Before she could kiss him, Kyrian moved his face away, “You need to rest Claire.” He said, putting some distance between them.
Her eyes darkened but she kept up the pitiful facade.
“I can’t rest, I’m just so scared.
After everything Avielle did to me, even small sounds make me scared.” Kyrian frowned, scanning the apartment.
He didn’t hear anything nor did he see anything out of the ordinary.
He checked the kitchen, the bathroom and the bedroom but there was nothing to make her feel unsafe, it was a very secure space that couldn’t be infiltrated.
“Didn’t you say someone has been following you, how did you know when you didn’t even leave your apartment?” “Huh?” Claire looked taken aback at the sudden question.
She wrung her fingers anxiously, replying quickly, “I…I went downstairs to buy some snacks at the store, someone was following me then.” Kyrian narrowed his eyes, walking to the open kitchen to pull the fridge open.
“You already have so many snacks in here…” “I didn’t want to eat any of that.” Claire interrupted.
“Then where are the snacks you just bought?” She was momentarily speechless, then suddenly launched herself into his arms.
“Don’t tell me you’re doubting me Kyrian, I can take it if anyone doubts me but definitely not you.
Avielle ruined my life, she took three precious years away from me and crippled my wolf so my legs won’t heal all because of her bitter jealously, and now you don’t even believe me…” His jaw ticked but he controlled the irritation rising within, “That’s not it, I do believe you.” “You really do?” She gazed up at him hopefully.
The black veins rose along his neck again, faintly this time.
“Yes.” He replied.
If Claire noticed the change on his veins, she made no show of it that she did.
She smiled gratefully, her touch on his skin becoming more seductive caresses.
Instantly, she no longer looked like the broken and fragile little doll like she did earlier, her finger slowly began unbuttoning his shirt.
When Kyrian realized what she was about to do, he held her hand to stop her.
“Look Claire, I can’t be here for too long.
I still have work to do, I’m going back to the Obsidian Tower.” “It’s been five months since your divorce but you’re always working, you don’t even have time for me day or night and I…I really need you Kyrian.” She whispered, slipping her hands into his shirt.
“Claire, stop.” He said firmly but she didn’t seem to listen at all, kissing his neck.
“Why…
don’t you love me anymore?” She purred against his skin.
“I do, but it takes time for the mate bond to fully fade away.
I need time Claire.” He explained.
Saying he loved Claire left a bitter taste in his mouth, but he had no other option.
Werewolves longed for the soulmates due to the bond, a powerful connection that not only makes one yearm for their company and presence constantly, just like he used to long to see Elle every single moment even while he was working, he’d look forward to going home to her.
Seeing him return always made her face light up, her deep blue eyes shimmering like stars.
He could remember how incredibly sweet and warm it always felt to cuddle her in bed and just hold onto her quietly, even when neither of them said a word.
She always seemed to know if he was having a hard time with something even if he never said anything.
He missed her.
The crushing pain in his chest returned fiercely and he began to leave.
“Kyrian, are you really leaving me?” Claire grabbed onto his arm and he peeled her fingers off his skin.
“I’m busy Claire, and you look fine, just get some rest.” He said, no longer waiting to give her another chance to try to convince him, he left.
He drove back to the Obsidian Tower, burying himself in work just to get rid of the tight ache in his chest.
‘You let her go, so deal with the pain.’ his wolf retreated to the very back of his mind, leaving him to endure the agony alone.
Kyrian didn’t even realize it when the sun came up, nor did he realize when Rick knocked on his office several times then pushed the door open when he got no reply.
“Kyrian, I’ve been calling all morning, why didn’t you…” Rick trailed off, looking stunned, “Whoa, did you even get a wink of sleep?” “I’ve forwarded some emails to you, go through them, cut off alpha Dane’s request, I don’t trust Ten mountains pack, there’s no need to have a meeting with them.” “First off, you look like a mess…” “You think?” Kyrian raised reddened, exhausted eyes to look at him.
“I feel like a mess.” “Secondly, we’ve got a problem.
Grand alpha has revoked every funding and investments on your Blue Abyss project.” “What?” “Not only that, he cancelled all your investments going to other alphas, and stopped every youth support program in Obsidian carrying your name.
You’ve got to do something man, we’re literally losing millions because of all this.” That cunningly hateful old man!
Kyrian’s jaw clenched.
He knew exactly why his grandfather was doing this to him.
The old man would bend, twist, and manipulate everything around him until he forced him into doing what he wants like a puppet under his control.
As Rick continued listing all the things they were losing, a text entered Kyrian’s phone.
It was from his grandfather.
[Remember your place little boy, I made you and I can ruin you.
You’re the alpha of Obsidian and CEO of Dustwood Co.
But remember how you got there, defy me once again and I will destroy you.] Kyrian dropped his phone face down.
“Respond to Raven pack, tell them that we accept all their conditions and I will still be going for their Raven ball.” Rick’s eyes widened in disbelief, “Are you really serious about that?
Going to Raven is basically suicide, you will not come out of there alive!”