Chapter 33

Derek's POV

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I knew I should not have used the word 'MY MATE' in front of Stacey, and she might have felt bad about it. But then, I just couldn't take my words, and even if I would try to, then I had no idea how would I explain that part to her?

I hated the fact that the Doctor was calling her 'Mrs. Brown' but I pressed my lips tightly when she didn't bother to correct him. And then she introduced me as Scarlett's boyfriend instead of her husband.

I meant we could pretend again. Was this a sign that she wanted to clear everything that happened between us? Thinking this, my body got tensed, and I started feeling worried because, to be honest, I didn't know how was support to PRETEND like nothing happened when a lot of things had been changed.

I wanted to laugh at my state because this pretending thing was becoming a part of my life; earlier, I had to pretend like I was her love interest, and now I had to pretend like I was her friend. I had no idea how to deal with both the woman in my life. Neither did I want to leave any of them, nor did I want to give the title of my mistress by giving priority to one because if I did so, then I would die of guilt.

I thought to divert my mind by thinking about Scarlett so that I could beat this human for indirectly hitting on Stacey even though she had used 'MRS.'

Thankfully I escaped from that miserable situation when Scarlett's scent hit my nose, the same strawberry, and chocolate smell. But for the first time, neither my wolf nor I was excited to follow that smell because I knew the closer I would go to my mate, the farther I would go away from Stacey.

I would be lying if I would say that I would say that I felt nothing seeing my mate's pale body! I practically ran toward her and held her hand into mine; she looked like she was in a deep sleep, not moving an inch. All I could see was that she was breathing, which was the only signal that she was alive. I didn't want to see her in this state. I never wanted to see her in this state. Machines were surrounding her, and they were linked to her arms, tubes going through and through.

I asked Stacey to leave not because I wanted some time with my mate but because I didn't want her to feel worst by seeing us together.

I knew she wouldn't tell me, but I knew that I would feel the same if I would have been at her place.

******

I stayed near my mate for god knows how long, holding her soft hand or, say, motionless hand.

"You don't look good in this state, do you know that?" I talked to her even though I was sure that she wasn't listening to me. "Wake up, Scarlett! I hate seeing you like this."

"Sorry for coming near this late! But I was told by your parents that you died in an accident. But then again, I should be blamed that I believed them. I should have looked out for you. If I would have done this at that moment, then I wouldn't have been in this situation right now!" I cured myself. "I messed up with everything a bit time, Scar. And I don't know how to handle this situation. I have started liking someone more than I can even think, but at the same time, I have come to know that you are alive and in a coma. I don't know how to let her go. I…I don't want to lose her." I softly kissed the back of her hand and rubbed her hand with my cheek in affection.

"What should I do now? I wish you could suggest something or help me out of this situation.", I muttered, and I felt a slight movement in her fingers.

I stared at her fingers again, waiting to confirm that I wasn't dreaming. And there was again some movement in her fingers again.

I wasted not a single second and dragged that the same very Doctor who was hitting on Stacey, Doctor Harris.

"That… that's a miracle. Where were you for this long? If I would have known that true love was going to bring her back from the coma, then instead of keeping her in hospital, I would have sent her to you.", He joked, on which I glared at him, trying my best not to growl at him. "Okay! I'm sorry. You don't need to give me that killer look as if you would eat me alive. As for now, we will be keeping your girlfriend under observation, and we will have to wait until she is finally awake. And till that moment, I will suggest you to stay near her, who knows your presence near her will help her to recover. I'm surprised to say this, even being a doctor, but then a miracle does happen."

Only if he knew that there was something called 'werewolves' in the world he was staying. I pressed my lips tightly and nodded my head.

*****

I didn't count the time for how long I sat beside her until I felt some movement in her fingers again.

"Scarlett?" I called her name but got no response from her.

"I know you can hear me." I talked with her.

"Now, stop being sleeping, beauty, and wake up now! Stop torturing us, Scar. If you don't wake up soon then, I will throw ice cold water on your face.", I threatened and saw movement in her eyes though it was closed. I softly cupped her face. "Please wake up or don't blame me later that I didn't warn you.", I added, faking my threat, and slowly she opened her eyes! It took a while to finally open her eyes, and then it landed on me.

Her beautiful green eyes!

"De..Derek!", A smile broke on my lips hearing my name from her mouth. I couldn't help myself from nodding my head and grinning happily.

"Now, don't you dare close your eyes! I'm calling the Doctor.", I warned her before calling the Doctor. Thankfully, she didn't close her eyes this time soon, and Dr. Harris ran some tests on her by asking various questions, which she answered each of them. I could smell her irritation, but at the same time, all those things were important to get a final review from the Doctor.

"Her vitals are normal; she is indeed completely awake. Ms. Scarlett, can you speak? How do you feel?"

"Yes. I can speak…and drowsy."

"Well, that is perfectly normal as for now."

"As for now? What do you mean by that?" I couldn't help but panic. "She is fine now, right?"

"Didn't he know?" Doctor asked Scarlett, on which she shook her head.

"How..how is my condition, doctor?", She asked timidly. My heart started pounding loudly against my ribcage, and I wouldn't be surprised if it came out of my chest. I could smell that whatever they were talking about was not a piece of great news.

"Pretty bad. We couldn't perform any surgery because you were in a coma, and now, I doubt that the things are still in my hand. But, I will give you the final report till tomorrow.", Saying this, Dr. Harris left the room while I was looking at Scarlett for my answer.

She sighed and gave me a faint smile before speaking, "It's Meningioma." I furrowed my eyebrow, not knowing the meaning of this word. But instead of troubling her by explaining this term. I searched it over the internet, 'Meningioma, also known as a meningeal tumor, is typically a slow-growing tumor that forms from the meninges, the membranous layers surrounding the brain and spinal cord.'

I almost stopped breathing after reading it. This could be cured, right?

But it didn't sound that way after listening to the conversation between the Doctor and Scarlett. I had just found her, and I was going to lose her again.

"Since when?" I asked in a low tone.

"The day I met… with an… accident. When the Doctor… informed me…about it… I didn't know where I was going… until a car hit me.", She responded. I didn't know what to say because my mind was still over the fact that she was dying. "What's the date today?"

"26th May 2022"

She gasped before nodding her head. "How did…you find out about me?"

"Stacey, I mean, my Luna told me about you and also the fact that she was the one who was driving the car, in front of which you came out of nowhere."

"Oh!"

"Your parents…they lied me to about your death.", I pointed out so that she wouldn't blame me for coming so late near her. "That's why I thought you were dead all this time until Stacey told me the truth."

"It seems like you and Stacey are close friends now.", She said with a smile on her lips. I couldn't understand her words until she added. "Because I didn't remember you calling your Alpha or Luna with their names."

Damn it!

Why did she have to know me this well?

"Coming back to your accused sentence for my parents. It was never them who lied, but it was me who asked them to lie to you. To be honest, I was thinking of killing myself, so I left a suicide note at home before leaving home."

"Why…why didn't you talk about it with me?"

"Because I was scared that you would still involve me in your life after knowing about my sickness. And I didn't want that to happen. I knew that you were going to propose to me that day and I…I just couldn't have the heart to say you NO, knowing that I love you too.", She sobbed. "I was scared that you would have asked me to marry you even in that situation, then I couldn't have said NO for that."

Though I was mad at her idea of ending her life but right now, at this moment, I didn't want her to cry like this. So, standing on my feet, I hugged her and, in no time, hugged me back.

"Ssshhh!! Don't cry, Scar!" I rubbed her back. Immediately her grip around my waist loosens. "Scar?" I pulled away from myself and saw her unconscious.

Shit!

Not only that, she was conscious; blood was rolling out of her nose.

"Doctor Harris!" I yelled and, at the same time, pressed the bell which was near her bed to call someone soon.

*****

After a few hours!!

"She's got Meningioma, a deep tumor in the brain which we cannot operate and nor we can we do chemo. The best we could do it is treating her with oral medicines at this final stage.", Dr. Davis, one of the best neurologists in the state who was checking on Scarlett all these times for Meningioma issues, said.

"How..how much time…" I couldn't complete that question.

"One month or even less than that. I can't say the exact time. But yes, even if she wouldn't have come out of the coma, I was sure that this was her month in this state.", he replied. "It seems like god might have planned something for her or through her before she left, or maybe she didn't want to leave before fulfilling her wishes.", he added with a smile. "Please try to keep her away from any kind of stress and keep her happy as much as you can."

"I will. I will" I nodded my head before leaving his cabin and walking back toward Scarlett's room. At the same time, my phone vibrated a little, making me realize that I had received a message.

Stacey: Is everything all right there? Just let me know if you need anything.

I chuckled sadly, reading her message. She knew the right time to check on me.

Me: 'No. I'm not fine. And I need you the most. Please come here.'

I typed it but then pressed backspace, leaving that message just like that. I couldn't call her here. All she would be hurt by seeing me with someone else other than her. And I didn't want that to happen.

I knocked on the door of Doctor Harris.

"Hello, Mr. Randell; how can I help you?"

"I hope I haven't disturbed you."

"Oh! Not at all. Tell me, what brings you here?"

"Oh, okay! I just want to request to you that in case Mrs. Brown asks you about Scarlett's condition, then please don't tell her about the Meningioma part because she has done a lot of Scarlett, and we don't want her to stress her by disclosing about it."

"Oh! Don't worry about that part. We don't disclose personal detail to anyone. Moreover, Mrs. Brown never has asked more than Scarlett's condition, so I wouldn't be sharing anything from my end on my own."

"Thank you, Doctor Harris.", Thanking him, I came back into Scarlett's room. I sat beside her holding her hand again. I didn't realize I was crying until the bedsheet was wet because of my tears which were falling on the bed. I didn't want to lose her too. I didn't know what Moon Goddess was doing to me?

****

Next Morning!!

I quickly left for the home and returned back before she could awake. Medline, I even share everything with my parents. They had a mixed expressions on their face. They were happy that I had found my mate again, but at the same time, they were sad that I was going to break Stacey's heart. She had already been through so much and this again.

But then this was something which I was under my control because I knew, Rex knew, my heart knew, my brain knew, and my each and every part of my body knew that I never ever wanted to hurt her directly or indirectly.

By the time I reached the hospital, Scarlett was already awake and was looking outside the window.

"Good Morning!!" I greeted her and gave her the flowers which I had brought for her.

"Thank you.", She smiled, taking the water lily from my hand. "You missed adding 'LOVE' at the end. Derek.", She reminded me, and the smile disappeared from my lips.

"I…I.."

"It's okay. I was just teasing. I know people and things change along with time, and so do feelings.", She said with a smile, looking into my eyes as if she was trying to search for something. I was scared that even though she was a human, she had the power to look deep down into my heart. "You were not someone who brought flowers. What else changed, Derek?", She asked softly.

I didn't know what had changed, but when I saw a water lily at a florist shop, I couldn't control myself from buying it because yesterday she came home to apologize with the same flower, holding in her hand.

"Nothing. Just learned it from a friend.", I responded. "You didn't like it?"

"I have always loved your sweet gesture, Derek.", She smiled. "So, did you…did you find someone when I wasn't there?", She asked, even though that question was hurting her.

"No, really. I kept myself busy with my Beta duties until one day, Stacey asked me to pretend as her love interest because she wanted to take revenge on her ex-mate. And while pretending thing we started liking each other.", I said truthfully.

'Just like not to love?", She asked, arching her brow.

"Yeah! Just LIKE. I have never loved someone else in life except you, except my mate.", I told her, but those my words were hurting me like someone kept acid on my tongue. It was not that I loved her, right?

We just wanted each other and liked each other. There was nothing so intense a feeling of deep affection between us.

"Okay, I believe you if you say so.", She said, and I was thankful that she was dropping that topic. "Please don't mind the question because I wanted to know what's in your heart before sharing something with you. It's kind of my little wish."

"And what's that?" I asked, promising myself to fulfill her wishes which were in my control.

"I want to marry you. I want to leave the world by becoming yours.", She proposed, and I believe I was the first mate in the history who didn't want to marry or mark his own mate. Not only me, but even Rex also wasn't able to decide anything, not this soon when Stacey's words were ringing in our minds.

'Derek, I want you, and it is not just in a sexual way. In fact, I want you is not the right word. To be honest, I like you, and I like you more than I had thought. And I also want to choose you as my chosen mate.'

"Okay.", I agreed to her wish.

"By the end of this week."

"That's.. that's way too soon.", I couldn't help myself from exclaiming in shock.

"Dr. Davis visited me in the morning, and he said that I didn't have much time with me.", She said. "And you were the one who wanted to mark and mate with me from the first day. It was I who wanted to take it slow because everything was very new to me. So, what's the change of heart now?"

Was there a change of heart?

What was the difference now from then?

The difference now was…I didn't want to hurt Stacey! Yes, this was the reason. On the top of everything, how could I think of marrying her when all I was not over Stacey. Though I was with Scarlett but all I could be thinking about was her.

"Is it because of your Luna? But you told me that she is a good woman. I'm sure that she will understand everything. Moreover, you just like her, don't you?"

"No. It's not because of her. So, don't bring her between the conversation. It's just I wasn't prepared to get a marriage proposal from you."

"So, believe it. I want to marry you before anything happens to me. I just hope that I'm not asking too much from you."

I couldn't let Scarlett down now; what kind of mate would I be if I didn't fulfill my mate's wishes when she was on death bed.

"Okay! I will talk to my parents about it.", I said to her but deep down. I knew that I had to talk with Stacey first. I knew she would be hurt, but I had to close that chapter of my life first before starting a new otherwise, I would end up messing in between both of them.

*****

Flam coursed through my veins and pupped my heart aggressively when Stacey said, 'if Moon Goddess could make a way to your fated mate through, then I'm sure she would have chosen someone for me too!'

I let her leave and friend-zoned her. Only I knew how my own words were haunting me now. Rex was restless within me. He wanted to get control and to be let out so that he could run after her car. But when I reminded him about Scarlett, he calmed down, but he was still mad, mad at me for friend-zoning her, mad at Scarlett for the asking to marry her, marry at Stacey for mentioning someone unknown person out there for her, mad at moon goddess for all this mess, mad at everyone around him.

Well, this was only the result of telling about being FRIENDS. I wondered how she would react when she would come to know about my marriage!

Goddammit!

There was no more I could hide this news from her. All I could pray was that she wouldn't attend the wedding with some pretended love interest; otherwise, I might end up killing that very person without showing any mercy.

****

"There you two are." I found Mom and Dad in Scarlett's room, where she was showing pictures to them, as I approached them. "I have to share something with you guys."

"Dadddyyy…" Scarlett happily ran toward me so that I could lift her in my arms, but I stopped her.

"Not now, darling. I need to talk with grandpa and grandma first.", I said in a serious tone, to which she nodded like an obedient girl.

"Why do I have a feeling that whatever the news is not some news which I wanted to hear?" Mom said, shaking her head.

"What is it you want to talk to us about?" Dad asked suspiciously, narrowing his eyes at me. At the same time, Scarlett was staring at her daddy and her grandparents from time to time. I could have thought of taking this conversation somewhere else away from my little daughter, but at the same time, I knew Scarlett wouldn't sit silently until she got to know about the reason behind her grandparents' reaction.

"I'm going to mark and mate with my mate by the end of this week.", I announced.

"It's way too soon.", Mom pointed out.

"Werewolf get marked and mate within a few hours. So, I don't think one week is that soon.", I countered back, leaving no scope for the argument.

"Fine then. When you have already decided everything, then why am I even speaking?" Mom taunted and left Scarlett's room.

I looked at dad and then my daughter. They were completely silent. Neither they were giving any expression nor speaking a thing. I sighed and left from there, not waiting my time to figure out what was wrong with them or why they were so silent!!

*****

At Night!!

I was staring at the sleeping figure of my mate when I felt the door of the room getting open. I didn't have to turn around to see who they were because before their voice, their scent had reached me.

"Daddy!!!" My baby girl ran toward me again so that I could lift her in my arms.

"Ssshhh!! Slowly", I softly warned her when I saw senior Scarlett stirring in her sleep. I then looked at dad, who had a tiffen box in his hand. Mom might have sent dinner for me. I signaled him to the couch, and then I walked toward the couch, too, holding my princess in my arms.

"How's mom doing?" I asked dad.

"Much better now. She started preparing for your wedding and also started informing the pack members about your wedding."

"Hmm." I nodded.

'I'm sure that even Stacey will have knowledge about this news.', I thought in my mind. 'Moon Goddess, please take care of her.'

'She will be just fine. After all, she is at home this time.', Rex said. I sighed in relief knowing that and started having my dinner.

"Daddy! Can you give me your phone?"

"No, sweetheart. A big NO to games."

"But I'm not going to play games. I have to call Stacey."

"Fine!" I agreed and handed over my phone to her. "Here you go!", After giving her my phone, I started resuming my dinner; that's a different story that my ears were on the caller's tune of her phone, which was indicating that she wasn't receiving the call.

But why?

Was she mad at us?

Maybe.

"She promised to receive my call; then why is she not receiving her phone?", My daughter asked, fuming in anger.

"Don't be mad at her. Maybe she is busy or not near her phone or doing something because of which she is not able to receive the call.", I reasoned to calm her down.

"Yeah! Maybe she will be busy packing her luggage.", She said after thinking for a while.

My eyes shut to her immediately. "Packing her luggage?"

She looked at me before explaining, "You didn't know that Stacey is leaving tonight for her pack. She told me this the noon before she had to go to her friend's house to attend a party.

Party?

Holy shit!

We were invited to Ruby's baby gender revelation party.

I forgot that. It meant Stacey went there alone, not that I remembered that as per the previous plan, we were returning back to our pack tonight.

Now, there was no WE.

Only she was returning. Not just returning, she was returning, leaving me here.

I lost my appetite instantly, "Please stay here until I return back.", I said before storming out of the room, not waiting for a response from him.

She did this purposely!

She was going to leave me here knowingly.

I had said that we would remain friends, and she too agreed with that, but she didn't share this piece of information with her. There was no one for her in that park; how would she handle herself? By same drinking all the time? I got into the car and mashed down the accelerator. She was not going to leave from here, and she wasn't leaving without me.

Thankfully, I made it to her place just in time, one of the omegas was loading her luggage, and she was talking with her mother about taking care of herself.

Like hell, she would take care of herself when she would be there. Immediately she stopped talking and looked in my direction.

"Good Evening, Luna!" I greeted her mother, bowing my head.

"Good Evening, Derek! What brings you here at this moment? I'm sure you're not here to invite us personally to your wedding.", She asked in a sarcastic tone.

Well, I could understand her anger.

"Mom! Can you please give us a minute?" Stacey said, on which she looked at her for a while, then left from there. "Yes, Derek.", She said in a stern tone. The tone, she didn't belong to the woman who used to spend time with me but the tone of an Alpha female who could handle this on her own.

"Are you leaving?" I asked, not bothering to hide my anger and not bothering to care that she was an Alpha female.

"Yes! Staying away from my pack for long, that too in the absence of my Beta, is not a great idea."

"Fine then, I will…"

"If you will try to sail on two boats at the same time, then you will end up drowning in the water. Observing all the situations and circumstances, I'm now releasing you from your duty.", She said.

"You can't do that to me.", I gritted out.

"Well, I'm going to do that. I, Stacey Asher Reynolds, daughter of Alpha Asher Reynolds, release Beta Derek Randell from the Beta duties of Crytal Moon Pack.", She said, and immediately my link with her and all the important person in the pack got disconnected.

"Why did you do that?" I growled at her.

"You're angry right now. You won't understand it.", She said with a smile. "And I don't think after everything we can go back to JUST FRIENDS part, but we can always be each other's well-wishers."

"Please don't go.", Now, my stern voice sounded more like pleading.

"Congratulation on your wedding, and I'm leaving. That's final."

"Stacey…"

"She already cleared her decision to you.", I heard a familiar voice, and I turned my head to see the disgusting face of my EX- Alpha or say EX-mate of Stacey.

What the hell was he doing here?

He looked pissed. Hell, he wasn't the only one who was pissed. My jaw tightened we faced each other with a death stare.

"And who the hell are you to speak between Stacey and me?" I growled.

Adams took a step toward me and stopped until he stood between Stacey and me, and at that moment. I wanted nothing but to punch his face.

"Adams, let's go from here.", Stacey said, grabbing his arms and pulling away from me.

She was holding his arms.

Was I missing something here?

"Let me at least handle him."

"Really? Can you handle him? Because you are no longer his Alpha, and I doubt your teeth will be in good condition after a single punch from him.", Saying this, she dragged him away from there. My fist tightened at my side, seeing them together.

Were they together now?

Did Stacey take him back?

No. That was not possible, but the fact that they were going to leave together in the same car, in the same pack, was bothering me.

I wanted to ask her about it, but at the same time, I didn't have any right to question her when I was going to marry my fated mate.

I stood there like an idiot seeing them leaving TOGETHER.

.

#TBC