“She accepted me and gave me a chance…” I mumbled.
“She sounds like a lovely female. I would love to meet her one day.”
I smiled weakly, the pain crushing my heart. “She is. But she is no longer with me.”
“What do you mean? I heard your people loved her.”
“I fucked up again and she left. I pushed her away.”
“Did you try to win her back?”
I shook my head.
“Did you hurt her? Raise a hand on her?”
“No. I might be a fucked up man, but I would never raise a hand to any female, especially her.”
“Then it can still be fixed. Riley, this female is your fated mate. I’m sure whatever misunderstanding you have, the love would be greater.”
“I saw her yesterday. She looked happy. I wondered if she was ever that happy when she was with me. I was so selfish I never bothered to ask her before if I was making her happy. I was enjoying the happiness she was giving me so much that I failed to notice hers. But I love her. I love her, Andrea. I’m willing to let her go so she can be happy. I know I can’t give her that happiness she deserves. And maybe, by doing that, I can be forgiven for all my sins.”
“You’re willing to let her go, but can you? Riley, would you rather spend the rest of your life thinking, what if I ask for forgiveness. Maybe she would take me back. You will never know unless you try. She’s the only one who knows the answer—not you, not me.”
“Tell me, Andrea, do you think I’m worth loving? That she would choose me? You didn’t choose me, remember?”
“Riley, look at me. The reason I didn’t choose you was because I knew that I was meant for Caspian. In the same way that Nadia is meant for you. Do you think if she met Caspian, she would choose Caspian over you?” She sighed before she continued. “I remember you told me that you smelled your mate that one time you visited Alpha Darvin. Ever since that day, something in you changed. You were slowly choosing her over me, you just didn’t want to accept it. Nadia is meant for you, Riley. You can end and disregard all other relationships, but not this one because she was the only person the Goddess perfectly molded to fit with you. And you’re foolish to just let her slip by without fighting for her.”
“I don’t know if I can make her happy.”
“I’m sure you can. You have to try. Can you imagine seeing her with someone else?”
I closed my eyes and coiled my hands into fists. I didn’t need to answer her. She knew the answer already.
“If you let her go, someone will come and take her away.”
Silence. I didn’t know what to say.
“If Caspian hadn’t fought for me, I would never be this happy. If you love her, then fight for her. If she tells you she doesn’t want you, then it’s time to walk away. But as long as she doesn’t, then try to win her heart.”
“You have so much faith in me. How can you after everything I did to you?”
“Because I know the real Riley. And I want to believe that woman is the best thing that has happened to your life. So don’t give up that easily.”
“Do you think I deserve a second chance?”
“Everyone does.”
I nodded my head. “Thank you. Andrea, I’m sorry for the last three years.” It was too painful to say. Not because I didn’t want to, but because I didn’t know if I deserved her forgiveness.
“I have forgiven you the moment you helped Caspian on that full moon night. And I know that one day the memories won’t hurt anymore.” Tears started to fall from her eyes.
“I always asked the Goddess what I did wrong, but then I realized that maybe that part of my life was not for me, but for you—so you will learn and you will grow from it. We all have our own demons. And your demons made me stronger. So promise me, you will rise from this. Be the Riley that Nadia deserves. Be the Alpha that your pack deserves. I want both of us to come strongly from this bad part of our lives. Can you promise me that?”
Chapter 70
RILEY.
After my conversation withAndrea, I requested to speak with Caspian alone. And although I was doubtful that he had forgiven me, he told me he had. But we were not forcing it, and we decided it was best to let time heal all wounds.
