Chapter 18

CARLYLE’S POV “You don’t have to worry. It’s my treat.”

Was this some kind of ridicule? Who does she think she is? In fact, who is Rex himself? Compared to my status and authority, they were nothing. All along, there, amidst the hustle of serving tables, was someone I couldn’t quite place but whose familiarity tugged at the edges of my memory.

I was about to speak, but about three waiters came around with trays of expensive. dishes, gently placing it on the table which served as the boundary between me and Rex’s sister.

The first waiter dropped the food and left, the second did the same and followed suit. The third one did the same and turned to leave too. Raising my head at that moment, a flicker of recognition sparked within me, but it didn’t click well.

On instinct to get a subtle confirmation, I decided to test my intuition. Intentionally, let my handkerchief slip from my grasp, fluttering to the floor, then I pushed it out in the with my leg, all to the unawareness of sister.

Rex’s open “Excuse me,” I called out to her almost immediately, raising my hand slightly.

“How may I help you, sir?” She turned to attend to my needs.

“Could you help me with that?” My voice carried a measured casualness, but my eyes held an intentional gaze.

The waitress gracefully approached my direction to retrieve the fallen handkerchief. As she handed it back to me, our eyes met in a silent exchange. The veil of anonymity that shrouded her role in my memory began to lift, and a sense of familiarity grew. I recognized who she was immediately and why she caught my attention in the first place.

At that moment, I recognized her not just as a waitress, but as someone from a chapter of my past. My heart skipped a beat as her name reverberated around my listening senses, a name that echoed through the corridors of my quest.

“Donnic! Sidonnic!” Her name alone stirred something deep within mc.

My eyes widened in disbelief and elation. There she was, standing before me – Sidonnie, my mate whom I had tirelessly sought. The cacophony of the surroundings. faded into a distant hum as the reality of the moment set in.

The joyous whine of Laryl, my wolf, overshadowed the overwhelming happiness coursing through me. After endless searches and countless moments of longing, destiny had orchestrated our reunion in the most unexpected of places. Never did I expect to find her in my rival’s pack.

In that surreal moment, the world seemed to pause, and our eyes locked with an understanding that transcended spoken words.

Our eyes still locked, a peculiar tension hung in the air. I noticed her countenance. change by a subtle stiffening of her posture that betrayed a mix of emotions. Recognition dawned in her gaze, accompanied by a flicker of something else a realization that seemed to stir a pool of emotions beneath the surface.

–

In that moment, a shadow of fear flickered across her expression. It was as if the pieces of a puzzle were falling into place, unveiling a truth that brought with it a mixture of emotions. The restaurant’s lively ambiance seemed to dim as the gravity of our connection settled between us, mingling with an undercurrent of apprehension. Definitely! She recognized me..

“Thank you,” I muttered, our gaze still locked. Rex’s sister stared at the two of us.

“You’re welcome,” Sidonnie replied, walking away quickly, almost.

Sensing the shift in my gaze, Rex’s sister looked at me with a mix of confusion and concern..

“What am I unaware of? Is something going on here?” She queried..

Sidonnie bowed her head respectfully, leaving I and Rex’s sister to ourselves, her face. looking all white with anxiety.

“What just happened now?” Her eyes sought mine, searching for an explanation or any sign of reassurance, but all she found was the distant gaze fixed on another. Uncertainty. painted her face as she grappled with the sudden disconnect, wondering what had diverted my attention suddenly.

“The last time I checked, you don’t have a right to ask me such a question,” I said to her, obviously making her angry.

“How could you say that? The fact that you agreed to meet in the first place means that you agreed to get married to me and to get married, we have to make sure some steps. take place first of which talking is part of it. Acting up won’t take us anywhere, Mr right.” She said, but I wasn’t paying attention to her. My mind was all on Donnie, Several questions about her whereabouts over the years filled my mind. Where has she been? How was she? How did she cope? Why did she leave in the first place? And why did she come to Rex’s pack? All these questions crossed my mind, but I had no answer to them and I knew I would never have an answer to them unless I speak to her.

Fri, 1 Mar ti o “That reminds me, you didn’t ask for my name in the first place. And I didn’t know you were not going to ask, so I’m going to tell you.” The lady in front of me said, her eyes reflecting a bit of her disappointment.

“My name is Raina.”

“Good for you. Before you proceed with your rambling, it’s my honour to tell you that this marriage can’t continue. It can’t go on.” I said, and made to stand up.

“What do you mean it can’t go on? How dare you? What audacity do you have to tell me that? I’ve been putting up with your silly attitude since you came here. And now, you’re telling me this can’t go on? Hell no! You have to talk to my brother about that. Not me.” She lashed out at me.

*Suit yourself then,” I said nonchalantly.

“Oh, is it because of her you’re telling me the marriage can’t go on? Do you know her from somewhere? Oh no! Why will I even be asking in the first place? It’s obvious you know her and you think I’m so dumb to listen to your words just because you said it. At least, you should be polite and tell me why it’s not going to hold if you’re not interested, but no, you’re leaving me here just like that with a few words.”

“Okay, fine. You want me to tell you the reason, right? I think that’s way better than you telling me that I’m not polite. The reason I’m not going to participate in this marriage anymore is because of your attitude. Imagine, the first impression I have of you is so terrible and I can’t put up with it because you pose to be a spoiled brat!”

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