72. Aiden
72
Aiden
Delilah bounces her foot nervously, and I let out a frustrated sigh.
“Will you stop that?” I beg, my nerves already frayed.
She stops momentarily, turning to face me. I peer at her from beneath my hand that rests above my forehead, keeping the light away from my eyes.
“I can’t help it—I’m nervous,” she huffs.
“You are not the one proposing an alliance,” I say with a groan.
“Are you having second thoughts?” she asks me, her bright eyes glazing as her eyebrows furrow in worry.
I rise from my chair. Where are Nyx and Raine? I’d sent the beta to fetch him nearly an hour ago, just after Delilah had arrived.
I stand straighter as the memory floods me—the moment she’d shown up at my door, her hair slightly disheveled and looking like she’d barely slept. The strange yet somewhat familiar pull, like an invisible string, exists in the space between us.
I’d called her inside if only because my wolf was suddenly antsy at the idea of leaving her outside my bedroom prison.
I swallow painfully as I fight to look away from her.
“Of course I am having second thoughts, Delilah. It is a lot to offer.”
My gaze settles on the view outside the large window.
I feel her presence like a looming spirit, the warmth radiating off her like a summer heatwave as she approaches me.
Her scent is…pleasant. Sweet like honey, but airy somehow. Like lilies in the spring.
I try to ignore how it makes my muscles loose and makes me want to groan with relief.
I know I shouldn’t feel these things. Not after what I’ve done, what I’ve been through...
Her palm settles on my shoulder, and though I startle internally, my body makes no move to betray my surprise.
She settles next to me, her fingers squeezing my shoulder tightly.
“But they are worth it, right?” she asks softly.
I close my eyes for a moment, pretending that I am back home in Pollis, that I am wishing on pennies in fountains for fate to bring me something good.
If I had never gone to that fountain to settle my nerves, would I have found Raine on the dancefloor? Would I have ever known the pull of a mate bond or the gift of life?
I open my eyes, turning to look at Delilah. Her expression is soft and understanding. Warm.
If I had never stepped foot in that courtyard, I would never have met Raine.
But I also would never have known Delilah, and something about that realization makes my nerves equally frazzled as they are soothed.
I place my hand over hers, squeezing lightly. She moves closer to me, and I am powerless to tell her to leave me.
I can barely breathe with her so close, yet I feel as if her departure would leave me deprived of oxygen.
“My child is worth it,” I say, my voice quiet. Her hand slides down my arm. The spot she touched me is still warm, and I think as she drops her hand that this is it.
Surely, this is my punishment for upsetting the gods by rejecting the gift they’d presented me once before.
“But Raine...” my voice falters. “She does not want me, Delilah.”
Delilah moves closer, close enough that our arms brush against one another. The touch forces me to look up at her.
Her eyes are the deepest shade of blue I’ve ever seen. Like the dusk as it kisses the dawn.
“What do you want, Aiden?” She asks, her voice barely a whisper.
There are so many moments in my life I wish I could have given in to what I wanted.
So many words left unspoken, desires left undiscovered.
I wanted to rule this kingdom on my terms. I wanted to choose a mate of my own, not be beholden to some Luna who was curated for me like a prized pumpkin.
I wanted to believe that I could have everything when I felt I had nothing.
But all I could think about as I gazed back at Delilah was how badly I wanted to kiss her.
For the first time in my life, I didn’t think twice about what I wanted.
I leaned in, swiftly closing the gap between us, and placed my lips upon hers.
She did not startle or gasp or even push me away.
Instead, she slid her hands in my hair and kissed me back.
It was over just as soon as it had begun, the echoes of our breath between us dying like fading rumbles of thunder.
“Aiden...” she murmurs my name, and I know exactly what I want.
And for the first time, I think I might actually get it.
The door opening pulls us back to the here and now, and Delilah moves away from me with ease, straightening her dress. I have to bury my smirk. But when I see Nyx and Raine enter, all ease leaves my shoulders.
“You required an audience,” Nyx says as he sits at the head of the table. His beta sits beside him while Raine flanks the other side. The female I saw yesterday with them also takes a seat next to Raine.
I offer Delilah a seat first, pulling out her chair. She takes a seat without question, and I don’t miss the inquisitive look on Raine’s face.
I take my seat, clasping my hands in front of me.
“Yes, I did,” I say, feeling slightly nauseous.
I look to my side, Delilah offering me a gentle smile and a nod.
In her presence, her gaze, the nerves are no more—there is only warmth and courage.
And hope. So much hope.
“I would like to propose an alliance,” I say sternly, turning to fix my gaze on Nyx. Raine’s eyes glisten with tears as Nyx nods.
“I see.”
The air is thick with tension, and all that can be heard is Raine’s gentle sobs and the incessant bouncing of Delilah’s leg against the large chairs.
I settle my hands in my lap, reaching one hand out to settle on Delilah’s knee. I can feel her warmth through my heated palm, and a strange sense of victory fills me as her bouncing stops.
I keep my gaze on Calloway, waiting for him to speak, and finally, when he does, it settles something within me.
“What are your terms?” He asks, and I grin.
Because if there is anything I know about the Southern King, it is that he does not beat around any bush.
If he were not open to an alliance, he would have rejected me outright.
But he didn’t.
And that gives me hope—hope that in the darkness of my mistakes, I can make things right.
I can be the man my child deserves. The alpha king my kingdom deserves.
A man worthy of love and acceptance—if fate will grant me a second chance.
“My terms are rather simple,” I say as Delilah’s hand finds mine on her knee. She squeezes tightly, her warmth providing me a comfort I didn’t know I needed but that I liked all the same.
Perhaps one day, I might even come to love it.
We speak for hours, Nyx and I. Raine and Delilah chime in occasionally, ironing out things to make sure everything is clear in writing—writing that Nyx’s beta has been tasked with.
The treaty between our kingdom states Nyx’s claim to Raine and my child as his rightful heir, though I must acknowledge my part in his making. This means I must come clean to my advisors about my mate and our broken bond—and, as such, declare our child the product of an unsanctioned union. Our child will never be able to assume my throne despite sharing my blood.
Doing so means Nyx cannot come after my kingdom.
Because we are no longer considered enemies.
We are allies, brought together by fate and destiny.
When all is said and done, Raine hugs me, holding onto me with a warmth that is no longer uncomfortable.
“Thank you,” she whispers in my ear as she holds me at arm’s length. In my peripherals, I can see Rose and Delilah in the corner, chatting and laughing. Nyx and his beta are still going over the paperwork, but I know what I signed is already a done deal and ironclad.
“Thank you, Raine,” I whisper back. “For giving me a chance I don’t deserve.”
She smiles as she nods.
“Let this be your lesson, Your Highness,” she muses. “We all deserve a second chance.” Her gaze flashes to Delilah, and she sighs. “Do not waste yours.” She says, taking a step back.
And as I watch her move gracefully toward Calloway, the strangest feeling blossoms in my chest. I look from her and her mate to the woman who’s stood by me through this entire journey from the moment she showed up on my steps, begging me to find Raine.
And as I saunter towards Delilah, with a newfound hope in my chest, I vow to my child and myself that I will not make the same mistake twice.