15. It's a one-sided Affair?

"Arthur Leoline?" I widened my eyes innocently at Harvey "Who's that? I don't know any Leoline"

Harvey chuckled dryly while Arthur let out a deep sigh.

"Really?" Harvey was completely facing me now "That's the best you can do? I'm ashamed of calling you my twin" he shook his head as if in real disappointment.

"Adam" I stood to my ground "His name is Adam. Does he look similar to someone you know Harv?"

"Shut up" Arthur hissed from behind Harvey "Don't use that ugly name for me"

"Adam is a perfectly beautiful name" I defended forgetting Harvey's puzzled glare.

Arthur snorted rolling his eyes "Sounds like a spineless rat to me"

"You are simply jealous of how perfect he is" I said pushing Harvey out of my way to walk up to Arthur and send a death glare his way.

"Had I been jealous, he would have been six feet under the ground" Arthur sneered "Why would I be jealous of someone whose annual income is less than ten days worth of my pet's food"

"You don't have a pet"

"That's beside the point" He glared back.

"I am calling mom and dad" I jumped at Harvey's voice. I almost forgot he was here. By the look of it Arthur did too.

He was pulling out his phone. I quickly snatched it from him "What are you doing?"

"No" Harvey shook his head "What are you doing Amy? What's a predator doing at your house? You aren't a child anymore. You can't go around doing stupid things without thinking" he said completely ignoring Arthur.

"It's not what it looks like" I defended myself.

"Then tell me what's actually going on before I call my boys over to detach his bones from his body" he nodded venomously at Arthur "You know how good I'm with bones don't you?"

Arthur scoffed "You need to call your boys to do it for you?" he raised a brow at my brother.

"Yeah!" Harvey glared "When mom gave birth to us, she made sure the beauty and the brain remains undivided with me. I know what I'm dealing with"

"He's a client" I said at last. This argument isn't going anywhere.

"What kind of client is he that you have to bring home?" the smartass retorted.

"Shut up. Both of you" Arthur yelled at us, his voice effectively shutting me but my brother is braver and has a false sense of ego that tells him to protect me. So he stood in front of me ready to fight Arthur.

Arthur sighed at him "I'm not going to hurt you guys" he said taking a step away "I came here to apologize to Amelia"

"For what?" Harvey barked not trusting Arthur's intentions. I always knew he was the smarter twin.

"For killing her mare" Arthur replied.

Harvey froze and so did I.

"I have been looking for her for quite some time now" Arthur continued when he saw our reactions "I wanted to apologize for the pain I caused her. Today was my attempt at befriending her. I have only good intentions towards your sister. I don't want to harm her. I'll do anything for her to forgive me"

Even with the tears that came with Cathy's memories, I couldn't help but notice how good of an actor Arthur was. Had I been Harvey, I would have been convinced that Arthur was here to beg forgiveness.

"You....you killed Cathy" Harvey muttered. I was too stunned at Arthur's declaration to utter a word.

Arthur nodded "I'm sorry"

Before I could notice, Harvey was flying at Arthur landing a punch across his face. Arthur recovered quickly and caught Harvey's fist before he could land a second blow. I gasped at the color of his eyes as he shoved Harvey away.

"Don't" I found myself saying "Arthur calm down"

He closed his eyes and took a deep breath "I deserved that" he said opening his eyes and nodding at Harvey.

"You deserve so much more than that bastard" Harvey yelled "You f*cking killed a harmless animal. Do you have any idea what my sister went through because of you? She was afraid of her own mother's touch for months after you killed Cathy"

Arthur's eyes snapped to me, I looked away deciding to stop Harvey "Harv that's enough. He'll leave now"

"She was f*cking afraid of her own shadow. She was afraid of sleeping because you were there waiting for her in her nightmares"

"Harvey shut up" I gritted out.

"Are you afraid of him Amy. Is that why you let the bastard near you?" he snapped before turning to Arthur again "That punch I gave you, I bet she never did that to you" he sneered "You must be laughing at how stupid she is. She's afraid of touching a hair on your head when it was so easy for you to kill someone so dear to her"

I had enough. I took Harvey's wrist and pulled him towards the door.

"You need to leave now" I gritted out pushing him out of the door. He let me manhandle him.

"I'm not leaving you with him" He dug his foot to my door "I should call the authorities"

"And tell them what?" I stared pointedly at him "That he hunted an animal in the wild? What are they going to do about it? It was my fault"

"It wasn't your fault Amm" My brother wrapped his arms around me "Stop blaming yourself. Stop punishing yourself"

I leaned against him and closed my eyes seeking comfort "I'm fine"

"With him here?" he asked softly.

"You trust me don't you?" I said "When the time's right I'll tell you everything alright? Just give me some time and stop worrying"

"He's a predator Amy. You are freaking scared of them and to think it's all because of him. How can I not worry?"

"Then think of it as his attempt at seeking forgiveness" I told him "He's helping me get rid of the fear he sowed in me"

"That's all that is right?" he asked doubtfully "Nothing more"

"What else can there be?"

"He's not threatening you? Harming you?"

"No he's not"

"I should call dad over"

"Give me a month or two" I sighed "I swear you will never see me in a hundred mile radius of him after that. Let me do this my way. Let me face my fear" I pulled away from his hug and looked at him pleading.

"One month?" he narrowed his eyes at me "That doesn't mean I won't keep an eye on you"

"Sure" I said pushing him towards his car "Now get lost. You seem to have forgotten that I'm the older one here"

"By seven minutes" He called back "stop gloating and I'll ask Sophie to come over. I don't trust that predator"

"Make it Mia if you are that worried" I suggested closing the door after him and turning to face Arthur.

He was there standing in the same position as before. He hadn't moved an inch from where Harvey punched him.

"He's gone" I told him softly "You can go upstairs and rest. You don't look well"

"I...." he began but seemed to be lost for words. He looked at me with the same pity filled pained expression that he had given me all those years ago when he first came to seek my forgiveness.

"Don't say anything if you are going to apologize again" I moved away from the door towards the staircase. If he doesn't want to leave the awkward situation behind, I'll have to be the one leaving.

I was on the first step when his words stopped me "What he told me wasn't something that I didn't already assume" he started, his voice heavy "but to actually have it confirmed..."

I stepped down and walked towards him. I almost felt the urge to raise my hand to his shoulder to comfort him but years of fear effectively held me back "I don't blame you. You are a predator. Hunting an animal in the wild is your right. I can't blame you for that. It was my fault. Your apologizing won't do any good because it's not you I'm trying to forgive here. I am trying to forgive myself. I'm trying to erase every memory of that day because it reminds me of how incompetent I was of protecting someone so precious to me. I killed....."

I couldn't finish my words because the next moment I was engulfed in the strongest pair of arms, my face crashed softly against his warm chest and I had to close my eyes and hold my breath.

"Don't you dare say that. It was my fault" His chest rumbled against my ear as he spoke "It was all my fault. I.....I am a monster. I took away all happiness from you. I destroyed every hope, every dream you had first by taking her away from you and then by dictating everything in your life. I'm sorry that I did that to you. Don't blame yourself, blame me. Don't hate yourself, hate me"

The sudden grief that took over me made forget that a predator was holding me. The fact that I wasn't looking at him probably helped too. My last effort at maintaining my composure slipped away as he caged me against him and I let my tears fall. I fisted his shirt tightly as my sobs turned to wails. It was like I haven't let myself grief over Cathy ever. It wasn't true but the pain sure felt like the first time. I didn't want him to witness my weakness but I couldn't stop not when he kept murmuring apologies like his life depended on it.

When I ran out of tears and all I could manage was whimpers, I moved away from him looking everywhere but at him.

"Amelia" He took a bold step in my space.

"Shift" I told him. When I didn't get an immediate response from him I chanced a glance at him. He looked confused "I...I....can you let your animal take over. I....." I drawled not knowing why I wanted his animal. It was an impulsive desire when I suddenly craved the velvet touch and golden gaze of his animal.

"Yes" he breathed hurriedly "Yes"

"Thanks" I muttered embarrassed "I'll be waiting in the guest room" I didn't wait to embarrass myself further and took the stars to the right. I went straight to the guest bed leaving the door for Arthur's animal to enter all the while cursing myself. He must think I'm crazy.

Arthur seemed to have shifted in the living room itself because he was there at the door not even a minute later. He didn't need an invitation to climb the bed. That was one thing I noticed was starkly different about Arthur and his animal form, his animal never warned me before delving into my personal space. He's an animal, that's not strange. What's strange is how much I don't mind it. It's what reminds me how pure and uncorrupted he is from the reality of our situation. He only feels what the spirits made him feel. It's not his fault that I'm his destined mate. I am almost afraid of missing him once Arthur is mated to Rhea.

I curled against him and closed my eyes forcing myself to stop thinking about today before opening them again to focus on his unwavered gaze.

That's how Mia found us almost an hour later.

"What's going on" she said entering the room.

I sat up at her voice.

"How did you enter?" I asked trying to climb down the bed. Arthur's animal's dissatisfied little roar had me move back to him.

Mia eyed him warily "I took a key when I learned about him, remember?"

"Right" I nodded realizing how hoarse my voice sounded. The animal was somewhere in between observing Mia for threat.

"Did you cry?" Mia frowned.

"I'm fine" I dismissed her "Harvey saw him here and drama ensured"

"And that ended with the both of you in the same bed?" She narrowed her eyes "You know how fast I climbed those stairs when I saw his clothes scattered all over your living room?"

"It's not what you think" I assured her "He shifted before coming here"

"Why does it look like this isn't the first time this happened?"

I looked away.

"Amy" her voice sounded alarmed "What in the spirit's name are you doing"

"Nothing" I told more to myself than to her "This will all be over soon"

______________

"Rhea" I greeted the beautiful woman with the best smile I could muster up "What a pleasant surprise"

It might have been pleasant but it was nowhere a surprise. I was expecting her a week ago. I knew she would come to us with Arthur's proposal. I haven't been in business without learning some basic rules to understanding a person's heart and mind.

"I hope I am not disturbing you" she smiled hesitantly "It was a spurt decision to see you"

"Not at all" I motioned to the chair across me "Please have a seat" She did "Now tell me about your apprehensions"

"Arthur told you about his request?" She asked slightly surprised.

He shouldn't have? What's so personal about it?

"We do require updates on our clients so we know when to stop looking"

"He asked you to stop looking?" This woman has some strange questions.

"To be honest" I leaned forward "we have a list for both of you in case you don't work for each other"

"Someone else" she muttered seemingly testing the thought.

"Is there something wrong with Mr. Leoline?" I asked.

"What?" she frowned realizing I was observing her "No" she hurriedly said. I could swear I saw a blush rise to her face "No. He's.....he's Arthur" she seemed to have found no other words to describe him. I raised a brow waiting for her to elaborate. "He's Arthur" she continued, this time with more confidence "Anyone will be lucky to have him for life. He's kind, caring, honest, funny and the nicest person you will ever find. He's perfect"

No he's not. I consider breaking her illusion but then decide against it. It's none of my business. She should find it out through trial and errors like I did. Arthur Leoline and perfect in the same sentence? Ha. What a joke. I should make her listen to him shriek like a woman in labor when he loses his mind. Even Mrs. Jones without her hearing aid heard him the other night.

"What's the problem then?" I ask her instead.

"He has a mate" she sighed "A living mate"

"I think we got it cleared with his mate. She insisted on breaking the bond. It was her choice. Arthur simply agreed to her. If you are worried about the fact that Arthur doesn't respect the bond or that she will object to it then be assured that there is no way for that to happen"

"You know who she is" she perked up at the information "Can I meet her?"

"No" I said a little too fast "I.....we respect her desire to remain anonymous. Theirs isn't an ideal situation" I tried to force a smile on my face "I'm sure Arthur will eventually tell you once you are mated. There's nothing you can hide from your mate after all"

"I just can't imagine a situation where someone would want to reject Arthur" she said and then frowned "It's not a man is it? That's not why...."

I chuckled and shook my head "No"

"Oh" She blushed embarrassed at her own conclusion "I hope he treated her kindly"

I was so surprised that I forgot to respond for a moment. I knew she was thinking of her dead mate. That bastard had been a horrible mate to her. But she also unknowingly made me think of Arthur. Did he treat me kindly?

Maybe not so much. He uses his words to hurt me but he always took precautions to not touch me. I know sometimes predators crave their mate's touch to the point where it hurts them but Arthur never forced himself on me. That may have been because he didn't want me but still there must have been weak moments. He broke promises, he forbade me from having a future but that's all because it would be painful for him not because he enjoyed hurting me.

"He has" I replied softly "He has been good to her"

Rhea sighed in relief.

"I don't know what to tell him. It's not like I never thought of Arthur as a prospective mate as a child. Not that I was upset when I found my mate. No, I loved him. He was a gift from the spirits" she quickly added.

I would have understood if she was repulsed by that horrible excuse of a man. Mates. I don't understand how you can love someone so evil.

I wanted to tell her that it was okay, that Arthur wanted her too but it's not my place to give that piece of information away. It will be more romantic if Arthur confesses that to her.

"It's okay to want a second chance at happiness, Rhea" I told her "You should take your time deciding. You have Mr. Leoline's number don't you? Talk to him more often; go out on dates if you need to before taking a final call. I wouldn't have to inform you that with the spirit-given bond still intact, there wouldn't be much attraction there but it will help if you talk more about a future together" I have to remember my job and be neutral. I can't hurry her just because I want it to be done.

"Yes" she nodded "That's what I was thinking. Thank you" she smiled "Talking to you has helped me a lot"

"Anytime" I returned her smile.

________________

"I bear good news" I yelled as I shut the front door to my house behind me. Arthur was in the kitchen chopping something. He turned to look at me with a raised brow. I realized this was an Ideal situation to get over last night's awkwardness.

"What did you do now?" he questioned.

"You sadden me Arthur Leoline" I walked upto the isle he was working on and climbed it to sit comfortably "Here I am working hard for you and you think so little of me"

"You are scaring me Amelia" He stared pointedly at me "Speak up"

"Guess what?" I mock-whispered leaning towards him as if sharing a secret.

"What?" He replied in the same hushed tone.

"Yours might not be a one-sided love story after all" I whispered conspiratorially.

He frowned before narrowing his eyes at me. He opened his mouth to say something but decided against it.

"Rhea" I continued after getting no response from him, his eyes narrowed further "She came to see me today"

"Why?"

"That's not the point" I waved him off "That point is that when you liked her back in the days, she liked you too. Isn't that exciting?"

His breath seemed to have faltered "She did?"

______________