I looked beyond Lucius's shoulders, checking if he had come with someone or if this was a trap.
"Hi, Mr Lucius," I said warmly. "I didn't expect to see you here and at such an hour. Did we fix a meeting?"
"Snap out of it, Selene," he sighed. "I know it's you,".
I crossed my arms defensively as I stared at him, hoping that the guilt on my face was not noticeable.
"Fine," I snapped. "Did Xavier send you? Couldn't he come by himself at least?"
"Can we go elsewhere and talk? I assume your kids are asleep and you wouldn't want them to walk in on us talking?"
I looked back into the room, contemplating if I was ready for any form of discussion. Was he here to beg for Xavier or what?
"I don't know…" I ventured. "Linda would be asleep by now and…".
"Please, Selene," he begged silently, "I would appreciate it so much. Please,".
Hating the vulnerable look on his face, I disappeared into the room and woke Linda. I gave her a few instructions before I came back out. Together, we left the hotel, walking beside each other without saying a word.
"The girls," Lucius broke the silence, "They're so beautiful, Selene. Gosh! I don't think I've met children as beautiful as them,".
"Yeah," I said listlessly. I didn't want to talk about the girls.
I spotted a bench afar under one of the streetlights and went before him to settle on it. He joined me moments later and silence ensued. There were so many things I wanted to say and ask but I didn't know how to start.
"You didn't need to bother with the heavy makeup or try to alter your appearance. Xavier doesn't remember you,".
"What!" My mouth opened in a silent gasp. "What do you mean?"
"The day of the plane crash, after they confirmed that you were on board but missing, he fainted and when he woke up, he only knew me and a handful of people. He lost his ability to pick up scents and almost all of his memories. Xavier is stuck on the day he got married to you, but somehow he cannot get a clear picture of your face,".
The news surprised me, and I was relieved somehow. That would explain why he didn't seem to know me.
"Until now," Lucius continues quietly, "He still has nightmares of you dying and whenever he shouts out in frustration, he's always angry that he couldn't see your face,".
My heart fluttered with pity, but I quickly thrust it away from me. I shouldn't be pitying Xavier. He didn't deserve it.
"Why?" I turned to Lucius. "Why are you telling me this?"
"I just wanted you to know that he has no recollection of all those seven years with you. He doesn't remember that you divorced him or you were pregnant before you left.".
My body stiffened as I turned to stare at him. "H-how did you know I was pregnant?"
"I knew from the first day that your doctor called you and you answered in my presence. Xavier regrets everything, and it irks him that he was a rotten husband to you. Anyway, I think the moon goddess has punished him well enough. You seem fine." His gaze settled on me with a dark intensity. "And you've changed a lot,".
Lucius was an intentional person. Everything he did, the conversations he had always had for a purpose. At least that was what I remembered back when I was still in the pack. So, I knew him meeting me like this was for a reason.
"What do you want, Lucius?" I gave him a sad smile. "I know you didn't just meet me for meeting's sake. Tell me…".
"Heal him, Selene," he said slowly.
When he looked up, I saw pain in his eyes and I noticed his lips were quivering.
"You cannot imagine what he has been through. Not being able to communicate with your wolf for nearly four years. All of his duties, I had to do it for him. Don't get me started with all the vile things I did just to make sure he remained, Alpha,".
"What vile things?" My eyes narrowed with interest.
"I killed Selene." he swallowed hard, looking into the distance with a sad smile. "I had to stamp out a lot of rebel groups that rose. His loss was too profound, and I just couldn't bring myself to do anything. He was so innocent…" he trailed off, as a small smile settled on his lips.
"You cannot imagine what it means to see a kinder version of Xavier," he chuckled. "I killed all the pack elders who wanted to depose him and exiled a handful of families who were next in line to become Alphas. It scared me they would try to kill him,".
"You could have left too," I shrugged, fighting the pity that surged through my heart at the story. I didn't want to feel that.
"But I couldn't," he exhaled. "You know, he never thought you would leave him. That morning, he had been so worried and when he picked up the divorce agreement, he had been worried about where you would go. Xavier…".
"Okay." I rose to my feet, interrupting him. "I think that's enough story about him. I've moved on with my life and I don't intend to dwell in my past. I'm sorry about all the misfortunes he had to go through, but you should also know that I had my fair share of it. Anyway, it was nice speaking to you again,".
I turned to leave, but he grabbed my hand, tugging me back.
"Selene, please," he begged, "For my sake and for the friendship we shared. I'm exhausted and tired. If you would, please help me bring Xavier back to who he used to be. I'll be eternally grateful,".
"That's not going to be possible, Lucius," I shook my head. "I didn't come here for any form of reunion. I am over and one with Xavier so you might want to look elsewhere. Besides, what if I'm married to someone else? Would you want me to cheat on my partner?"
"Of course not," he shook his head, "But that would make you a bigamist because he never rejected you,".