Standards

CHAPTER 61

Lucius fled the manor at once. He took of to the forbidden forest to once again meet his dear friend, Mrytle. He had just sat beside her, not saying anything for awhile. And she didn't seem to mind it at all.

"What is going through that head of yours?" She suddenly asked, coming out of the water and causing Lucius to flinch.

"Nothing." He simply provided. He looked back into the water and gazed at the beautiful fish that were swimming in the clear water.

"Do not be afraid of what is to come. Your alpha is always there, isn't he. But maybe standards be damned. I have to say that Gerry doesn't belong here." She sighed.

"He is here to stay." He mumbled. Getting up from the stone he had occupied.

"But he isn't here to take your place. He isn't supposed to rule where once you ruled. He is not you. You and your mates were perfect just the way you were." She said, her voice distant.

"Things change. Life just works that way Mrytle. Gerry is a mate, it doesn't matter if he wasn't here at the start. People come and go and Gerry has came to stay. He is always welcomed in the manor." Lucius snapped, turning and storming away from her.

Lilith had moved. She had left to her own world. And it didn't matter to him, it was better that way. He may still be a part of her but he doesn't need to be there for her.

•••

Harry smiled at Severus as he moved around his potions lab. Severus looked regal in his black robes and the stern look on his face as he moved back and forth. Severus had gained his confidence and bitter attitude back and Harry was in his good graces once. But it wasn't easy to reach there.

Harry had groveled at all his mates feet for forgiveness and shocking they forgave him. But they no doubt made him grovel anf enjoyed him falling to his knees for their forgiveness.

Gerry was a little shocked at Harry's behavior. He was tentative of their relationship at first. But for the two of them it was like getting to know the other for the first time. Gerry had take a liking to Harry's actual side and him in his full sanity.

Harry had a lot of trouble with coming to terms with himself. He was lost, he hated himself for what he did. He shouldn't have done those things but it wasn't him. He wasn't in control. But it felt as though he did those things to his wonderful and strong mates. He had lost respect for himself.

"Alpha." Severus suddenly turned to face him. He looked troubled, way too troubled. Harry sat up straighter to show that he was listening.

"Who do you plan on passing down the throne to?" Severus asked and Harry frowned at the sudden question. He stood up from where he was sitting and walked over to Severus.

"I think it is a little to early to have that discussion." Harry softly said, pulling Severus into his arms. The omega looked up to him, his expression stern and his eyes narrowed slightly.

"In the next five to seven years, I wish to not be handling this burden any more. I wish to move out of this house and out of this kingdom. Maybe we could live in the towns which do not belong or even 'No Mans Land'. Lucius has fixed that place and it is more of a big family then just monsters and dangerous creatures roaming in there." Severus huffed, pushing away from Harry and turning to face his chopping board.

"Why?" Harry questioned after a tense minute of silence.

"Don't you think we all have grown apart. We need to retire to our home where we can love and not have the burden of running a kingdom. I want us to have domestic affairs. Working small jobs instead of running a kingdom. I work an apothecary, Tom is always busy in his workshop and is only seen out of it when you come back home and during that time we are already ready for bed. Gerry has working his arse of going back and forth to the bander kingdoms even though he knows he doesn't have to go there because everything is under control. But he also has kingly duties and doesn't want to give up because our family are some sort of workaholics and we are also changing him into that. Lucius is fucking running circles around everyone. He doesn't sleep in the same bed as us and only talks with Gerry. He is always locked in that office of his and if he is not there then he is in 'No Mans Land'. He has not talked like he used to and he has avoided physical contact with everyone except Gerry for some reason. When we all know that Lucius loves physical contact and sex and talking. And we can't even help each other because we are so busy in our own lives that we do not care about each other. I have been in this apothecary for ten hours and it is lonely because Lucius seems to have ran of to 'No Man's Land' once again. I have done nothing except for chopping things the wrong way. It is horrible because I realized that Lucius has stopped cooking and feeding us. He has burries himself so far into work that he has stopped living. We need time for each other. Alpha, please. We need each other and if we don't have time or if we do not talk. We will lose ourselves." Severus huffed. The sound of the knife hitting the chopping board made Harry flinch.