Love and Chaos Series
His Forbidden Mate Chapter 22

I tried to leave, but he caught me by the wrist and I looked up, locking my gaze on his. Whatever he saw made him let go, and I walked away, replaceing my way back to the dining room.

I returned to the table first, feeling much better and in control than before of myself. Edward returned a few seconds later and Rue's eyes darted between us, her lips puzzled and her eyes dimmed. It wasn't what she was thinking, but I let it be.

"Lady Kailani, do you see yourself replaceing a mate and maybe someday settling down and siring offsprings?" Scarlett asked and turned the attention of those seated over to me.

And here I was, thinking only the prince could make me uncomfortable at this table.

When I was younger, I wanted an escape, someone who would come and save me from all my misery. I wanted that person to be the man of my dreams to sweep me off my feet with charming gestures, shift with me and strengthen me during the full moon and make

me feel better about myself. We would marry and sire a handful of children to run around in our massive compound while we stayed together, happy until the end of time. The older I got, the more I realized the man of my dreams was indeed the man of my dreams. He wasn't real, he couldn't be, and so I gave up the hopes and dreams and settled for the reality before me.

"No, I don't see myself replaceing a mate and siring offsprings. Those are expectations I do not want to meet."

"Why not? Finding a mate is a beautiful thing. Your souls unite as one and life becomes so much better."

I didn't think I'd become the centre of discussion tonight and this feels weird, especially with the many ears listening.

I have met a few mates in running my parlour who were genuinely happy with each other, and others who weren't.

'The moon goddess makes no mistakes,' I had been told, but the many men at the parlour every night prove to me she does.

"Finding a mate indeed is a beautiful thing," Edward added from across the table and all eyes turned to him, including mine. "But sometimes we spend our whole life searching for them, only to end up sad when we don't. Understanding that you might never replace one and accepting that fate can also be a beautiful thing."

If I don't know better, I'd say he was taking my side on this.

"You and sir Valerio were lucky to replace each other all those years and so are Rue and Oliver, but we have to understand there are many who aren't so lucky and some that don't want to be," he concluded.

"So where do you replace yourself then, Prince Edward?" Scarlett asked, adding, "Do you see yourself replaceing a mate someday?"

His eyes darted over to me, and they locked for a moment before he turned away.

He chuckled, "Sure, I'm open to the possibility of a mate, but being royal makes it harder. I have to believe that if my brother, the alpha king, could replace his true mate, I can too."

Scarlet had a gleeful grin on her face when he finished speaking. She turned to stare at me, her grin turning mischievous, "Who knows, she could be closer than we think."

...

Rue was already asleep, but I needed to perfect the scarf which I started knitting many weeks ago to stop myself from overthinking about losing the parlour. The dinner had gone exceptionally well, much better than I expected. Oliver and Rue received not only a go- head for their union as mates but also Scarlett's blessing. In agreement, we set their wedding date for the next two months, working it into Sir Valerio's schedule so he could come and witness his son get married. Edward let down his attack and conversed in a much more peaceful tone, which I appreciated. The night ended up becoming one of the happiest I'd had in a while.

Rue barely got the grin on her face off all the way home and I couldn't blame her. Everything was falling into place, and she had the right to be happy about that. She retired to bed a while ago while I stayed up. I saw myself finishing the scarf tonight and so I deprived myself of a little sleep.

A knock came on my door and my head lifted. It was already long into the night and visitors were no longer welcomed. It couldn't be a stranger. The watchmen knew better than to allow a stranger into the house. Maybe they had news to give and seeing that the lights of the living room were still up, they came to give it.

The knock came again, this time harder, and I feared they would wake Rue. They should know better and I won't be so happy with them if they do.

I set the crochet and almost completed scarf down on the table and walked to the door. I unbolt the door and pulled it open before a much louder knock would come on it.

I dragged a sharp breath on seeing prince Edward at my door. How did he know where I lived? Why did he come here? What did he want?

Whatever it was, I wasn't happy that he was here without an invitation, and I groaned. I folded my arms over my chest, getting worked up with each moment that went by. Why did I have a bad feeling about his presence?

"You followed me to my house now?"

"Yes."

"Why did the watchmen let you in?"

"They had no choice but to do what I wanted. That's one of the few gifts of being royal," he said proudly.

"What do you want?"

"I needed to talk to you about what happened earlier with the Lanes. This had to be said tonight. You want what's best for Rue and I want what's best for Oliver so we can compromise and get what we want."

"What? Are you going to ask me to f**k you so you can stay silent about what you know about me throughout their wedding preparations? We both know that can change with the snap of a finger." I said, referring to the sudden change he had after our first time together. His eyes flickered in response to my accusation, but he said nothing.

"You can't speak up, can you? I have done what you wanted. I let go of the parlour and it's all yours and I apologise for thinking we could reach some sort of agreement then. I did that once. I'd be a fool to do that again. Please leave." I turned to leave, but he grabbed my hand and pulled me back to himself, my body colliding with his.

I struggled to get out of his hold, but he did not break the hold.

"Take your f*****g hands off me!" I seethe. I didn't care to tread lightly. I know I should, but I couldn't bring myself to. His hands were the last thing I wanted anywhere near me, and their nearness brought out the worst in me. "Then stop fighting me."

I stilled, and he released his arms around me. My teeth stayed clenched and my eyes were hard. I wordlessly turned to leave when he spoke.

"I am sorry."

I halt in my step but I didn't turn to him, and he continued speaking, "You're right, taking your parlour the way I did was wrong and uncalled for. Yes, you didn't honour the agreement we made, but you didn't do that to spite me. You had a genuine reason. We could have taken another way of addressing it. I see that now. I am sorry if I put you in a tight position at the table earlier. I should have been better than that. But what you have done with Lady Rue is amazing and I shouldn't have been so quick to judge." I turned to stare at him, wondering what had happened to him. "Why are you saying all this?"

He stepped forward, and my heart skipped a beat. "Because you're not all that meets the eyes, Kailani, and I want to know more. Also, the parlour needs you, the girls need you and they haven't taken your absence well, even after so long." "What are you saying, then?"

"I'm saying come back to the parlour. We will make a new deal, one I would do everything to uphold."

"Why should I trust you will keep your word this time? That you won't snap and end things when you get triggered?"

"Because I swear by my mother's grave that I will keep it."

I didn't want to trust him, but at least I knew how much he loved and respected his mother, the late queen, and even if he didn't respect me, I had to believe he'd respect her. "What role would I get back then?" I asked, stepping towards him. "The role we signed in our agreements, a partner."

"What if I don't want to f**k you?"

There was no hesitation in his reply. "Then you don't f**k me."

This felt too good to be true, and yet it was.

Still, a question lingered in my mind, one that had stayed since I left the parlour. "I have a question." This was the perfect time to ask, and the events of today won't be complete without getting answers.

He nodded.

"What happened to your friendship with Dyan?" I did not know why he snapped that morning, but I realised it was after I mentioned his friend. I had thought about what could have happened, but knew I would not replace it on my own. I believe this is my perfect time. An emotion flickered in his eyes for a second, but he didn't let it stay. "It ended over seven years ago." He replied with no form or hesitation.

I nodded and pressed my lips into a thin line. I needed a clearer answer, but I figured this was the best I would get from him now, and I didn't want to push it. "Okay then, I'll think about it."