Chapter 359 - 359 [Bonus chapter]A Long Overdue Goodbye

359 [Bonus chapter]A Long Overdue Goodbye

Once, they had given each other the promise to marry each other.

Once, Kinnon thought that Lucien was going to be his forever.

The short period in which Lucien lived in his pack house and became both his lover and Ralph’s mother was the most beautiful time in his life.

It was amazing how well Lucien fit in.

It’s not because Kinnon forced his pack members to accept Lucien.

Lucien did it all himself with his amazing personality and character.

He gained acceptance not only from Kinnon and Bjorn but from everyone within the pack. Even the most critical elders came to see him as a wonderful prospective Luna.

A perfect addition to complete the little Alpha family.

To the Night Prowler Pack’s greatest sorrow, the beautiful dream ended too soon.

.....

The relationship that Kinnon worked so hard and hoped for was destroyed within one night.

It was a lie if Kinnon said that he did not wish to separate Landon from Lucien forever.

Kinnon would love Lucien with or without his wolf.

But of course, which werewolves readily parted with their other halves?

Lucien was Landon and Landon was Lucien.

Lucien might be unwilling to admit it, but his and Landon’s heart had long since belonged to Ronan and Beowulf.

After months of struggles over life and death, they had finally come to this point.

The man he desired since youth was going to be married to someone else.

“I received the wedding invitation,” Kinnon said in a cool tone. “I believe congratulations are in order.”

“Thank you.”

An eerie silence fell on the table.

The muscles on Kinnon’s cheeks twitched visibly.

It was almost funny how they spoke just fine to each other when Lucien was hidden at the Night Prowler Pack House recently.

Ah yes.

Of course, it was fine.

It was because they were not talking about their broken relationship.

Kinnon cleared his throat and sipped on his strong cappuccino.

Lucien kept his gaze trained on his own cup. He did not know what to say.

Just like how he did not know how to reject Kinnon outright when they were young.

“Are you happy, Lucien?” Kinnon popped the burning question in his heart.

Upon hearing Kinnon’s question, Lucien lifted his eyes to meet the man’s.

“Yes.”

“Do you love him?”

Back then, Kinnon would have given the world to hear an “I love you” coming from Lucien’s mouth. It never came.

How ironic.

Annalynne was just here to ask in what way she was inferior to Lucien. Kinnon would love to ask the same thing in comparison to Ronan, but the words would not leave his lips.

It was because he already knew the answer.

It was not because he was inferior to Ronan. To

It was because Lucien loved Ronan and not him.

“Yes,” Lucien confirmed.

Kinnon broke into a chuckle.

“That’s good,” he said. “That’s wonderful. Excuse me, I have to go now.”

Kinnon rose to his feet and turned around to leave.

He could not take it anymore.

The anger, the jealousy over Lucien’s preference for Ronan.

The stupid fated mate connection ruined it all.

If Kinnon did not go now, he might do something to ruin Lucien’s wedding.

“Kinnon.”

Lucien climbed off his chair and pulled at Kinnon’s shoulder to stop him from leaving.

“Wait.”

The man with dark brown hair refused to look at Lucien. He did not have the confidence to maintain his composure.

Even the shoulder under Lucien’s hand was slightly quivering with boiling emotions.

“Spare me, Lucien. I don’t need you to comfort me.”

That was the last thing he needed from Lucien.

He did not want to hear about him deserving someone better than Lucien or that there would be someone in the future who deserved his love more.

“I am not planning to comfort you.”

“...”

“I am sorry for how it turned out,” Lucien said. “For all it matters, I wish things had been different.”

Because Lucien meant it when he agreed to marry Kinnon. That was why he gave his all to fit in with the Night Prowler Pack.

He had already given up every hope, every chance to be with Ronan.

Kinnon tilted his head backward and sighed. When he closed his eyes, he was brought back to the night when Landon came back.

If Landon had not come back, they would have marked each other that night.

Mating bonds were protected by the Holy Temple of The Moon Goddess.

It was only reversible through a rejection, but a man of integrity like Lucien would never do that.

Kinnon knew that.

If only they became mates that night.

Maybe then, five years from then, Lucien would truly become his.

In body, heart, and soul.

If only.

If only!

“I am sorry too,” Kinnon said with a hoarse voice. “But I can’t help it.”

Lucien widened his eyes in surprise.

Before he could react, he was already pulled into Kinnon’s tight embrace.

“Kinnon...”

“Sorry,” Kinnon said while pressing a kiss on top of Lucien’s head. “Just one last hug. You will grant me that much, will you, Lucien?”

“...”

Just a hug.

One last time.

Wordlessly, Lucien put his arms around Kinnon and caressed his back.

The two men held each other for the longest time.

Kinnon took a deep breath and inhaled Lucien’s sweet orange scent.

The love in his heart burst forth like water breaking through a dam.

.....

“I love you,” the Alpha whispered in the lowest voice he could muster. “I love you so much...”

He used to expect Lucien to respond with the same sentence. Now he no longer did.

Lucien’s “I love you”s were reserved for Ronan and no one else.

They loosened their embrace and Lucien cupped Kinnon’s face with both hands.

“Thank you for loving me. I am not lucky enough to love you back.”

Kinnon shook his head and smiled.

“You look down at me, Lucien Clearwater. I don’t need you to love me back.”

He brought Lucien’s hands to his lips and pressed a kiss on the knuckles.

“I will continue loving you, even if you are in love with Ronan.”

“... Kinnon.”

Kinnon grabbed the back of Lucien’s neck and said in a low voice, “Tell that to Alpha Ronan.”