Chapter 27

Avery's POV.

The day of the meeting with the pack elders, I got really busy in my dad's study room.

His scent still lingers there, I missed him.

I need to accumulate a lot of knowledge about the management of the pack in such a short time and I'm stressed out.

I didn't even have a good night's sleep last night, I got so busy that I couldn't have food properly.

The servants brought food to my room on my order, I don't wish to get involved in little chit-chat that isn't beneficial to me in any way.

I missed Xander, I saw him at my parent's burial, and we even exchanged a few greetings.

Running the pack is my priority now and I don't want any distractions from any angle.

I need to assure the pack elders that I can rule for some time without a mate and at the same time, pretend to be gullible and naive to some people.

I don't wish to do anything that would rouse suspicion from any angle.

I've written a letter of apology to Erik, and it was the hardest thing I've ever done. Apologizing to someone whose throat needs to be slit in the worst possible way.

I got an amazing scent from behind me suddenly and my wolf jumped up in excitement.

I knew Xander is coming, so I pretended to concentrate hard on what I'm trying to read, not that it helped though, the scent was too intoxicating and attention-grabbing.

"Hello, Luna Avery." He muttered very close to my ear, and everything in me shivered out of excitement due to the close contact.

"Hello, mate," I replied, excitement evident in my voice.

"Am I disturbing you?" He asked as he came to sit on the chair across from me.

"As much as I miss you, I hate to say but you're the most annoying sweet disturbance ever," I said, in almost a shaky voice. It must have been due to the way he was close to me.

I'm still recovering from it, I wanted him close.

I clapped shut my book and faced him squarely, "so what can I do for you now, mate? You can see that I'm very busy huh?"

I was trying my best to put on a serious face but all the seriousness in me evaporated the moment he smiled. Damnit! He's such a distraction!

"There are lots of things I'll want you to do for me, but it's fine, I just came here to check up on you. Hope you're well. You must be facing lots of pressure from different angles after your parent's death." He explained, and I could feel the care and a hint of worry in his voice.

"You're right Xander, I have loads of things to do with just limited time. I'm indeed facing pressure from all angles but not your angle." I said to him with a shy smile and he gave a throaty chuckle which sounds so good.

I find everything about this man beautiful, how did I not realize this in my past life?

‘cause we were chasing after that mongrel.....remember?’ Kira said in a dry voice.

"I'm glad you don't consider me a disturbance. I tried to stay away for a few days but I couldn't, you just occupied my whole being Avery. I can't even explain everything to you." He said, with a low groan.

"You need not explain anything Xander, it's understandable," I said to him and he arched a questioning eyebrow.

I understand how it feels to think of nothing but one person, I've felt it.

In my past life, everything about me revolved around Erik, I could do anything to prove my love for him, he was the sun that my whole planet revolved around.

But he never felt a thing for me, he was just using me for his benefit, and when I outgrow it, he ended me.

I knew how painful that was, I knew how my heart wrenched in pain and my wolf howled in agony.

I can't let the same thing happen to Xander, he's the best thing to happen to me in my rebirth, I don't wish to hurt him.

I have very limited time to live and I have a battle to fight, I can't allow him to suffer the brunt of my love.

I do feel for him but I can't let him know I do, I don't want him to experience the agony of losing his mate.

I have a battle to fight, a mystery to uncover, a riddle to solve, a pack to save, and a mate... I can not have it.

"I don't advise you to feel so hard for me Xander. I have a lot of things to tackle and I can't afford any distraction from any angle." I confessed, and every word I said was so painful that it felt like my heart was contracting in me.

"I'm not going to be a distraction to you Avery, I'm trying my best to stay away but I always end up sneaking into the palace to be with you."

I could feel the pain in his voice which he was trying hard to hide.

"I know you're trying, I...I...I just want you to try harder, I'm your mate and I know that very well but I have a duty to perform. Many of the pack members have lots of expectations from me, and as the Luna of this pack, it is my duty to honor their expectations. I can't just afford to disappoint them, my family built this pack and I'm sure they made a hard decision.....you are going to be my first hard decision." I explained to him, and his face was down.

As much as it pained me to say everything I'm saying but it must be done for the good of all.

"So tell me my fate, Luna." He desired and I could swear he was trying all he could to maintain his self-composure.

"As much as it breaks my heart to say this but I don't have any choice......"

"Are you rejecting me as your mate?" He asked, cutting me short, and the question tore at my heart.

Xander's facial expression was so painful to me, I couldn't even look directly into his eyes and it took every ounce of courage in me to look at him.

"No, no... I'm not rejecting you, Xander........" I fidgeted with my words.

I could hear his big sigh of relief and I felt for him, I'm causing him so much pain already. How will he feel when I'm dead? This question gave me a bold nudge and my resolution became stronger.

"I'm not rejecting you Xander, but I do need space from you. You're the best thing to happen to me Xander and I can't explain it to you yet but I want you to know that whatever I'm doing is for the good of all." I explained and he gave me a nod.

He stood up calmly and very composed, I could feel his eyes boiling with disappointment but he didn't say a word as he began to walk out.

"I'm sorry, Xander." I murmured to his hearing.

He halted and walked back to me, standing in front of me, getting bent down, and sniffing me.

Ok. That's totally unexpected, I tried to remain composed even though I wanted to engulf him in a hug and kiss him insanely.

Keep calm Avery. I keep telling myself.

"It's space you want right, Luna Avery?" He asked, with dangerous authority.

"Ye...yes...I need space from you, I have a pack to run." I stammered, almost silently.

What's wrong with him suddenly?

I was genuinely hoping he'd walk out on me but he was standing so close to me that all I could breathe was him.

I need to control myself, he's becoming an irresistible temptation.

How can a man be so everything to me?

The question thundered in my head.

"I'll give you the space you desire, Luna Avery." He said, coldly.

That's nice of him. I thought.

But something in me was disappointed by the fact that he wants to give me space.

‘What exactly do you want, girl?’ Kira asked.

I could sense that she was trying to keep her cool.

I was surprised by her quietness ever since I started vomiting gibberish from my mouth to Xander.

‘Not now, Kira. I'm trying to solve a problem here.’

‘You're a problem yourself, you're only making things worse. You're asking our mate to give you space, I didn't bargain for that. I just hope you know what you're doing if he turns wild due to longing for his mate... I hope you'll be able to tame him. ’ Kira muttered and I knew there was a sense in what she was saying.

Wild mate!

'When the time comes, we'll deal with it

‘You caused everything, you deal with it!’ With that, she went silent.

"Thank you."

"No. Don't thank me, sweetheart, I'm giving you space but I have no idea for how long, so expect me back anytime, and if I'm back....you have lots of explaining to do."

He said, as he grabbed my lips in a punishing kiss, it was as gentle as the first one, it was rough, hard, and demanding and I think the kiss sent a message of 'I'll be back' to me.

Just when I was giving in to temptation, he ended it, took a bow, and walked away.

I watched his retreating figure, as he unlocked the door and walked out without a glance back. .

I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding.

What a man!