THE HEIR'S MATE

CHAPTER THIRTY SEVEN

"Can we talk for a second?" Isolde asked, her voice tinged with hesitation as she approached Finn after their training session. The midday sun cast a warm, golden light over the training ground, illuminating her angular features and piercing green eyes. Her red-brown hair, sleek and pulled back, glinted under the bright light. It was her first time back in training since her mysterious disappearance almost a month ago, during which Lukan had taken her place.

Finn didn't respond immediately; instead, he fixed her with a hard glare. His hazel eyes, usually gentle and expressive, narrowed in frustration as he regarded her. His jaw clenched, muscles taut with barely contained frustration. He wasn't entirely sure where his anger stemmed from—was it the way she had left things the last time they met, or was it the fact that she had disappeared without a trace, leaving him to stew in a mixture of worry and resentment?

The question hung in the air, not just between them, but also among the others in their training area. A sudden, awkward silence fell over the group, with everyone pretending not to notice the tension, except for Silas, who seemed unusually eager, his eyes darting between Finn and Isolde with an almost mischievous curiosity.

"Let's go," Althea whispered urgently, her voice low as she signaled to Luna and Elias. She didn't wait for them to respond, practically dragging Silas along with her, the urgency in her movements making it clear that they needed to give Finn and Isolde some space.

Luna and Elias exchanged a knowing glance, a mix of worry and mischievous curiosity twinkling in their eyes. They briefly met each other's gaze before turning to follow Althea, their steps light with a shared sense of anticipation. The charged atmosphere lingered with them, adding a playful edge to their departure. As they walked away, they couldn't help but wonder what drama would unfold next between their beloved friends.

Finn watched them go, his jaw tightening as the realization hit him—he was alone with Isolde. "I don't have any choice, do I?" he muttered, more to himself than to her. His voice was laced with frustration, but also resignation, as if he knew there was no escaping this conversation.

Isolde couldn't help but let out a small, involuntary laugh at his words, a sound that surprised even her. It was a brief moment of levity, one that was quickly replaced by the seriousness of the situation. Her face sobered, and she found herself missing the way Finn's sarcasm had once been a source of amusement rather than tension.

"I'm sorry," she began, her voice wavering slightly as she inhaled nervously, trying to steady herself. She met his gaze, her eyes earnest, searching for any sign of understanding. "I'm sorry for what I did at Maya's, and I'm also sorry about everything else I did that made you uncomfortable." Her words tumbled out, rushed yet sincere as if she feared losing her nerve if she hesitated.

Finn's expression remained guarded, his eyes narrowing slightly as he listened. "So, you're realizing it now? Congratulations," he replied, his tone dripping with mockery. The sarcasm was a defense mechanism, one he clung to even as curiosity gnawed at him. He couldn't help but wonder why she had disappeared so suddenly, leaving him to stew in his anger and confusion.

Finn's posture remained tense, his arms crossed tightly over his chest as if shielding himself from her words. His eyes, sharp and unforgiving, bore into her, searching for some truth beneath her nervous demeanor. "Is that why you went missing all of a sudden? To prepare some kind of apologetic speech?" The sarcasm was thick, but there was a flicker of something else—curiosity, perhaps even hurt, lurking beneath his harsh tone. He wanted answers, even if he wasn't quite ready to admit it.

Isolde swallowed hard, her mind racing to piece together the right words. "Well, to be honest," she began, her voice trembling slightly, "someone pointed out to me that my actions were... too eager, and that it might've been unbearable for you. They said I should try to see things from your perspective, and when I thought about it... yeah, I guess I was being a jerk, and rude." Her words tumbled out in a mix of nervousness and genuine apology, her eyes darting to Finn's, hoping for a sign that he was listening.

"They also said I should respect your space instead of forcing things," she continued, her voice softening as she tried to explain. "And, well, I had some other things to take care of—things I usually avoid—but I thought maybe giving you space was the right thing to do." Her words faltered, her thoughts scattered as if the emotions swirling in her mind were too chaotic to articulate clearly.

Finn's lips twisted into a bitter smirk, his eyes narrowing as he latched onto her words. "Well, thank you for the space you gave me," he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm as he emphasized the word "gave," as if the space he needed was some kind of favor she had bestowed upon him.

Isolde's heart sank at his response, her shoulders slumping as she realized how badly she had miscommunicated. "That's not what I meant. I..." she stammered, her voice trailing off as she struggled to find the right words, her mind drawing a frustrating blank. She had come here to make things right, but it seemed all she was doing was making them worse.

Finn's gaze remained locked on Isolde, his eyes reflecting a tumult of emotions. The anger and disappointment were palpable, but beneath them, there was a deeper vulnerability he struggled to conceal. The silence stretched between them, heavy with the weight of their unspoken feelings. The warmth of the sun did little to soften the tension between them.

"So why'd you come back then?" Finn asked, his voice tight, edged with frustration. "I was enjoying the space, right now."

Isolde's shoulders sagged slightly at his words, her face etched with a mix of remorse and resignation. "My wolf instincts were tampering with me," she admitted, her voice wavering. "And I also wanted to apologize to you. I'm really sorry, Finn. I don't know what else to say except for that." She paused, her eyes searching his face, hoping for some sign of understanding. "I understand if you can't accept my apology, and I also understand if you don't want me near you again."

Her words seemed to hang in the air, a fragile plea for forgiveness mingled with the acceptance of possible rejection. The sincerity in her voice contrasted sharply with Finn's steely demeanor, creating a tense standoff that seemed to stretch on indefinitely.

Finn's expression remained impassive, a silent testament to his internal struggle as he processed Isolde's apology. The space between them felt almost tangible, a barrier that neither seemed willing to cross.

"Didn't you use the wrong order?" he said, his voice edged with frustration. "You're supposed to apologize first before deciding anything."

Isolde blinked, a flicker of realization crossing her face. "Ah, right. Sorry?" she offered, her tone a mix of awkwardness and sincerity.

Finn ran a frustrated hand through his dark brown hair, which was already tousled and disheveled from their earlier training. His agitation was palpable, and he sighed heavily as he spoke. "Fine," he said, his voice thick with reluctant acceptance. "As long as you keep your distance and 'give' me my space, I'll try to tolerate you."

"But don't mistake this for forgiveness," he continued, his tone unyielding and firm. "I'm doing this only for Elias. He needs all the help he can get right now."

His gaze was sharp, his words deliberate. "And don't even think about bringing up the idea of being mates again. I'll never be your partner." The finality in his voice left no room for misunderstanding, underscoring the deep chasm that remained between them. The barrier that separated them was as palpable as it was unspoken, a constant reminder of the complicated dynamics they now faced.

Isolde's heart raced, each of Finn's words weighing heavily on her. She found herself caught in a tumult of conflicting emotions, uncertain whether to feel relief at his willingness to tolerate her or sorrow at the clear rejection. Her wolf, however, was less conflicted. Its instincts flared with frustration and anger at Finn's outright dismissal, demanding a claim to their bond that seemed increasingly unattainable given the current tension.

But Isolde held her ground, her resolve firm despite the turmoil inside. After hearing from Lyla about his hatred for the alpha role, she understood his perspective better. For now, being tolerable was enough for her. She decided, right now her focus would be to respect his boundaries and wait for a time when things might shift—if ever.

"I promise," she said, her voice steady and sincere. The words were a pledge to honor his space and to adhere to the fragile truce they had reached, even as her wolf bristled with unspoken demands.

"Good," Finn responded, his tone clipped. "Can I go now?" he asked, glancing at Isolde, who simply nodded in reply.