Days Later...

Asher placed a hand over his mouth as he zoomed into his compound. As it was, he still lived with his single mother, Amaya, who was the pack’s Luna. She held the position for her son’s wife or whoever the moon goddess chose to be the pack’s Luna after her.

“Hey, mum. You’re home.”

“Yes, dear. Welcome home.” She replied, and he walked upstairs, a little miffed about what he had done.

“Asher.” She called on him. “I want to see you for a minute. Please, come. Come and sit, we need to have a mother-to-son discussion.”

Asher rolled his eyes to the ceiling, letting out a tired sigh. He gave a bored gaze to his mother, sitting right next to her on the sofa.

Amaya turned to her son with serious eyes.

“Asher, I was thinking we should meet with the elders. And ask them to accompany us to Wulfric’s house. So we can properly ask her hand in marriage and also collect the list for your wedding preparations.”

Asher briefly pondered on her words.

“We need to do all the arrangements before her pregnancy shows. Uh?” She wore a pleading look, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder.

“Ugh...” Asher brushed his fingers through his raven-black hair. “Mum, I can’t.”

“What?” She squinted her face, pulling closer to him. “You said, what?”

“I can’t. Mum, I can’t marry Lilah. I’m sorry. Even if I’m going to marry another woman, definitely not Asena’s sister. I don’t love that girl. I can’t.” He explained. Making his mum see reason with him.

“My son. I know how much you loved Asena and still do. But what is done is done. Whether you can or you can’t, does it matter now?” she paused, studying his stunned look.

“Please, just marry her... To take the shame off that family.” Amaya adjusted her hair, holding both his hands in hers.
“Asher, do you want to make Lilah a laughing thing in this territory? If you don’t marry her, they might be sent out of our park and go to only God knows where. Do you want Lilah alone to take the consequences of both your actions, alone? You’re a good guy, don’t be wicked. She’s like family, anyway. We can use the diamond ring you wanted to give to Asena for her wedding to Lilah as her wedding ring. Okay?” She pleaded.

“Mum, is that the right thing to do?” His chapped lips gasped for air.

“Yes.” She convinced him. “All you have to do is to get prepared. We will settle everything.”

Asher looked down with his arms crossed.

Lilah was in her room, cleaning up her old closets. There were lots of books and photo albums. Checking them out reminded her so much about Asena, and she felt a little relieved. It’s been a while since she last cleaned up the place. It was a little stuffy, so she opened up the windows.

Her parents were at the restaurant. As if it, her mood was far from elated. Lilah’s mind wasn’t strong enough to face the customer’s whispering. She needs time alone at the moment. At least, to heal.

Going downstairs to the storeroom to take a broom, the living room door pulled open and Conan walked in.

A glance at him and the broomstick dropped off her grip. Lilah’s heart raced, feeling the heat in her chest as he moved closer.

“Lilah.” Conan’s lips quivered, his brown eyes concentrated on hers.

Wanting to disappear and hide, she suddenly dashed upstairs. Into her room and banged the door closed. She locked it right away as her body trembled. Unable to face him again.

“Lilah, my mate.” He called after her, shocked. “Why are you running?”

Conan climbed upstairs after her, knocking on her door, but she placed her head on it.

“Don’t tell me the rumours are true. Please, come out and talk to me. You know whatever you tell me, I will believe. Only you can tell me the truth, so please, let me in.”

Conan could only hear her silent whimpering by the closed door. He could feel her presence. Lilah was close, but she didn’t say a word.

“Lilah!” He called at her again. “Please, don’t do like this. I haven’t seen you for three days now. You aren’t picking up your calls let alone replying to your messages. Do I mean nothing to you? Just come out and talk to me.” Conan implored once more. His eyes bled with pain as he waited.

Hot tears poured down Lilah’s eyes as she looked down at herself, dejected. She felt rejected without even telling him. Her legs went wobbly as the floor reeled before her.

An involuntary whimper escaped her lips, and the tears in her eyes made her vision blur. Lilah then covered her eyes with her hands as her body leaned against the door. Her weak body slowly dropped to the ground, she cried harder in regret.

“My love... You know I won’t leave here without seeing you.”

“I’m sorry... I’m so sorry.” Her voice whined from inside.

Conan pulled up his trousers and took a step down, staring at the staircase.

“I will not leave without your reply. I heard a lot of things about you and your sister’s mate. Lilah, I can't believe it. At least, talk to me. Let me see you once again. And even if you don’t want to see me, reply to me at least.” A single tear rolled down his left eye.

“I would sit here forever if it takes forever for you to come out. Just come out and talk to me, I’ll believe you.” Canan stuttered on the words. He held his head in his hand, letting out a deep breath and looking up again.

Lilah was in her room, but she could see him closing her eyes. And Lilah could feel his presence, too. Sitting on the stairs.

“I know you’re crying. I don’t mean to cause you pain. Whatever it is, we can solve it.”

The door cracked, making him turn back.

Pulling it open, Lilah stepped out of the room. Looking so hurt and miserable.

“Finally, you came out.”

Conan raised to his feet, facing her. She walked up to him, staring at him with sincerity. Her blue pupils danced at his teary eyes.

“I’m sorry. Conan, it was a mistake. We were drunk... I wasn’t myself. I don’t know how it happened. You should know that I will never betray you with someone else. I am very sorry.”

“How could you do this? How could you do this to us?” He asked. His thick eyelashes collected the tears, but they still lingered down his angular jaw and Lilah couldn’t even touch him. “Was it something I did? Was it something I said?”

“No, it’s not you. Conan, I love you. I love you so much. This happened like a dream and I’m just waking into reality. I don’t want to lose you... I’m sorry.” Lilah clarified with wet, quivering lips.

“When they called my attention to the were-pack meeting, I did not know it would be you. You, of all people, I always made sure you feel safe and happy. Did I lack in caring for you? Wasn’t I good enough for you?”

Lilah fell to the ground, holding onto his legs. Her hands wrapped against him firmly.

“Maybe we should leave this town. And go somewhere else amidst this havoc. Until the news fades, at least.” She suggested, wiping out her tears.

He pulled away from her grip. “Who do you think I am? A betrayer? I would never leave with another man’s child in you, especially if it’s the heir to the Rhys family. You’ve spoilt everything, Lilah. And I kept on asking, why were you always sad... You didn’t tell me this. You never did.”

“I didn’t know until recently. It was a mistake, trust me.”

“The board has already decided. You are getting married to another man. Not just any man, but your sister’s mate. Should I be proud of you?”

“I’m sorry.” Her voice was quiet and shaky.

“What do you want me to say? What do you want me to do?”

“Please, for...forgive me. I don’t mean to break your heart. It was a sincere mistake. I know you can forgive me. Just look at me, hold me again. Please.” Lilah coughed out the words.

Conan stopped and wore a frank glare at her. “Do you think you deserve my forgiveness? When you started working with Jordan company, I was glad to have you back. I was even planning to propose to you by month's end, but destiny has it all. You’ll be getting married to the Alpha by month's end.”

Lilah begged, but he paid deaf ears to her endless tears. It seems she had a talent for crying after all. This betrayal seemed planned.

“I have no words to say to you, mate. I don’t even know what those words mean again. It’s useless right now. Is it because Asher is the Alpha? You needed a position... Something I couldn’t offer you? Well, Congratulations, Luna.”

Lilah placed a hand over her mouth as she watched him leave. She didn’t want him to leave like this. Conan used to be her comforter and cheer-giver. And now that she needed him the most...

...he left.

Her head hung low, and Lilah could no longer hold the heartbreak. It’s been going from bad to worse ever since Asena died. Thinking about it, she knew she also had someone else to beg.

Asena.

With this, Lilah, her breath tightening down her lungs. A short intake of gut-wrenching sobs tore through her chest.

She stood up and dashed into her room. Grabbing Asena’s framed photograph to her chest.

Gazing at the picture, a thought played in her mind.

***Flashback ***

Lilah and Asena were at their parent’s workplace, cooking. Lilah was preparing the ingredients while Asena was doing the cooking.

“You look so happy today. It’s been a while since I last saw you smile this brightly. Tell me, did you win a scholarship?”

“Aw!” Asena cut off her laugh. “That would have been great, but no, I did not.” She paused with a soft breath.

“So what is it?”

“My mate, Asher, proposed to me last night. Too bad you’re so engrossed in the cooking that you didn’t notice my finger.” Asena lifted her right hand, spraying her fingers against her neck, and Lilah jerked at her with happiness.

There was a beautiful blue ring on her middle finger. They made it from sapphire and gold. Lilah stared at it, leaping with joy.

“Oh, goodness! Have you told Mum and Dad about it?” Lilah clamoured in excitement.

“Yes, of course. That was late last night. You were deep asleep, so I surprised you with the good news!”

“Wow, this is amazing!”

“Apart from this, Asher promised to officially ask for my hand in marriage. He has already arranged with some elders and pack members to discuss this with Mum and Dad. I’m sure it’s going to be within this week.” She explained with wide, glittering eyes.

“I’m so happy for you! So you’ll now be a Mrs.” Lilah cheered, giving her a tight, sisterly hug.

“Yes, you can call me Mrs. Asher.” Asena placed a strand of her hair behind her ears in style. Exposing her dangling earring.

“Geez! I’m so happy for you, Asena. Congratulations!”

“Thank you.” Asena giggled as she started the cooking.

“Asena, I’m sorry. I spoilt your joy... I should have been a better friend and sister.” Lilah choked on the words, crying harder. “I know I disappointed you. Asena, please forgive me. Forgive me...”

She positioned her head on the framed photo, with her tears washing onto its glassy frame. Her hand quivered as she held onto it, making the glassy frame crack. Piercing into her shaky hard and bleeding onto it. For some reason, Lilah felt like dying. It was difficult to forgive herself right now.