Love and Chaos Series
His Forbidden Mate Chapter 46

Kailani wasn't one to go to the temple on a good day, but she felt the urge to. She wanted to pray for the safekeeping of the prince and the man that owned her heart. Rue told her praying at the temple worked and she took her word for it. The full moon was a week days ago, and it was the happiest she had ever been while shifting. Edward saw it too, and he told her it made him happy as well. She was happy with him, happier than she had ever been, and that scared her.

It's been two months since Edward returned to her and it had been a happy tale since then. She knew he would never do a thing to hurt her, but she could feel hurt and pain lay ahead. His departure for the capital a few days ago gave her the time and space to think about what she wanted and he was what she wanted. She didn't ignore the many reasons that served as barriers to their union and despite Edward stubbornly ignoring them; they existed. She didn't want to ruin his reputation or relationship with his family, especially his father. She knew she was bad for his reputation. Yes, she wasn't exactly what someone like him should want, yet he wanted her and she feared how the end might be.

She loved him and wanted only the best for him and she feared the best might be to leave him and pray he moves on with his life for the longest of time. He had her mark, though. She wanted to leave everything behind but knew how much stubbornness the prince possessed. He'd replace her and bring her back to him. She wanted his type of courage, but she didn't have it, she couldn't afford it. He had abandoned a lot to be with her and she wanted to do the same, too. She planned on letting go of the parlour and putting Jane in charge of the running. Edward might not like that. He didn't care about what she did, but she did, and she wanted for once to put him first.

She sat at the temple and said her prayers, which were harder because she did not know what to say, but she wanted the moon goddess to protect prince Edward and keep him safe until his return. He had been gone for over a week and she missed him, worried about him and hoped he was safe. She also asked for wisdom in her decision with Edward and how to love him just as a true mate would.

She finished with her prayers and returned home. She met the watchmen of her house on her way in and they had an unsure look as she dropped from her carriage, and it made her curious. "Lady Kailani."

"What's wrong, Ivan?" she asked her watchmen.

"Someone's inside waiting for you," he answered.

"Who is it then?" she asked.

His brown eyes grew weary, "I want to tell you, but I can't." he answered.

His answer took Kailani back a bit. If she didn't know better, she'd say he was under some sort of compulsion not to speak. Whoever was in her house had the power of compelling werewolves into submission. Edward had the power too, but she knew he wouldn't compel her guards. The one in her house had that authority and a part of her feared who it might be.

She contemplated going in. Or if it would be better if she turned around now while she could and walk away. It would save her from confronting whoever waited for her inside, but she didn't know how long running away would save her. She needed to face her fear, known or unknown. That's what Edward would tell her.

She opened the door and stepped into the dark and quiet house and moved to turn on the lamps at the four corners of the living area.

"For a moment I thought you wouldn't come inside." the deep, but commanding voice of Robb Ainsworth spoke up as she reached the third lamp to turn it on.

She put on the lights and then turned around to replace him seated in the armchair beside the door.

"Your grace!" she bowed her head, showing respect despite the unexpected visit from him.

"I was told you went to the temple to pray."

She nodded, "Yes," she replied. "wanted to try it out. My protégé believes prayer works." "You don't."

"I haven't needed prayers up till this moment."

"Then why did you?"

"I wanted to pray for someone..."

"Is that someone, Edward?"

There was no reason to lie, besides she didn't think she could at this point. "Yes. I pray the moon goddess hears it."

"You seem like a very smart lady. You've got a lot going for yourself from what I've seen so far. You also don't play by the rules, and I see why my son is smitten with you. But I am certain you know what you have with him will lead nowhere at this point."

She pressed her lips together and remained silent. She didn't know what to say to that. For many months; she had told herself that. She had also told Edward about what they were, but it fell on deaf ears.

"The prince has duties to the throne and the kingdom, and that's how kingdoms are built and sustained. Not by selfish emotions that yield nothing good. I am sure you already know the prince has found a mate."

"Has he? Or did you replace one for him?" her brow rose despite her eyes already being glassy.

"Whichever way it is, a better choice already awaits him at the Capital and this, what you have with him, is temporary and will fade in time."

"Have you spoken to your son about this yet? Or are you here to terrorise the weaker one into submission, your grace?" she asked, wanting to end this discussion as fast as she could. Her heart already aches with the words he had spoken so far and she wanted to be left alone.

"I came to offer you compensation. You're a smart woman and you probably know when something is a lost cause. On your study table are three bags of gold and one bag of silver. You have three thousand pieces of gold and five hundred silver altogether. This is the price the royal family will pay to have you disappear and never come back into the prince's life."

She scoffed, "It's funny you think gold and silver can change how I feel about the prince."

"People like you cannot say no to gold and silver. I bet that's why you're with the prince for the luxury and comfort he brings."

She inwardly cursed at him.

He was highly mistaken. She wasn't with the prince for his money. She had taken nothing from him since he brought himself into her life, but she let him believe what he wanted.

"And if I say no?" she asked, struggling to keep her voice from trembling at this point.

"You will be marked as an enemy of the crown and I will curse your union with my son."

A tear ran down her face and she quickly wiped it off and bit her lips slowly, "What kind of father would sentence his own son into the misery of life without love?"

"One that knows how naïve his son can be. It happened with the alpha king, Xavier. I stepped in and save the kingdom from ruin and I'm doing it again. Edward doesn't have a rebellious bone in his body and the last time he acted rebelliously and did things on his own, it cost him the life of his best friend."

Kailani's breath hitched in her throat at Robb Ainsworth's word. Edward didn't tell her Dyan died. When she had asked him what happened to their friendship, he simply said it ended seven years ago and made no mention of Dyan's death. Hearing about it from his father made her question a lot of things and also aroused questions she feared for the answer.

"I don't want to think about what we would lose if this madness keeps on." Robb continued, breaking her out of her thoughts, "If you love Edward as much as you claim, you will leave him alone and let him face his duties to the kingdom. You will take the gold and silver and you will disappear."