James's POV
Because of the revealed truth, I started feeling a little guilty towards Aimee. Like when she arrived with Vincent, my heart somehow became unsettled. This is the first time I feel like the worst person in the world.
"Good evening, Alpha James, Alpha Vincent."
Aimee walked towards her room as Vincent and I were about to enter the mansion.
"Where is she going?" Vincent looked confused, seeing Aimee heading towards the back of the mansion.
"Her room is outside, on the second floor. Behind the mansion, there are stairs. You rarely roam around my mansion, so you don't know the ins and outs."
"Why didn't you give her a room inside the mansion? Is it because she doesn't have a wolf?"
I shook my head, then nodded. "Yes, she's an omega. Since the death of her parents, she prefers to be alone. So, I gave her that room."
Vincent's look made me slightly uneasy, not because I was afraid of him, but that gaze made me feel cornered. I realized that my treatment towards Aimee had been wrong, and surprisingly, I don't feel okay this time. Yet, I've never felt anything all this time.
"You truly are a cruel Alpha, Buddy. I hope I can take Aimee away soon."
Vincent put his arm around my shoulder. Damn, I feel uncomfortable now. Honestly, if I have to feel this bad, I regret introducing Vincent to Aimee.
"It's good that you feel bad. Your behaviour towards Aimee indeed needs to change. Sometimes, you go too far."
"Don't take advantage of my vulnerability, Diz!"
Diz should have been Vincent's wolf; they match, and both talk a lot. I need a wolf that is silent and follows what I do. Diz used to be different, but he changed after Emma's departure.
Yes, Emma did leave many changes behind.
"Stop linking me to Emma; I've been like this from the beginning! You're too indifferent and don't care about every word I say because love and desire fill your mind!"
"Stop talking to me; just talk to Vincent's wolf!"
Vincent stopped in his tracks as we stood in front of the stairs. He then turned to me with a puzzled expression.
"What?"
"Forget it."
What a strange person; I wonder what's going through their mind. We sat in the same spot as earlier in the afternoon. The rain was pouring heavily, accompanied by a storm this time. The night felt freezing, and sleeping and hiding under the blanket would be delightful.
"You should stay here for the night; I'm sure your pack will be fine."
"Yeah, it seems that way. It's almost 10 p.m. now, and I'm not allowed to go out after 10 p.m. You know I'm still recovering from depression and stress."
I nodded. "Cool, it's been a while since we spent a long night together. We used to spend almost every week camping by the lake overnight, and in the morning, we would go hunting, and everything felt beautiful."
Vincent laughed until he coughed. "Somehow, you look more pathetic than me. After all, I experienced the most painful separation. You just broke up, James, and she wasn't even your mate. But what do I know? Your love for Emma was so strong. I'm sorry for judging."
"I'm amazed at your ability to realize your mistakes and apologize immediately. You truly are the best Alpha with a big heart. I have a lot to learn from you."
"We're different; let it be. Let's get back to the topic at hand. Honestly, I still feel guilty after the altercation with Agnez earlier."
"Yeah, I can say this is the first time I've heard news of you killing someone, specifically a woman. Even in fights, you usually only render your opponents unconscious. You've never taken someone's life, Vincent."
Vincent took a deep breath. "Three people since this vengeance arose, James."
"Wait, what? Three people? I had no idea. Did it happen while you were in seclusion?"
"Yes, two rogues became the victims. They used to be accustomed to the forest in my mansion. I don't know why that day; I was genuinely angry and annoyed with them, and the pattern was similar to my attack on Agnez. I tore their stomachs apart in a frenzy. I still remember how frightened my entire pack was when it happened. That was also one of the reasons why I isolated myself for years. I struggled to recover from my Luna's death and the fear of the evil wolf within me."
Lightning struck just as Vincent finished that sentence as if adding a dramatic touch to our conversation.
"Was there no specific trigger that caused your power to awaken?"
"There wasn't; it just happened suddenly. I also need to learn how to control it. If it weren't for Aimee's awakening and her daring to approach me, I might have torn Agnez's body apart completely."
A cold breeze entered through the ventilation gap in the mansion, and for some reason, my mind drifted to Aimee. What is she doing now? Is she scared in her room because of the terrifying lightning that has struck since earlier?
And looking at Vincent's condition, it seems like he needs a companion to find happiness in love again. Aimee might be the best solution for him.
"Vincent, I hope you can maintain your happiness with Aimee. I know you've only just met her, but I can see your interest in her. That could calm your powers down. You've never experienced it while you had a partner, right?"
Vincent nodded. "Yes, you're right."
"Great, so keep your closeness with her. I'm sure Aimee can be the best for you, and if it doesn't work out, other good women are still available for you. The Moon Goddess surely has something better in store; you need to avoid getting involved in fights, whatever they may be."
"Thanks, James. Meeting you was indeed the right choice. I hope everything can change."
Vincent hugged me tightly. My heart felt different now, and my mind was filled with thoughts of Aimee and Vincent. Something was wrong, but I didn't want to admit it.