Chapter: 26
******

["Why do you keep hesitating?"] Rafa asked and Conri growled annoyed at his Lycan.

"How about you come out and do this, huh?" He challenged and groaned when Rafa hid.

["No I'm good,"]

"He's good..." Conri mocked. "Now, shut up, let me think," He said with a frown.

It's nearly forty-five minutes they paced around the Gates of his Manor not having enough courage to go in. The guards were beginning to get restless watching their Alpha pace back and forth.

["One more round of pacing and the Gates might just come crumbling down from how hard you've stared at it,"] Rafa teased, and laughed when Conri growled.

"I swear to the Goddess, Rafa, more one beep from you and you're doing this alone!" Conri warned but Rafa chuckled.

*****

"You think we should go over there?" One of the guards asked his subordinates.

"You want to die, then go!" Another snapped at him and then they all started whispering to each other while keeping a cautious gaze at their restless Alpha.

*****

The weather didn't seem to be in their favor either. Just this morning, the sky was clear and sunny, and now the whole sky looked bleak and depressing as if the Goddess herself had lost interest in him and his purpose. He couldn't remember when he last felt such an oppressive aura. This entire time he tried so hard not to show his discomfort but even he can only resist his Mate for so long.

["Seems like you've come to a conclusion,"] Rafa muttered with a smirk. ["Shall we?"] He asked and Conri nodded and moved forward. The Guards were quick to open the gates for him and he passed through. He hasn't been here in a few weeks, and already everything looked different. Like he had just stepped into foreign territory. An unknown land. Conri looked around the compound, taking in his surroundings and trying to spot any signs of life but he saw none. Everything was cold and silent. No birds singing. No insects buzzing about. It's eerie how empty and peaceful everything seemed. Almost like a tomb that no one will ever return to. "This is too quiet." He whispered as he walked further in. "You think, he already saw us?" He asked but didn't get a reply from Rafa. "Wow, suddenly the talkative had gone dumb," He said with a roll of his eyes at his cowardly Half. He would destroy a town in a swift second but would run and hide when it came to their Mate.

["I am not a coward!"] Rafa snapped and Conri nearly rolled over in laughter.

"I thought you died," He returned mockingly.

["And yes, I think he knows we are here. Why else would the birds be silent"] He added and went quiet again.

Conri nodded and proceeded to the doors. Upon reaching it, the doors tore open on their own and Conri cautiously stepped in. "Yep, he is definitely aware of our presence," He muttered, looking around the empty hallway and deserted stairways. "You think it's today we die?" He asked as he made for the stairs.

["By his hands, it would be a death well deserved,"] Rafa replied, poking his eyes out.

Conri's eyes glowed red with the presence of his Lycan as he mounted the stairs cautiously. Neither he nor his Lycan said another word to each other until they were standing at their bedroom door. The smell of beautiful flowers greeted their senses from where they stood, leaving both Man and Beast in a confused state, but none uttered a word of it. Conri stood there, about to begin another round of pacing but the doors opened, and standing before them was their Mate. Xiher was beautiful, his pointy ears lay back and his tail swayed behind him giving him some sort of elegance. Golden eyes stared into Red ones and both Conri and Rafa found themselves lost for words.

Conri cleared his throat and looked away from Xiher's piercing gaze. "C-Can we come in?" He asked. Xiher's head tilted in confusion but otherwise moved aside and gestured for them to come in. His scent of honeyed chocolate filled the air and Conri could feel something warm and welcoming settle inside his chest. He breathed deeply enjoying the scent and took several steps further into the room. On his reading table, a flower vase sat and he approached it curiously. Its white petals were soft against his touch and it gave off a nice aroma. The vase was pretty but wasn't all that caught Conri's attention. Sitting there next to the vase was a bouquet tied together with a yellow ribbon. Conri picked the bouquet up and brought it to his nose. He hummed in satisfaction as he inhaled the intoxicating scent. A scent so strong and sweet, like fresh rain and pure spring. The flowers were so perfectly arranged that they almost looked artificial despite their natural beauty. It wasn't only the flowery scent they enjoyed, but the scent of their Mate all over the bouquet like he had only been hugging it before they arrived.

"Do you like it?" Xiher asked, his sudden question had Conri jolting for a second.

He had forgotten they weren't alone. He turned around to greet Xiher's smiling face. "Yes, yes it is, we love it!" He replied and Xiher smiled so brightly it nearly drove Conri to his knees.

["Goddess, he's beautiful,"] Rafa muttered breathlessly. ["How the fuck did we land such a Mate?"] He continued but Conri shoved him aside to meet their Mate's gaze once again.

"I sincerely apologize for all I have done to you, Rafa, and I regret every harm done to you and we would make up for it with the rest of our lives if you would allow," Conri beseech in a soft and apologetic voice. Xiher cocked his head to the side at his Mate's words and Conri gulped. "We would give anything to get your forgiveness, to not have you suffer anymore at our hands or any others for that matter, please," He continued, voice breaking in the end and he lowered his gaze to the floor, ashamed of what he has put his Mate through. He expected Xiher to turn down his request like always or reject his apology. But instead, he heard Xiher chuckle softly and he lifted his chin gently so he'll look up at him, but when he did, he spotted Xiher walking toward the door.

At the door, Xiher placed his hand on the handle and turned back slowly to meet his gaze, then asked. "Are you hungry?"

It took a moment before Conri could register that question and with bulging eyes, he stuttered. "Y-Yes,"

Xiher chuckled sweetly again and shook his head. "As you should, you've been pacing the Gates for quite some time,"

"Oh, shit," Conri cursed and rubbed his face.

"I ran you a bath, go take a shower and come down for lunch, don't keep me waiting," He said and disappeared into the Hall. Conri looked after him with a baffled expression on his face and when he finally managed to snap out of it, he blinked multiple times, his brain restless and confused.

["What just happened"]

"I, uhm...." Conri began to say, trying to gather his thoughts. "I don't know either,"

["Did he accept our apologies?"]

"He certainly never offered us a bath and food before," Conri said, remembering the look on his Mate's face when he was saying those words.

["So, is that a yes or a no?!"] Rafa was getting restless.

"Why don't you ask him when we go down for lunch?" Conri replied and began to undress.

["It feels like a trap."]

"Then consider yourself caught," Conri replied dryly, walking into the bathroom. The tub was decorated with petals of colorful flowers and fragrant candles surrounding the tub. A small bottle of wine sat on the edge with a glass. When Conri entered the bath water it was already filled with rose-scented oil. As soon as he was submerged he felt immediately relaxed as if all the tension that accumulated within him had dissipated. Conri sighed heavily, feeling more relaxed as he sank further into the water. His muscles loosened and he closed his eyes, sighing contentedly. He stayed like that for a while, letting himself soak in the soothing warmth. After what seemed like hours, he resurfaced and opened his eyes, and let the bubbles float on his skin and hair. He stretched his arms above his head and sighed happily as his muscles relaxed once more and a blissful smile crept upon his lips. "I agree, My Half, this can only be a trap." He muttered.

["Should we make a run for it while we can?"]

Conri looked around the beautiful bathroom, he didn't remember his bathroom looking so luxurious. "No," He replied, settling into the bubbles once again. "No more running."

Meanwhile

In the kitchen, Eva sat waiting for their Luna to come down. He had come to inform them of the Alpha's arrival and ordered that all retreat to their homes and wait on his call. Xiher came down to greet the empty kitchen and when he turned to send out a call for the servants, Eva walked in on him.

"Luna," She greeted with a bow and Xiher waved her off with one hand.

"Get the others, we need to set the table for My Alpha," He muttered and blush tinted his cheeks.

Smiling widely Eva "Oohed" and met the glistening eyes of their Luna. "So, you forgive him?"

"I have, but I did not tell him," Xiher whispered. "I do not trust him yet and until I am ready, I will make him work for it." He finished and Eva nodded understandingly.

"Good for you, Luna," She retorted and left the kitchen to find everyone else. Eva has grown to be the only Beta he could confine in, she was the most understanding and compassionate.

Smiling, Xiher threw his apron on. 'Oh, he will make him work hard for all of it.' Emphasizing the 'all' he smirked at his thought.