| Lucas POV |

['Cause sometimes I look in her eyes, and that's where I find a glimpse of us...]

The song's nostalgic melody played over the radio and had me feeling wistful for a moment.

On life.

On what could have been.

On us.

When she rejected me that night, I didn't really understand the extent of her anger. But as I got older, I realised that my biggest mistake was I didn't choose her and I didn't fight for us.

For 5 years I could have done something or said something but I didn't act on it. Not because of pride, no. It was complete shame.

When you love someone, you would want the best for them and that's what I wanted for Clem. I wanted her to grow and not lose the spark that made her so endearing.

Our bond and my situation back then were going to anchor her down, so I did what I thought would be best for her like a total idiot.

My intentions were good, to say the least, but the whole execution of it all was cowardly when I could have just been honest.

I embarrassed her.

I led her on.

I betrayed the bond first.

I made her go through hell because I couldn't keep my dick in my pants.

I couldn't fault her for disappearing, but I hoped that the years away had brought her comfort and strength.

Yet faith was both cruel and funny, it wanted one last bloody laugh by leading me back to Clem.

"Finch & Smith Partners."

I read as I removed my aviators to have a full look at her name on the sign and I couldn't help but smile proudly. She did it, she finally achieved her lifelong dream.

"Hello, how can I help you?"

A young receptionist greeted me as I entered and I grinned back, making her blush a bit.

"Hi, I had a meeting scheduled by the council to meet my legal advocate. It should be under Lucas Green." I replied as she looked briefly at her screen.

"Oh, you're the visiting Alpha! I'm Liz, let me direct you to our meeting room and I'll get Mr Smith." She shook my hand quite animatedly before leading me to the room.

I followed along and walked past an office that made my wolf howl in excitement as the faint scent of jasmine and vanilla wafted under my nose.

"Um, is Clementine, I mean Ms Finch here as well?" I asked as we stepped inside the meeting room.

"Ms Finch shall be here soon, Alpha. Are you acquainted with her?" She tilted her head and I flashed a smile.

"You could say that."

"I bet she'd be excited to see you then!"

I chuckled at her frankness knowing that once Clementine sees me, she would probably throw a shoe dead smack on my face as if it was a target.

"Well, alright Alpha make yourself comfortable and I'll get Mr Smith for you. Black tea, earl grey or coffee?" She offered.

"Black tea, please. No sugar, just milk."

She nodded cheerily and left. Not soon after, a blonde-haired human entered the room whose smile for some reason annoyed me.

"Hi Alpha! I'm Eric Smith and I'm a senior lawyer here at Finch & Smith Partners. Hence the name. Oh, we're not partners-partners by the way, I'm married. To a wolf. I'm a human married to a wolf." This Eric guy boasted and I chuckled.

"Hi Eric, I'm Lucas Green. I'm the Alpha from Scarlet Moon." I offered my hand but Eric faltered a bit and just stared back in silence.

"Sorry, did you say Scarlet Moon?" He asked as I pulled my unshaken hand away.

"Yes? Why are you surprised?"

"Alpha, do you know Clementine Finch?"

I paused as I contemplated a reply to his question as I didn't know if this was something she wanted to be disclosed.

"I do but I know everyone, Eric." I answered, hoping that sounded as vague as it could be.

Eric nodded and grinned awkwardly as we heard Liz greet someone outside who just entered. On cue, Eric excused himself as well but I already knew it was her.

Jasmine and vanilla with a mix of frangipani. So intoxicatingly sweet.

Even though a mere wooden door separated us both, I could feel her presence and it made me nervous.

An Alpha, someone meant to be a brute, was scared of Clementine Finch.

I heard whispers as Eric ushered her away to an office and I tried not to eavesdrop. But with my good sense of hearing, it was killing me inside not to listen to her whimsical voice.

"Patience, you idiot."

I whispered to myself as I paced back and forth in the room for a good 5 minutes before a soft knock on the door stopped me in my tracks. Liz ducked back in with tea and biscuits on a tray and I awkwardly made my way back to my chair.

"Drink while it's hot Alpha. Ms Finch has arrived by the way!" She exclaimed as she poured tea onto my cup.

"How long would they take?"

"Not too long. They're probably doing a debriefing since it was an unexpected meeting booked by the council. I could let them know you're waiting if you have places to be Alpha?"

"No, no. It's fine. Thank you for the tea." I thanked Liz and she smiled before heading out.

I didn't even get a chance to enjoy my tea when I heard footsteps heading towards the meeting room.

I pushed my unkempt hair back with my fingers and fixed my collar a bit before Eric opened the door.

You know how in movies when you feel the time has stopped for a millisecond as you see the love of your life?

Yeah, well that pretty much explained how I felt as soon as Clementine walked through those doors.

She looked radiant.

Her beauty, blinding.

She was incredibly breathtaking.

"Hello, Clementine."

I smiled, or I think I did since my brain and my body was in complete chaos with each other. But my heart was at peace for once.

She paused to look at me as her eyes sparkled with familiarity. The eyes that could easily drown me.

"No need for formalities Alpha, please sit" She replied back cooly but I know her game.

I sat down and watched as Clem fumbled a bit with her dress. She looked unnerved by my presence but I could see through her.

She looked nervous, or maybe lost?

Almost like a deer in headlights.

Yet it was easier to feign ignorance and let her be in control in such an uncomfortable situation for us both.

As an Alpha, I'm expected to lead and not submit. But with Clem, she could undo every part of my being, she was my weakness and my complete reckoning.

After a few snarky remarks and pensive looks, Eric finally asked why I needed their help and I told them that I had to protect my pack and my son.

At the mention of my son, however, her eyes showed her truth.

The Clem who was hurt by my actions, The Clem who harboured resentment and the Clem who mended her heartbreak so she could move on.

Pure fury. Her gaze could kill me but she was stubborn enough to agree to take my case on.

She demanded professionalism and I agreed. But as soon as my hand felt hers, a wanton of lust surged through me and I gripped tighter, fighting the urge not to let go.

But I have to. I must.

Clem stared at our hands with a knowing look and I had to pull away as she set her eyes on me with disappointment.

Fuck. I should have expected this.

I straightened my stance anxiously as she crossed her arms against her chest to challenge me.

"I've never lost a case ever, and I know I would win yours. And if I do win, I've got one condition." She declared with confidence and moved closer.

Confused yet intrigued, I cocked an eyebrow back for clarity but that was the bait she was waiting for.

"Reject me"

My wolf whined at her words as I felt that awful pang in my chest again. It was like I'm being clawed viciously from the inside but I couldn't let Clem see that.

It was hell for me and I didn't want her to go through all that pain. Rejections were rare for a reason because no one could fully heal from them.

So, I made that selfish decision and kept myself tied to her as my penance.

Every pain.

Every heat.

Every men she fucked.

I felt them all, and the most recent one from last night. I wanted to suffer the agonising pain that could render me catatonic because it was a reminder of my sin and how I defiled our bond.

But Clem didn't ask for me to do this, it was mostly for me in the end. This is what she wanted so I need to set her free.

"Okay." I replied but she looked taken aback.

"Okay? That's it?" She questioned.

"Yes, if that is what you want, Clem."

"But why didn't you just do it before?" She asked coldly.

"I-I have my reasons." I stammered back and pressed my lips together.

She nodded and didn't prod any further but I could still see the curiosity in her eyes.

"Why after the case? Why not now?" Eric asked and Clem sighed.

"We can't risk being caught off guard by his rejection. That would make me a target for the opposition if they found out that I'm his mate. So, I don't need any distractions for now." Clem answered and I nodded.

"Don't worry, I'll keep my word."

I smiled sadly back and Clem nodded a thank you. It hurt but it has to be done and my wolf has to accept that too.

"Well Alpha, we also need to schedule a pack visit for the case but I wouldn't be able to come along as my wife is due soon so Ms Finch would be going alone." Eric mentioned but Clem looked at him in disbelief.

"Fuck Eric, I'm going alone?" She quipped back and they shared a look before he nodded in understanding.

"Would it be safe for her to visit?" He asked me and I tilted my head in confusion at how he emphasised the word safe.

"Why wouldn't she be safe, Eric?"

"Uh well, your grandfather could be a threat?" He stuttered and backed away at my switch of mood.

I clenched my fist at the mention of him and I looked at Clem in outrage.

"What the fuck did he do?" I demanded with a growl.

"What do you mean what fuck did he do? Aren't you part of his scheme?" She questioned back in anger.

"Scheme? What fucking scheme? Is he the reason why you left so abruptly?"

She paused to take my anger in and she heaved out a deep sigh. I knew that asshole did something.

"What did he say to you, Clem?"

"He told me to be a spare pawn to you and sacrifice my life so I could give you the perfect Alpha heir. And when I said no, he lost it and threatened me so we left."

That fucking senile man.

I slammed my fist on the table and roared in disgust. My wolf wanted out and it wanted to tear his throat out.

"I'm gonna fucking kill him!" I yelled out as my eyes darkened, ready to shift to satisfy my itch for blood.

But Clem held my wrist to stop me, her touch helping me slowly gain back control from my wolf.

"Lucas, calm your wolf and don't do something you'll regret." She muttered as her grip softened.

"Trust me, I wouldn't regret snapping his head off. My sad excuse of a grandfather has done nothing but cause people pain because he is driven by power, Clem. He is so obsessed with it that he even tried to kill my fucking son. His own flesh and blood."

Clem took a step back in shock and I clenched a fistful of my hair as I sighed in a fury.

"And what did you do?" She asked and stared at me with fear.

"I banished him from the pack and I've ordered for his death if he ever tried to step foot." I gritted out, regretting that choice.

If only it didn't cause a division in the pack, I would have challenged him to death.

A loud knock on the door interrupted the growing tension in the room and Liz popped her head inside.

"Sorry, but your beta is here." She mumbled and opened the door for Tom to step inside.

"Hello Alpha and uh, everyone." He grinned awkwardly but I didn't miss the look Tom and Clem gave each other.

"Bro! You're in town!" Eric shouted as he and Tom hugged it out.

"Bro? You guys know each other?" I asked and gave Tom a pointed look.

"Yeah, Alpha. He visited my wife's pack a few years back and caused a bit of commotion when he encountered Cece. But we're all friends now." Eric beamed but I was left with more questions.

Like what the fuck is a Cece and why didn't Tom tell me that he knew where Clem was all this time? But I'd reserve that for later.

"So, what's a Cece?"

"She's Cece, that's her nickname." Tom pointed his head at Clem and I felt a bit of jealousy brewing at how close they were standing next to each other.

I pushed those thoughts away, however, not letting my feelings get to me.

"Right. Well, do you have the papers from the council?"

"Yes Alpha but the council also said that they wanted another meeting tomorrow as a representative from Blue River would like to do some peacekeeping before the trial."

"So we have to stay another day?" I asked and Tom nodded.

"Fine, let's sort out accommodations nearby." I whipped my phone out and Clem chuckled back.

"Good luck with that, there's a football match tonight so most hotels are booked."

Tom and I looked at each other when Eric stepped forward with a suggestion.

"You could stay at Cece's?" Eric interjected and Clem gave him a deadpan look.

"Absolutely not! He's not fucking staying at my place." She snapped back.

Ouch. I guess I could sleep in the car.

Clem crossed her arms at Eric's mere suggestion and he sheepishly rolled his eyes.

"Fine, Alpha would stay at mine and Tom could stay at yours again." Eric proposed but I stopped him to look at Tom.

"Did you stay at Clem's?" I asked him.

"No, I was at my grandfather's last night, Alpha." Tom retorted as he shifted nervously before Clem cleared her throat at us.

"Tom is welcomed at mine, Lucas. Why is that a problem?" She asked and I gave Tom another look.

"No, not a problem. Unless?" I grinned back impassively which somehow unnerved her.

"Fuck, fine! You can stay at mine too!" She rolled her eyes at me and I smiled gratefully since she was the one who offered.

As we headed out of the room, that nagging feeling grew however and the sudden realisation halted me in my tracks.

Liar. Tom smelled like frangipanis too.

===End of chapter===

Shiiiiiii. His grandfather is the devil.

And oh boy, does he finally know about Tom and Clem?

Sorry, this was rushed so it might have a few mistakes. I'll fix it asap in a bit.

Thank you and happy reading!

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