CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED & SIXTEEN


    CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED & SIXTEEN


    Talia’s POV


    +25 Bonus


    De and I went straight to the gym where Marco usually trained. He was sitting near the equipment racks, dripping with sweat. When he saw us, he smiled, but his expression quickly changed when he caught sight of De’s re.


    “Marco,” De said sharply, “we need to talk.”


    He stood up quickly looking confused. “What happened?” he asked.


    “Wait,” De said as she looked around to make sure no one else was in the gym. She gave me a nod when the coast was clear.


    “Marco, I need you to be honest with me,” I said. “Did you give me the Nightveil herb?”


    Marco’s eyes widened. For a second, he froze and then said, “Who told you that?”


    “Jason. Now answer the question,” I answered.


    “Yes, I did,” Marco said.


    “Marco! What the hell? How could you do that? Talia has always been nice to you!” De eximed.


    He raised both hands as if to defend himself. “I didn’t mean any harm, I swear! It was only meant to make your wolf dormant for a short time. Nn said it would help stabilize you. He thought your wolf was unstable after what happened in the library. I was just following his orders.”


    My stomach twisted. “Just following orders? You took away my wolf because someone told you to?”


    Marco’s face went pale. “It should’ve worn off in hours. I never meant for you to…”


    “You never meant for me to lose her?” I cut in. “Because that’s exactly what happened. I was left defenseless. The rogues nearly killed me, Marco.”


    “I’m sorry,” he said quickly. “I didn’t know that this would happen neither did Nn. He genuinely thought he was helping.”


    “Did he tell you exactly why he wanted you to do it?” I demanded.


    Marco hesitated before saying, “He said you needed rest, that your wolf was too strained.”


    De crossed her arms. “And that was enough for you? You didn’t think to ask any rifying questions??”


    “I did, De, but,” Marco said quietly. “He’s my Alpha. I can’t challenge him.”


    I clenched my fists. “Tell me the truth. Did Nn say I affect him?”


    Marco blinked. “Affect him? What do you mean?”


    De stepped closer. “You heard her. Did he say anything about her wolf affecting him?”


    “I don’t understand what you’re asking,” Marco said quickly.


    He looked genuinely confused, but I didn’t need to have my wolf to know that he was lying. The pieces began to fit together. The transfusion, the way Nn avoided me, the distant look whenever our eyes met, it all made sense now.


    He had known.


    Nn had known we were mates from the beginning.


    The realization hit hard. My chest tightened, anger and hurt rising together. He’d known and said nothing. He’d kept me in the dark while acting as though I meant nothing to him.


    HUNDRED & SIXTEEN


    +25 Bonus


    I turned to leave to find Nn, but De stepped in front of me. She gripped my shoulders and said, “I am not going to let you make a rash decision. You’re angry. You need to calm down before you make any decisions.”


    “This has gone on long enough,” I said. “He treated me like a burden, like I was in his way. If that’s what he wants, then I’ll give it to him.”


    De shook her head and argued, “You’re not thinking clearly. At least wait until you’ve spoken to him calmly.”


    “I am calm,” I said, shrugging De’s hands off me.


    “No, you’re not,” De countered. “Don’t forget. I know you.”


    “Fine. I’ll wait here for him toe back. We’ll settle this today,” I huffed.


    “Don’t start a fight,” De warned. “You’ll regret it.”


    “I won’t,” I said firmly. De looked like she wanted to argue but finally sighed. “Fine. But promise me you won’t do anything reckless.”


    “I promise,” I said and then turned and left De to argue with Marco.


    I went back to my garden and sat down on a bench to calm my nerves. He would have to pass the garden to get back to his room and I wouldn’t let him until I spoke to him.


    I waited for Nn to return.


    One hour passed and then another. The sun had begun to set and Nn still didn’t show.


    Marco approached me. The side of his face was a bright shade of pink from where I assumed De had pped him. Guilt was written all over his face.


    “Talia, you should go into your room to rest. It is about to rain,” Marco said softly.


    I didn’t respond and stared past him.


    “Please,” he said quietly. “You’ve been through enough for one day. Let me talk to him first.”


    I finally met his gaze. I searched his eyes to see if he was lying. He looked exhausted and ashamed.


    “You really thought you were helping me?” I asked.


    He nodded. “I did. Nn said it was the safest option. I never thought it would end like this.”


    I let out a bitterugh. “The safest option nearly killed me.”


    Marco lowered his head. “I know. I’m sorry. If I could undo it, I would.”


    “Then tell him to stop running from me,” I said. “Tell him to face what he’s done.”


    “I will,” he promised. “I’ll speak to him tonight. He’lle to you tomorrow.”


    I stared at him for a long moment, then nodded. “Fine,”


    He looked relieved. “Thank you.”


    But as I turned to leave, my anger began to rise again. Nn had known. He’d kept me in the dark, acting as if our bond was a mistake. Why did my second chance mate have to be an insensitive jerk too?


    If Nn didn’t want to feel the mate bond, fine. I didn’t want to feel it either and knew exactly who I needed to speak to make that happen.