Chapter 65: SIXTY-FIVE

Cian!!!

“Good morning, Kiara.”

“Good morning, alpha Lucas.” Kiara bowed upon entering his presence. Ava was in his inner chambers in his bedroom, while Lucas and Kiara where in the lounge, the outer chambers, but Ava could hear their conversation perfectly.

“You requested to see me?”

“Yes master.”

“For what?”

“I am terribly sorry for what I am about to say master, but I cannot continue going to the camps with Beta Cian master.”

Lucas appeared puzzled, it was an offence to refuse any duty assigned to you by the alpha, but for Kiara, Lucas could always make an exception.

“And why is that?” He asked softly.

“Well, it’s just that I’m going through a lot right now…”

Lucas let out a sigh. “Say no more Kiara, I understand. In fact, I apologize, I shouldn’t have tried to overwhelm you with so many requests after the rejection. Please accept my apologies.”

“No offence taken master.”

“Is that all you wanted to see me for?”

“Yes, alpha Lucas, that is all.”

“Very well then, I will inform Cian and put someone else in your place to keep assisting him. You should take some time to rest and relieve your mind off the stress.”

“Thank you master.”

She was about to leave before… “And one more thing Kiara.”

She turned back to face him.

“If there’s anything, anything at all, at any point in time bothering you, remember that you can always come to me. I’ve still got your back Kiara, no matter what you can always come to me for help.”

She smiled, nodded her head and bowed in response, before exiting his chambers.

Finally, she’d done it. After three whole days of avoiding Cian, she’d gotten off the assignment.

She loved the trips she’d taken with him and everything, but every single passing moment she spends with him messes up her heart in ways she’s uncomfortable with. She’s been avoiding him since after that night they had intercourse. It was unexpected, and of course foolish of her to sleep with him, not even once, but she didn’t know what came over her that night, she thought as she sighed. Avoiding him was not doing any good as he always kept on looking for ways to approach her, to talk about what happened. She doesn’t want to talk about it, she doesn’t want to give into her feelings anymore. The best thing to would be just to bury the whole thing and never bring it up again, and the best way to make herself scarce was getting off this assignment so he would have less chances to approach her.

She went straight downstairs for breakfast after leaving alpha Lucas’s chambers. She’d promised to help Nani set the tables today. After helping out, the breakfast bell was rung and all the dawners came down to eat. Alpha Lucas and his mate also joined them for breakfast today. Ava even chose to sit beside her for some reason she didn’t know.

After breakfast, as Kiara was about to stand up, Ava held her hand.

“What is the matter?” Kiara asked.

“Forgive me Kiara, I couldn’t help but eavesdrop on the conversation between you and Lucas this morning.”

“Oh!”

“I’m sorry, but I couldn’t help but notice that something was bothering you.”

She smiled. “Nothing is bothering me. I’m fine thank you.”

“Come on, I know you’ll have an easier time telling me instead of Lucas. It’ll be just between us, woman to woman. If you have a problem on your mind, you really shouldn’t keep it to yourself Kiara.

We’re friends, remember?”

Kiara looked at the eyes of the woman holding her hand, there were innocent eyes; eyes that showed she wanted to help her with whatever she was going through. Could she trust her?

**********

“This is my favorite part of the whole pack house.”

“I can see why it’s your favorite. It’s beautiful, and the singing birds make it look even more beautiful.”

Kiara had gone for a walk in the garden with Ava after breakfast, she’d suggested that they both go for a walk in a quiet place. No way would she be letting out her secrets to Ava at the breakfast table.

The two ladies settled on the garden bench, and then Kiara narrated everything; from Lucas’s assignment, to the accidental kiss with Paul, to Martha’s delivery and to the reason why she’s avoiding Cian now; their intercourse.

Ava listened carefully, and let out her remark in one sentence.

“I think you’re in love with him Kiara!”

Kiara hissed. “I’m not.”

“Yes, you are, love is a wonderful thing Kiara, and you my friend are in love with Beta Cian.”

Kiara looked around their surroundings, a bit frightened as she placed her hand on Ava’s mouth.

“Shhhh!!! Stop saying it out loud… What if someone hears you? And what if I’m in love with him? If I am, then I’ll make sure he never knows about it. I don’t want to love anyone anymore; my heart has been broken too many times already. It wants to rest now.”

Ava laughed. “I’m afraid we don’t get to choose the times we fall in love or who we fall in love with, life would be so much easier if we could choose.”

“So, do you have any better suggestion for me?”

“Well, the only thing I can tell you is a small piece of advice a good friend of mine once told me.”

“Which is?”

“Give your heart what it wants dear Kiara.” This was the advice that worked pretty well for her because she’s never been any happier in her life after following it. Lucas brought her that happiness she’d never experienced in her life, even if it was just for a while.

Ava then stood up; she’d said all that was needed to say.

“Thank you for confiding in me Kiara, I really appreciate it. I promise that your secret is safe with me. I have to go to the seamstress now to choose the design for my peace ball outfit. You should go to the ball with Cian, I’m sure that you both would look good together,” she remarked.

“Thank you, Ava, it was nice confiding in you too.”

After the two friends hugged and then Ava went out of the garden on her way to the seamstresses’

quarters, Kiara remained on the bench and pondered on Ava’s advice.

Give your heart what it wants?

Nonsense, that’s the most ridiculous statement she’s ever heard, not even worthy to be called an advice. How can her heart know what it wants? Or what it needs? Or what is good for it? Her heart is like a child who hates bitter medicine, the medicine is good for the child but the child hates it because the medicine is bitter. In her case, her heart is the child, and the bitter medicine, well, is loneliness of course.

Sorry Ava, but your advice won’t be needed. Loneliness is the only way, loneliness is good, loneliness is the only way your heart can stay whole without ever getting broken, remaining lonely was the best choice for her at this point, and she wouldn’t let Cian or anyone get in the way of that.

Cian!!!! Oh no, she’d been too engrossed in her thoughts, she hadn’t noticed him heading in her direction!! She has to run! She can’t let him get to her! She can’t let him get in the way of her plans of remaining lonely for the rest of her miserable life. She stands up and tries to leave; but he’s too fast, he runs and catches up with her, dragging her hand to pull her back to face him.

“Why have you been avoiding me, Kiara?” She heard his voice say.