First Love

Chapter 5: Saying goodbye

Raya's POV

I headed back to my cottage. I knew my dad was either drinking or passed out by now.

If Charles wanted to reject me. He would have to hunt me down to do it. I wasn't going to make it easy on him if he wanted to go against the mate bond.

I was surprised to see the queen sitting outside on our porch swing. No one has sat there since my mom, and it made me really uncomfortable to see her sitting there in more ways than one.

She stood up when she saw me. "Raya, I'm so glad I found you. I wasn't sure where to look. Your father graciously let me we wait out here while he went to go lay down."

"I'm sorry about him. He hasn't been the same since we lost my mom."

I could tell she felt awful. "I'm sorry dear. Im sorry about everything. Charles, he's just confused right now. But he does want you. I hope you know that."

"Your majesty with all do I respect I know that's not true. I know that he's in love with someone else. Apparently, I'm beneath a witch."

I think I unintentionally spit that last part out.

She looked angry now. "How do you know about that?"

"Does it really matter? He's going to reject me either way."

She slumped her shoulders and sighed. "He's not going to reject you, Raya. The witch was just a fling that he got caught up in. He really does want his fated mate. He knew it was never going to truly work out with her, and she doesn't have what it takes to be queen."

"I don't want to come in between whatever he's got going on with that girl."

"Trust me, you're not. Please just give him a chance, dear."

I felt even more confused now than I did before. "I dont know. I'm just an omega. I'm nothing special. Maybe he wants special. That could be why he was with the witch. Truth is, im really fine where I'm at. I have no desire to be a queen or be with a man who doesn't love or want me. Im happy here."

"Raya, he does want you. He was just shocked. That was all. He wants to take you to the palace tonight. Just please, please go talk to him. You will see."

"He wants me to leave with him tonight?"

"Yes, tonight."

I took a moment of silence just to think. "Okay, I'll talk to him. But I'm not promising that I'll leave tonight."

"That's perfectly fine, dear."

I got cleaned up to go talk to Charles, and the queen kindly waited on me.

Maybe Remi misunderstood, and he doesn't actually want to be with the witch.

We got to the pack house, and he was sitting at the kitchen island. I felt my heart flutter when he looked at me. He gave me a small smile that didn't reach his eyes.

I was feeling more confused than ever. I kind of felt like I was doing something wrong, and this was a mistake coming in here to talk to him.

He stood, and I instantly took a step back. I didn't realize how tall he was.

He cleared his throat. "Do you mind if you go for a walk to talk?"

Shit his mom is wrong. He's so going to reject

me.

The walk was quiet and awkward. So very awkward.

His voice was deep and raspy. I would be lying if I didn't hear the hurt in his voice. "Listen, Raya, I don't want to lie to you. I just ended a relationship with someone I really cared about, and this isn't going to be easy for me, but I'm really going to try with us."

"Prince Charles, I know about the witch. I know that you love her."

I wanted to tell him to reject me and to go be with her if that's what his heart really wanted, but my mouth didn't open. I was feeling the pull. He was beyond handome, and he smelt way to good. It was really making me crave a cup of coffee.

"I'm sorry you didn't hear that from me. I'm not trying to hurt you."

"I see that. I do."

"I want to try with us, Raya. I know it's right for the kingdom. I know this wasn't the idea situation for meeting your mate. But what do you think about coming home to the palace with me?"

"Do you want me to come?"

He was quiet for a moment. It kind of felt like he wasn't sure by his own words. "Yes, I want you to come."

"Okay, yeah, I'll come with you. Let's give us a try."

I'm not sure if I was stupid or if I got hit over the head with a rock and didn't know about it. I can't believe I agreed to go. He wasn't exactly saying the right things, but I could tell he was at least trying. I think. I mean, why else would he invite me to the palace.

We went separate ways so I could go pack and say goodbye to my dad. I knew I wouldn't be able to convince him to go with me no matter how hard I tried. His heart was here. He would never leave the house because of my mom.

I got there, and he was surprisingly awake. "The queen stopped by. I guess you found your mate after all. A prince for your birthday. I'd be Damned."

"Yeah, Daddy. Is there any way I can convince you to go?"

"I think we both know you already know the answer to that sweetie pie. I just can't."

"I know. I understand." Part of me was hoping, but he was right. I did already know the answer.

I went to pack. It maybe took me thirty minutes. I didn't have much. I took a few things of my mother's just to feel like she was with me. Including her favorite oversized cardigan.

I wish she was here. She would have a better idea of what to do with the whole Charles situation. She always had a way of making choices easy and clear.

I put my bags at the door. My dad was already out like a light. I kissed him on his forehead. "I'll miss you, Daddy. I'll see you soon."

A palace warrior came by to grab my bags. I was kind of disappointed it wasn't Charles, but I guess he was the future prince. I shouldn't expect him to carry any sort of bag.

I started to walk to the front of the pack house when Remi caught my eye.

I felt the tears coming forward. I was going to miss him the most. My best friend. The one who understood me more than anyone. It hurt to leave him. Meghan and I were close, but nothing like the friendship I had with him.

I ran toward him, and he ran towards me. I jumped in his arms. I knew he would be leaving to travel, and I didn't know if I would see him again.

He finally put me down after a while and put my face into his hands. "I'm going to miss you so much. I love you, Raya."

"I love you too. Please stay in touch, Remi. You're my best friend. I want to know if you're safe."

He looked sad and with a look I couldn't figure out. "Raya, he won't ever love you. Are you sure this is what you want? To be in a loveless relationship."

"You don't know that. He may grow to love me with some time. Just wait and see."

"Raya, I wish you wouldn't do this. You'll just end up hurt. You didn't hear him talking about the witch."

"Remi, he was never going to take her as a mate."

He snapped. "He's only settling for you because you have a wolf. How do you not see that. His heart is with that witch. If that's something you can live with, then fine. I'll shut my mouth from here on out. But we both know that's not the kind of woman you are. You want a deep, passionate love, and I'm telling you, Charles, isn't it. He's using you to become king and to give him an heir."

Without thinking, I slapped him across the cheek. I instantly regretted it.

He shook his head. "You're already changing."

He turned away and walked away from me. "Remi, wait! I'm so sorry."

He didn't stop. He just kept walking and never accepted my apology.

What did I just do? I can't believe I just did that.

I turned around to see Charles watching me. I really hope he didn't just hear that whole conversation.

I had tears in my eyes, and it didn't seem to faze him. He had a cold look on his face similar to when we met. "It's time to go if you're coming."

I looked around, realizing it was best that I leave. Remi is leaving here either way. "I'm coming."

He gave me an awkward nod and left toward the car. He didn't even wait for me to catch up.