were young
Chapter 11
Chapter 11
Declan watched as Vivienne held her tears back and opened his door. She was about to walk away but she stopped when they both saw Yuan and Jerome outside, clearly listening to them.
He sighed, wiping a hand on his face.
They’ve had this conversation over and over again for the past five years, and he was getting tired of it
He knew he deserved all the things he heard and got i
got from Lauren. He knew he was at the wrong–VERY wrong, and he regretted it every single day. But it sull hun, knowing how much she hated him now
The moment she left that night. Declan knew he made the biggest mistake in his life. He knew he was a fool for even letting his sick, immature head decide for him, when all along the very person he’s been dying to meet was in front of him.
His mate The love of his life.
He looked at the white gold ring on his ring finger.
The moment he saw the velvet box that Lauren returned to his father, a part of him shattered.
But he knew he must have shattered Laugen’s heart over and over again after all the things he did to her with Vivienne.
His father and mother always teased him about Lauren. But he always thought his adoration for the woman was just sisterly. Many people teased them, in fact. And it almost felt like everyone expected them to marry.
A huge part of him liked it, but he thought it wouldn’t be fair to Lauren if he just accepted it.
Even as children they talked about meeting their mates and how it would feel like. Sure, he played around for a bit in his teens, but he made sure to never get entangled with anyone just so he could give his entire self to his mate. And he expected the same from Lauren
But the idea of marrying each other even without meeting
ng their mates negated that childhood promise to each other.
He wanted to give Lauren a choice as much as he wanted to give it to himself. He thought that it was caging them both to just comply with what expectations people had of them.
He wanted Lauren to make a decision for herself. He wanted Lauren to explore, be happy and find her mate.
Matebonds are sacred. They are supposed to complete you. That’s what mates are for in the werewolf realm
And Declan, during their marriage, thought that Lauren was being overly emotional and had misplaced her grief by pushing their relationship. They were already of proper age, and yet they hadn’t found their mates. It should have been an indicator for Lauren that what they are doing is a betrayal to their mates, and yet she wanted to push through as if she truly loved him.
Declan’s ideals were reinforced with the new set of friends he met during Alpha training. One of them being Vivienne.
The idea of being strong enough to create decisions for himself without the influence of some people consumed him. It was true, but it blinded him to a point, where he missed the part where their marriage was Lauren’s choice and not just because his father arranged them, not even just for the survival of Blue Mountains Pack anymore.
He became so blinded with pride he wasn’t able to see that Lauren loved him. That he was her choice.
|_ He avoided her, ever hurt her to make her realize what she was doing.
But another part of him, deep down, he knew there was another reason why he did that
It wasn’t just pride that blinded him. His frar did.
His fear that Lauren might have only married lum because she didn’t have a choice. That she really didn’t love him, and that he was just convenient for her people.
He thought he was protecting her and giving her the chance at life that she deserved. But he was just scared. In the end, he ruined her.
“Rude” he added when Yuan stepped inside his office the moment Vivienne found the will to walk away.
His Beta shrugged and sat on the soda at the corner of his office. The Main Guard followed, although awkwardly, being the formal nun that he was.
“Well, I guess it was necessary at this point. I thought you were done with the “Vivienne problem?”
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hapter 11.
was also this. I hope she gets it this time.”
“Let’s just hope I’m really done with it this time. The last conversation we had a
Yuan shook his head, equally amuseid and stressed by his best friend’s predicament.
“Well, I guess you both are not here to ask some upstates regarding my marital problems. So what is it?” Declan clasped his hands together and looked at the two
Yuan smiled and nodded.
“We’re here to give some updates regarding post–ops in the East after Alpha Vlad’s attack, Jerome. Declan looked at the Main Guard when Yuan gestured at him.
Declan listened to the things the Main Cuand reported. And although he truly was listening, his mind still couldn’t stop replaying his conversation. with Lauren
Tm a fool. I messed up big time? He shook his head and sighed deeply, making Jerome stop and Yuan confused.
“Should we not double security in the East” His Beta asked, thinking that he wasn’t agreeing with his decision earlier.
“No, no.” He cleared his throat. “We should double the soldiers. But also start planning for Alpha Vlad’s transfer here in our pack. We need him safe, including his family. His people have many worries already and we don’t want them to be more vulnerable by making them look over their injured Alpha.”
Yuan and Jerome nodded.
Declan sighed, knowing he needed to focus. He’s been too angry the entire day.
“And 1 want you to start packing supplies for the teams going to Rocky Mountain Pack tomorrow, Make sure everyone is ready for the trip.” “Yes, Alpha. So, when are their exchanges coming Jerome asked, knowing that in every agreement, some members of the other pack are meant to serve Black Ridges as an exchange for the help they were extending.
It has been the case for every pack they’ve ever helped. But Yuan tapped his back as Declan shook his head.
“We won’t get anyone from Rocky Mountains Pack this time.”
“Hut Alpha, we will decrease in numbers. Our schedule for rounds and guards in the territory will be messed up. Our territory is so big that we need more people.”
I understand. Jerome. But we can hold it for a while. I just need to fix something in Rocky Mountain Pack” Declan heaved a deep sigh, Lauren’s crying face, filling his mind.
The Main Guard thought for a while, knowing very well that they will back people. But seeing the distressed face of their usually stoic Alplu, he knew he had to comply.
“There must be a huge reason for this, he thought to himself before bowing.
“As you wish, Alpha. I’ll prepare everyone for the operation to
tomorrow.
unreadable and
He may not know everything about what his Alpha was talking about, but he trusted his leader. Declan has led them through so many victories. He never gave up nor showed weakness to his people. And he didn’t doubt he’d lead them to winning this war with the Vampires,
“Thank you, Jerome.” Declan said while Yuan nodded at him.
The doors to his office closed after the Main Guard walked off. Yuan looked at Declan and crossed his arms.
“No!” Declan looked at his
is best friend’s raised brow. His brown eyes were asking him something.
What’s going to happen with you and Laurent she didn’t exactly sound like she was willing to have you back Declan brushed a hand on his lair, memories of their last day together rushing back on his mind.
It was both their burilelays, and their anniversary.
“I knew it wasn’t going to be in
rasy. Lirrated her badly!
“Yuan scoffed. “It’s gr that you know that. You know, I don’t why!”
Clear
I get why you did that to her. You’ve been in love with her since forever, dude. So
irritation was in Yuan’s tone and Declan really couldn’t blame him. He has been with Lauren and him since high school. He knew how close they were before, and although he never told Yuan his real feelings towards Lauren, it would seem like Yuan already knew shout, maybe even before he even truly realized himself.
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Chapter 11
“Look-”
“Alpha Declan“” He was cut off with his door opening. Both he and Yuan watched one of their soldier’s hurried state.
“There was an attack, and someone was injured.”
Declan and Yuan were immediately out of the door as soon as they heard that. The three of them marched out of the packhouse, and Declan immedutely uw a crowd, surrounding a figure lying on the ground.
“How many are injured?” He asked as they made their way through the crowd.
“Just one. It seemed like the vampire was just a stray. Our packmate managed to not get bitten, but she still got some injuries.”
“Who is it?” Yuan asked before they finally went through the center.
Declan stopped, and Yuan no longer needed his answer when they saw Vivienne lying on the ground, with blood all around her shoulder and arms. Her dress was ripped, and she was sobbing loudly.
“D–Declan, please help me.” She sobbed, looking so scared
Yuan exhaled and looked at Declan, unimpressed.
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