It was Monday morning. Conan paid Asher a visit to his workplace. He was busy, though; he managed. They needed to talk things out.

Halting at the parking lot, Conan strutted into Sure West communication. He had visited the place severally but the reason he was visiting now was a distinct case, entirely.

The glass door pulled open and Canon walked in. Asher felt eyes on him and looked up. He saw Conan staring at him with a devil’s glare.

“Why are you this wicked?” Conan started, making Asher startled at how he entered.

“You’re like a friend to me. We are business partners. You are very handsome. You could have any woman in the world but you choose Lilah. A woman I’ve loved with my heart and soul. I thought of you as a gentleman, but was Asena not enough for you? And you went for her sister.”

Asher smacked his palm against his forehead, lowering his head with a straight mouth. Then he turned up at his beta with his chin up.

“Look, Conan. I understand that you’re saddened. Trust me, I never planned for this. This was all a mistake. None of this was supposed to happen. I mean... I already met my mate, and we were just about to get married when she passed. And out of all women, Lilah was the last I would have considered marrying. Why would I marry my mate’s sister? I don’t want to cause enmity between us, so please, let go of the past. As I said, Asena is the only woman that I ever loved. Lilah and I are just together for the baby’s sake.”

“You want me to believe that?” He raised an eyebrow in doubt.

“You want me to believe that it wasn’t planned?” He heaved on his breath, clenching on his teeth. “You’re very lucky. You’re a lucky man. Every werewolf would fight to be in your position right now, especially me but, I won’t fight you. You are with the woman I consider the most amazing woman on earth. Gentle, kind, and passionate.”

Asher glanced sideways. His face gave a sour expression, knowing how much Conan still cared.

“Yes, she is,” Conan added, and Asher rolled his eyes at him. “God knows I so much wanted her for myself. She was my strength and best friend. But you took that away from me.” Conan gave him a frank glare, nodding positively with tight lips. “I’ll leave you both to your conscience.”

He wore a cynical stare at Asher before dashing out of his office. Hurt by his words, Asher watched him leave. This was getting out of hand. He never expected to be in such a position, ever.

Lost in thoughts, Lilah sat on the balcony. Leaning on the swing chair with her hand placed under her cheeks. She stared up at nothingness and tears washed down her eyes.

“Lilah...” Anaya called, looking for her new daughter-in-law to gist with.

“Lilah!!” she called again, checking her room and toilet, but she was nowhere to be found.

“Oh God! Where has she gone to?” Amaya is frightened, knowing she’s lonely most of the time. Stretching at the balcony, her eyebrows pulled up in unison, forming a frown. Lilah looked gloomy and absent-minded. It glued her eyes to the sky and tears were flowing out of it.

“Lilah!!!... Lilah!!!” She tapped her shoulder, and she jolted at once.

“Oh, mum.” Lilah placed a hand on her chest, staring at her with wide eyes.

“Why are you sitting here, crying?” Her mother-in-law squinted her eyes, looking more worried.

“No... I’m not crying.” She lied, wiping out the tears right away. “I’m fine.”

“Ah,” Amaya dropped her shoulders, nodding negatively. She took a stool and sat beside Lilah. “Lilah, don’t lie to me. I am your mother now. I know you are disturbed. You are free to ask me anything. Do you understand?”

Lilah sniffed on her breath, peeling her fingernails. “Mum, I saw Conan yesterday.”

Amaya pulled closer with attentive ears.

“He looked at me with so much disappointment and hate. Conan hasn’t forgiven me yet... I feel guilty.”

“Lilah... Is that why you’re tearing up this bad? How do you expect him to act? Uh? He has every right to feel that way? You both were on the verge of getting married.”

“Asena, I disappointed Asena and Conan. They deserved better.” Lilah gasped.

“No, it is not.” Amaya defended. “It was not completely your fault. It was a mistake. You and my son didn’t plan it.”

“Uh!” Lilah sighed.

“You don’t have to kill yourself with depression, my dear. Make yourself happy. You deserve happiness just like anyone else. You need to forgive yourself. I want you to forgive yourself so that you can find happiness. And I know that wherever your sister is, she would understand.” Lilah raised her gaze at Amaya and she gave her a sincere look.
“As for Conan, he will find another woman. To be one’s mate doesn’t just mean to be one’s friend or sexual partner. It means one’s soul mate. Someone you are destined to marry.”

“But I thought... Huh. It hurts.” A whimper intervened in Lilah’s words.

“I know it hurts. I know. You just have to accept your fate and forge ahead. You are now married to my son and both of you are expecting a child. So you into relieve yourself of this guilt and forge ahead.” Amaya pleaded and placed a hand on her shoulder. Lilah sniffled and wiped out the lingering tears.

“Stop crying.” She helped her wipe off the tears. “Don’t cry for what you have no control over. Perhaps it was destiny." Amaya pulled her closely behind into a cuddle, and she tapped on her shoulders, comforting her.

“It’s okay... These will soon be over. It’s just a matter of time, uh? Let’s go inside. It’s time for lunch.” Mrs Rhys motioned, helping her to get up as they walked inside.

The day was as fast as light. Asher halted his crossover jeep into the compound and turned off the car engines. He walked in and met his mum at the dining table.

“Hello, mum.” He greeted her with a smile. “I'm famished, what are we having for dinner?”

“I don’t know yet. Lilah is preparing dinner.” She announced.

“Okay, I’ll bounce upstairs to change.” He gave her a soft peck on the cheek before climbing up.

After taking a warm shower and changing, Asher joined the table. He was on a simple, blue single and black jeans. It was buttermilk pancakes, Asher’s favourite. Lilah gently set the table, serving Asher and his mum.

Then she turned to the kitchen’s direction.

“Where are you going to?” Amaya asked, realizing that there wasn’t a third plate.

Lilah's heart raced as she faced them. Asher looked away. He always avoids her gaze anytime she’s close.

“Um, I’m going to eat dinner in the kitchen.”

“And why is that?” Amaya looked offended. “Why don’t you join us at the dining table?”

“I just thought...”

“No, no, no... think nothing!” she cut into Lilah’s words. “What you are thinking is not right. It’s barely a month since you got married. You need to sit with your husband and eat. Or are you feeling uncomfortable around him?”

“No, not at all.” Lilah lied, scratching her neck. “But...”

“No buts! Asher, pull that chair closer so you two can eat from the same plate.” Amaya ordered.

Asher turned to his mum with a look but she didn’t care. Asher did as instructed. She went to sit at the other edge so she could get a better view of both of them.

A bright smile blossomed on her round face as she watched the both of them glancing at each other, then immediately turning away when they noticed.

“Um, I’ll get water.” Lilah stuttered as she dragged her legs away. Coming back with two bottbottleswater and two glass cups.

Asher fixated his aeons on her as if monitoring her actions. When she worked with him, he usually went to lunch with many of his staff, but not Lilah. And this time, he couldn’t help but keep his eyes on her.

She placed the cups on the table and poured the water into the glass cups. Feeling Asher’s gaze on her, Lilah felt he didn’t like her presence. And he was watching her again, the way he used to. She could hear her heartbeats. Too bad. Her pale skin showed how red her face flushed beside him.

The water mistakenly spilt, and Asher held the cup with his superspeed before it dropped.

“You must be exhausted... You need to rest.” Amaya gasped, concerned.

“No, I’m fine,” Lilah assured, serving the buttermilk pancake with yoghurt and strawberries onto the plates before taking a seat next to Asher. Asher was starving already. Although he was famished and eager to eat, he couldn’t help but wonder why his mum was putting on an act.

‘So annoying.’ He hissed mentally.

“Good. Now, Lilah, feed your husband.”

“Uh?” She swallowed.

“You heard me.” Amaya pointed and Lilah did as instructed. She held the fork in her hand, gently cutting a piece. Then she faced Asher with a sharp intake of air.

He gently opened his mouth, and she fed him. The pancake was thick and fluffy, raised his brows at how delicious it tasted, forgetting the fact that she made it.

“How does it taste?”

“Delicious, mum.” he then replied with a frown and twisted his lips.

“Good,” Amaya replied. “Now, feed your wife.”

Shot of breath, Lilah nibbled on her lower lip, watching Asher cut a piece.

“Make sure you don’t feed her much. You know she’s pregnant.” His mum reminded him and Lilah placed a hand over her mouth, covering her timid smile.

With a fixated gaze, Lilah opened her mouth and chewed on the food. When Amaya softly chuckled, the both of them suddenly looked away. Realizing they were lost in each other’s eyes for a moment.

Asher’s hand mistakenly touched her cheek and she was fright. But sat still, as if nothing happened.

“Good. This is how I want both of you to be eating henceforth. With the same cutlery on the same plate. You’re in your house, there’s no need to hide yourself from each other.” Amaya lamented while Asher pressed his lips with a slight frown.

“As strawberries are the first fruit to ripen in the spring, I want your love to ripen as well. You two have to make time for each other, especially when you’re at home. I noticed you weren’t sleeping in the same bedroom as I planned but, what can I do?”

Lilah tried smiling, but just couldn’t. Her new mother-in-law has a good sense of humour, but things will always remain the same between her and Asher. She will always see him as a boss, a brother, and her sister’s mate.

Asher took the fork, about to feed her, but she stood up and rushed upstairs into the room. Unable to continue with the act.

“What’s wrong?” Amaya asked, hoping she hadn’t stressed her too much. “Check her.”

Asher walked up after her.

He pushed his room’s door, and it opened up. Lilah was standing by the window with a hand on her forehead. It looked as if her world was crumbling and she had to accept it. Accepting food from the guy who hated her because they spent a night together felt like a nightmare. Especially when it’s Asher.

“Are you alright?” He asked calmly as he entered the room, leaving the door open from behind.

“I... I snapped.” Her mouth gasped open, and she was silent. “I ... I can’t pretend to love you.”

“What are you saying?” His thick brows pulled up in confusion. He paid attention to her this time, as he took another step closer.

Lilah turned to Asher and her face was red and swollen, stained with tears. He felt puzzled at what had triggered her to feel so badly.

“I need to be with someone who wants me. Not for pity or charity, but for what love truly is. And I know that’s not you.”