Ch. 126..130: Alpha King’s Lost Luna Chapter 126-130

Chapter 126 Let’s talk BECKY I was about to protest, but then Silas released his hold on my arm and instead reached for my hand. As he wrapped his fingers around mine, he began to walk forward, and before I knew it, I was being led down the empty corridor. “I don’t think this is a good idea,” I insisted. “Please,” he pleaded. “I just want to talk.” His amber eyes were wide but serious, and there was something about them that I was unable to resist. There was a magnetic pull between us that was too strong to resist. As much as I wanted to cast Silas aside, the thought of us being apart was almost too much to bear. I released a heavy sigh. This was a terrible idea, but I couldn’t say no. I had to hear the Beta out. “Fine,” I decided. Silas led me all the way out the back door. The night air was brisk, but it was a welcome feeling after how much anxiety I’d been feeling in the banquet hall. The moon was nearly full, and the silver light bathed the grass and lit our way. When we reached the garden, Silas finally stopped. He stared down at me with an expression I couldn’t read, and my mind searched for the right words to say. I was both scared and at ease in his presence, but I had no clue what he wanted to tell me. “What did you want to talk about?” I finally said. “Whatever it is… make it fast. I need to get back to the hall. Cas sandra might be worried about where I am, and the rest of the hall is probably searching for their great hero-” ။ 1/4 Before I could finish my sentence, Silas pulled me close and kissed me. His lips pressed tightly against

mine, and my knees grew weak from the pure passion of it all. I wanted to struggle, but my body thought otherwise. I couldn’t help but kiss him

back. Mate. His lips were incredibly soft, and his kiss was expert, but not in a way that suggested he was too experienced with other women. It was more like his kiss w meant for me, like he’d been waiting for this moment just as much as I had. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Silas pulled away. I trembled and tried to catch my breath as I stared deeply into his eyes. “Why?” I asked quietly. My mother had always told me stories about how nasty and cruel male wolves from the upper class could be. She told me that they often played with young girls’ hearts only to abandon them when they grew tired of their company. Mother always said that was why she insisted on finding me a decent man. I wondered if Silas Moses was one of those men. 1 He didn’t say anything, but the lust in his eyes was clear. He suddenly grabbed my wrist again and tried to lean forward and kiss me, but slapped him away before he could get too close. The force of my strike was so strong that he was forced back a little, and I felt terrible at once for hurting him. Before he could say anything, I turned on my heels and ran out of the garden. Tears sprang from my cheeks and my lower lip began to tremble as I fought to keep I ny composure. What was all of that about? Why had he said he wanted to talk when really, he just wanted to use the opportunity as an excuse to try to take advantage of me?

I wasn’t a piece of meat. 2/4 I was so much more than that. I began to cry harder. Wasn’t I worth more than just a secret encounter in a garden? Wasn’t I worth a real, meaningful connection? When I returned inside, I rushed over to the bathroom and tried to compose myself. I wiped the mascara from my eyes and forced myself to breathe. “He’s not worth it,” I addressed my reflection, but the words didn’t feel: wasn’t just another man. He was my mate. This was supposed to be one of th magical nights of my life. Instead, I was crying in the bathroom. I thought of my mother. What would I say to her about all of this? Hell, what would I say to anyone? I began to get even more upset, but just as the tears began, I stopped myself. No. No, I needed to be strong. So, I spent another minute in the bathroom and then went back to the banquet hall. Surely, Silas wouldn’t bother me for the rest of the night. As soon as I returned to the banquet hall, Cas sandra’s expression grew concerned. Her pretty eyes trailed over me, and her lips parted a little in surprise, but she didn’t ask what was wrong. “We can leave,” she said definitively, and I nodded. Cas s andra didn’t bother saying a word to anyone, and instead, just escorted mu out of the hall. As we walked down the corridor, I thought again of my mother. “Cas sandra?” I asked quietly. “Is there any room for me at the clinic tonight? I… I can’t think I want to go back to my house and face my mother.” “Of course,” she replied, and she wrapped her arm around me. “You’re always welcome to stay, Becky. I’ll have Erika prepare a room for you upstairs.” “Thank you,” I whispered, and I forced a smile. “You’re a really good friend, Cas sy.” ။ 3/4

“And so are you,” Cas sandra replied. “We’re going to get you through this. I’m here for you.” The entire way back to the clinic, I couldn’t stop shivering. I wasn’t necessarily cold. I was just anxious from the events of the evening. I’d expected the party to be grand but simple. I thought the celebration was going to consist of Cas sandra and I gossiping in the corner of the room, watching the upper-class wolves of Wegalla fawn all over their returning hero. Instead, it ended in humiliation and even a little heartbreak. When we entered the clinic, Cas sandra’s friend Marley was sitting in the front room. “What are you doing back so early?” she wondered as she glanced between us with concern. “I figured you wouldn’t be back until well after midnight.” She and Cas sandra shared a look, and suddenly, Marley’s face softened. She got up from her chair and walked over to us. “Do you want to talk about it?” she asked me, and she gently touched my arm. As I dissolved into tears, Ca s sandra drew me into an embrace, and I buried my face in her shoulder. “Is Finnick upstairs?” I heard her ask Marley. “Yes,’ she replied. “He fell asleep a while ago.” “Good,” Cas sandra replied, and she gently lifted my face up to meet hers. “I think what we need is a good, old-fashioned girl talk in the meeting room. How does tl at sound, Becks?” I hesitated for a moment. I’d never had many girlfriends before, and I didn’t want to trouble them with my problems. But something about Cas sandra and Marley’s expressions made me want to talk. “Okay,” I decided, and I wiped my tears. “Let’s go talk.”

Chapter 127 Complaints and comfort CAS SANDRA “That ba st ard!” Marley exclaimed angrily as Becky finished the story. Her light green eyes flashed and her nostrils flared ever so slightly as she shook her head. “I know,” I sighed. “It’s unbelievable.” “You know, I was hit on by several men when I visited the city the other day,” Marley continued, and she tucked her dark hair behind her ear. “They were all so arrogant and nasty. I couldn’t believe the way they were treating me. It was as if I was a piece of meat rather than an accomplished doctor.” When she proceeded to mock and mimic the men who’d dared mess with her, Becky finally managed to crac k a smile. It was tiny and fleeting, but the color returned to her tear-stained cheeks. “Look, Becks, Silas is just another jerk,” Marley said, and her tone fell somewhere between serious and soothing. “Honestly, I’m not even sure if I agree with the concept of mates. It all sounds like a made-up fantasy that’s meant to convince women to stay with terrible men because they’re allegedly fated. Moon Goddess knows I wasted enough time with my husband. Even the former Alphal King is guilty of that. When she died, he quickly remarried. He couldn’t keep her safe and then he just… moved on to the next woman.” The room fell into silence, and my friend glanced around at us. Heat spread to my cheeks as she began to realize that no one had anything to say in response. “Hannah?” Marley asked the maid directly. “You agree, right?” The poor girl blinked her large eyes with confusion and then finally nodded slowly. Erika and I exchanged a glance, and my stomach twisted into knots. Marley’s sudden ramblings and denouncing of men had shifted the mood of the room. 川

1/4 entirely. After a long minute of silence, I patted Becky’s shoulder. “Do you want to get some rest” I suggested. “It’s been a long night. Maybe some sleep would put you

at ease.” Becky didn’t respond at first. Her russet eyes were distant, and her lower lip trembled slightly. I knew exactly how the poor girl felt. The idea of a true, fated mate, something every woman longed for, but Becky’s being Silas Moses of all people… that complicated matters completely. Was I didn’t know Silas particularly well, but the reputation of the Moses family only added weight to the situation. I didn’t know how to soothe her. Finding a mate was considered the highest blessing from the Moon Goddess, but finding a mate from such a notorious family in the most regal of Packs in Wegalla… From everything Becky had told us, it seemed that Silas didn’t want Becky as his met. I’m sure the entire Moses clan wanted nothing to do with an ordinary girl who worked in the palace rather than residing there. But if all of this was true, why had Silas taken Becky out to the garden and kissed her so passionately? Maybe Marley was right. He was just another ba stard upper-class werewolf. Becky finally exhaled deeply and raised her eyes to meet nine. “I think Marley’s right,” she said quietly. “This whole mate thing is nothing more. than a cruel joke. I should have just listened to my mother and married a decent guy.” She forced a smile on her face, and I knew that she didn’t mean any of it. Becky had just suffered too much tonight. I understood her feelings completely. I’d spent so many sleepless nights longing and missing Asher just like this. I turned to Erika and Hannah. “Could you prepare a room for Becky upstairs?” I asked the maids. The pair nodded enthusiastically, and without another word, the two rose from their seats ||| 2/4 UJIIVU VII

TUDUJ. “Goodnight, everyone,” she said, and then she turned on her heels and rushed out of the room. As she headed toward the hallway, my heart began to ache. “I’m sorry, Cas sy,” Marley apologized once Becky was gone. “I didn’t mean to lay it on so heavy with Becky. When she started telling her story… I just got so angry thinking about my lousy ex-husband. I didn’t mean to get so upset and ruin her evening. I’m just so hurt by everything, you know? I didn’t want her to go through the same thing I did.” “Don’t worry about it,” I assured her, and I placed my hand on her arm. “I know you’re hurting, Marley. No one can blame you. You’re going through a major life change. Anyone in your position would be upset. I think we just need to let Becky sort through it on her own for a little while. She’s probably feeling really vulnerable at the moment.” Marley nodded. “You’re right. I’m going to go upstairs a. grab her a change of clothes and some water. She needs to get out of that dress and giving her some comfy clothes is the least I can do. Maybe we can make her some tea?” I smiled. “I think that’s a great idea. I’ll get the kettle going. After you get her sone clothes, maybe you should get some sleep as well?” “That was going to be my next plan,” my friend said and she nodded her head thoughtfully. “Thanks, Cas s.” We shared a quick hug, and once Marley left, I went into the other room and started to heat up the kettle. 3/4 Mincu out. I was ge nerves.” “That’s a great idea, Erika replied. I smiled and then leaned on the counter and crossed my arms. “Do you know anything about Silas, Erika?”

“Not much,” she admitted, and her kind eyes grew weary. “Only that he rarely stays in Anemond. Ever since he assumed the position of Beta, he’s been busy attending to troops at the borders. At the very least, I know that he’s better than his sister. He doesn’t talk much, but when he does, he’s polite.” “At least he’s mostly well-mannered,” I noted, and I released a heavy sigh and pinched the bridge of my nose between my fingers. “It’s surprising that he’s not just another Adalyn clone.” “Thank the Moon Goddess,” Erika agreed, and then she rested her hand on my arm. “I know you’re worried for her, Cas sandra. You have a big heart and you don’t want her heart to get broken. But Becky is a strong girl, not to mention incredibly intelligent. She’ll weather this storm. She’s just going to need some time.” I nodded. I knew Erika was right. Becky had a good head on her shoulders. But truth be told, I wasn’t just worried about my wonderful friend. I was worried about myself as well.

 

Chapter 128 Softness is useless SILAS I took my time returning to the banquet hall. It had been a long time since I’d been in Merliscire, but everything was still the same. Always another celebration, another meeting, another bit of drama that ensnared my life so deeply that I could barely breathe. The scent of my mate’s perfume lingered on my jacket and made my mouth. water. It was lovely- like raspberries and spun sugar. It was delicious and made me crave the taste of her lips even more. Her kiss was indescribable. It was as if the Moon Goddess had fashioned the most perfect woman for me, only to grant her so much scorn and inner fire that she wanted nothing to do with me. The image of her danced in my mind and haunted me with every step I took. I Her gorgeous auburn hair, her cr eamy white skin, her big reddish brown eyes, and her beautiful, petite frame. I could only imagine how easy it would have been to sweep her into my arms and draw her close enough to make her mine completely. The ghost of her lingered in my head until I entered the banquet hall, where it was suddenly snuffed out by the agitated expression on my father’s face. Oliver Moses may have been smiling, but the sullenness in his eyes was clear. I had seen my father in this state many times when Adalyn and I were kids. Whenever we did something wrong, Father would act just like this. In front of an aurence, he would smile, but when we returned home, the most severe of punishments would await us. I hadn’t seen Father like this in ages. But I knew the source of his unhappiness and anger straight away. Adalyn stood beside Father with her arms crossed. Her golden eyes mocked ။ 1/4 me as they trailed over me, and her chin was lifted slightly. I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. If Adalyn

was good at one thing, it was acting superior to anyone else in the room, no matter who they were. I was no exception.

I decided to ignore my sister and turned to face our father. “Father,” I greeted him curtly. “Silas,” he replied in a polite but still hardened tone. “Where have you been?” “The restroom,” I replied without ski pping a beat. Father’s gray eyebrow shot up, and he opened his mouth to speak, but before the words could leave his mouth, Adalyn cleared her throat. “Likely story,” she sneered, and then her eyes narrowed you were off with that girl.! saw her leave to go to the restroom too.” Father frowned. “Is Adalyn correct?” he asked me. “Did you leave to go sneaking around with that girl?” I shook my head. “Of course not.” It was a lie, of course, and Adalyn snorted. Father didn’t seem convinced wither, but after a moment of staring at me, his expression lightened. “Now that you’re back, Silas, you should focus your attention on more important things,” Father spoke again, his tone dripping with condescension. “Much is wrong these days in Anemond, and your loyalties are needed here. I believe that the events of earlier are little more than a mistake. That girl is not your mate. She coudn’t be.” A tightness formed in my throat as Adalyn and Father stared at me with their equally stern expressions. I managed a nod. “Yes, Father.” וון 2/4 her. I decided to push the girl out of my mind. I had to focus on the task at hand. Mingling with the upper- class werewolves of Anemond.

The elite members of the Crescent Pack seemed quite happy to see me, though I couldn’t say why. As a few of the Alpha King’s councilors approached us, I had to stifle my confusion and play the role my Father required of me. “Silas,” one of the older councilors whose name I couldn’t remember greeted me warmly. “What a pleasure it is to see you back in Anemond. And Oliver… your must be so proud of your son. What a worthy successor to the position of Beta, huh?” “Indeed,” Father agreed, and his smile widened as he placed his arm around me. “Silas is doing our family a great honor. It’s such a pleasure to have another Moses serve the crown.” “Indeed,” the councilor agreed. Though I wanted to remain silent and endure the rest of this celebration, I played my part well and exchanged pleasantries with the rest of our guests. I spoke of my travels and told everyone how happy I was to finally be back in Anemond. However, no matter how much I tried, I couldn’t get my mate’s soft lips and our passionate kiss off of my mind. It was hard to explain, but she reminded me of a small bird I’d raised when I was very young. I’d loved that delicate creature more than anything. In fact, it occupied my thoughts so much that I’d snuck away from the training grounds of the palace as O 3/4 often as I could to look after it. The tiny animal had been abandoned by its mother, so I was its sole caretaker. I was so happy to take care of it. And my father hated it. One day, I noticed my bird was sick. I ran to Father and asked him if I c bring it to a vet. I pleaded with all of my might and even offered to administer the necessary medicine myself. I would do anything so long as we could get the poor thing some help.

I thought I’d done a good job convincing him, but much to my shock, Father had taken the bird from my hand and thrown it out of the window. The bird was so sick and injured that it couldn’t open its wings to fly and it plummeted to the ground. Much to my horror and sadness, the animal died the moment it hit the ground. As I sobbed and stared at Father with a look of pure disbelief and grief, he simply stared back with a venomous glare. “Softness is useless for a werewolf,” he said coldly. “That creature was nothir but trouble. I never should have allowed you to take care of it.” I’d never forgotten that day. It taught me the truth of life, and since then, my heart had been hardened and my outlook on the world had been dimmed. I stared out into the hall. My mate was nowhere to be found. It was probably for the best. I didn’t need a bird anymore. ။

Chapter 129 Little bird SILAS The celebration reached its peak as the Alpha King made a toast to welcome my return. As Asher clinked a gold-plated knife against his champagne glass, it was clear that he was noticeably drunk, but there was no ill intent behind it. His cheeks were flushed and his eyes were a little distant, but his smile was warm and when he caught my gaze, he winked. The crowded banquet hall fell silent and all eyes fell to him. My father’s in-depth conversation with the councilor beside me ceased, and relief swam through me. I was glad to have a moment away from the heavy talk of battle strategy, no matter how brief it was. “I would like to make a toast,” Asher announced to the waiting crowd, and his smile deepened as he gestured toward me. “To Silas Moses, the Beta of this glorious Crescent Pack. His return is long- awaited, and it’s a pleasure to finally have. him back in Merliscire. Though he is new to his position, it’s safe to say that this Pack is in good hands with him as the Beta. Silas, I look forward to working with you closely. Welcome back to Anemond. Cheers!” “Cheers!” the rest of the banquet hall repeated back, and as they raised their glasses to me in honor, my cheeks grew hot and my eyes looked elsewhere. I wasn’t one who enjoyed attention, unlike the rest of my family. I preferred lingering in the background where no one could see me, but in a position like the one I’d assumed, the was no longer an option. So, I knocked back the drink in my hand and saluted my king. Once the champagne made its way down my throat, I remembered that I was supposed to deliver a speech to everyone tonight. I wasn’t particularly in the mood to do so, and when I met Asher’s gaze again, the Alpha King seemed to take notice and nodded. When he didn’t insist, I stepped away from the crowd of guests and |||

O 1/5 returned to the refreshment table for a refill. On my way, I was intercepted by a few guests I didn’t recognize. As these. strangers greeted me warmly and welcomed me back to the palace, I slowly downed a few more glasses of wine. I wasn’t usually much of a drinker, but I needed all of the liquid courage I could get to endure this party. After a while, the dizziness began to take hold.

I glanced around the banquet hall. My father seemed to be busy talking to some of the councilors about some business I didn’t care about, so I decided to take the opportunity to step away. Everyone was so occupied by the party that no one noticed when I walked out into the corridor. Just as before, the hall was empty save for a few guards, so I was free to wander without running into anyone. I took my time and studied some of the paintings that hung on the walls. I’d seen them a million times growing up, but after being gone for so long, they were almost brand new. Everything felt so much different here than it’d been before. A wave of sadness hit me. Things were so complicated now. I decided that I needed to get some fresh air, so I walked to the end of the hall until I reached the back door. The guards let me pass without question, and I stepped out onto the grounds. I wandered aimlessly in the night until I reached the garden again. Once I was amongst the rose bushes and tall, twi nkling fountain, I took a few much-needed deep breaths. When I closed my eyes, I briefly had a moment where I swore I could smell her scent. Becky. My mate. I knew the phantom smell was just a memory, but the raspberry and spun sugar lingered in my nose anyway, and I couldn’t stop thinking about her. I had a strong impulse to find her, take her, and claim

her as my own. I remembered the woman 2/5 beside her was named Cas sandra, and she was a healer. Surely it wouldn’t be difficult to find her at all. Just as I made the choice to find Becky after all, I opened my eyes to see Adalyn standing behind me. My sister’s red-painted lips twisted into a cruel, vicious smile that sent a ch down my spine. As she walked toward me, my stomach twisted into knots. “Brother, you don’t seem very happy,” she remarked in a mocking tone. “For someone being celebrated by the Pack, you look quite gloomy. Whatever could be wrong?” I knew she was just taunting me in order to get a rise out of me, so I just ignored her and walked past. As long as Adalyn was on my trail, my business with Becky could wait until later. I decided the smartest move would be to head back to the banquet hall and immerse myself in the celebration. “Father is wrong, you know,” Adalyn called after me. “I know this whole mate affair isn’t a mistake.” I stopped in my tracks and turned around to face her. I narrowed my eyes and focused on burning a hole through her with my gaze. “What are you talking about?” I all but growled. Adalyn’s smile furthered. “I know the name of the girl. Her name is Becky, and she works for Cas sandra Keller. They have a clinic not too far from the palace. You can reach it easily on foot.” So, the angel woman of my dreams had a name. Becky. I simply stared at Adalyn. Surely, she wasn’t telling me all of this out of kindness. or consideration. “Well, that’s all I wanted to tell you,” she remarked with a small shrug. “Now that 3/5 you know where she lives, you can go see your little bird any time.” My heart dropped. Bird. She had used the word bird. Earlier, when I’d thought of my long-dead pet, I’d forgotten the most crur detail. The poor animal had

grown sick because of Adalyn. I’d always taken ca treat the animal well, but Adalyn… when I’d told my sister about my secret pet, st gone and visited it without my permission and fed it something she shouldn’t. It had died because of her and my father both. I didn’t understand why Adalyn hated me so much, but I wouldn’t let her kill something I loved ever again. “Don’t try to play tricks on me ever again,” I warned her. Adalyn laughed. “Why would I trick my own dear brother? I just want to help. I understand how irresistible mates can be. It’s impossible to be apart from one another.” I sneered. “Really? How could you possibly understand that?” My sister’s face briefly twisted in anger, but she quickly regained her composure. “Look, I’m on your side completely this time,” she said calmly. “If needed I would even be willing to apologize for some of our… disagreements from our childhood.” “What is it that you want?” I sighed. “I know you have an angle-” “No angle,” she assured me. “I want nothing, really. If you want Father to accept your mate, you’ll need my help. And in exchange… maybe your little mate can help me with some of the issues I have with the healer.” I knew at once that Adalyn wasn’t making an offer, but a threat. If I didn’t comply, she’d find some way to pit Father even further against me. 111 4/5 I wasn’t a child anymore. It was easy for me to recognize her desperation. Though she sounded calm and confident, the threat held no strength. Yet, I was interested in what Adalyn wanted. “What do you want me to do?” I wondered. “In theory, of course.”

“I want to know what Ca ssandra Keller is doing,” Adalyn replied. “The he sneaking around, and I want to make sure Asher is fine. He seems distant and lately. Something is going on.” Jealousy. It all came down to jealousy. I chuckled. It had been five years, and Adalyn still hadn’t gotten what she wanted. And now, she wanted me to be her pawn. 5/5

Chapter 130 Stu pid protection ASHER As juvenile as it was, I’d indulged too much the night before and felt the inter aftermath of a hangover after the celebration of Silas’ return. I’d banished myself to my study for the entire day and spent the majority of my time lying on my favorite leather couch with the curtains drawn and a cold cloth over my eyes. I’d given the guards strict instructions to keep anyone from entering my chambers, with the exception of Lancel and Cas sandra. I was in no state to do business or deal with the daily dramas of palace life. I was simply too tired. The after-effects of my excessive drinking were only made worse by my mysterious illness. As much as I didn’t want to admit it, I was even more tired than ever these days, and it seemed like my migraines and headaches were perpetual. The concerning black marks on my arms hadn’t spread much further, but it felt as if they’d taken root and made things feel so much worse. When Cas sandra arrived for our health check later on, I was rubbing my temples and trying to regain my composure. I’d been staring over the same stack of paperwork for the past hour, trying to make sense of it. Sire Silas was back, I would need to schedule a meeting with him soon to discuss some Pack issues. It would be a very busy day, and I wasn’t looking forward to it at all. All of that to say, I was very happy to see Cas sandra. Her arrival cheered me up more than anything. “Hello,” I greeted her as she brought her large medical kit over to the couch I was perched on. “How are you today?” “I’m good,” she said with a smile, and when her emerald eyes met mine, my heart nearly ski pped a beat. “And how are you? No offense, of course, but you look… a little worse for wear.” ||| 1/4 “I’ve been better,” I admitted with a small laugh. “It was a bit of a… wild night.”

“Did you have fun at least?” she wondered. “I did, actually,” I admitted.

As she retrieved the equipment from her medical kit, I sighed. “Have you been busy these days?” I wondered. “I feel like I’ve barely seen Cas sandra nodded. “The clinic is much busier than I expected. It’s been pretty non-stop over there. So many patients, so little time.” “It’s because everyone likes you,” I pointed out with a smile. Just like the old days. Everyone had liked Cora because they were always attracted to her kindness, and she made it easy to trust her. Cas sandra smiled and her cheeks turned a pretty shade of pink. “I don’t know about that,” she murmured, and she tucked a lock of her long, coppery hair behind her ear. “I’m happy to help, though. We’re working out how to handle the high volume of patients, but I don’t mind the work at all. It’s keeping me busy and I’m glad to give my patients some relief.” “You’re a good healer, Cas sandra,” I complimented her. “Thank you,” she whispered. We fell into silence for a moment, and then I thought again of the celebration when my headache pulsed. “You left the celebration early last night,” I mentioned as she prepared to take my blood. “Were you uncomfortable seeing Silas Moses?” She shook her head. “No, it wasn’t that. I didn’t mind seeing him. We left because of Becky.” “Ah,” I noted. The whole mate situation. The entire banquet hall had witnessed 2/4 that strange moment between Silas and Becky. With everything going on, the public scene had slipped my mind. “Is she okay?” I wondered. Ca ssandra’s expression softened. “She thinks it’s some kind of mistake. We had a long talk last night,

and I think her opinion on the matter was swayed. Some Marley said, along with Silas’ behavior. She thinks there’s no such thing as f mates.” She fell quiet for a second and then met my gaze. “I don’t think it was a mistake, Asher,” she said evenly. I nodded, “I don’t think so either.” Ca ssandra and I knew well how it felt to finally meet your fated mate. It was a Cas sandra and I knew well how it fe powerful feeling that couldn’t be mistaken. It was more than just attraction. The moment you realized someone was your fated mate, it was as if the entire world vanished and only the two of you remained. It was as if you met the missing half of your soul. When Cora and I had become mates… it had been the most powerful moment of my life. The sheer intensity of it was something I would never forget for as long as I lived. If Becky and Silas had experienced that with one another last night, as it certainly appeared to the rest of us, there was no mistake about it. “For what it’s worth, I don’t think Silas is going to reject Becky,” I assured her. “And it’s not just because of how intense and irresistible the mate bond is. I think I can somehow understand why he treated her so coldly last night.” Cas sandra frowned at me and set down her medical equipment. “What do you mean, Asher?” she wondered as confusion painted her expression. “I don’t understand. Why would Silas act so mean to her if he didn’t intend on rejecting her?” “I know it sounds strange,” I said slowly, and I held my hands up slightly. “But! ||| 3/4 Chapter 130 Stu pid protection think Silas might want to protect Becky. We both know that Oliver Moses might try to intervene and do something to her if she’s his mate. She could be put in danger.” “Becky doesn’t need to be protected,” Cas sandra insisted, and her eyes blazed. with ferocity. “She’s

clever and strong. In fact, she’s one of the strongest and most intelligent women I’ve ever met. She deserves the truth, not some so-called ‘protection! If Silas is her mate, he shouldn’t be playing with her emotions. He should trust that she can handle herself and whatever Oliver Moses can throw at her.” I sat there in awe for a moment. Cas sandra was nothing if not passionate when it came to justice and relationships with her friends. Her strong will was one of the many reasons I loved her so much. She was right. I nodded. “Silas might just be acting st upid because he’s young. Just like I used to be.” Cas sandra stared at me for a moment, and her face was hard to read. My heart. raced in my chest, and I reached out to touch her arm. “I was s tupid to believe that I could protect you,” I continued in a low voice. “When in fact, all my actions did was push you to your fate.” Her cheeks paled and her eyes widened. She shifted her gaze to the ground and gulped. I knew bringing up the past made her feel uncomfortable, but I had to say my piece. I gently took her chin in my hand and forced her to look at me. “I’ve been regretting it every day since Cora died,” I said. “I shouldn’t have left you alone in the mansion. I shouldn’t have left-” “Stop,” Cas s andra whispered. I shook my head. “I can’t. , I was stup id too. And it’s time for me to admit it to you.” 4/4