Chapter 107

Carol’s POV

It felt like my entire heart had been ripped out of my chest and stepped on in front of my face. All Aiden could say to me at that moment was that he was sorry.

What was he sorry about?

That he was considering their proposal?

Was he apologizing because he was marrying Katrina and keeping me around as a sidepiece?

I had no idea what Aiden would do if it meant protecting his pack and bringing his father’s enemy to light. If Katrina could help him get what he wanted and offer his pack protection, could I really blame him for wanting to take her up on that offer?

I wanted to be on his side and understand that he had to do what he had to do, but my heart and soul conflicted with the situation. They both ached so much and all I really wanted was to just call my parents and hear their comforting words.

I was waiting for a cab when Aiden found me outside. I was honestly surprised he even bothered to come after me. I thought for sure he wasn’t going to come for me. I thought he was going to stay behind and plan his precious wedding with Katrina and his mother.

The thought made me sick to my stomach and I wished the ground would just open and swallow me whole. But of course, I wasn’t that lucky.

I had to endure the pain of this rejection.

It felt like a knife had been stabbed in my chest and twisted until I was nothing more than a bleeding pile of mush on the ground.

When I felt the warmth of Aiden’s coat wrap around my shoulders, I turned to look at him and I could see the sorrow and pity in his eyes. It made me even more sick to my stomach. Then, when he apologized without further explanation, it took everything I had inside of me to not slap him in the face for the blatant disrespect.

His mother ran out with such urgency, interrupting us, and with the look on her face, I knew it was serious.

“Your father’s condition worsened,” she gasped.

At that moment, all the thoughts I had of everything else disappeared. The look on Aidens face shifted and I knew we had to put this conversation behind us right now.

Katrina was running out as well, shouldering her purse and handing Miranda her purse as well.

Aiden looked at me.

“Come with us,” he said, his tone soft and yet demanding.

I nodded without hesitation and quickly got into the back of the waiting car. Aiden slid in beside me while Katrina and Miranda sat in the seats in front of us.

The drive to the hospital was quiet while I thought about everything that had transpired during brunch. My heart was still so heavy, and my stomach was twisted in a tight knot. I felt completely and utterly sick to my stomach.

By the time we got there, I felt completely numb. Miranda and Katrina were the first to get out of the car. By the time Aiden and I got out, he tried to take my hand, but I pulled it away. The look of hurt that crossed his expression didn’t go amiss.

I looked away from his gaze and followed his mother and future wife into the hospital. I knew I was being bitter and petty, but I couldn’t help myself. I wrapped my arms around my shoulders, forgetting that I was wearing his coat.

Aiden walked into the waiting room behind me and followed his mother to speak with the doctors while sitting in one of the chairs.

Katrina stood a distance away from me with her arms folded across her chest. Even without looking at her, I knew she was glaring at me.

I kept my eyes fixed on the ground though and I said nothing.

“It’s sad that you actually thought you were going to be the Luna of the most powerful pack in the world,” Katrina laughed, shaking her head at me. My cheeks grew hot from her words, and I tried my best to ignore them. “That title has always belonged to me, so you better get used to seeing me by Aiden’s side.”

I stood up quickly; I didn’t need to sit here and take this from her. She looked at me humor lacing her eyes as I spun on my heel and started to walk away. But just then I saw Aiden and his mother returning.

His mother looked as if she had been crying and Aiden looked pissed.

I froze when they approached.

“They are bringing him in for another surgery. Some of his organs are starting to shut down because of the effect of the poison. His wolf is too weak to heal him. The doctors don’t think his wolf will make any type of recovery because this poison was meant to kill his wolf. If that happens, he won’t be able to return as the Alpha.”

“Do they think your father will live though?” I asked, looking between Aiden and Miranda.

“They are going to do whatever they can to make sure he does,” Aiden breathed. “Until then, we are just going to have to wait and see.”

I nodded. Miranda went to update Katrina and I watched her retreating back, I decided I didn’t want to stick around and take any more heartbreak.

I started to walk away again; I just wanted to step outside and get some fresh air for a while. I wasn’t sure how long we were going to stay here and I was starting to feel a bit claustrophobic, but just as I swept past Aiden, he grabbed my wrist and stopped me.

“Where are you going, Carol?” He asked, pain clear in his tone.

“Outside. I need some air.”

“I’ll come with you,” he offered.

I shook my head and pulled my arm away from his.

“Just need some a bit of space, Aiden,” I told him, biting my lower lip.

I could feel the stinging of the tears burning within my eyes and I turned my head so he wouldn’t see the pain on my face.

“We need to talk,” he said suddenly, making my heart tighten.

“I don’t think it’s something I’d like to hear right now,” I whispered, digging my teeth further into my bottom.

“It’s necessary,” he said sternly as he grabbed my wrist again and pulled me along with him until we reached outside.

It was nice getting a bit of air and space from his family. I wrapped my arms around my body like I was desperately trying to hold myself together and I kept my back turned from him. The tears were threatening to escape my eyes and I took deep breaths and blinked rapidly to keep them away.

But as soon as I felt Aiden’s arms wrap around my body and pull me against him, his front pressed into my back, and his face buried in the nape of my neck, all my fight left me. Tears left streaks down my rosy cheeks and my lip quivered as I bit back a sob.

I was losing my mate to another woman, and I wasn’t sure my heart could handle such a thing. I hated this feeling more than anything and I just wanted it to be over. If he was going to break my heart into pieces, then I wanted him to get it over with.

“I have to tell you something,” he whispered.

“Just rip the band-aid off, Aiden. Tell me that you are marrying her and leaving me. Or that you want to keep me as your side piece while you keep Katrina by your side as a Luna. Just get it over with. I can take it. I’m a big girl.”

His entire body stiffened at my words, and I felt his mood completely shift. He grabbed my arms and whipped me around to face him, his eyes narrowed as he stared down at my tear-soaked features.

“What are you talking about? I’m not marrying Katrina,” he said sternly; his brows pinched together.

“Of course you are. You didn’t say anything when they were making the proposal and now you want to talk to me about something? It’s obvious this was what you wanted to say,” I said, wiping away the tears with the back of my hand.

“Carol, do you seriously trust me that little?” He asked, staring intently at me. “Did you honestly think my silence meant that I was actually thinking about their proposal?”

“Well yeah…” I said, peeking up at him through my damp lashes. “What else could it mean?”

“It meant I was having a difficult time controlling my wolf. He was pissed and so was I. If I spoke, there was a high chance I’d say something awful that could get us both in trouble. I wanted to rip their throats out and it took everything I had to keep myself under control. Seeing you leave like you did broke my heart. Seeing you upset was gutting. I told Katrina flat out that she would never be my Luna and stand by my side. That role has already been given to you…”

I stared at him, blinking away the tears that continued to collect in my eyes.

Had I misunderstood the situation completely? Was he really telling me the truth?

“Then, why is Katrina so convinced she’s going to be the Luna if you told her it wasn’t happening?”

He rolled his eyes and wrapped me in his arms, pulling me against him so my face was buried in his chest.

“Because she’s delusional. Did you expect anything less from Katrina?” Aiden asked, sounding annoyed. “I promise, Carol. I would never keep you as a side piece. I respect you way more than that and you should know how I feel about you already. I’m in love with you. Haven’t I proven that to you yet?”

I nodded, suddenly feeling stupid for doubting him.

“Why did you apologize when you found me outside earlier?” I asked.

“I was apologizing for how you were treated and for exposing you to that,” he said, shaking his head with dismay written all over his face. “I shouldn’t have made you come with me to brunch. I’m sorry…”

I tightened my hold around his waist.

“It wasn’t your fault. You didn’t know they were going to blindside us like that,” I whispered. “I’m sorry for assuming the worst.”

He kissed the top of my head and held me for a moment longer.

“So, we are okay?” He finally asked, his voice sounding worried.

I nodded.

“Yeah,” I assured him. “We are okay.” Then after another second, I asked, “Wait, what did you actually want to talk about then.”

“Oh,” Aiden said, pulling back slightly so he could see my face. “The hospital researchers discovered that the poison wasn’t just wolfbane, but a mixture of some other stuff. The ingredients could only be found in one place…”

“Where?” I asked, furrowing my brows together.

“The Wolf Empire,” he surprised me by saying. “They think the poison came from the palace. I agreed to go there and find out what I can… I was thinking you could come and help me. We’d be gone for a couple of days.”

I was quiet for a moment, processing what this meant.

“If I went… that meant I would…” my voice trailed off, not wanting to finish the sentence.

“You would potentially be meeting your father… yes,” Aiden finished for me.