Purest

30. Any Way (Unedited)

Constantine

Leaving his mate's side when she was hurting had torn him apart. Being away from her felt the most agonizingly, longest hours of his life. Necessary though it had been at that time.

Emotions were running high and he loathe to say words that could upset min dronning more.

Her pain was his. He felt them tenfolds.

And losing their pup would kill her spirit. No. He could not ask it of her. Asked them to sacrifice something that was a part of their hearts.

Deciding for his people had been easy before. Would have been carried out without question.

As long as it was always for the good of the kingdom and its subjects, he would not hesitate.

Not today. This one was for him. For his mate. More precious to him than his life. Without Mia, all would be lost.

Constantine would take the risk. He knew he had no choice.

Feeling like he had come full circle, he had to be where he could finally come to terms with his obvious path.

Lost in his thoughts, his usually confident steps felt heavy. Senses honed by power were nowhere as acute, his guard down. Every breath he took felt incomplete. Grimacing, he continued to trek to his cabin.

Theirs.

A love nest full of memories to last him a lifetime. This sacred place was where his firstborn was conceived. On his mate's first heat.

How could he bear to lose Mia and his pup? He couldn't. He would perish alongside them.

The Royal Beta's words wringing in his ears. If the king dared set aside all his beliefs, there was hope yet.

What he had suggested to his queen yesterday still made his stomach queasy. He understood her anger.

Hell, he was kicking himself for uttering those vile words.

But the alternative was also hard to contemplate. Or was it? If his mate and son survived, it was his duty to see it through.

Stopping in his tracks, he shifted to his human form, mentally grimacing at his vulnerability. But it was a small price to pay in loving his Mia Jane.

Pulling his pants on in an afterthought. These small gestures he had been doing to please his mate had become a habit.

Seeing her waiting, he also wondered what to say to his mother. Shaking his head, bracing himself from her sharp tongue, he faced his unexpected visitor.

"Moon Goddess," he bowed elegantly before his creator.

"Son," with a regal nod, she curtsied as befitting his station in life, providing him the same respect as the gods and goddesses of the heavens. "Come. Sit with me," patting the wide steps leading to the wrapped-around porch of his old cabin, arranging her long skirts, she reclined gracefully. Constantine was not fooled but he humored her.

They were silent for a moment, just staring at the dark sky, the stars twinkling at them.

Selene patiently waited for him to start, letting him know she would always be there for him. However, he remained silent. Her silver eyes narrowed. "I am sorry for what those two maggots have put you through. Especially that fake wife, Orion calls beloved. That Oracle is rotten to the core." She murmured softly. Knowing everything going on around her but she could not interfere with Fate and Destiny. Just as they could not meddle with her creations and pairings.

"I hate them so much." He said. Dark eyes usually not showing any emotion were bleak with so much pain. "I will kill every last one of those leeches. Tis I vow."