Chapter Twenty Six

Brielle’s POV.

   “No, no. It’s fine. I just want to be up for a while, actually.” I said, chuckling, and Rio shook his head.

   “Why? Aren’t you tired? Or do you need something?” Before I could answer, he continued. “Maybe I’ve been a bad host, but I’d like for you to tell me whatever it is that you might need, and it will be provided.”

 Well, that was odd. If I didn’t know better, I’d say that he saw me as the alpha of a powerful kingdom, and was trying to suck up to me.

   “No! You, everything you’ve done has been wonderful, believe me. I just like to stay up late sometimes.” 

 He nodded. “So do I. Actually I stay up most nights, because sleep doesn’t come easy to me, so…”

   “I think I get it.” I said, walking in front of him, and the guards followed us closely. 

 He lingered at the door of my assigned room before I chuckled slightly. 

   “You can come in, we were having a conversation before I started coming here anyway.” I sighed as I settled down onto the bed, looking up. 

 Whoever worked on these ceilings did a pretty good job. I hoped they got a raise.

   “It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” Rio asked, looking up at the designs illuminated by the soft bulbs in the corners of the room. 

   “Yeah.”

   “I handpicked every design for every room.”

    “I see you have a good eye there.” I grinned.

   “Some people would say that I do, but I still can’t figure out how exactly you got here.” He said out of the blue.

   “What?” 

   “What were you trying to do that day, when you got attacked?” Rio asked, and for some reason, I felt like telling him the whole truth.

   “Actually, it’s a very long story…”

   “I’m sure it won’t take a week to tell it. I’m all ears.” He shrugged, and I sighed, lying down while holding my stomach.

   “Fine. I took a walk to clear my head. I have a lot of problems going on from the fact that I was mated to the alpha of my pack, but I rejected him, since he wasn’t treating me nicely. His brother was, so I went to him instead, and then I found out that I was pregnant, and it’s the alpha’s baby, basically. So my life is entirely a mess right now.” I sighed.

 He nodded. “Alright, but since his brother knew that you were with the alpha, it should be easy for everyone to understand.”

   “Actually, no. That’s not entirely the case.”

 Rio’s eyes widened as he finally seemed to grasp what was going on and nodded slowly.

   “You cheated?” For a moment, I thought I would get judgement, but he chuckled. “I mean, cheating is a terrible thing, but this is proof that you might be just more fiery than you let on.”

 I let out a breath that I didn’t realise I had been holding.

   “Maybe. I don’t know how to tell my boyfriend now, and for some reasons I still have strong feelings and I feel attraction to his brother.” I put my hands to my head, massaging the sides. “Maybe coming here was really what I needed. Who knew a walk too far into the forest would cause this to happen, ey?” 

   “You can say that again. And it has the perfect view to take your mind off things. I’ll take you around tomorrow, if you’d like.” 

   “Yes, please.” I mumbled, wondering why I even told Rio. He was an alpha, and a lot of these alphas knew each other. But I didn’t think that Rio would harm me with this information.

   “But what about the mountain Lion?”

   “That is the weirdest question you can ask me, because I was just on my own when it came out from nowhere. And then you came.” I blinked and turned to him. “Wait, what were you doing over there too? Trying to run away or something? Kidding.” I raised my brows to let him know that I was joking.

 Implying that an alpha would run away from his pack was insulting, but I didn’t realise the damage that I had done until the words left my mouth.

   “It’s fine, I see us as friends so you can tease me about things.” He sighed. “So yes, back to the point. That part where you were in, was actually in my territory, and I had gone out was the part just before the forest. I was having a bad day, and I had gone out to go for a walk.”

   “What happened?”

   “I had just lost a deal, I run a few businesses, and I was expecting positive feedback on it, and then I didn’t get good news. I was devastated.”

   “I’m sorry about that.” I said, but something about the way he said those things made me feel like he was lying.

   “Is it bad that I’m kind of enjoying this place?” I sat up, resting my head on my hands. “At home, they could be worried sick, searching for me, and I’m just here, taking a break from reality.” 

   “And I see nothing wrong with that. When you were suffering and in and out of your head, were they not doing the same?”

   “I guess, but…”

   “Guilt trip yourself later, honey. I’m not having all that now. At least you’re fine, that’s what matters.” He said.

   “And you? Are you fine?” I blinked at him, and he grinned lazily.

   “Yeah, that was just a fit of emotions the other day. I’m fine now, thank you.”

 Rio got up, and gave a dramatic little bow before excusing himself, saying that he had some work to do, and asked me to get some sleep for my health and that of my babies, but all I could think about now was going back home. 

 And I don’t know why. Rio has been kind and friendly, but for some reason, it felt like if I told him that I would go, he would try to stop me. Or maybe I was just being paranoid.