Chapter 29

Flora’s P.O.V

“Flora.”

“Clay!”

I was in his arms an instant after he entered through the door, right after Alpha Nicolai left and all my worries and fears were instantly forgotten.

Clay’s arms wrapped around me tightly as he came to sit on the infirmary bed. I took in a deep breath, taking in the earthiness of his scent along with a hint of spice. I was so glad that his scent was no longer mixed with the metallic tinge of blood. He was safe and I was in his arms. That was all that mattered to me.

“Oh, God! Thank God!” Clay whispered as he pulled away and cupped my cheeks with his hands. His beautiful eyes were filled with worry as he took me in and then he was showering my face with kisses, from my forehead to my nose, my cheeks and then finally my lips.

It felt like…I was able to breathe again.

The kiss wasn’t hungry and passionate like the way he always kissed me. No…this kiss was gentle, reassuring. He was making sure that I was alright. I was doing the same.

He pulled away a minute later and touched his forehead to mine, breathing a sigh of relief. “Don’t ever, do that to me again. Ever!”

His voice was harsh, but his hands that wound around me were gentle. “You should’ve just stayed put in the pack house and let the soldiers know. Hell, you could’ve just told Alpha Nicolai!”

“Would you have stayed if the situation was reversed?” I asked him instead. “Would you have stayed behind at the pack house and let the others come find me while you waited to get news?”

“You know I wouldn’t have.” Clay snapped. “But you’re forgetting that there’s a big difference between us.”

“Save it, Clay.” This time, it was I who snapped back, making Clay blink in surprise. “If this is about you being the alpha male and stronger, I don’t want to hear it.”

“Flora,” with a gentle voice, he cupped my cheeks in his hand. “I’m sorry for offending you, but that doesn’t change facts, Flora. I am stronger and I am a fighter, meant for battle. You are a healer, a nurturer. The chances of you getting out alive in tricky situations are very slim. And then what do you expect to happen to me? You think I can continue to live on without you?”

Shocked at his confession, I stared at him unblinking. The way Clay explained his emotions, they were similar to mine. But I dared not assume that he returned my feelings…that he loved me too. I couldn’t handle a heartbreak right now.

“Flora…I-”

“Flora?”

Before Clay had the chance to finish his sentence, Riley’s voice came from the doorway, cutting him off.

“Riley?” Clay and I spoke at the same time as I saw my brother’s worried face peek through a crack in the door.

“Do you mind if I come in?” he asked a bit hesitantly.

“Of course, not.” Again, Clay and I spoke at once. “Come in.”

Riley walked in slowly and closed the door behind him. His handsome face was ---with worry and he looked exhausted. His dark blonde hair was a mess and there were bags under his eyes. He looked like he hadn’t slept for days.

“Hey, chubby.” Riley bent down to take my face in his hands and kissed my forehead before wrapping me in his arms. “I’m so glad you’re alright. Don’t do that ever again or I’ll be grounding you for the rest of your life.”

“Love you too, Riles.” I smiled at him when he finally let go and took a seat in front of us.

Riley looked at me and then at Clay before sighing and pinching the bridge of his nose. “Look, I’m sorry that I tried to come between the two of you…I didn’t think it was this serious.”

“Riley…I’ll tell you what I’ve told Flora several times,” Clay told Riley seriously and before I could protest, he had told Riley our little secret. “I’d reject the mating bond to be with Flora.”

There was a moment of stunned silence as Riley looked at Clay with disbelief while I looked at the two of them in horror. Telling me that he would reject his mate to be with me was one thing, because I knew it was a reassurance…but announcing it to Riley?

It was considered blasphemy to reject a gift from the moon goddess herself…how could Clay even be sure he could do it if I didn’t end up being his mate? Even though the thought of not being his mate made my heart want to burst out of my body…but there was no surety since we couldn’t feel the mating bond. All we had was love.

But would that be enough for us? Would it work out when Clay turned twenty eight and finally found his true mate? I didn’t think so…and apparently, neither did Riley.

“Clay…you should be careful before you speak in such a manner.” Riley told Clay patiently, after he’d gotten over the shock. “I understand that you feel strongly for my sister, but you cannot reject a mate, a bond that is a blessing to our race. And besides, no one has ever rejected a mate in our history.”

“Then it’s time to make history.” Clay told me, taking my hands in his and holding them tight. “I can’t see anyone other than Flora as my mate.”

“Then all I can say is hope for the best but be prepared for the worst.” Riley stood up from his seat. “For all it’s worth…I really hope you two end up together. I care for you both and I hope both of you get to be happy together. Werewolves rarely love the way you do.”

With that, Riley left the room in silence, leaving us both to ponder on our feelings. Little did we know that our love was about to bear severe consequences.