Princess Carla's POV

My gaze moved across the expansive forest as Giovanni, my mate, drove the car towards the wolvesbane packhouse. Anthony's packhouse.

I willed myself to ignore the pain that followed with the mention of his name. He's the last person I want to think about.

"Are you sure...um...Anthony won't be there in the packhouse?" I ask turning my head to look at Giovanni who gave me a reassuring smile.

"Yeah, the alpha is out for a meeting I'm not aware of," He informed before looking over at me with his grey eyes, "Besides, I wouldn't be taking you to the packhouse if Anthony was there considering how you both behave around each other."

"What do you mean?" I frown acting oblivious although I know what he actually means.

"You know what I'm talking about, Carla." He chuckles lightly, "Or do you want me to remind how you frown continuously at the sight of him while he seems like he's lost his will to live. And how you--"

"Okay, that's enough." I cut him off before he can utter more of the idiotic, but unfortunate, truth.

"Thought so."

We park the car in the wolvesbane packhouse's huge parking lot where dozens of other cars are parked as well and hop off the vehicle.

We could simply shift into our wolf forms and do the travel but then, what is the use of having so many cars? Keep them for showcase purpose?

I follow Giovanni into the packhouse where we're met by Anne, Anthony's younger sister also my childhood bestfriend, who engulfs me into a bone-crushing hug the moment she spots me.

I never knew my childhood best friend who left the kingdom for years was actually Anthony's sister. I remember Anthony once mentioning he had a sister but when I asked him where she was, he changed the topic. And even Anne didn't know that the werewolf princess her brother mentioned to her was actually me since when we were young, I never said it to her that I was from the royal family. We were like secretive best friends who did not know about each other's background.

"Stop suffocating her with your hug." Giovanni says, pulling Anne away from our bone-crushing embrace.

"You don't say me anything! She's my friend. Bestfriend. I can hug her all I want!" Anne reprimands throwing an icy glare in Giovanni's direction.

"Well, she's my mate. I'll have to see to it that some crazy people don't kill her with their earth-shattering hugs." He retorts giving her an oh-so-sweet smile.

"Did you just call me crazy?" She asks incredulously, stepping ahead as if she were ready to attack.

"I don't remember saying otherwise." He shrugs nonchalantly.

"You're unbelievable!" Anne throws her hands in the air while shooting daggers at him.

I know Giovanni is fusing her up for fun. He had said it himself once about how much he enjoys pissing Anne.

It was a surprise, really. Since Giovanni is this sweet guy who's such a gentlemen to everyone. Everyone except Anne.

I didn't even know my mate, Giovanni, was Anthony's beta until it was too late. Apparently, Giovanni knew that I was his mate long before I even realised. But he hid away from me because he knew I loved Anthony and my happiness lied with him. So, this wonderful mate of mine gave up the chance of being with his mate (me) and endured seeing me with Anthony. Just because he wanted me to be happy with the man I love. And that I didn't have a pressure of going to my mate(him) instead.

He's with me now because I came to know that he was my mate when he came to check-up on me while I was pretending to be asleep the day after  I'd been injected by the wolvesbane, after I'd undergone the surgery due to which I'm alive now.

If it weren't for me finding out that day, I wouldn't be surprised if he'd still hide from me. I can't believe how selfless he'd been all this while. I don't deserve him.

He deserves a better mate who isn't stuck-up on the man who betrayed her. Whose heart is not broken into pieces. Who can give him kids. . .

The last thought makes my heart clench and I look down to hide the tears blurring my eyes. Don't think about it. Don't think about the baby.

Anne and Giovanni who were busy bickering back and forth seem to notice my silence as they walk towards me with concerned look on their faces.

"What's wrong, Carls?" Anne asks worriedly, placing her hand on my shoulder.

"Are you okay, Carla?" Giovanni places his index finger on my chin and lifts it up so I can meet his eyes, "You're crying. . ."

I quickly take a step back making Giovanni's hand drop to his side and avoid their concerned gazes.

"I'm sorry. I...we'll go for shopping together some other day. I'm not feeling well. I should go." With that, I turn around and head out of the house in my werewolf speed.

I shift mid-way and sprint off towards the palace.

I'm a royal so I don't really need to strip before shifting since I'll have my clothes on either ways.

I can hear the heavy steps of a wolf following me closely behind and judging by the auburn fur of the wolf, I can say it's Giovanni.

I run faster and faster until I spot the palace. I shift back to my human form and pass the guards who bow at my presence at the entrance door.

I rub my teary eyes harshly but the damned tears just won't stop. I walk straight ahead through the long passageway not caring to look at my path.

I bump into a hard chest on my way, almost losing my balance and falling face-front if it weren't for the person's strong arms wrapped around my waist, holding me in place.

I shift my blurry vision up to thank the person in question but stop dead on my words when my eyes meet dark brown orbs staring at me.

The time seems to stop still while he just holds me. Looking at me as if I'm the most precious thing to him.

I shake my head at that. Precious thing? Who am I kidding? No one is precious to Anthony other than himself and his lovely dead Ginivieve for whom he ruined my life. He's too good at acting. That's all. And I'm not falling for his trap again.

I push Anthony away who looks startled by my sudden move but doesn't say anything. That is, before he spots the teary eyes.

"Were you crying?" His voice and eyes seem so sincere that I would've actually thought he was worried. But he wasn't fooling me.

"It's none of your business." I retorted, walking past him.

He grabs my hand before I can do so and spins me around, caging me in his arms, "What happened? Who made you cry? Who hurt you, Carla?" There was this dangerous glint in his eyes as he asked me the question.

I laughed humourlessly, "Who better than you knows the answer to the last two questions?"

Anthony looks taken aback by my words and his eyes are filled with regret, pain and sadness. I want to believe all those emotions reflecting in his eyes. But I can't. I don't want to believe it. He can't fool me twice.

"I'm really sorry, sweetheart--" He begins but I cut him off, yanking my hand out of his hold.

"Don't call me that. And don't even speak to me." I warn him as I take cautious steps back.

He has a pained expression on his face but he doesn't say anything.

On my backward walk, I bump into another sturdy chest and when I turn around, I find Giovanni staring at me and then Anthony with a confused look on his face. His eyes flickering between the both of us.

I don't know what takes over me and I know I'm going to sorely regret it afterwards. But I still pull Giovanni down by his neck ignoring the warning in my head. He looks at me quizically about to question my actions. But I kiss him on his lips before he can say anything.

All the while knowing very well that Anthony is still watching. . . .

__________

Isn't Carla a bit too harsh? Poor Anthony. I feel bad for him😢

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