering pain that coursed through my body. I knew that I couldn’t afford to overexert myself, lest I risk aggravating my injuries further.
With a resigned sigh, I leaned against the cool stone wall of the alley, feeling a wave of exhaustion wash over me.
Closing my eyes, I took a moment to collect my thoughts and center myself, drawing strength from within. Donald would understand my absence, I reassured myself, knowing that he would never want to see me in pain or distress.
And so,
with a heavy heart and a sense of regret, I turned away from the empty alley and began the slow journey back to my residence.
“Amelia” The voice I so much wanted to hear called my name and my heart fluttered. My wolf was very happy to hear that very voice as she whined inside me.
“Donald?” I turned swiftly to face him and he ran over to meet me.
“I’ve been waiting for a while now. I only turned to see if I’ll possibly set my eyes on you. Luckily, here you are.”
“I’m sorry I delayed you. Something came up.” I tried to smile, hoping that he wouldn’t see through me.
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“That’s not a problem. It happens.” He said, and he beckoned on me to come sit with him on a pavement not far away from where we stood.
“Nevertheless, I’m sorry.” I muttered in a low tone.
“It’s fine, really. I’ll have been the one to stand you up if I didn’t stop all work I had to do. But, it would be rude to stand a princess.”
As I settled down beside him on the pavement, I couldn’t help but feel a rush of warmth flood through me at his words. His nature, together with the mate bond put me at ease, and I found myself relaxing in
his presence.
“Thank you
for understanding,” I replied softly as I glanced up at him through lowered lashes. His eyes met mine, and for a moment, the world seemed to fade away as we shared a silent exchange filled with unspoken emotions.
A small smile tugged at the corners of his lips, and I felt my cheeks flush with warmth as I realized how close we were sitting. After meeting up a couple of times, we were more open to each other than usual and by every moment we spent together, I felt drawn to him the more in ways I never expected.
The intimacy of the moment was not lost on me, and a nervous fluttering sensation danced in the pit of my stomach as I struggled to find the right words to say.
“So, how was your day? What kept you so busy?” Donald broke the silence.
“It was… eventful,” I replied, my voice slightly breathless as I recalled the events of the day.
”
“…… two emotions that could easily get to a being…… easily approachable and vulnerable. Fear and empathy…… depends on how you use them….”_
Canthra Minerva’s words became the only thing that lingered in my mind and it made me momentarily lost in thought as I stopped paying g attention to what Donald was saying as I tried to figure out what she meant. Though, I had a hint, I wasn’t quite sure.
“Amelia…” Donald tapped my shoulders to jolt me back to reality and I winced slightly.
“A penny for you thoughts. I’m sorry if I tapped you hard.” He focused all his attention on me. “Are you fine?”
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“Sure, I am. I…” I trailed off, staring at him.
“Is there something you’re not saying?”
“No, nothing.” I answered, averting my gaze.
“Amelia,” he called out a bit louder, forcing me to look at him. The way he did it, I couldn’t explain. All I knew was that our gaze locked the moment he called my name in that different tone.
Then, it occured to me what the Queen mother meant. The way Donald looked at me said it all. What she meant was which was for me to use the pain she inflicted on me to get to Donald by making him empathize with me, given the mate bond between them.
As Donald’s concerned gaze bore into mine, I couldn’t help but feel a surge of guilt wash over me. He was trying to understand, trying to connect with me on a deeper level, and yet here I was, hiding the truth from him. What choice do I have? The mission must be accomplished.
Taking a deep breath, I squared my shoulders and met his gaze head-on, determined to lay my cards on the table.
“You know you can to speak to me right? What’s wrong?” His voice shook my insides with how soft and full of concern it sounded to me.
“Nothing, really. I’m just tired.”
“I’m surely not buying that. I don’t know why, but I have a feeling that something more is bothering you. Moreover, why did you wince when I touched you earlier? Sounds like you’re in pain.”
Oh, Goddesss! This was it. I had no choice and slowly I began to open up to him. It made me feel better and I would achieve my aim that way. Killing two birds with
one stone.
“That’s because, I am really in pain.” I was honest.
“What happened? Did you get injured?”
“Kind of. I got punished, thus, the wounds.”
“I’m so sorry about that. Have you gotten it treated?”
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“Of course, I have. But wounds won’t heal just like that.”
“That’s right.” He sighed. Taking a look at him, his face darkened, scaring me a bit. “Who dared to be punish my woman? For what reason?” He questioned with an aggressive tone. It felt like he was ready to do anything to whoever it was that laid their hands on me.
Right then, I understood what Canthra Minerva meant. By sharing my pain with Donald, by allowing him to see the vulnerability beneath my stoic facade, I had forged an even stronger bond between us. I had really gotten to him.
“The Queen mother.” I said.
“Queen mother? Who is she?”
“Just like her title, she’s our head, first in command to our kind.”
“Amelia,” Donald held my hands in his. “I’ve always wanted to know more about you, your identity, how you live, what you do, how your pack works… everything! I have always wanted to know. It’s high time you tell all about it, Amelia. Please, tell me. And I don’t want you hiding anything.”
Oh heavens, his words got me weak. How do I deny him at this moment?