Torn between mates

16. Truth be told

Lea

Valentin and Ainhoa entered the room after a very long 5 minutes of silence between Daisy and me. They came quite fast. Ainhoa is such a good friend, I’m so lucky to have her, I don’t know what I would do if I had to face this situation by myself. 

“Lea, Daisy. Ainhoa told me what just happened.” Valentin said as some lines of worry creased in his forehead.

I sighed deeply and looked at Daisy, she was looking intently at him. Her eyes full of pain and love. 

Valentin came closer to me, after flashing Daisy an apologetic look.  

“Lea, you are the one the Goddess gave me, made for me. You hold the other part of my soul, Angel. I am meant to be with you. There is no doubt or questioning.” He said as he touched my sides, bringing my body closer to his. 

“But you... you love Daisy. Even without a bond or the forces of destiny conspiring for you to do it, you chose Daisy. Don’t stay with me just because you think it’s the right thing to do, don’t sacrifice your happiness. I couldn’t be happy knowing that I’ve ruined your chance to be happy as well.”

My voice was only a bit louder than a whisper and faltered many times but could carry the truth of my feelings. I couldn’t allow that beautiful man, who irradiated light and goodness to be unhappy because of me. I couldn’t be that selfish. I felt a couple of thin tears slide down my cheeks. 

Valentin closed the distance between us and wiped my tears with more gentleness than I knew was possible. His little action made my heart leap a bit and then clench tightly when I remembered that I shouldn’t be with him.

“Lea, I’m not doing this because it’s the right thing to do. I’m not such a martyr, I wouldn’t be in a relationship with a female that I don’t love. That’s not noble or sacrificing, it’s senseless. That’s not how relationships are supposed to work. I’m doing this because I want to.”

I sighed and covered my face with a hand, trying to hold on almost literally. 

“If you don’t believe my words. I’ll take the Truth Serum as well, to assure you.” He started to walk towards the console table, where the glass with the Truth Serum was placed; I moved fast towards him and wrapped a hand around his arm gently. 

“Please. I don’t distrust you. I don’t...”

“Let he take it. Then you won’t need to have any doubts in that overthinking head of yours.” Ainhoa chimed in. 

She was right, that would be an extra guarantee for my peace of mind. I have to be sure about it, I can’t let Valentin sacrifice himself for the bond, and for me, by the little, I could see of how kind and loving he is, I think he would definitely do it.

Valentin took some sips of the serum, a dainty blue light shined in his eyes, showing that the serum was already working.

“What do you want?” I asked him.

“I want to get to know you, Lea. To fall in love with you. I’m sorry Daisy, I loved you and what we had was real and it pains me to see you hurt.” He said looking at her, he turned to me and added “But I know that what I can have, I can build with Lea is bigger and more meaningful than any other feeling I could ever develop for anyone else. Not only because of what I heard about the bond, but also because I can feel that something is there. A bud is starting to grow, a rare, strong, and beautiful one. And I won’t exchange this growing feeling for anything else.” 

Daisy flashed away as soon as he said these words. 

“I’ll talk to her later. She needs some time.” Valentin muttered. 

My heart hurt for her. But I was also very happy that this, us, is what he wants. Because it’s what I want too, to be with him and grow our bond. 

“I’m sorry Valentin...” I felt bad that Valentin thought I didn’t trust him.

“Angel, please don’t.” He said as he cupped my face gently. He didn’t look sad or upset at all this ‘situation’, his eyes only held a soft blue tenderness. 

He leaned down and kissed the tip of my nose, a feather-light kiss, before he traced the curve of my upper lip with his thumb, his eyes locked on mine; we were so close that our breaths were mingling. 

Sweet and jumpy anticipation started to build in my stomach. Will he kiss me? The answer came when his lips pressed gently against mine, making me intake a strand of breath involuntarily and open my lips for him very slightly. Slowly and tenderly, his tongue sought entrance between my lips, and I welcomed him in. 

His kiss wasn’t like Richard’s, a claim, a possession. It was a caress, he took his time tasting me, stroking me and I only wanted his taste to linger in my mouth.

Our first kiss just made me wish for more of his kisses.

As if he was already in my mind, what will only be possible after we solidify our mate bond, he kissed me more. His lips were also addicted to mine.

And I was too lost in some paradise to even feel shy about it.   

~ * ~

Valentin stayed for a while more, and we enjoyed each other’s warmness. Soft, passionate, sweet, and hungry kisses. Being in his arms makes my heart flutter, makes me giddy. He left to talk to Daisy, check how she is. I hope she can feel better soon.

“It’s good that you guys could come stronger from this situation, Lea. It’s what great couples do.” Ainhoa said with a smile, snapping me back from my haze.

“Is that what you and Fred do?” I asked her. 

“Nah, we fight like cats and dogs. But that is what makes us, us.” She chuckled. “I’m so relieved he is my mate. I don’t know what I would do without that butthead.” 

We both burst into laughter. 

A few days ago, on her birthday, they finally confirmed that they are mates. I was so happy for them, and we celebrated it with hot chocolate and games night. Although it was a bit strange that we both celebrated it without Fred. Ainhoa said that she will have mate-time and mates’ nights for the rest of her life, the only thing she needed was a good girl’s night. 

“Thank you so much for standing up for me,” I said.

“I know you would do the same for me, girl!” she replied, and she is right, I really would. 

I was so dazzled by our first kiss that I forgot to ask him why he slept with Daisy after meeting me if he actually wanted to stay with me. That makes no sense and I have to know the answer. I couldn’t wait any further, I called him and asked him to come back. In less than a minute he was here. 

~ * ~

Valentin 

She knows about what happened between Daisy and me a few days ago. Of course, she knows. I should have told her everything.

“Valentin, I want to ask you something,” Lea said after she motioned for me to sit down and poured me some tea. 

“Anything, Angel.”

“Why did you sleep with Daisy after you met me if you intended to be my mate? I don’t understand. Were you not sure about what you wanted a few days ago?”

I sighed deeply and ran my hands through my hair. 

“I’ve never had any doubts. I knew I wanted to be your mate and grow our bond since I confirmed that we were indeed mates. About Daisy... What I did was wrong and I’m very sorry. I’ll understand if you don’t want to see me for some time or...” I didn’t even want to think about the other possibility. I ran my hands through my hair once again, that was hard. “I shouldn’t have done it, she asked me for onelast night together as lovers and I agreed. It won’t ever happen again. I don’t have any intention to be with her or any other female that’s not you. My heart, my soul, and my body just crave you, even though our bond is not mature yet.” 

She looked tense, I couldn’t read her eyes and it made me quite nervous. 

I can’t lose her. I’ll understand if she doesn’t want anything to do with me or if she wants a break or time to think. Even though I don’t know how she could manage to keep the other mate bonds if she rejects me. She can’t reject me without severing the other two bonds, so she could possibly only ignore our bond and stay away. It would hurt both of us, but she is entitled to decide to do so after what I did. 

“Valentin...” she sighed deeply. “No lies and secrets anymore, please. I saw how those things hurt my mom and my sister. They’re like poison, a plague that can contaminate and rot even the most beautiful bud and the most perfect flower. And rotten flowers can’t be used for any good, they lose their healing and light-magic properties. As secrets and lies do to relationships.” 

I was impressed by her words. I’ve never heard her sound that sure and firm about anything before.

“Can you forgive me, my Angel?” The words left my mouth before I could stop them. 

Lea sighed once again. “I can. We are still not mates. But if you want to commit to it, to us, as you said you do. No more vicious weeds in our flowers from this moment on.”

“I promise. Thank you for giving me a chance. I won’t disappoint you, my Fairy Queen.” 

I engulfed her in my embrace and kissed the top of her head.

I was so glad she could forgive me. 

~ * ~

Sarah

Beta Luke and I went to visit Lea and Richard at the Wizard King’s castle. He was spending a lot of time here with Lea lately. But I knew that Luke didn’t bother with the extra load of work, he also cares a lot about our sulky Alpha. Well, I also went there to see another person. Maybe now that the tension between wolves and wizards was decreasing a lot, my grumpy Cassy and I will have a chance. I really hope so! 

I am overexcited to see Lea and Richard getting closer, and I know too well that the only thing that could draw a smile in my brooding and aloof Alpha’s face is our future Luna. That sweet girl could make all his gloominess go forgotten with only a look or touch of hands.  

We all met in one of the many sitting rooms in the palace, I don’t understand why they have so many of those rooms, maybe the Wizard King is actually a megalomaniac snob as I’ve heard. 

“I’m so happy to see you again little one!! I can’t believe that in a bit more than a month you will become our Luna.” I told Lea, squeezing her hand and smiling. 

“We are very happy!” Luke added, with a big grin. 

“Don’t give her a flirty smile!” Richard growled. He had a huge scowl and was baring his fangs at Luke, as he wrapped Lea in his arms possessively. Our Beta shook his head but kept smiling. 

Wolves, especially Alpha ones, are very possessive of their mates. It may get a bit better after they mark and mate. I am pretty sure it won’t get ever better enough, but as long as they are happy, I’m in cloud nine. 

“Alpha, I wouldn’t dare to flirt with our Luna. I’m just glad that we’ll finally have a Luna.” Luke replied without losing his cool. 

Luke always keeps his cool and his grin, what Cassy calls ‘a permanent grin that she wants to hit out of his face’. But I know deep inside she likes him. Anyway, his grin and his charm are what make him very successful among the she-wolves all over the Realm. 

He is the counterpoint of our sulky Alpha. Richard never smiles, and Luke never stops smiling, that is why they work so well together. Our Alpha King keeps the order, discipline, and everything going as it is supposed to in the Realm, while Luke is the communicative and people, I mean wolf, oriented one. 

I just hope Richard learns to relax and enjoy himself more now that we will have a Luna, he deserves to be happy too. He is like a brother to me and I couldn’t be happier or more excited for him and Lea! 

Lea’s sister and the King of Hell entered the room, and I noticed her cute and round baby bump. My excitement level just became overwhelming and a squeal left my mouth. 

“Wow, your sister is expecting a pup.” It was so rare to see a pregnant female; I work in the Royal Pack hospital for the last 150 years and I’ve only seen a handful of moms to be. It was indeed a miracle! I turned to Lea and she smiled at me, hopefully she will too be caring her first pup soon. 

“I’m not expecting a pup, I’m expecting a child. No offense, but I’m not a... well, I’m a b***h sometimes.” Lea’s sister said.

Lea glared at her sister and shook her head. 

The King of Hell chuckled and stroked his mate’s bump. I’m kind of relieved that he didn’t take offense at what I said, Ops! I’ve heard he is a very dangerous male and has no mercy; I really don’t want to be on the receiving end of his anger. Anyway, all is good, so I chuckled and apologized. “Sorry, it’s the force of the habit.”

“I am okay with all doggy…” Lea narrowed her eyes at her sister. “wolfly things as long as no one tries to rub themselves against or hump my legs.” Liv added. 

Lea arched an eyebrow at her and said in an un-Lea like way, “It is much more likely that you are the one humping legs, Liv.”

~ * ~

Liv

I burst into laughter, “That’s so true.” Lea and Laius laughed too. 

I know that since I’ve gotten pregnant, I’ve become Nema’s best follower, a full-fledge nympho! 

“My legs and something else are at your service, Sugar,” Laius said through our bond and winked at me. I just laughed back, until I bend down on my outburst and had to hold my bump. 

Someone knocked on the door snapping me back from my fit of laughter. 

My Devilicious is always so supportive. 

“Actually, we are expecting some more people,” I uttered smiling. 

Nema and aunt Astoria haven’t seen Lea since she went back home after been attacked by Broadrick; and they were still a bit worried about her, especially after they heard about her plural mating situation. So, I invited them for a surprise visit, I know Lea will be really happy to see them. I didn’t expect that we would have other visitors today too. But, well, the more the merrier. 

“Come in” I said.

Aunt Astoria and Nema entered the room and Luke jumped to his feet, his light-brown eyes were glowing, and he looked entranced. His typical relaxed expression was completely gone.

“What is happening?” I asked confused looking between Luke and Nema and my aunt. 

A/N: If you haven't yet, please take a look at my WEREWOLF spin-off, *She is not my Luna* It's a shorter story.