Chapter 76

Ill Chapter 76.

Kex’s POV.

Aisha slammed the door behind me, and | let out a long sigh. | stood up and approached the bed, where Nelly lay, unconscious.

“Wake up, please,” | whispered, my voice breaking.

But as usual, Nelly remained still, her eyes closed and her breath slow and shallow. | felt a wave of despair wash over me, and my wolf winced, sensing my distress.

| ran my hand through Nelly’s hair, trying to comfort her, even in her unconscious state. | felt so helpless, knowing that there was nothing | could do to make her better.

As | watched Nelly’s still form, | realized the true power of the mate bond. It wasn’t just a connection between two people, it was a force that bound them together in a way that was both terrifying and beautiful.

| had never understood my father’s hatred for me until now. | was a constant reminder of what he had lost, a constant source of pain and grief. | felt the weight of his hatred, a burden | had carried with me for so long.

And now, Nelly in this state, | knew | couldn’t balance i seeing father anymore. | was the reason his mate was gone. Seeing Nelly in this state was the moment my happiness had died, and my wolf was weak.

| leaned in to kiss her, my lips trembling. But before | could reach her, the door opened. with a crash, startling me. | spun around, ready to scream at the person who dared interrupt this moment. But it was Aisha who stood in the doorway, her eyes wide with.

surprise. And then Harry appeared behind her, his face unreadable. Aisha looked at me, her gaze piercing.

“Are you really Nelly’s mate?” she asked, her voice brimming with curiosity. | felt my heart race, unsure of what to say.

| looked back and forth between Aisha and Harry, my mind racing. Harry shook his head.

“| didn’t mean to tell her,” he said, his voice heavy with regret. But Aisha didn’t stop talking.

“You need to answer me, Alpha Kex,” she said, her voice firm. “I know you can talk. Stop with this dumb act.” But Harry quickly covered her mouth.

[e)

Chapter 76 | glared at her, my wolf snarling in my head. | turned back to Nelly, trying to block them out of my head.

Aisha stepped in front of me, her hands waving wildly. “Hey!” she yelled, her voice filled with frustration. “I know you can see and hear me. Just so you know, Astel was around recently.”

“Aisha!” Harry yelled and she hissed.

Aisha’s words sent a chill down my spine. | looked at Harry, who had started to approach her, but | stopped him with a hand gesture.

“What do you mean?” | asked, my voice barely above a whisper. Aisha looked at me, her eyes narrowed.

“Now you can talk?” she said, her tone laced with sarcasm.

“Aisha, answer me!” | demanded, my voice trembling with anger.

“Astel was around, you say? Maybe he must have heard about Nelly’s condition.”

My voice caught in my throat, the thought of Nelly and Astel together making my stomach twist. Jealousy burned like a fire in my chest, the thought of them together tormenting me.

“And he has more chances of being with her than me,” | muttered under my breath, bitterness coloring my words. Aisha looked at me, a sad smile on her face.

“So, she’s truly your mate?” Aisha asked, her voice soft. | nodded, my heart aching. “Why didn’t you tell her?” she continued, her eyes full of compassion. “Nelly has always wished for a second chance, mate.” | smiled, a sad, bitter smile.

“The real question is, why didn’t she feel the bond? If she’s been hoping for a second chance, mate, she should have felt the bond with me. But she didn’t. Why?”

Aisha looked at me, her face pale. “Do you mean that...?” she trailed off, a note of suspicion in her voice.

“She hasn't moved on from her rejection,” | said, my voice heavy with sadness.

Aisha looked at Nelly, a look of pity on her face. Then she turned to me, her eyes filled with compassion.

“Astel’s rejection hit her hard,” she said. “She had always had a crush on him, hoping one day they would be together. But the moon goddess paired them together, and Astel rejected her.” Aisha’s voice trailed off, her words hanging in the air. “I don’t blame her,” she said softly. “She’s been through a lot.”

[e)

Chapter 76 My heart ached for Nelly. | knew how much she had been through. | wished she could see how much 1 genuinely loved her, whether we were mates or not. | had fallen in love with her the moment | had first seen her, her boldness and strength fascinating me.

Finding out we were mates had been the best thing that had ever happened to me. But my happiness was short-lived when she refused to heal from Astel rejection. | would have given anything to take away her pain, to make her smile again.

“What are you going to do?” Aisha asked. “Are you going to tell her?” | shook my head, my heart sinking at the thought.

“And no one else should tell her either.” | said firmly.

“You want her to be with Astel?” Aisha said, her voice heavy with anger. | couldn’t help but tease her.

“It seems someone isn’t a fan of Astel,” | said, a hint of amusement in my voice. Aisha glared at me, but | could see a trace of a smile on her lips.

“| don’t like him one bit.” Aisha said, disgust evident in her tone. “He’s so full of himself, always thinking he can control anyone he chooses. He’s an arrogant jerk.” | couldn't help but chuckle at her tirade.

“| don’t intend to give up on her,” | said, my voice filled with determination. “But | don’t want her to choose me because of the mate bond.”

“Someone’s trying to be nice,” Aisha teased, a mischievous smile on her face. | chuckled.

“Yes, | am,” | admitted. “But | believe that’s the best kind of love. Someone should be with you because they want to, not because they’re forced to.”

Aisha laughed, the sound of it filling the room. “Well, | think | might need to take some lessons from you then.”

“That’s why | have my mate with me,” | said, a hint of sarcasm in my voice.

But as | looked back at Nelly, | felt my heartache at the sight of her. She looked so small, so fragile. | wanted to take away her pain, to make her smile again.

| knew it would be a long road ahead, but | was determined to do whatever it took to make her happy. Even if it meant giving up my happiness. Even if it meant that she would never be mine.

As | leaned in and whispered, “I love you,” into Nelly’s ear, | kissed her forehead. 1 pulled back, staring at her.

“She just moved her hands,” Harry screamed. My heart skipped.