As Maria's parents and the Veilwood pack were put in a tight spot, Triton, the man who rejected Maria, was facing a crisis of his own.
TRITON'S POV
I couldn't even get a proper view of her face. Not many females wore a veil apart from those in the Veilwood pack. That night, I was drunk. Throughout the month, I had been set up by several women who were paid to sleep with me. I knew I had enemies, but I wasn't sure who was responsible for it.
I had always managed to control myself and get the whores punished for their actions. Some of them had revealed that some generals from other packs had paid them to seduce me and poison me. I was an alpha of a renowned pack in the north and of course, other men envied me.
That night, I was driven to the bar after a fight with my woman, Clara. I stormed into the bar to clear my thoughts. Dressed in my casual clothes, I booked a room to have some private time, and then drank myself to stupor. Clara had suggested a breakup again, and her reasons were always vague. I was an alpha, and I could give the woman I loved the entire world. So, why did she want a breakup?
After getting extremely drunk, I couldn't remember anything else. Suddenly, I woke up the next morning to a damsel staring at me. Her eyes were hazel and they also looked startled like I was. Her face was covered with a veil, obstructing me from making sense of her features. But her voice was beautiful, sounding like a perfect symphony and it made me feel like her face would also be perfect.
I brushed off the thought as something stirred in me. It was an attraction to this strange lady that felt frightened by my presence. It was so strong that it pulled me to take her into my arms and kiss her. It was the mate bond. I was almost tempted to ask her to take her veil down so I could see her face.
I hid my affection towards her and spoke coldly. Her shiny milky legs kept distracting me even while I wanted to reject her. I felt like placing them over mine, possibly asking for a round of lovemaking, while I was in my normal state.
It occured to me that both of us had sex in our drunken state as I could perceive the sharp stench of rum as she spoke. Then I shook my head, thinking about Clara. The only woman I loved. I couldn't afford to make things worse between me and Clara. I could still claim Clara as my mate.
Then, I looked at her and rejected her. She didn't seem like one of those girls who were set up against me, but I just had to say those words to hide the emptiness felt.
I noticed her eyes become glassy as they threatened to downpour. And then I thought, what if she can't stand the pain of the rejection? What if she's an orphan who has no one to go to? I dipped my hand into my pocket and threw a bag of money at her.
I wished I wasn't so harsh, but that was a necessary evil that I couldn't avoid.
I brushed her off my thoughts as I stepped out of the bar. I picked a few fresh flowers and rode on my horse, away from the bar. Clara was on my mind right now. I had to meet her and try to make things right.
I alighted from the horse as I stopped in front of her house. I held the flowers in one hand while knocking with the other, yet there was no response.
"Clara. My love," I called out, but still got no reply.
I moved away from the house, but when I got to the window, I heard voices which meant that someone was in the house. I knocked on the door, harder and louder, but still, she didn't respond.
"I'm so sorry if I did anything wrong." I said gently as she ignored me. "Please, can you open the door?"
I leaned my ear towards the door, expecting a reply, but none came.
There was paper in my pocket, and I took out a quill and wrote on the paper.
Dear Clara, I'm really sorry if I did anything to make you angry. Maybe you can tell me what I did so I can make amends. I love you and I want our relationship to work out. I am an alpha who needs a gorgeous Luna like you by my side. Enjoy the flowers I got for you."
I slipped the paper underneath the door. But as I stood up, my weight pressed against the door, pushing it open. It then occurred to me that the door wasn't locked the entire while.
I opened the door and walked inside, placing the flowers and the note on the table. I wondered if Clara had not heard me the entire while or if she was just ignoring me.
I took a deep breath and walked in the direction where I had heard the light whispers.
There was a trail of clothes on the floor. I picked it up and scanned it. There weren't feminine clothes. One of them was a necktie with male trousers and cowboy hats.
My mind thought in a direction, but I brushed it off as nothing. Maybe she was with a male relative. I wanted to call her name, but something in me told me not to. I decided to follow the direction where I heard the voices coming from.
As I headed there, the masculine voice grew louder. I also heard Clara's voice. Then I reached the room, my heart sank and I found myself breathing loudly. My eyes found it hard to believe what they saw.
"Clara." I called out.
She jerked and turned towards me with a shocked face. "What are you doing here?"