Duke Charming | Craig

Twenty-Seven

It was baffling how thirty years' worth of insecurities and pain just vanished in literal minutes after I told Craig the truth. And ironically enough, I've never been more scared in all my life as I've been in those said literal minutes.

But as I stood before his family with him at my side, keeping a firm hold of my hand as I told them everything I told him, I started to realize every fear I had that revolved around him and the Balfours, were irrelevant. A complete waste of sleep and time as I tiptoed around them and the subject these past few days.

Just like Craig, they listened intently to what I said, never interrupting once. I didn't exclude one detail – except the part where I consulted Lucine for a solution to my problem. Blake, I could tell, was waiting for me to reach that part, his worry and apprehension evident in the atmosphere.

But I kept Lucine and the potion out of the story for both our sakes. They didn't need to know Blake and I have met before; however brief and indirect it was. I already decided to get rid of the potion as soon as the wedding's over, since I assumed it needed a special kind of ritual to be destroyed. Something I figured Blake could help me with.

Then both our worries would be over for good.

It felt liberating knowing I didn't need the potion anymore, that I was finally good enough for a mate and a pack despite my flaws and weaknesses. But there was a new question poking around my head as I told the Balfours about my additional talents – the thermal sight, hiding my scent, moving soundlessly, sensing emotions, having multiple mates and all.

If not a werewolf, then what was I?

"That would explain why you couldn't sense her when she came to Direfair a few months ago," Emric said to Craig after mulling the information around. "It actually explains how not one of us could sense her."

"Well," Rheon began, exhaling in relief, "at least it proves that there's nothing wrong with our senses. I'd hate to repeat that again."

Ash wrapped her arms around his waist, hugging him sympathetically. None of them wanted to repeat that horrific time again. I couldn't imagine how it must feel to lose your sense of smell for as long as he did. Just imagining not being able to smell food, rain, whiskey, and my mate was enough to plumet me into depression.

Even I relied most on my sense of smell.

"I should also tell you," I spoke up, recalling what happened in the grocery store this morning, "the alpha that rejected me is the one that's trespassed on your territory. His name is Dario, and he's here because of me. He wants to take me back to Italy."

Beside me, Craig's body tensed, causing an instant shift in the atmosphere as his calm and supportive aura became protective, threatening even. As carefree and joyful as he is, at that moment I held no doubt that he was capable of hurting someone if they threatened someone he loved.

Ash did say he saved her life once by 'putting an end' to a werewolf that came at her. In that case, what would he do if something came at me?

"Don't take this the wrong way," Reyna held up her hands as she looked at me, clearly confused, "but why would he want you back if he rejected you? Which was awful, might I add. I can't imagine how that must feel – how you had felt."

"Or how you survived," Rieka breathed in befuddlement. "I mean, just looking back at how Grandma Selene lost her..." She shook her head, raising her clenched hand to her lips, unable to finish that question.

I made a mental note to tell them about my encounter with Selene later. First, I had to answer Reyna's question. "I don't think Dario knew rejecting me would slowly start weakening him over time. All I know is that he's weaker than he was twelve years ago, and he fears his pack will find out and use that to their advantage."