Iris:
In the last two weeks, I had been prepared specifically for this task. I hated it. I didn't want to be part of it. But every time I saw my son complaining about his headache, I melted little by little. Eventually, I had no choice but to agree.
Now I stood in the office, in a building I had never visited before, looking at the man who had once betrayed me. He stood tall, broader now. His aura was still dark and mysterious. But the most painful part was that the mate bond ached to pull him into a hug, to ease the years of pain I had felt because we weren't together. But I wouldn't do it. I'd rather stay in pain forever than let him see me miserable.
He turned around, and the way he gasped said it all. He recognized me. Of course he did. People usually remember the disasters they've caused. But then his eyes widened.
"Luna Iris?"
But it was his royal beta, Walkin, who spoke first. At that moment, I couldn't even act the way I was taught by my mother to do.
"Do you know my daughter?" My mother seized the perfect opportunity to step forward and ask, sounding completely baffled.
"Your daughter?" Kash asked, and his voice sent chills down my spine.
I closed my eyes, it wasn't easy for me to listen to his voice again.
"You're fucking back!" he yelled.
And I guess at that point we realized his reaction was not what we had expected. He looked extremely angry. Before either my mother or I could say a word, he rushed forward.
As soon as he grabbed my arm and shook me, I honestly lost my senses for a bit. I hadn't expected that reaction from him.
"What is going on?" My mother panicked, rushing over to free me from him.
"Now you're back, huh?" he yelled again, his eyes making it so hard for me to look into them. But I had to look into his gray eyes.
I wanted to know what the fuck was wrong with him. Why was he acting like I couldn't leave, like I had to stay with him and face his torture?
"Alpha King Kash, please calm down." His beta was far more present than he was. Walkin rushed over and grabbed Kash by the arm, trying to pull him away from me.
"She is back now, and it looks like she's been thriving after all!" Kash screamed, pointing at me.
My mother kept acting completely clueless, watching us both and then looking at Walkin for answers.
"Please give us a moment," Walkin requested, finally managing to drag him out. He left us behind. I still had a small bruise from the way he had held me.
"Oh my, his reaction tells me he's not over you," my mother said. Now that we were alone, she dropped the dainty act.
"How do you feel about him? Do you still feel something for him?" my mother asked while I kept looking away.
I was instantly reduced to tears.
Kash's reaction shocked me. Instead of looking guilty for being the reason I left, or apologizing for making a choice that pushed me away, for picking Lara over me—he looked angry, as if I had betrayed him.
After about half an hour, which I guess was how long it took for Walkin and Kash to finish their conversation, the door opened again, and Walkin walked in. My mother immediately started playing her next part.
"I don't understand what's going on. Does Kash know my daughter? And why would he act like that with her?" my mother complained, looking upset, even though she never cared how he treated me.
"Actually, I'm really sorry. It was just a misunderstanding," Walkin apologized, and I realized Kash would rather act like we never knew each other.
I guess my mother didn't see that coming. She had been hoping they'd come in and instantly announce that I was still mated to Kash, that he wanted me back in his home.
I felt both happy and upset at the same time. I wanted the medicine for my child, but I guess Kash had really moved on with Lara. I secretly clenched my fist and looked away.
"Misunderstanding? And he didn't come to apologize to my daughter?" my mother continued, making me clench my jaw at her fake concern.
"Our Alpha King has been fighting in the war for the past few years. I suppose he just can't keep his emotions in check. Every time he sees someone, he assumes he's facing an enemy," Walkin explained carefully, glancing at me.
Was he calling me an enemy? Wow. Imagine cheating on someone and then acting like they're the problem.
"I hope things will be better from now on because I don't want my daughter to suffer through all that. She already has a hard life. So please, whatever it is, speak with your Alpha King, and we'll resume work once he's feeling better," my mother said before walking over to me.
"Come, my sweet daughter, let's go home," she said softly, gently nudging my elbow.
As my mother and I silently walked out of the building, we stopped briefly beside our car. That's when I noticed Kash standing next to his car with one hand on the roof, the other on his waist, eyes narrowed at me.
He looked enormous, powerful, and incredibly handsome.
Our eyes locked. We just stared at each other. It was a silent stare, but I could feel the unspoken complaints between us.
I didn't know what he was thinking, but we kept staring until another car arrived and stopped right next to him.
Out came Lara, wearing a stunning golden dress. She rushed out and spread her arms.
Kash looked me straight in the eye. Then he removed his hand from the roof so he could wrap it around her. While maintaining eye contact with me, he cupped her face with his other hand and crashed his lips against hers.
He did not look ashamed of himself and neither did he care that I was watching him.
And I felt the pain of the mate bond.