Their Unexpected Fate (BOOK 3 of His Unexpected Mate)

CHAPTER 7

LOGAN'S POV

    It's been five years since I saw Lia at their house, and after that, I never set foot in the Triton Moon pack's territory. Never ever, after that day when she hugged me for the last time. I only see the Walkers whenever they come here in the palace, except for Bayron. Nothing's changed between us; the only thing that has changed is that we always hang out here at my place. And if ever I'm going to appear in front of the Walkers, I always make sure that Lia is not around. Thanks to Luca for helping me to do it. He's my informer and lookout.

    If Luca tells me that Lia is coming with her parents, I never show up. I just hide in one of the guest rooms or leave the palace and wander around.

    That is how I discovered this wonderful lake. I found out about this place when I was wandering on the human side of our area.

    I always go to Waffles & Sausages and binge eat on their best-tasting waffles and sausages paired with a strawberry milkshake. This helps me forget my issues for a while.

    It was two months ago, if I'm not mistaken, I decided to stroll inside Woodbridge forest. I took a straight path, and this is where it led me. I have always come here since then, mostly during nighttime in my wolf form. And during the daytime, it's more related to escaping and hiding. Since hiding in the guest room is boring, this becomes my new hiding place.

    But I can't avoid Lia for so long. My eighteenth birthday came. That's the only time I spent a lot of time with Lia because there's no way to escape that. I just tried my best to act as normal as possible in front of her, and I believe she doesn't know anything yet about the marriage during those times because if she does, she will definitely feel the same way as I am. Uncomfortable.

    I was hoping that at that moment, my problem will finish. Unfortunately, it did not. It just passes by like a regular birthday party since I did not find my mate that evening.

    But I'm glad I found this beautiful place, a place where I can have my peace and daydream of my mate. I always imagine her with me lying down beside me on this grass bed. And it's funny who I chose to do that with. Alia, Alexander's niece. She really caught my attention with her sarcasm and that charming smirk. She was really cute and funny but with a powerful personality. Too bad that was the first and last time I saw her. She did not attend my birthday either. When I asked Alexander her whereabouts, he told me that she already went back to Europe to finish her studies, and I felt a twitch of sadness in my heart when he said that because I really wanted to be close to her. She seems really cool even though she doesn't know how to socialize, as per her uncle. But something is interesting behind those blue eyes.

    Speaking of Alia, I wish her all the best tomorrow. As I recall from my memory, she's also turning eighteen tomorrow, and I hope she'll find her mate in Europe.

    I close my eyes as I remember Bayron and Lia's birthday. And I am praying hard to the moon goddess that Lia will meet her mate tomorrow. That will solve my dilemma instantly.

    I still see Lia as a sister. How am I going to change that? How can I kiss her or touch her if I look at her in that way? What kind of future awaits us?

    I release a sigh from tons of thoughts pooling my mind, then suddenly I hear Luca's voice in my head.

    "I knew it. I will find you here." He says through the mind link.

    I open my eyes and see him hovering.

    I sat down. "I thought I was dreaming when I heard your voice."

    Luca sits beside me. "I did that purposely to distract you because I saw you sighing with your eyes closed. Still couldn't decide?" Luca knows everything about what's happening in my life, and I'm glad I have someone like him who's there to listen to my sentiments.

    "I don't know if I can ever decide. It's been five years, but nothing's changed." I sigh.

    "In my opinion, you better stop running away from it. You don't have a mate, and it's not so bad to have a chosen mate, and just like what Alexander told you, Lia is perfect for you." I can't believe what I just heard.

    "You are also rooting for Lia, huh. I told you she's like a sister to me. I'm sure she sees me the same way—a brother." This is so frustrating; everyone around me wants me to be with her.

    Luca chuckles. "You're so wrong, Logan. I can see from Lia's eyes that she has a crush on you." He says.

    I slide in front of him to scrutinize his face, and I can tell he's sure of what he just said.

    "Excuse me? Who are you to judge that? Are you a crush radar now?" I smirk.

    Luca burst out laughing. "It's called experience. I was once young and handsome like you. I know from the way girls look at me if they have an interest in me or not. I saw how Lia stares at you during your eighteenth birthday and the way she blushes whenever you are near her." How come Luca saw all of those, and I didn't?

    "That's ridiculous. She doesn't have a crush on me." I disagree.

    "Try to open your eyes, Logan, and you'll see." He says and gets on his feet.

    "We have to go; your father wants to speak with you." He offers his arm, and I grab it for support as I stand up.

*****

    "Where is he?" I ask Luca when we reach the palace.

    "He's in his office." He says.

    I bob my head. "Thanks, Luca! Catch you later," I say and begin to jog into the palace. Then Luca calls me.

    "Logan!" I turned around to look at him.

    "Try to open your heart." He winks. I offer him a smile and continue to go inside.

    Father's office door was already open when I arrived, and he smiled at me warmly from his desk as I stepped into his office.

    Since that day, I am kind of aloof with my father, and since that day, he never speaks of the marriage again.

    He motions me to sit on the couch near the fireplace, join me afterward, and take the sofa opposite me to talk face-to-face.

    "How are you doing, son?" Father begins.

    "I'm okay, father." I still feel awkward talking to him like this. Seems like a déjà vu.

    "I'll get straight to the point because I know you still feel uncomfortable around me. I want to ask you for a favor." He says.

    "Of course you can." I quickly replied.

    "Could you pick up Lia today so you could spend a day together before her eighteenth birthday and check if you and your wolf will feel a sort of connection with her?" He's still not giving up his hopes that Lia might be my mate no matter how many times I told him that there was none. I could have sensed the hint of the mate bond the moment I turned eighteen if Lia is my mate, but there wasn't.

    I sigh. "Father, I told you before that Lia is not my mate."

    "Tomorrow, she'll reach a mature age. Maybe it will develop this time." I search my father's face to see if he's joking or not, but his expression shows nothing but seriousness.

    "You know well, that's not how the mate bond works." I remind him.

    "I don't want to sound like a dictator Logan, but this marriage is happening whether you like it or not. Lia is the best choice for a chosen mate for you. Nothing in this world can change my opinion on that." Father's voice is deep, and that tone gives me the jitters. He rarely uses that tone on us. Actually, no at all. This is the first time.

    "I informed Dylan that you're going to pick up his daughter before lunch because I would like to eat lunch with her. You better hurry. It's already..." he glances at his watch. "...10:00 AM." He continues.

    I rise from my seat. "I'll get ready and go," I say and flee the room without saying anything. What's the point of protesting if father already made his decision? I have no choice but to obey.

LIA'S POV

    I have never felt this excited in my life! The smile never leaves my face while packing the stuff I will bring to the Alpha King's palace.

    I can't believe I'm spending time with Logan, especially after that day, When he ran off. For the last five years, he's been different. I don't know what happened, why he stopped coming here, and whenever we go to the palace to visit, he's not there. At least when I'm there, he's not there.

    I noticed that whenever I couldn't join my family to visit the king, Bayron always tells me that Logan is present. Is it just a coincidence, or is he trying to avoid me? Did I do something to upset him?

    And that's not it; every time I asked Bayron how Logan is, he would say he's totally fine. Just busy preparing himself to be a rightful heir. Bayron never mentioned anything about Logan being odd, which makes me more suspicious and proves that I'm right.

    Then I became more confused when Logan was treating me nicely during his birthday. Just like the old times, but after that, I did not see or hear from him.

    I better ask Logan today what's going on. I can't continue like this. Keep on guessing and assuming.

    After I finish packing and while zipping my suitcase close, someone knocks on my door.

    "Lia, honey. May I come in?" It's mom.

    "Sure, mom!" I say, and I hear the door open, then mom helps me get my luggage out of bed.

    "You got everything you need?" She asks with a warm smile.

    "Yes, mom, but I kept my gown in the box. I will bring it like that, then hang it once I reach the palace," I explained. Mom grins at me and begins playing with my hair twisting it around her finger. Afterward, she moves her hands downwards and holds my hands.

    "Lia, there's something I want to tell you." Mom sounds serious, and that makes me nervous.

    "What is it, mom?" I inquire.

    "If ever you will not find your mate tomorrow, we want you to have a chosen mate." I give mom a puzzled look.

    "Okay... Yeah sure. As long as I like him and he likes me, I don't mind having a chosen mate. I will look for one in case I will not meet him tomorrow." I utter cooly.

    "About that, your dad and I have chosen a mate for you already." My mouth slackens from mom's shocking statement. I stared at mom for a while, and when she did not say anything, I burst out laughing.

    "Seriously?! And who's that lucky guy you and dad chose to be with your hard-headed daughter?"

    My mom's lips parted into a broad smile.

    "It's Logan," mom divulged, and Logan's name echoed inside my head.

    Logan as my chosen mate? Is this for real?