[P.O.V. Riley Woods]
We left the Moon Goddess Kingdom early this morning. Over an hour ago, we enter the kingdom that belongs to all gods and goddesses. With in ten minutes, we will reach the castle. The castle that once was my home a few years ago. I wonder if anything has changed since I have left? Besides all the evil that has been happening throughout all the kingdoms.
"This place is beautiful." Shanta says as she looks out my truck window.
"It is quite amazing." Commenting back.
"I can't believe this is your home..." Tuning her out, my mind wonders about my rejected mate. Wondering if Venessa is still here?
Mostly likely not, she probably back in her kingdom. I wonder if her goddess gave her another chance to find true love? Thinking about that still hurts a small part inside of me. It also makes my wolf whine and makes my dragon want to sulk in silence. Even though it has been three years, it still hurts. With the time I have been away, I have learned to deal with the hurt. Shanta shakes my shoulder and says my name. Snapping myself out of my thoughts, I put my attention back on Shanta.
"Riley? Are you even listening to me?" Shanta asks me
"Sorry, I zoned out there for a few minutes. What were you saying?" Asking her. The thing is with Shanta I never told her about Venessa. Main reason is because Venessa was the one to hurt me the most. I'm not proud of how things ended with her.
"Are you okay? You look a little.." She cuts off mid-sentence like she trying to figure out how to phrase something.
"A little what?"
"Like something bothering you?" She says with concern in her voice.
"Something is bothering me. Remember, while back when we were talking about people we have been with in the past? "
"Yes, that was the night we ended up having sex. It was also the night you told me. You weren't ready to tell me about who the woman was that hurt you the most. "
"Exactly well this woman that hurt me was my mate. And it all happened right before I left home three years ago."
"Ooh, this is getting interesting." Shanta acts like a little kid getting a bed-time story. I didn't get upset with her acting this way, though. It's rarely I confess my feelings or say what's bothering me. Telling her the short story about what happened killed the long ten minutes before getting back home.
When we pulled up to the castle. I got to see some old faces I haven't seen awhile. Most of them were staff member. After that, Shanta and I got settled in our rooms. It's weird to be back in my old bedroom after three years. Most of those three years, I slept in an inn or under the stars. Another thing that was strange was dressing in suits again. It was all different from the way I have lived the last three years.
After showering and putting a black suit on with a dark blue tie. I head downstairs to the dining room the eat dinner. When I got there, my brother and his family sat there along with Shanta. Taking a seat next to Shanta, we eat dinner and get into a conversation. Most of the conversation was Karen's asking. What I have been up to the last three years.
"You look stunning in that dress, by the way." Complimenting Shanta. She was wearing a gorgeous red dress with lace. The sleeves only went halfway down her arms. The length of the dress went down until it reaches just above her knees.
"Well, thank you, you're looking might handsome in that suit." She compliments me back. I just give her a half smile and we then continued to eat. Not even five minutes later, a servant enters the dining room. He bows and then stands back up.
"My King, Princess Venessa Creely, has returned from her visit in town. And will be down here to join you in ten minutes after the lady has freshened up a bit." The servant says.
"Thanks Frederick you may you go." Jared reply to him. Venessa? She here? Giving my brother an upset look. He looks back at me with a blank face.
"Venessa here?" Asking him with a minor irritation. Why didn't he tell me?
"Yes, she has been staying here for the last three years." Jared says calmly and continues to eat.
"You could have warned me."
"My dear brother, is there a reason you don't want her here?" That's right, Jared doesn't know Venessa is my rejected mate.
"No, none. Please excuse me, my appetite has past." Getting out of my chair, Shanta grabs my hand and gives me a look of concern. "I'm fine. I need to be alone."
Shanta nods her head in understanding and lets my hand go. Leaving the dining room, I head back to my bedroom. On my way there, Venessa turns into the same hallway as me. Stopping in my tracks and she stops in hers. Her intoxicating smell hits my nose oh how I have missed this smell. She as beautiful as I remember her to be with her long dark brown hair.
My wolf and dragon wanted and craved her. Even though she rejected us and I did the same in return. What is left our bond was pulling me back to her. My heart was pounding so hard in my chest it felt like it was going to jump out. Looking upon her gorgeous face, she had a look of confusion? Or maybe it was startlement?
"Riley?.." She asks me my name like she was having a hard time believing it was me.
"Hey.." I replied to her. She places her hand on her heart and lets her breath out.
"I can't belive its you... I have been thinking about you a lot. Wondering if you have been okay the last three years. Have you been good for the last three years?" She sounded like she had anxiety but also excitement.
"Ive been fine. You?" Asking her in return. It was taking everything right now not to accept her back. To hold her in my arms and kiss the hell out of her.
"I have been great." Why do I feel she lying to me?
"Well, that good. Excuse me, I must take my leave and you must be hungry." I can't be around you right now.
"Alright, will I see you around?" She asks desperately and softly.
"Yea, ill be staying here for a little while until it is time for me to leave again." I'm only staying until this huge war over.
"Well, have a goodnight."
"You as well." Taking my leave, I walk past her. It took everything of me not to take her by the arms. And to slam her against the wall and kiss the hell out of her.
My dragon and wolf feel possessive over her still. It's not as strong as it once was after the reject. Our need to possess her is only half of what it used to be. Once I get to my room, I close the door and let a breath i didn't know I was holding in out. After all these years, learning to deal with the hurt did nothing for me. I thought if I got over her, I wouldn't feel the hurt ever again.
But seeing her tonight, I realized I'm not over her. I may never be over her. The hurt I tried to bury deep with in me. The hurt I thought got rid of by locking it up deep with in me. Is stinging through my heart right now. But I won't let her see the hurt. I won't let anyone see it. I will continue on like have last three years. Won't show any emotions to any girl, not even to my rejected mate.
Moving away from my bedroom doors, I get myself out of this stuffy suit. In nothing but a pair of boxers and sweat pants. Pouring myself a whiskey, I go outside to the balcony. Taking a seat and looking up at the moon. Wondering about everything that has happened. Wondering what happened to father after mother's death? What is going to happen once Jared and I see him again?
It wasn't long after I have had a couple of whiskeys. That Shanta came to check up on me. Taking a seat next to me, she snuggles up to me. With my arm over her shoulders and her snuggling at my side. Taking my whiskey out of my hand, and gulps it all down. She said nothing to me, she just sat here in silence with me. It didn't take long for her to say something, though.
"Are you alright?" She asks me.
"I'm fine as ill ever be." Replying to her
"You don't have to hide your feelings from me. I know you must hurt, knowing that your rejected mate is here. I know how it feels, remember? My Mate rejected me to all because I was to be the next shaman in my village. He feared the abilities I would wield."
"I know I was there with you that day."
"Just because your rejected mates don't mean the bond can't be fixed. That if you want it fixed?"
"I dont know what I want." Telling her honestly I want Venessa to be mine. But I also don't want to be the one hold her back. From finding the love that she actually wants with someone else.
"Well, I'm here to support you no matter what."
"Alright." I'm glad that the goddess brought Shanta and me together. She has become one of my dearest and close friends. The rest of the night, we both sat here quietly, drinking our own separate whiskeys. Drowning our own separate but similar heartaches.