DRAVEN’S POV:
My feet glued to the spot when I saw Logan’s hand rubbing hers from the other side of the counter.
I only managed to pull back and hide my body, bending to peep and watch the drama unfold.
Although Aria pulled away, the few seconds they had contact felt like someone had their hands around my neck and was continuously squeezing life out of me.
It killed me more not being able to hear the conversation between them.
Aria left him and ascended the stairs, meeting me halfway.
She didn’t stop, but her pace drastically reduced when she got close to me and it was a staring contest for the few seconds we were beside each other.
Everytime I looked into her eyes, I felt a desire that burned deep down.
I felt my wolf struggling to grab her.
It was a struggle between my internal and my external–my wolf wanting something my body couldn’t give.
“Hey there,” Logan expressed, finally able to see me descend the last set of stairs.
“Do you want to tell me the actual reason you’re here this early?” I asked.
Logan’s excitement quickly drained and in place of it was a shock I couldn’t explain.
“You really don’t remember?” He probed, throwing me into further confusion.
“What am I supposed to remember?”
Logan gasped.
He placed his hands over his mouth.
Logan had always been dramatic, ever since we were children.
“This is not the time for one of your acts, Logan.” I said, but he seemed genuinely stunned, his lower jaw hanging.
“Glad to see she’s healing you.” He said.
I rolled my eyes.
You don’t have to bring that here.”
”Really?” At this point, his actions and replies were beginning to piss me off.
“You know, when I saw the date of the wedding, I thought it was something significant.” He said, “I thought you were trying to tell us that you were burying the old and embracing something new.”
”Pfft!” I blew air, “it’s a one year contract, Logan.
Again, not everyone is a romantic, trying to read the meaning of stuff.”
”A one year contract you decided to seal a day after Helen’s memorial?” His question caused a rush of emotions.
Emotions that pushed me into silence.
“You forgot, didn’t you?” Logan probed.
Guilt washed over me.
“It’s okay.
Five years is a lot of time,” he said, “or maybe after five years, you meet someone that begins to erase the pain of the past.”
”Shut up!” I barked, “that is not what is happening.” I tried to defend myself, but what excuse did I have for forgetting that on this very day five years ago, my wife finally gave up.
Usually, sober moments came after Ella’s elaborate birthday celebration, but this time, on her birthday, was when the elders reminded me she wasn’t an heir and I had to get one.
I started trying to fix the problem, I completely forgot to mourn my wife, forgot it was the day to remember her.
What was worse, I was having a wedding right after.
“You don’t have to feel guilty.” Logan patted my back.
“There’s still a few more hours until the day is over. We can still do something in honor of Helen. I’m sure she’ll be happy to see you healing. We all wanted that for you,”
I dashed up the stairs and to my room.
Growling loudly and flinging everything my hand could touch.
I was filled with fury.
Mad at the moon goddess for making me experience this insane bond that broke me the first time.
Mad at myself for not having control.
“Draven,” Logan knocked on the door, “Draven, common,” he continued knocking, “I already arranged a small ceremony by her graveside. Do you want to go there, or stay in there and continuously hurt yourself?”
I calmed my heavy breathing and after a few minutes, opened the door.
Ragner and Logan were waiting at the door, all dressed in black.
“Get dressed,” Logan held up a black tuxedo.
The walk to the garden, where Helen was buried was a quiet one.
The men knew I was dying inside with guilt.
‘What kind of mate had to be reminded by someone else that it was the day he lost his mate?’ The more I thought about it, resentment towards Aria built up in me.
The service at Helen’s graveside was brief and a very quiet one.
Only the pack’s priest was present, alongside Logan and Ragner.
“We have to go. You’ve been here for hours,” Logan placed his hand on my shoulder, trying to get me to get off my knees that were now sinking into the grass beside her graveside.
“I can’t leave her,” I said, not after everything I had done today.
“Helen is not here and you have a ceremony to attend tomorrow. You need to rest,” Logan pushed.
“I know you feel you hurt her, but trust me, Luna Helen understands,” Ragner took over, “and waiting by her graveside would neither make you feel good, nor pacify her heart, which we both know is already glad.”
Their words fell on deaf ears.
“Daddy!” Until Ella’s high-pitched voice pierced the air.
Immediately I turned around, her tiny arms wrapped my neck.
I squeezed her tightly, burying my nose in her neck.
When I lifted my eyes, I saw Aria in a stunning black dress, holding two bouquets of flowers–one was smaller than the other.
“Ella,” she handed the smaller one to her, “give this to mummy,” Ella walked out of my embrace, took the flower from her and placed it on Helen’s grave.
Aria walked to the other side of the grave and placed the bigger bouquet.
I watched with a melting heart, wondering what kind of a person she was and why she’d do that.
“Ella is here. I think this completes the ceremony. Can we go now?” Logan probed.
“I’m sure a few more minutes would not hurt.” Aria responded, “Ella and I have had a really long nap. She can spare a few minutes with her mother.”
Logan nodded.
“We should probably give them this family moment.” Logan held Aria’s hand, leading her back into the house, while Ragner followed behind them.
“Wait!”