25

Chapter 25

Jenna's POV

"Go, Jace!" I eyed him as we both stood at the door.

"I don't want to." He pouted a little, making me chuckle. "I will miss you, Jenna, which is the worst part of going away."

"I know, but you're the Alpha King. You have to be there."

"I know." He sighed and took my lips for a kiss.

It's been a fortnight to that evening since Jace and I reconciled. We've been together since then. We had a date night, then we spent time in the royal gardens meant only for the king's family. Mom and dad were there too. While they took care of Jared, we spent some quality time together.

Then last night, we made out the longest!

My cheeks heated up at the thought. I was still sore, but as we kissed, my body desired for more.

"Now go!" I parted and pointed behind him with my eyes.

"Damn these charity events! Why do they have to invite me?" He growled and I laughed.

"Because you're the Alpha King. Now go."

"But I'll be gone for a whole day, love. Can you bear to part with me?"

"It's just a day, Jace! Not a decade. You'll be back by night."

He sighed and left my waist. Taking some steps back, he turned to me and asked again, "Are you sure that you won't miss me?"

"Jace, GO!"

"So heartless. I hate you for this, Luna Queen." He muttered and finally went down the steps.

"Bye." As I waved at him, he muttered something furiously under his breath.

I stood there as the car drove out of the gates. Since our fight, Jace has become very clingy. He never leaves a chance to touch me. He's always around me whenever he's in the house.

'He's crazy for you.' Gianna winked at me.

I smiled shyly and clenched my jaw to contain my smile, 'I love it.'

Anyway, I turned to go back to our room. To my shock, I ran into someone I hadn't realized was there before.

"Oh, Liza, how was your trip to the A****n forest? Did the... Creatures give you a very hard time or was it bearable?" I tried not to grin but my lips twitched.

Wrath simmered within her irises. She came back two days ago with a lot of visible bruises and bite marks. One of my loyal maids also told me that she was bitten by a spider, almost killing her. Liza was extremely terrified.

After coming back, she threw a temper tantrum towards Jace, thinking that he would entertain her. But he didn't talk about it at all. He just warned her to keep this punishment in mind, and stay away from his family. 

"You must be very happy he apologized on his knees." She seethed as I folded my hands. 

"Very." I faked a blush. "The maids are still talking about it. Haven't you heard them?" 

"Don't let it flatter you. Jace can be very convincing but—" 

"Save it, wannabe queen! You're not even worth my time." I started walking away. 

"Don't get too comfortable, temporary queen. Jace is—" 

"Are you bothering our Luna Queen again, Liza?" Oakley came out of nowhere and stood before us with hands on his waist. 

"We were just talking. Right, Luna?" Liza pretended to be sweet as she held my arm. 

I just rolled my eyes as Oakley observed her with displeasure, "Don't even think you can fool me, Liza. I know what you are." 

"I know you don't like me Oakley, but you don't have to—" 

"That is Beta Oakley for you." He snapped, making her mouth press thin. "You caused quite a ruckus with your charade, Liza. Alpha King has warned you, hasn't he? If I find you around his mate and Luna again, I'm afraid I'll have to report it to him under a case of harassment."

"No!" She squeaked. "I swear I wasn't doing anything to hurt her."

Oakley scoffed, "Don't act in front of me, Liza. We know each other better than our allies." 

I saw her face harden. The look of innocence she was wearing was gone, and she gritted her teeth hatefully. 

"Fine, whatever. I don't care." She tried to leave but Oakley grasped her arm harshly. 

He schooled her to be in her limits, giving her warnings to not mess with me, their Luna Queen, lest she shall bear fatal consequences. However, I saw a man who was once in love, and a woman who didn't return his feelings. 

There's something else I observed, Oakley's hold on her was full of hatred. Like he hated the woman he was holding. 

"Now get lost." He let her go. Liza opened her mouth to curse but shut it tight when she saw Oakley's haunting dark eyes. 

She flipped her hair in attitude as she exited, leaving me with Oakley in awkward silence. 

"That should keep her quiet for a while, if not forever." He flashed me a grin. 

"Want to have a cup of coffee with me?" I asked and he nodded, "Why not."

We both came out to the gardens. Benches were spread under the trees by the fence. We plopped in one of those as a maid brought a tray of snacks and coffee for us. 

"So, you and Liza..." I trailed off, not knowing how to put it. 

Oakley grinned awkwardly, "We were mates."

"Mates?" My eyes widened. 

"We were... You didn't pay attention to that part." He shrugged. "As you know, I'm the Beta's son, so I grew up in this castle alongside Jace. We've always seen each other as brothers. We went to school and training academy together. At 18, we returned for our birthday and that's when I recognized Liza as my mate."

I was listening quietly. One thing I detected was that Oakley didn't sound attached at all. It was as though he was happy about not being with her. 

"For two years we were together in secret."

"Secret?" I repeated in confusion. "Any specific reason?" 

"She didn't want to make it official just yet. She had all sorts of innocent stories which I believed." He chuckled furiously. "But I was happy as Liza can be very manipulative. She made me believe I'm the luckiest one to have her. However, I once heard some soldiers talking about her. One of them was in a beneficial relationship with her and he was talking excitedly about it."

My heart constricted in pity, yet there was not a single like of fury or old heartbreak on his face. 

He went on, "I decided to dig in more before confronting her. Guess what I found— she was fúcking five other guys beside me… And Jace was her first! " 

"That must have been very depressive." 

"Not at all," He shrugged carelessly. "I was rather relieved I found her real face when we were already so young. Now all these years later... I feel nothing."

"What about Jace, does he know about you and Liza?" 

Tbc…