Ghost King

Bitter Truth

The meeting was held in Goa, all the leaders as well as their mates had arrived. It has been a pretty uneventful week and it turned out that no one had any issues attending the meeting. Seokjin arrived with his mates an hour before the meeting began. Everyone's eyes were on them, Svetlana was with Gage who had a protective arm around her waist and Seokjin held Ashton by the waist. Cage as usual was no where in sight, he had come with them in the same car but they lost sight of him after he got out of the car. His link was also blocked and his phone was with Gage.

"Colt! It's good to see you again, old friend." A man in a blue suit rushed over to greet them.

Seokjin smiled," Stephen, long time no see, how have you been?"

"All great, my friend, all great. I see you finally met your beloved." Stephen smiled at Ashton who stood silently next to Seokjin.

It was a fact that most people thought Ashton was Seokjin's beloved and not his chosen partner. The former Gamma knew that it hurt Cage to be treated like a stranger by everyone who knew Seokjin all because the Vampire did not make it clear who was his real soulmate. Cage did not mind that the man loved Ashton more than him however, he did want to be a part of his own soulmate's life.

" I'm not his soulmate, King Gordon, I'm his chosen mate. His beloved is Cage Hermes Knight." Ashton spoke in a calm tone, " Excuse me." With that he left.

The room was plunged into silence as everyone in the room had heard clearly what Ashton said. Some of them were shocked to know that the Vampire Lord had chosen to bring his chosen mate rather than his real soulmate to the meeting. Gage and Svetlana went to find Gage's parents.

Stephen Gordon was the King of the Fae Kingdom, he and Seokjin used to go to the same school together and had been good friends. They are known as one of the strongest Allies in the supernatural world." Forgive me, old friend, I didn't mean to offend you..."

Seokjin waved him off," It's not your fault, Stephen. I never made it clear who my beloved is and I'm to blame for people's misconception."

" I'm sure you'll figure it out. Where is your beloved if you don't mind me asking?"

" He's here somewhere. He doesn't like crowds very much and on top of that, he and I are having some problems. I did things that hurt him and put our relationship at stake."

Gordon nodded in understanding, he felt his friend's sadness so he did not prob longer. Instead they decided to chat about random things. On the other hand, Ashton went around the mansion looking for Cage. They were in one of the Headquarters of the supernatural realm council. They have a few of those around the world, Ashton did not know why the supernatural realm council members wanted to host this conference. He did not care though, he didn't even want to come but had to as it was part of the rules. All the man cared about at the moment was his mates and keeping them all together.

"Where are you going?" A husky voice startled him. Ashton looked around and realized he had ventured out of the mansion into the garden.

He turned to his left where the voice came from and smiled when he saw Cage standing there." I've been looking for you."

" Why?"

Ashton frowned at his coldness," What do you mean? You're our mates, we were worried about you and I'm sure your parents want to see you too." He explained, " Cage, you can't keep this up or your bond with Seo will break again and this time it won't be just you and him."

Silence.

Cage did not say anything, he had nothing to say. In his mind his bond with Seokjin broke the day the man had raised his hand on him. Sure he forgave him but he can't forget and no matter how much he wants to put the whole thing behind him, it's not that easy. Everytime he sees Ashton and Seokjin together, he is reminded of the fact that his own mate does not trust him. He loves Ash, he really does but the truth is Ashton and Seokjin share a bond stronger than a matebond. Their bond is not influenced by any matebond, it's pure and real. It's one of true love and no one can take that away. Ashton will always be Seokjin's first love.

" Go back inside before Seokjin worries." With that he disappeared into thin air.

Ashton stood frozen in his spot, his heart hurt like hell and he didn't even realize he was crying until he felt a hand on his shoulder. He turned to find Aiden looking at him with a small smile.

" It's not at all your fault, Ashton. You don't have to blame yourself, Seokjin chose his own path and my son made his decision."

"Their bond is diminishing. You said I was meant to keep them all together then how come I'm the reason they're tearing apart?" He questioned in a small voice.

Aiden stared off in the distance," Ashton, the prophecy said that a broken soul will keep the mates together. It did not mention anyone's name, if Cage is meant to be with Seokjin then nothing and no one can break them apart. If not then Seokjin and you are not the ones mentioned in the prophecy and it'd mean Cage has more than one mate. " He clarified.

" I love him. I know Seo loves him too... "

" You both love him, yes, but not as much as you love each other. You and Coltonovosky share an infinite love, one that will lasts for several lifetimes and even the bond of a soulmate can't break it. You'll never be able to love anyone else like that or trust anyone else."

Ashton's breath hitched as he realized how true those words were. He might give up anything, he can afford to lose anyone but not Seokjin even if that meant the Vampire has to abandon his own beloved. The man fell to his knees when he realized just how cruel and selfish he sounded," W-what do we do?" He croaked.

The merfolk king looked at him," Not every soulmate is meant to be your lover. Some can be your friends, soul brother or sister and some can be your enemy. Being soulmate just means that the two of you share a deeper connection than others. The Moon Goddess creates soulmates but she does not force them to love each other. My soulmate abused me and tortured me. He was my enemy and he will be my enemy in every lifetime. Deacon and Dragon are my true love, I loved them way before Deacon was granted to me as his second chance mate." The man spoke calmly.

The former Gamma cried silently as he understood what needed to be done. It hurt and he felt guilty about it but it had to be done either way. If not, Cage will suffer and none of them will ever be truly happy. " I understand, I will talk to Seo about it."

" I know. Remember, this is not your fault. One can never defy Fate so if it has come to this then it's all because Fate willed it."