Chapter 108
Alpha’s Second Chance Mate (Sidonie & Carlyle)
Standing in the restroom, my mind swirled with conflicting thoughts as I contemplated my next move.
Should I leave? Or play it safe by hiding myself since I have hidden my scent? No! That wonât work. I knew that leaving the wedding reception was the safest option, but the thought of abandoning Donald weighed heavily on my mind. With a deep breath, I resolved to follow through with my decision.
âLeaving is the safest option. I canât risk exposing myself any further.â I muttered to myself softly.
Emerging from the restroom, my expression was resolute as I approached Donald, who waited anxiously nearby.
âAre you fine now?â He asked, scanning my face to see if I was okay.
âYes, I am. But Iâll be leaving now.â
âAmelia, whatâs wrong? Why do you want to leave?â Concern etched on his face as he stars at me intently.
My resolve wavered slightly as Donaldâs pleading gaze met mine. That was what I didnât want.
âDonald, I appreciate your concern, but I need to go. Itâs for the best.â I could tell him about Canthra Minerva, Not when I had no idea how she was related to Moon Shadow and what her aim there was.
Donald reached out to touch my arm, his voice filled with urgency.
âBut why? Youâve barely spent any time with me. Could it be that youâre uncomfortable here?â He asked softly with anxiety.
âNo, itâs not that, Donald.â
âPlease, stay a little longer, then.â
I hesitated a bit, torn between my desire to respect Donaldâs invitation and the need to safeguard myself.
âI canât, Donald. Itâs complicated, but trust me, leaving is the right choice.â I said, standing my ground.
Donaldâs expression softened as he realized that I wasnât going back on my words. He stepped back, his eyes searching mine for answers.
âOkay, I wonât push you. Just⦠promise me youâll be safe.â
I nodded, gratitude shining in my eyes as I offered him a small smile.
âI promise. Thank you, Donald.â I said with remorse. Deep down in my mind, I promised to make it up to him but I didnât say a word about it. With my identity, anything could happen on the spur of the moment and I didnât want to make promises I wouldnât fulfill.
With one last glance, I turned and made my way towards the exit, my heart heavy with the weight of my decision but resolved in my determination to protect the most prior thing.
I havenât walked far when Donaldâs voice suddenly broke through my thoughts, causing me to pause in my steps up to me.
âWait, Amelia. Donât go just yet.â He said eagerly, hastening up I turned to face him, surprised as I waited for him to continue.
âWhat is it, Donald?â
Donald stepped closer to me, his eyes shining with determination.
âWhy donât you come back to my place for a while? We can spend some time together, just the two of us.â
Thinking about it, my initial instinct was to decline, but I hesitated, considering Donaldâs offer. After a moment of contemplation, I nodded in agreement. That would be favourable for me as I would escape Canthra Minervaâs gaze and I could possibly try to get information about how she was related to Moon Shadow.
âThat sounds like a good idea. Thank you, Donald.â
Donaldâs face lit up with a smile as he gestured for me to follow him.
âGreat! Letâs go.â He said.
I followed Donald out of the reception area, my mind racing with thoughts of what awaited me at his home. As we walked, I turned to him with a question.
âWhat about your duties at the reception? Wonât you be needed?â I asked.
Donald waved off my concerns with a casual shrug.
âIâve already arranged for someone to take over my duties. Donât worry about it.â He said and I nodded, feeling a sense of relief at his reassurance.
With a newfound sense of anticipation, I follows him as we made our way towards his home, eager to see what the rest of the evening held in store.
Donaldâs cozy living room was bathed in warm lamplight. I stood by the window, admiring the view, while Donald busied himself in the kitchen preparing refreshments.
âYour home is beautiful, and humbleâ I commented, taking in the fresh scent of his home.
âThank you.â He replied.
âWould you like some tea, Amelia? Or perhaps a snack?â He asked from the kitchen.
âNo, thank you, Donald. Iâm not really hungry.â I replied.
Donald came out from the kitchen with a tray of refreshments in his hand, and set it down on the table.
âAre you sure youâre not eating? You didnât eat much at the wedding.â
âOh, Iâm sure. But if youâre offering yourself as a snack, I might reconsider.â I decided to trade him.
Donald chuckled at my playful remark, his eyes twi nkling with amusement.
âIâm flattered, but I donât think Iâd make a very appetizing snack.â
Leaving the window side, I walked over to him. âAre you sure about that, Donald?â
I playfully pressed him against the wall with a mischievous glint in my eyes as I leaned in closer.
âI think youâre quite delicious.â
Donald swallowed on nothing before his laughter filled the room as he playfully pushed me away, pretending to be shocked.
âHey, babe, no need to make expensive jokes like that!â He whispered, avoiding my gaze. Sincerely, it was good teasing him. If only I could have him to myself without restraint. He was a really good one.
We continued to banter and playfully tease each other as our laughter filled the room as we enjoy each otherâs company.
Sitting across from each other in the room, I decided to change the topic.
âSo, Donald, who exactly is this Athena woman to you guys?â
âWhy the sudden interest in Athena?â He raised an eyebrow curiously.
âOh, itâs nothing. I was just curious, thatâs all. She seems to have a special relationship with Sidonnie.â I said quickly, not wanting to sound suspicious.
âAh, I see.â He nodded. âWell, Athena is actually Sidonnieâs godmother. Sheâs been a close family friend for a few years now.â
Now, things were getting interesting. Canthra Minerva was known as Athena by the Moon Shadow Royals and it wasnât just a new relationship. It was a few years one.
âWhen did the relationship happen? If you donât mind me asking, of course.â
âItâs a bit of a long story, but I donât mind sharing. It all started when Carlyle and Sidonnie⦠well, letâs just say they had a complicated history.â
I listened intently as Donald recounted the tale of Carlyle and Sidonnieâs tumultuous past, how they initially denied their mate bond and the consequences that followed, ââ¦Thatâs crazy.â I paid rapt attention to his tale.
âYes, it is. After Sidonnie left her home, pregnant and alone, Athena was there for her. She offered support and guidance when Sidonnie needed it most.â
âI see. So, Athena played a significant role in Sidonnieâs life during that difficult time.â
Emergency calls only âAbsolutely.â Donald affirmed. âWithout Athenaâs help, Sidonnie might have faced even greater challenges on her own. Sheâs been like a second mother to Sidonnie, always there when she needed her.â
I nodded, taking in the gravity of Donaldâs words. I realized the depth of the bond between Sidonnie and Athena and silently began placing the possible puzzles together which I still couldnât match up. The calculations werenâ adding up, giving me the urge to find out more.
But how? I definitely canât pressure Donald about it anymore be a use i didnât want him to get suspicious.
âWhat about Sidonnieâs child? Didnât he survive?â I asked, trying to see if our conversation could develop more for me to probably get what I want.
âMason? Mason is fine. He survived Donât worry, youâll meet him soon.â
âMason! Thatâs a nice name.â
âOf course it is. Itâs a nice name for a cute guy, you know.â He winked at me. âNow, letâs talk about you.â
Donald changed position to sit beside me.
âWhat about me?â I turned to face him.
âHow many guys have you met before me?â Donald asked.
âWhat?â I couldnât help but show my surprise. Was he really asking he that? âYou really know how to throw surprises, right?â
âYou donât want to answer?â He leaned closer, teasing me.
âDepends on you!â I stood up, moving away from him. I looked around and I noticed that his house was a bit wide enough for a run around play.
âCatch me if you canâ I winked at him, urging him to come after me.