CHAPTER 8

Leila's POV 

I hummed a soft, familiar tune as I rinsed myself in the warm, rose scented water that was drawn for my bath.

For the first time since I discovered that Alpha Orions's triplets were all my mates, I had peace of mind.

I knew that it was only briefly, but for that moment in the bath, I felt like it was just me, the way it used to be. The familiar feeling was bittersweet. 

Once I was duely rinsed, I stepped out of the bathtub and turned to grab my towel from the hook behind me.

My towel!

I huffed in annoyance as I realized that there was no towel in the bathroom because I hadn't picked any from my rack in the room.

I wondered why the towels were in the bedroom instead of in my bathroom, where I mostly needed them.

I sighed frustratedly, deciding that I had to go into the room with all that water dripping from my body.

I tiptoed gently to the door to avoid slipping. In my head, I had scolded myself a million times for ruining my perfect shower with my forgetfulness. 

I was in for a lot more than just the wet trail I left on the floor, however, because when I stepped out of the bathroom and turned around, I came face to face with Liam, sitting on my bed.

“Fuck, you're naked”, he exclaimed and slowly turned away.

I stood still for a few seconds in confusion before I scurried away to grab a towel and cover myself with it.

“Why are you even in here?”, I asked as I moved to get my lotions.

He turned around hesitantly and sighed in relief when he realised that I was covered up.

“How are your wounds healing?” 

He immediately tried to change the topic, but I was just excited at the possibility that he cared about my well-being, so I did not care to note it.

“Very well. I should be all new in a few days”, I chirped excitedly. 

He looked at me with visible disgust in his face. I knew that look because he had given it to me too many times.

“Don't sound so pleased. I genuinely don't care if you die in your sleep.”

I bowed my head in embarrassment. I can't believe I thought for a second that Liam actually gave a damn about me.

“My father has assigned me to care for you until you're well again, for some reason that only he knows. Maybe he's punishing me for your little disappearing act the other day at the ball”, he spat with a deep frown on his face.

I could feel his bitterness and hatred through what was left of our bond and it brought tears to my eyes.

As a teardrop rolled down my face and onto the already wet floor, I could see his gaze soften a little.

He stood up from the bed and walked closer to where I stood.

My heart quickened at his increasing proximity. There was the fear of the harm that I already knew he meant to do me, but there was also the anticipation of something different. 

He stood in front of me and stared into my eyes, and for a secondaii convinced myself that he was moving his hand to touch my cheek.

Just as I closed my eyes to expect his touch, I heard him scoff above me.

“You are fucking pathetic.” He grabbed my chin and tilted my face upwards to meet his gaze.

“The next few days of your recovery will be the worst days of your life. I promise you that if you do not heed my rejection so I can be rid of this bond, I will make sure you either hate me or yourself.”

He shot me one long, murderous glare before walking out of the room and slamming the door.

As soon as I could no longer hear his footsteps, I crouched to the ground and hugged my knees.

The tears I had fought so hard to keep at bay in his presence were suddenly streaming down my face.

I cried out loyd, for the first time in a while. I was no stranger to tears, but I had learned to be familiar with the burning in my throat that came from holding back my wails while the warm liquid pooled up and dropped from my eyes.

It felt almost wrong to cry that way. I felt so open, so naked, so vulnerable. 

I wrapped my towel firmly around my breasts and buried my face in my knees.

I didn't know if I was only crying because of the pain of being rejected by Liam yet again, or it was because I could feel how much he really did not like me.

Through the bond, I could feel how irked he was by the whole idea of being my mate, and it made me wonder what was so wrong with me that he could not love, or at least hope to learn to love.

“I need to let him go”, I said tearily to no one in particular. 

Holding on to Liam was causing me nothing but pain and heartache.

In fact, Henry and Elijah were right. It was not fair to them that they were trying to work out a way for us to be together and I was so busy sulking over Liam.

I had two handsome, kind and powerful mates who loved me. 

I wiped my face and stood up off the floor. In my mind, I determined that it was the last time I was going to cry over Liam.

There was nothing wrong with me. I was just so busy trying to find love in the wrong place when it was right with me the whole time.

I walked to the mirror and dropped my towel gently, staring at the reflection of my bare figure in it. I decided that I had to let go of Liam.

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. I held it for a while and pushed back all my doubts.

With a soft exhale, I opened my eyes and severed the bond between Liam and I.