"I'm... I'm sorry," Gerald suddenly said and squatted down to pick up the spoon he had dropped on the floor. He made his way over to the oversized sink, as I nonchalantly sipped my coffee and placed the cup back on the table.
"Have we met?" I asked, trying to place his face.
"Yeah, I... I mean... no. We haven't met. I'm just surprised to see you," he smiled and continued to wash the spoon in the oversized sink. But his smile didn't quite reach his eyes. I noticed he had just wiped his eyes with the back of his palm, refusing to look at us.
"Gerald, what is it?" Jose asked. Gerald wiped his eyes again and kept quiet. After some minutes, he spoke.
"As the Prince's assistant, we attended the same college. Her picture was everywhere in his room. I looked forward to the day he would finally be with her. That day seemed like it would never come.
My heart broke several times each time I saw him up late at night, staring at her picture or hiding it under his pillow. I just wondered how he managed to get better grades than me, even though I studied my books more," Gerald smiled and wiped his eyes once again with the back of his palm.
"I'm sorry if I'm saying too much, but I'm glad you're here," Gerald turned and said, his eyes now red and his smile wavering. "I'm also in love with a werewolf, and seeing you here raises my hope that one day, we will also be together."
Silence fell over the kitchen as I struggled to hold back my own emotions. These past years without Jordan hadn't been easy for me either. However, every time I remembered his promise, I found a reason to continue living, until my hope shattered four years ago.
"Let me help you," I said, reaching for the cooking utensils. Gerald hesitated, looking uncertain.
"The Prince only eats food prepared by either me or Jose Martins. We are the only humans allowed in his personal kitchen," Gerald explained with a smile.
"I'm his wife," I stated boldly, hoping to assert my authority. Gerald attempted to step aside, but before he could, a gentle hand pulled me back. It was Mrs. Haverford. She held my hand and guided me towards the far end of the kitchen.
"Did both of you mate successfully last night?" Mrs. Haverford asked, concern evident in her voice as she switched on the coffee machine.
"No," I replied, choosing not to divulge the details of my unsettling experience from the previous night.
"I am your mother figure here. Please don't hesitate to talk to me," Mrs. Haverford assured me, offering a warm smile. Grateful for her support, I returned the smile with a nod and climbed onto a nearby high stool, perching myself there.
"Can you remember why Alpha Benjamin sent you to the Lunar Palace seventeen years ago?" Mrs. Haverford inquired gently.
"No," I responded, my memory failing me at the moment.
"I would like you to sit down and try to recall why you were sent there. It may help you in difficult times," Mrs. Haverford murmured, her tone comforting. I closed my eyes and attempted to summon the memories, but before I could, she interrupted my thoughts.
"Not now. Maybe later, when you are alone," she suggested.
"I think... I remember something," I said, narrowing my eyes as the image unfolded in my mind. It was a memory from seventeen years ago, and it felt vivid and real.
"What did you remember?" Mrs. Haverford asked casually, as though the short time wasn't enough for me to remember anything.
"I... I... hit Owen, one of Alpha Benjamin's Betas who tried to stopped me from going in search of my mom and he fell on the floor," I replied, keeping my eyes focused as I tried to ensure the accuracy of my recollection. The memory was from when I was just six years old.
"Did the Beta hit you back?" Mrs. Haverford questioned. I delved into my memories once more, digging deep for the answer, trying to recall any subsequent events. It seemed something was covering my memory.
"No, he didn't," I affirmed.
"Why?" she pressed further.
"I... I don't know," I admitted, frustration creeping into my tone as I grasped for any further details. But my mind drew a blank, unable to recollect anything more.
"Try your best to remember everything that happened. That's where your liberation will start. Jose and all the pack members who know what happened have taken an oath not to tell you or Jordan. Thalia, if you want this marriage to succeed, you must remember everything, be yourself again and put your feet on the ground!" Mrs. Haverford urged me, speaking in a hushed tone that carried an air of urgency and mystery. "The Thalia Damien that cries so easily is not who you are."
As her words lingered in the air, I couldn't help but feel a mix of determination and trepidation.
"The solution to all your challenges lay within your own memories," Mrs. Haverford added.
"In the case of power imbalance, what do you suggest I should do?" I asked after a few minutes of silence.
"I already told you yesterday," Mrs. Haverford smiled.
"No, you didn't," I said.
"Alright."
"Well, what should I do?" I asked.
"Just relax and trust Jordan. Don't be afraid of him. Jordan would never harm you," Mrs. Haverford reassured me. If only I could tell her what Jordan had done to my lips last night.
"I do trust him, but his wolf is so powerful and untamed," I whimpered.
"Every time he tries to mate with you, overpower him, and his wolf will have no choice but to submit to your dominance."
"How?" I inquired, and she looked at me as though I was too naive. She looked at Jose and Gerald to make sure none of them were looking at us before returning her attention to me.
"Avoid his eyes, pin him down, then looked into his eyes and talk to his wolf," Mrs. Haverford whimpered quickly, and I lowered my gaze. It was like telling me to pin down a tiger. Perhaps Mrs Haverford did not know Jordan Greens was second most powerful Alphas in Sweden.
"That's the only solution for now until you are initiated into the brotherhood. I know it's difficult, but you have to do it. Both of you need each other."
"I'll wait until I'm initiated into the brotherhood," I murmured as the solution Mrs. Haverford presented seamed impossible.
"I'm not sure you would be initiated into the brotherhood," She replied nonchalantly.
"What? Why?"
"Thalia, just do what I told you. Jose won't be happy if he finds out I told you this. So do not tell anyone, not even Jordan."
"Alright," I murmured.
"Avoid him when you are not free. He would freak out if you conceive for him."
"Why?" I asked again.
"If you obey my words, you would never have problems here."
A buzzing sound emanated from an intercom device on the wall. We both turned our heads. Gerald, who was near the table, reached for a remote that was on the table and Jordan's voice filled the kitchen. I didn't know why everything about Jordan intoxicated me, including his voice.
"Gerald."
"Good morning, Your Grace."
"Is my wife there?" Jordan asked, and I quickly got down from the high chair I was sitting on.
"Yes," Gerald responded, looking at me.
"Baby, I want to see you," Jordan's calm voice came through the intercom. I immediately left the kitchen and a few minutes later, I found myself standing at the entrance of the closet, my eyes fixed on Jordan. He was dressed simply in a crisp white shirt and trousers, the typical attire of a doctor. He was adjusting the sleeve of his shirt while I admired his charming presence. Little did I know he had been staring at me through the mirror. When I finally lifted my eyes, our gazes locked.
"Good morning," I said softly as our eyes met. He smiled and narrowed his eyes, causing my lips to curve into a shy smile as well. I walked towards him, encircling my arms around his waist and resting my head on his back. The masculine scent that emanated from him was both powerful and soothing to me.
He turned around, lifting my head gently with his index finger. I felt a heady sensation as his lips brushed against my neck, deliberately avoiding my mouth. Although I longed for his lips on mine, he seemed to be purposefully avoiding it, grazing my neck instead.
"I don't work on Saturdays, but I have an emergency. I'll be right back. Alpha Alex is coming back today for our Unity Ritual, and we must be at Lunar Palace to welcome him," Jordan informed me, his breath brushing against my skin. My breathing changed as he mentioned his father's name and Unity Ritual.
"My mom wants to see me," I revealed, causing Jordan to pause as he lifted his briefcase. He quickly composed himself and took my hand, leading us out of the room. His bodyguards swiftly took the briefcase once we were outside. As we approached the anteroom, he released my hand.
"Do you want to see her?"
"Yes."
"I don't want you to go to White Fangs, but if you must, please go with the bodyguards and come back before noon," Jordan whispered, his tone hushed.
The thought of meeting his father and mother again after ten years filled me with fear. I couldn't deny the apprehension I felt, especially knowing that Kayla would be there as well for their Unity Ritual, also intensified my fear.