Once her lips touched his, he closed his eyes, his breath hitching a bit. He was too shocked to respond at first, but then his response came slow, taking it at his pace. He held her waist, pulling her close and it wasn’t just desperation or love, it was also yearning, heartbreak and will. It was the will to forgive and let go.
A small chuckle came, and she released him, but his hand still lingered on her waist, his face still resting on hers.
"I'm so sorry"
Jake said, a mischievous glint in his eyes and Evander closed his eyes, letting her go, slowly and Once he did, she moved away, trying to keep reasonable distance.
"Evander?"
His head was still lowered, his hands now feeling suddenly empty and he looked up at her, giving a small smile.
"Thanks"
he turned to Jake.
"You need me?"
He nodded.
"Yeah. If you can..."
" I can."
He stood up, walking determinedly to the door, his hands clenched to get rid of the emptiness, but his legs seemed to have a mind of their own as they turned to her, fast. He hugged her, patting her hair, letting himself breathe in her scent. He then released her, smiled and walked out, leaving her wondering what their relationship was now.
"You still...."
Jake said, chuckling. They were walking towards the park house.
"Complete your sentence, Jake."
"You already know what I want to say, man."
Evander laughed.
"I do, but I won't answer if you don't say it."
Jake nodded.
"You still love her?"
Evander stopped in his tracks, biting his lower lip.
"What if I do?"
Jake shrugged.
"You have to let go of the negative feelings. You want her, but you don't. And I’ve always known."
He nodded.
"I'll try."
He started to walk away, but Jake held him back. "Evander.. You never hated her, right?"
Evander shook his head.
"I would be lying to say I didn't. I hated the fact that she could do that to me. I hated the fact that it reminded me of my failure as a son. I hated the fact that she didn't feel the way I felt for her."
He said the last part slowly.
"Did you find out today? Whether she loves you or not?"
Evander broke out in a smile and touched his lips.
"She kissed me, Jake. Yeah..I was telling her about mum, dad and Alexander, but....that kiss...I didn't feel much of pity there. Only.."
He closed his eyes as if still back in his office, sitting on the edge of the desk, holding her.
"You're so whipped, man"
he chuckled.
"Yeah, I am. Damn"
Jake laughed hard, holding his stomach.
“I am so jealous, you know"
he said after he could get himself to stop laughing.
"Why?"
"You guys....the both of you...your love conquers even the mate bond. You guys love is thicker than that bloodshed. And its truly fascinating."
Evander patted his shoulder.
"I'll invite you to say the exact same words at my wedding"
he said with a laugh.
"Wedding bells"
Jake laughed, poking Evander's side and breaking into a run, with Evander running behind him.
"Damn...what did I do? What if he doesn't want me anymore? But he came back to hug me. He hugged me before I kissed him. He hugged me after that too..does that not mean that....he also said it was just a mate bond..."
She squealed and lay on the bed, hugging the pillow.
"Damn...Evander. He drives me crazy and he doesn't even know and its so freaking cuuuuttteeee"
she rolled, scattering her hair around.
"So, you've finally gone mad."
She stood up fast on hearing Alec's voice and held up her hair.
"No need to dress up for me, I’m not Evander."
she eyed him.
"Of course. How can you be him?"
She said, stressing the two pronouns. He gave a fake yawn.
"Better wash up, look real good, not sure if you can, though. And get your annoying self to the pack house."
He said and shut the door, not waiting for her to throw the pillow at him.
"Beast. But wait, why should i go to the pack house?"
She asked herself, before her eyes widened in shock, suddenly realizing something.
"Cole must have known that Evander had magic. And I know Cole is intelligent enough to know. He wanted me out."
She sat at the foot of the bed, holding her head. It all made sense now. She sighed. He had always wanted her out. Always. Thank the moon Goddess split moon and the delta position was far behind her now. She stood up and took out a bath robe, then selected a gown. The one Evander had bought for her. She matched it with nice shoes and access, before going into the bathroom. She wouldn’t look good, she would look stunning.
"Are you sure I should do this now?"
Evander asked, fidgeting a bit.
"You brought up the idea, Evander. And I think its good. Its about time you give her a new home, a new identity."
He nodded and exhaled.
"Yes, that's my forgiveness. Anything that comes after that is my love."
Jake poked his side and wiggled his brows, while Alec simply stood, watching, a scowl on his face.
"Alec loosen up. She's not that bad, you know."
"She is to me."
He said sharply and Jake raised his hands in mock surrender.
"Calm down man. I'm not forcing you."
Alec sighed and walked off.
"He'll come around."
Evander said and Jake nodded.
"Yeah, he will. We've been friends for too long for him not to."
Evander nodded in response and watched as his entire pack trooped into the massive hall, where most of the general announcements, parties and events too place. His mate's corpse lay on the podium, a bit far away from him, properly dressed and kept. She would be buried soon after the announcement.
Putting the last touches to her face and hair, she walked out of the room, her gown falling behind her, with a conviction on her face. She would stun, everyone, including Evander, the man she loved.