Chapter 79
Lily POV
At the end of my second lecture for the day, I got a text from Celeste asking to meet me today.
Due to our different levels and the fact that she was getting too busy since she was a final year student, I asked her to give me a time that suited her and I’ll come to her instead. Thankfully, right after my second lecture, I received a text from her asking to meet me now. She texted the address too.
I found Celeste at a small café near the university campus, her blond hair pulled back in a messy bun, a steaming latte before her. The moment I sat down, she didn’t even allow me to greet her before her expression turned serious.
“Our mother knows you’re Kai’s mated,” she said without preamble.
I nearly dropped the books in my hands. “She… what p>
“She knows,” Celeste repeated, running a hand through her hair. “And now I’m scared to face my brother because I was the one who ratted you out to my mother. In my defence, she came onto me strong and I can’t lie. I tried to evade her questions but they just kept coming out and now she’s confronted Kai, of course she told him it was me p>
“Oh!” I tried to smile, that would explain Kai coming over to my house last night. Why didn’t he mention it? “I don’t know what to say, but if this helps, I’m not angry with you, Celeste p>
“Really?” tears gathered in her eyes as she reached for my hands across the table, “I was so worried you’d get mad at me too. It’s enough that Kai is punishing me by taking my calls and talking to me but I know he’s angry at me. I just wish I could take it back p>
“Don’t worry, Kai will come around but about your mother I swallowed hard “How did she take it? The news of me and Kai being mates?” I asked.
“Yesterday she raved and shouted because of the alliance between our pack and Briella’s. She’s not thrilled. You know she’s worried about a lot of this and thinks what she wants is the best for Kai. But this morning, she told me something interesting p>
“What p>
“She said she’s starting to accept that you and Kai are fated mates and that Kai is going to make you his mate officially no matter what she says or does, something about him wearing his determined look – unlike me, Kai is very obedient to our mother. Hates to hurt her. But p>
“But?” I prompted, my anxiety spiking.
Celeste sighed dramatically reaching for her cup of latte and taking a big gulp. “She’s worried p>
The directness caught me off guard. “Worried about what p>
Celeste leaned forward. “She said she’s been feeling… off. She didn’t say exactly what, but something’s making her uneasy, unsettling and she wishes you’d put her mind at ease p>
Accept Kai. As if it were that simple.
“She wants me to do something,” I realized. It wasn’t a question. “How can I put her mind at ease?” I asked my voice tinged with frustration.
“She didn’t say,” Celeste arched a brow. “But I think accepting Kai completely to complete the mate bond would put her at ease. She believes there’s something unresolved between you and your ex that’s creating uncertainty p>
“She knows about Lucas too?” my eyes widened with shock. “Just how much did you tell her, Celeste p>
“I’m sorry,” she lowered her gaze “This is why I hate being told secrets and my mom can get any information out of anyone with the slightest of efforts. I’m so sorry.” She pleaded again.
“It’s fine,” I sighed leaning back on my chair “It’s not your fault. But I suppose she’s just worried about Kai. She wants me to make a definitive choice,” I added quietly.
“Not just a choice,” Celeste corrected. “A commitment. A full acceptance p>
Mate bonds weren’t casual. They were sacred, powerful connections that could heal or destroy. I had no issue with committing with Kai but Briella… I couldn’t take that risk. Until I was sure that Kai was going to leave p>
A while later, I sat at the clearing – me and Kai’s favourite meetup spot. Since he spent the night at my house, we decided to meet up later in the evening.
I was still thinking about my conversation with Celeste earlier on while trying to figure out the kind of person Kai’s mother was. Why was she protective of her son and uneasy about our mate bond? Most people would welcome their child finally finding their mate. Why was she disapproving of I and Kai’s bond?
At least Celeste hadn’t mentioned it was because she didn’t think I was good enough. Still, the rejection stung.
I sighed rubbing my temples as I tried to organize my thoughts. I hadn’t even noticed Kai approaching until his shadow fell over me.
“You look like you’re thinking too hard,” he said, with a light tone, but his eyes searched my face.
Startled, I glanced up, meeting his familiar amber gaze. For a moment, I forgot about Celeste and Kai’s mother and everything else. All I could see was him – strong, determined and impossibly frustrating.
“I didn’t hear you coming,” I admitted attempting a smile.
He smirked, coming to sit next to me. “Stealth is one of my many talents. What’s on your mind p>
“Nothing important,” I lied avoiding his gaze.
He frowned, his playful demeanour fading. “Lily, don’t do that. Don’t shut me out p>
My heart ached at the sincerity in his voice, but I tried to smile. “It’s nothing you need to worry about, Kai p>
He wasn’t buying it. “if it’s bothering you, it bothers me p>
I sighed, knowing he wouldn’t let it go. “Fine. It’s about your mother p>
His expression darkened slightly, but he didn’t interrupt.
“I spoke with Celeste earlier today,” I continued. “She said your mother knows about us. About me being your mate p>
He nodded slowly, his jaw tightening. “And p>
“She’s worried,” I said, hesitating before adding. “She told Celeste she feels… alert like something’s not right. And she wants me to put her mind at ease p>
Kai’s eyes softened, though his frustration was evident. “Of course she’s worried. That’s what she does. She’s spent her whole life protecting me, even when I didn’t need it p>
“She doesn’t trust me nor in my ability to make you happy,” I said quietly.
Kai came to kneel in front of me, taking my hands in his. “That’s not it. She’s just scared. She’s afraid I’ll get hurt, or that something will go wrong. It’s not about you, Lily. It’s about her not being able to let go p>
I searched his eyes, finding nothing but honesty. “But what if she’s right? What if p>
“No,” Kai interrupted me firmly. “She’s not. You’re my mate, Lily. Nothing and no one can change that. Not even her p>
“But p>
“No buts,” he insisted, his grip tightening. “You’re it for me, Lily. End of story p>
My heart fluttered at his words, though I was still doubtful. “She wants me to accept you, Kai. To put her mind at ease. I just don’t know if I can do that p>
His eyes flashed with frustration but his tone remained calm. “Then don’t think about her. Think about us. About what we have p>
I bit my lip. “It’s not that simple p>
“It is,” he argued. “You just have to let go of whatever’s holding you back. Trust me, Lily. Trust us p>
His words struck a chord deep within me and for a moment, I allowed myself to imagine what it would be like to let go. To accept him fully, without fear or hesitation.
But then the image of Briella and Lucas flitted into my mind and reality came crashing back.
“I still need time,” I said slowly.
His expression hardened but he nodded. “Fine. Take your time. But don’t take too long, Lily. I’m not a patient man p>
I managed a small smile, appreciating his honesty, even as it made my chest ache. “I’ll try p>
Could I really put the past behind me and embrace the future Kai was offering? Or would my doubts and fears drive us apart before we even had a chance?
As I leaned against him, his hand, gently brushing the wisps of hair on my face, I made a silent promise to myself. I would try. For Kai, for myself and for whatever fate had in store for us.
Because deep down, I knew that Kai was worth fighting for.