Chapter 416: The Decision

REBECCA’S POV

I sat on the edge of my bed, staring at the floor as I replayed everything that had happened in the dining room.

God, I was so embarrassed.

I couldn’t believe I had actually suggested becoming friends with benefits to Kaden. What the hell had I been thinking? I had practically thrown myself at him, only for him to react as though I had committed some terrible offense.

And the worst part was that I still didn’t understand why he had become so angry. I wasn’t asking him to marry me or make any promises. I had simply suggested something that would allow us to enjoy each other’s company without complicating our already complicated lives.

Yet he had made me feel as though I had insulted him.

Why are you deceiving yourself? my wolf suddenly asked.

I frowned. What are you talking about?

You know very well that you don’t want Kaden simply because you’re sexually attracted to him. You still have feelings for him, Rebecca.

No, I don’t, I immediately argued. I’m just attracted to him physically. That’s all.

My wolf laughed. Keep lying to yourself.

I rolled my eyes. And what exactly do you expect me to do? Should I go back to him and say, "Oh, Kaden, I’ve suddenly realized that I still love you. Can we please get back together?" Is that what you want?

Would that be so terrible? she asked.

Yes, it would! I snapped. I’m not going to be the one begging him to take me back. Besides, have you forgotten that I have a fiancé? I’m engaged to Melvin, and Kaden is engaged to Rola. We both have other people in our lives.

Rebecca, please don’t be ridiculous, my wolf replied. Yes, you like Melvin. He’s a good man, and you’ve grown attached to him. But you and I both know that you’ve never loved him the way you loved Kaden.

I opened my mouth to argue, but she continued before I could say anything.

And speaking of Melvin, haven’t you noticed how strangely he’s been behaving lately? He doesn’t call you as often as he used to, and even when you speak, he no longer talks to you like a man who’s deeply in love with his fiancée. He talks to you like you’re just a friend.

I sighed because, unfortunately, she wasn’t entirely wrong.

Ever since Melvin had come to the palace to take Rola home, something had changed between us. He still called occasionally, and whenever I reached out, he answered, but our conversations were no longer the same. He rarely said anything romantic, and sometimes, I felt as though he was only speaking to me out of obligation.

You and I know something is going on, my wolf continued. What if whatever is happening between you and Kaden is the same thing that’s happening between Melvin and Rola?

I frowned. That’s different.

How?

Because Kaden and I were mates before. We were lovers, and we have a history together. Melvin and Rola don’t have that kind of relationship. They weren’t lovers, and they weren’t destined mates. They were practically strangers who ended up getting married.

My wolf laughed again. And have you forgotten that Rola carries Melvin’s mark?

I fell silent.

Rebecca, you know what a mate mark does. Even if they weren’t originally destined for each other, that mark creates a connection between them. You can’t pretend it means nothing.

I know what a mate mark does, I replied irritably. But that doesn’t automatically mean they’re falling in love with each other.

And it doesn’t mean they aren’t, she countered.

I sighed and leaned back against the pillows.

The truth was, I had been wondering about Melvin and Rola myself. I hadn’t forgotten the way he had looked at her before they left the palace, or how gently he had brushed her hair away from her face.

But I didn’t have any proof that something was happening between them, and I wasn’t going to start making accusations based on suspicion.

So, what are you going to do now? my wolf eventually asked.

About what?

The full moon, Rebecca. It’s in two days, remember?

I rubbed my forehead. I’ll speak to Logan tomorrow and make arrangements to stay at the facility.

Seriously?

Yes. What else do you expect me to do? Kaden has already made it clear that he doesn’t want to spend the full moon with me.

My wolf let out an exasperated growl. Honestly, you and Kaden are behaving like two stubborn teenagers. Neither of you wants to admit what’s happening, and now you’re both making yourselves miserable.

Can you please stop talking about Kaden? I demanded.

Fine. But avoiding the truth won’t make your feelings disappear.

I didn’t respond.

Instead, I lay down and pulled the blanket over myself, hoping she would finally leave me alone.

But even after she fell silent, I couldn’t stop thinking about what she had said.

Because the truth was, I didn’t understand what was happening to me either.

Over the past few days, my attraction to Kaden had become almost unbearable. Sometimes, simply being in the same room as him was enough to make my heart race. His scent affected me more strongly than ever, and whenever he stood close to me, I found myself wanting him to touch me.

It wasn’t just his appearance or the memories of what we’d shared. Even the sound of his voice had started affecting me in ways I couldn’t explain.

And that frightened me.

We had rejected each other years ago. Whatever bond we’d once shared was supposed to be gone, so why did I suddenly feel more drawn to him than I had in years?

I closed my eyes and tried to push the questions away.

Whatever was happening between us, I wasn’t going to humiliate myself by approaching Kaden again.

He had made his decision, and I had made mine.

I would spend the full moon at the facility, and once it was over, I would do everything possible to keep my distance from him.