Tori’s POV
Not long after Cayden left , Kas appeared in my suite with a smile on her face.
At my excited insistence, she began to tell about a young man she had t while wandering the grounds.
“Tori,” she said with a smile, “I’m telling you, he has to be my mate.”
She filled in with great detail about the man, who was supposedly a warrior in the king’s guard.
“He was on duty,” she said. “So, of course he wasn’t going to run over and embrace or anything. But our eyes t, and I know I saw a smile cross his lips.”
I was happy for my friend.
Deep down though, I knew a little part of was jealous that she had found her mate.
I had once wished more than anything to have that sort of connection.
And now, by choosing to beco a breeder, I had long given up hope for a mate.
Even if, one day, I did et my mate, how would I ever be able to forget about Cayden?
“I’m sure he just couldn’t get away. I bet he’ll co find you later.” I was trying to help keep her positive about everything, and she was more than receptive to what I was saying.
“I’ve waited my entire life for this mont, Tori,” she said softly as she sat on the sofa. Then she sighed. “What if he doesn’t like ?”
“Doesn’t like you? Oh, Kas, don’t be silly. Look at you. He will LOVE you!”
My words of reassurance were enough to lighten her mood.
She quickly stood and walked toward , taking my hands. “I’m sorry to throw this all on you and not ask how you’re doing. Are you okay?”
“Yes, I am well.”
“Oh, oh, I can feel the baby has really started kicking,” Kas said exaggeratedly, laying her hand on my stomach.
“Kas, it’s only been a couple weeks. I doubt you can feel him!” I teased her.
A soft giggle escaped us both.
“I can’t wait for him to be here. It’s going to be amazing.”
She had ant her words to be encouraging, but deep down, they did nothing but give a lingering feeling of uncertainty.
Cayden said he would set free, and freedom was my dream. However, more and more often, I couldn’t stop asking myself...was that still what I wanted?
“It will be. And you are going to do an amazing job bringing the child into life.” She seed to rember sothing. “Oh, has the Alpha co to visit you lately? You’ve got the doctor’s order to request his presence.”
I hesitated for a mont. “Well, he did co to see not long before you got here.”
I could not help but replay the heated monts from earlier in my mind. The smile and blush that crossed my face made Kas’ eyes widen.
“Oh, my goodness! Did you guys...”
It was clear that she had guessed the truth.
I was so embarrassed. “Don’t look at like that,” I mumbled, covering my burning face with my hands. Trying to distract her, I added, “He said he was going to a eting with Marcus. Must be sothing urgent with the war...”
Vicky looked confused. “That’s odd. Jace was with Marcus in a eting this morning, and afterward, he was appointed to accompany Marcus to the base.”
“Oh, Cayden said they were eting at the library.” I noticed her smile fade away. “What’s wrong, Kas?”
“Nothing,” she replied, but I could see her eyes flickering away.
“Kas, you’re not a good liar...”
Before she could respond, my door opened, and Caroline walked in with a determined glint in her eye.
“Kas, you didn’t wait for in the library. Tell you what, I saw Sophia—”
“Caroline!” Kas said, hurriedly interrupting.
“Yeah?” Caroline looked a bit confused. “What?”
“I have big news!” Kas announced, putting on a bright tone of voice.
Her excitent caught Caroline’s imdiate interest. “Before you continue, is it going to make need a stiff drink?”
“No, but do we ever need a reason to have a stiff drink?”
“Very true,” Caroline replied, and both won laughed. “What is it then?” she asked, sitting down in the armchair next to us.
“I think I’ve found my mate!” Kas replied.
“Oh, my God, oh, my God! Congratulations, Kas...”
Caroline jumped up to give Kas a hug, and the two started talking about Kas’ cute warrior.
But while Caroline might have totally forgotten about what she was about to say, Kas’ diversion hadn’t fooled . Her words had already sent pain straight to my heart.
Cayden didn’t leave to et with Marcus. He went to see Sophia.
I had no interest in knowing what their eting was about, because I had no say in it. What was a breeder entitled to know anyway?
My mind went over and over the ti we spent together in my room, and then how he went to see Sophia afterward.
I knew that Kas was trying to make feel better by distracting Caroline from telling the truth, but I had to face reality.
Nothing would change.
Cayden was going to be marrying Sophia, and he needed to do it because he had to keep up the alliance. They needed Marcus’ help in the war. I didn’t know much about matters of the state, but I did know that, if commanded by the Alpha King to complete a task, one had to do it.
What was more...even I couldn’t deny that Sophia was a beauty.
This was sothing I had to get used to. There was no reason for to be upset. She would be his wife and chosen mate, and that was the end of the story.
“I appreciate the company you both have provided , but the baby is consuming so much energy, and I can’t possibly stay awake any longer,” I mumbled suddenly.
I forced a small smile onto my face as I stood. Both won understood what I ant.
“Of course. You need to get so sleep,” Kas replied as she gestured for Caroline to follow her. “I will be by tomorrow to check on you, okay?”
“Of course. And perhaps we can have tea, if there’s ti.”
I smiled as I watched the two won head toward the door and take their leave.
I hated that I had to end the conversation like that, but I couldn’t allow people to see the emotions that kept overtaking . Ava had explained to that, with my hormones changing, I would get upset more easily over the smallest of situations.
My thoughts drifted back to Cayden, and a deep sigh left .
No matter how much I wanted to stay, it would be best for everyone that I left.
He was getting married, and I had to respect that.
I wiped my tears off and tried to persuade myself it wasn’t that bad. I would finally get what I had wanted for years. I would finally live my life peacefully and freely.
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