The Werewolf King’s Runaway Queen
Chapter 30

Alissa's POV

I look...miserable.

That's how I already look and it has only been a full day yet since Luke left.

I haven't gotten any sleep because of miss Quinn's whining.

I've been training even before dawn and it's already almost night time.

I only stopped to eat breakfast and lunch earlier because Lia wouldn't let me skip any meals.

I sighed and washed my face with water then dried it off with a towel and went back to the training hall.

Everyone else was already packing up to leave while I headed to my spot and I tied my hair properly before taking my stance and started throwing punches at the punching bag in front of me.

I was doing fine until I remembered my concerns since yesterday and my jaw clenched as I threw a punch and my fist went through the punching bag.

My eyes widened into saucers.

Oh no.

I wasn't supposed to do that.

"Woah there, champ. Easy" Kalil suddenly appeared.

I looked at him with guilty eyes as he chuckled.

"I'm sorry" I said slowly pulling my fist out of the punching bag.

Kalil just laughed.

"It's fine" he assured me and he took the punching bag down.

"But just in case you haven't realized it yet, this one is the good punching bag" he stated.

I looked at him in confusion.

"This punching bag isn't supposed to be easily destroyed since it was designed specifically for our training. I guess you were pretty 'immersed' huh" Kalil said.

I bit my lower lip and sighed.

"I've just been feeling off lately that's all" I said.

Kalil nodded and gave me a pat on the pack.

"It's okay. We all have our off days" he said.

Then, I helped him replace the punching bag.

I felt incredibly guilty.

"I'm sorry" I apologized again.

Kalil lightly ruffled my hair.

"Do you want to do some drills with me? Then we can have a light sparring later" he said.

I smiled and nodded.

"Sounds good" I said.

I followed Kalil to the center and by this time, Kalil and I were the only ones left in the training hall.

I followed Kalil's drill patterns and it was safe to say that I was extremely exhausted afterwards.

It's not easy keeping up with a top warrior.

Specially one who's been training constantly for years.

I really need to get a move on.

I'd give myself a few months to somehow be at Kalil's level and the others.

Maybe that'll be my goal from now on.

After some time, Kalil and I finished the drills and we sat down for a moment to drink water.

"What's making you upset?" Kalil suddenly asked.

"Me?" I said.

Kalil nodded.

"What makes you think I'm upset about something?" I asked.

"Well, you obviously look upset" he pointed out.

I didn't reply but chuckled.

"I guess that's a yes" he stated.

I sighed and nodded.

"Well, it's mostly my wolf and it's reflecting on me" I told him.

"What's Quinn upset about?" Kalil asked curiously.

I looked at my hands and pursed my lips.

"That our mate is away" I said in a low voice.

"Oh" Kalil reacted.

Then, there was an awkward silence between us.

"Oh uh yeah. Didn't you replace your mate when you were away?" I asked Kalil.

Kalil gave me a sad look.

"I found her" he said.

"But she rejected me" he stated and looked at me with sad eyes.

I didn't know what to say.

She rejected Kalil?

Why would she do such a thing?

"What? Why?" I said.

Kalil leaned back with his hands on his side and then looked above.

"She was already taken" he said in a sad tone.

My brows furrowed.

"You're her mate though. Did she have a chosen mate then? It doesn't make sense" I said.

"She didn't have a mate but she did have a husband. A human husband and they already had a family" he explained.

I was in shock.

Wolves being with humans are rare situations but it's indeed a possibility.

"She's 2 years older than I am and unfortunately for me, she got pregnant by her partner when they were 16, got married and had another child at 18" Kalil said and glanced at me. I felt so bad for Kalil.

He left the palace for one reason and one reason only and he suddenly replaces out that that one reason was a bust.

I don't completely blame his mate.

Maybe I do a little but who am I to judge when I don't even know the story behind his mate?

All I can do is sympathize with Kalil because even I wouldn't know what to do if I was caught in that kind of situation.

I mean it's already hard enough for me to handle my own situation.

I rubbed Kalil's back soothingly.

"I'm sorry" I said.

Kalil gave me a small smile.

"What are you apologizing for? It's not like it was your fault" he said.

"I know but I shouldn't have asked. I didn't know it was such a sensitive topic" I said guilty.

Kalil suddenly pinched my cheek.

"I would eventually tell you about it anyway at some point" he said.

I gave him a small smile.

"Do you want to keep talking about it or should we stop?" I asked carefully

"I should let it out, right?" he said.

I nodded.

Kalil took a deep breath.

"I was livid for quite some time when I found out at first. I felt betrayed and helpless and I didn't know what to do. I even considered forcing her to be with me" he said and sighed.

"But then I saw her kids. They were still so young and innocent and in their eyes, I was no one but a man they're mother had just met" he continued.

"I was the one who was supposed to feel wronged but I felt like I was the villain in their family" he said.

"In the end, although it was hard, I let her go and we broke the bond" Kalil stated.

My heart broke for him.

Fate can be so cruel.

"After that, I was lost and confused and I couldn't go back to the palace with all that pain, anger and grudge inside of me so I roamed around the territory for months until I finally came back to the palace" he said. "I felt safe and relieved to be back. Well, not until I found out that you had left and went rogue" Kalil stated.

I pursed my lips guilty.

"When I found out, I wanted to go back out to replace you and maybe bring you back but then, Queen Liviana talked to me and I couldn't do anything except patiently wait until you were ready to return" he explained. I just looked at Kalil.

"Why would you want to leave and search for me when you just got back?" I asked curiously.

Kalil stared straight into my eyes.

"Because although I was back, it's not going to feel like home when you're not in it, Ali" he said.

I was speechless.

Kalil gave me a smile.

We were quiet for a moment until I decided to ask Kalil something.

"Can I ask you something?" I asked.

Kalil nodded.

"What is it about?" he asked.

"You got here not too long after I left, right?" I said.

Kalil nodded.

"And I'm sure you've interacted with Luke then as well?" I asked again.

Kalil nodded once more.

"How was he like then?" I asked curiously.

Kalil looked ahead.

"If I remember correctly, I heard that when Luke found out that you were his mate and that you ran away, he immediately set off to replace you but it was too late" he started.

"Then, of course, your mom and Axel were very active in trying to search for you as well. I was very set to searching for you as well if it weren't for Queen Liviana"" he continued.

"I witnessed Luke lose it every single time he came back with Axel without you with them and every single time wasn't a pretty sight" he said pursing his lips.

"Luke changed...when you left and not in a good way. And that went on for almost a year. It was so bad that it came to a point where no one wanted to be near him because he was always so agitated and aggressive" he explained. I didn't know that.

All I knew was that Luke was upset.

I didn't imagine him being livid about my absence but then again, he must've somehow felt betrayed.

In my defense, I didn't even know until I eventually met him again.

In conclusion, it's not necessarily my fault.

"He tried convincing his mom multiple times to send out research teams but Queen Liviana turned him down every single time because she was trying to protect your choice and your freedom" Kalil continued on.

I smiled.

"And I'll be forever thankful to her for that" I said.

Kalil glanced at me.

"How much of yourself did you replace when you left?" Kalil asked.

I looked up.

"A lot more than I thought I would" I said and glanced at Kalil.

Kalil smiled.

"I'm proud of you" he said.

I smiled.

"Thank you" I said.

There was silence again but with Kalil, silence was never awkward.

"You know, when you were gone, Axel never stopped trying to replace you. Even when Luke eventually paused his search. Axel never did. He kept searching for you even when he didn't have any lead on where you went" Kalil suddenly said. I looked at him.

"What am I supposed to do with that information again?" I said.

Kalil pursed his lips and shrugged.

"I don't know. You're the smart and wise one. You figure it out" he said and gave me pat on the back.

I slightly pouted at him and Kalil chuckled.

"We probably should go back" he said.

I nodded in agreement and Kalil and I headed back.

Kalil walked me to the palace and then we had to say goodbye since guards and warriors weren't really living in the palace since they all have their personal cabins.

"I'll see you again tomorrow" Kalil said.

I nodded.

"See you again tomorrow" I said then headed inside.

I went upstairs and to my bedroom and then to the bathroom to shower.

I showered and then slipped into a pair of lounge wear before plopping down the bed.

I took out a collection of papers from below my bed and went through the pages.

It was a collection of wedding necessities that Liana gave me to help me decide on what I'd want to add to the wedding.

This is my routine for the time being.

Excessive training in the morning and wedding planning on the evening.

It's not very entertaining but it does distract me enough to keep me sane while I'm here in the palace and without my mate around.

I tried to focus on browsing through wedding ideas but my conversation with Kalil earlier kept repeating in my head.

First of all, Kalil tried to search for me when he came back.

Second of all, Luke took my absence badly.

Also, he searched for me but paused? Paused?

What's that supposed to mean?

Lastly, Axel searched for me as well.

Must be because of my mother. I wouldn't be surprised is she was the only reason why he searched for me considering how he seems to react with around now.

He's indifferent to me no matter what I do now so that's just proof that him constantly searching for me must be because of my mom and not because he wanted to.

I don't think my relationship with Axel ever progressed since I met him. The only thing we have keeping us related is my mom.

And with my relationship eith her now, it's a pretty weak link.

I closed the collection and just laid down and looked at the ceiling.

Then, I sighed.

I should probably just go to sleep instead of thinking about it all.

It's less stressful that way.