Chapter 12
“Declan, d–don’t leave me, please.”
Declan sighed, feeling Vivienne’s hand on his
“I’ll be outside, Alpha Glory, their pack healer, said and started exiting the private room they settled Vivienne in inside their infirmary.
“Thank you. Glory.” The middle–aged healer smiled at him
at him and bowed a little before she closed the door behind her.
A moment of silence filled the room as soon as they were left alone
After that huge conversation they had five years ago, Declan knew he no longer needed to say anything to her. He knew he was clear that day. He ended it properly, cut whatever ties they had with each other that would still make her think there was a “them”
But it would seem like Vivienne still didn’t get it. Or more like she just wanted to insist.
“Declan, I’m sorry.
He sighed once
I once again and pulled his hand away from her.
Rest. Vivienne—”
“Don’t. Please… t–this is so unfair.” She started crying again
Declan looked at her and saw her tears streaming down her face,
He admitted that he used her as an escape. He took advantage of her willingness to distract him away from his fear and insecurity of Lauren’s affection
He let her strengthen his resolve that his decision was right. That what he was doing was for Lauren’s freedom and happiness. But he was a fool.
“You know there was never an us, Vivienne. Even before I got married,” he said as she continued crying.
“Because you never even tried! You didn’t give me a chance to show you that you will truly be happy with me.” She sobbed.
Declan ran an exasperated hand on his hair. He was getting tired of this.
“If I hadn’t tried, Vivienne, my marriage wouldn’t be ruined like it is now. I hurt Lauren because of that foolishness. And from the very beginning. I already told you what my real feelings are, and what we are to each other. We were nothing.” He glared,
“How could you say that! Everyone thought we were together. Y–You even wanted to go on that trip with me. You finally agreed! And now you tell me that we’re nothing
“YES!” Declan’s voice boomed. He couldn’t stop the anger from rising anymore.
“We are nothing now, and we were nothing before! I backed out from that plan, hadn’t If That trip never happened, nor the relationship that everyone thought we had! We knew what we were to each other from the very beginning. No strings attached! You just made that all up and told everyone we were serious! You insisted on going to the Gala with me and told everyone you were my date! I didn’t even want to be there! I just went because I didn’t want to embarass you in front of all the other Alphas and the Council! So just stop this Vivienne! 1 already told you all of these things before and I don’t want to keep on repeating myself!”
Declan started marching out of the room, but Vivienne stood up from her bed and hugged him from the back.”
“B–Hut you said you liked my company.. J–1 was the longest girlfriend you had… please, Declan. I want you” She said, crying and burying her face
on his bark.
Bur Declan stayed stole.
were never my girlfriend. You knew that. We both knew that”
Her arms around him tightened, but Declan pulled them away and faced her.
The sign of her streaming tears down her cheek tugged at his conscience. Declan heaved a sigh and calmed himself
I marriage wasn’t Vivienne’s faul. ble may have initiated things, but it was him who let her do it, even participated in it.
His failed:
He touched her shoulders. “You said so yourself that you wanted to find your mate. That you were just there to help me find my mate before I get locked up in a loveless marriage like that. You told me you were being a good friend, that’s why you helped ine escape my situation. But we both knew we were just fooling each other.“.
Chapter 12
Declan briefly closed his eyes, seeing Lauren’s beautiful face that first and very last night they shared. He tried drinking his sorrows away, knowing fully well that lie was wrong for being in a party with another woman when he was married.
He didn’t want to go to the Gala because he didn’t know how to ask Lauren. Since they got married, everything became awkward, and he was insecure and fearful and stupid. He was just scared he was going to lose her. He was scared that she might not have wanted the marriage and wanted to explore and find her mate. He honestly hadn’t even thought about finding his own mate at that time.
All he wanted was Lauren, and he had her that night.
Declan met Vivienne’s eyes. He could see anger in them, but there was also sadness.
“I love Lauren. I have always loved her. You knew that. That wasn’t a loveless marriage, you were wrong about it.” Declan’s hand went to hers. She immediately clung to him.
He let her get closer. He was doing his best to take accountability of his actions. He wanted to make things right.
ter what Vi
And no matter what Vivienne did, she wasn’t the sole reason his marriage was torn down. It was his fault.
“I’m sorry for hurting you. Vivienne. I’m sorry if in any way, I led you on. But we were both clear to each other from the very beginning. Yes, I fooled around, and that was another foolish mistake I made. But you knew I never did relationships. People may have thought I’ve had many girlfriends, including you, but you knew that wasn’t the truth. You said you were there as a friend, to help me free Lauren from her grief–induced decision of marrying me. But you crossed the line later on. That’s why I cut it. I didn’t go on that trip because I knew that was wrong. You knew that
was wrong
“But you kissed me.. you reciprocated my kisses…”
Declan clenched his jaw, his wolf baring his fangs at him for even
en the memory of detail of it. All of the intimacy he shared with anyone but Lauren
ry of it. H
He was repulsed by the act, and he was regretting every single
“And that was a mistake. The biggest mistake that led us to this. That led to my broken marriage. That led me to hurt the love of my life. I am suffering the consequences of it now, and I am willing to go through hell and back just for Lauren to forgive me. If you are truly my friend, you will suppon me in this.”
He stared at Vivienne, making sure he passed his message properly. Since their conversation five years ago, just a week after Lauren left, he kept his distance from her. The attack in Yuan’s pack happened, and from then on, the vampires had been a constant problem, which helped him really get away from any conversations with Vivienne.
It became a great distraction to the downfall he had just experienced. His father even barely talked to him after Lauren left. He was very disappointed in him.
“This is the last time we are going to have this conversation, Vivienne. I hope when we talk again, it will be as your Alpha and you as one the head of my Intelligence Unit. One of my Council For now, I would advise you to rest.”
Declan let her hand go and started walking away. Vivienne stepped back to her bed, watching Declan get away from her clutches. And she was mad it was happening.
But she wanted to fight. “Declan, about Lauren-
Before she could continue, Declan glanced back at her, his earlier gentler eyes becoming cold.
“I meant what I said in my office earlier. I won’t hesitate to do it. Do not severe any last traces of respect and conscience I have left for you. Because | to be honest, after hearing about what you had to say to Lauren, and even how you treated her before, those are the only reasons why I kept you in my territory.””
Vivienne didn’t move as his glaring blue eyes lingered.
y turned his back on her and exited the room. Vivienne stood, unmoving, letting him walk away from her.
He finally
For now.
“And tut’s all I need.” She added as soon as the doors shut.
She gritted her teeth, knowing fully well, she wasn’t done trying to get Declan for herself.
“No one deserves you but me. Declan. Not that sorry trash of a wolfless woman” She gritted out, staring at the door.
“I am done playing the pathetic ex.” She begrudgingly wiped the fake blood off of her shoulder and pulled at the bandages that were covering her
It was time to up her game.
She needs
Chapter 13:
