ELIAS'S P.O.V
I was sitting in my chair across from members of a board meeting. Truth be told, I'd love to be anywhere other than here, listening to them talk about stocks and bonds. Normally, I'd be all for this topic, seeing how it could be worse. It could be another Elder meeting about how a King is no King without a Queen. I personally never agreed with that one though. It's not that I couldn't see how a mate could benefit me. Believe it or not, even a chosen mate should be able to help stabilize my raging mood swings. At least, that's what I've been told. I wasn't sure how true that would be, especially if I chose anyone but Zola as a mate. However, I knew time was not on my side. If I couldn't figure out a way to be with her soon, I'd be suck mating with Shanti
There was nothing against Shanti, she was genuinely an amazing person. At least, in her own way. I just wanted what I couldn't have. I wanted Zola.
It didn't help my mood that Zola had been gone for over a month now. An entire fucking month. And she hadn't sent another letter since the first. I was going stir-crazy. I needed to know that she was okay. I needed to know that she was happy. But who was I to care? I was the one that chose Shanti over her, time and time again. I was the one who fucked her, knowing that I was still going to have to chose Shanti as my chosen mate. I deserved the cold shoulder she was giving me. I had no right to act the way that I was. But I just couldn't help it. I would always care about her. And I would always want what was best for her. I would ultimately always love her and her alone. Always.
"Do you have anything else to add to that, Alpha?"
I looked up to see all the board members' eyes watching me intently. I hadn't been listening to what they were talking about. My mind had been on my predicament with Zola and Shanti for the last several months. My mind was never fully in a conversation anymore.
"No. Go on." I then said with a swish of my hand.
He nodded and continued to speak about how if we invested in one stock we are sure to see profit over the next few years. After the long discussion was finally over and everyone left, I remained seated in my chair. I rubbed my temples for what felt like the millionth time before standing to my feet to leave.
"Your highness. I can see you have a lot going on, and I hate to add more to your plate, but we need to talk." A faint voice said from the dark shadows of the room.I hadn't realized that I wasn't alone.
"What would you like to talk about, Kingston?" I said as I put the palms of my hands face down on the desk.
"Where is my Mother?" I asked when he didn't respond.
"About that. I don't think this job is working."
"What? I don't understand. I thought you both were clicking. My Mother said that you guys were getting along fine."
"We are. That's sort of the problem."
I stared at him, unsure of how to respond.
"Can you elaborate? I'm not exactly following." I replied, while watching him closely.
"She is great. Truthfully. Maybe a little too great. My wife isn't exactly happy about that."
I moved my hand from the desk to rub my head again, thinking about what it was that he was trying to say.
"So, you're quitting because your wife doesn't like that the Queen is adored by all?"
"Of course not. I'm quitting because my wife does not approve of me working so closely for a beau - for a woman of her status."
Were these signs of attachments forming? Could it be the broken mate bond trying to re-spark their old flame? Did that threaten his wife?
"I can talk to her, try and see if-"
"I'm not trying to put my business out there. But I will because I am a truthful man. I can't work with her majesty because every time I see her face, I want to caress it in my hands. I desire nothing more than to kiss her pouting lips. But I can't act on such foolish thoughts because not only is she a Queen, but I also vowed myself to my wife. These are impure feelings that I can't seem to shake and so the only option is to resign and move on."
Move on... As in leave? No. I just got him back. Hell, I hadn't even gotten the chance to know the new him.
"What if I reassign you to a new position?" I asked, now trying to bargain with him.
His eyes moved from side to side, thinking about my offer.
"I can't be around your mother. Does that not bug you?"
I looked deep into his golden eyes. But before I could respond, the door swung open. My mother was standing in the frame, gaping at both of us.
"You don't want to be around me?" Her voice sounded hoarse and hurt.
My heart clenched tightly in my chest, watching how unraveled she was becoming by the news.
"Your majesty," he said as he bowed, then continued to speak. "It's not that I don't want to be. I just can't. Please understand."
"I was trying so hard. Trying to just be me. I should've kept to myself. I should've-"
"No. There is nothing wrong with you or your big personality. I actually enjoy your company. But that's the issue. I'd rather spend time at your side than go home to my family."
"It's your job to care."
"Not this much, Red."
Did he just call her by a nickname he used to use?
"Sorry. That was out of line. I meant to say your majesty. See, I am too comfortable around you, and I am not supposed to be."
"Formality isn't my style." My mother responded pleadingly. I could see hope lingering in the depths of her eyes.
I should leave, this conversation felt too private. I gathered my papers and started to walk out when my father spoke again.
"Please, your highness, you can't leave us alone."
His big golden pleading eyes told me all I needed to know. Something happened between them, and he doesn't trust himself alone with her now. This was what I prayed would happen. At least before I knew he had a family, that is. I could now tell that spending so much time together was beginning to weigh on them.
"Look. I've always been the type to never settle down. My wife knew that. But I always come home. Now, that's the last thing I want to do. I can't hurt them because of my selfishness." He said in almost a pleading tone.
"She was there for me when nobody else was. She helped get me back on my feet. I owe her. I can't turn my back on them. Not after everything."
Had I not known my Mother like I did, I wouldn't have known she was hurting by his words. But she couldn't hide her pain, not from me. However, I also understood more than anyone that he had obligations to uphold.
"I will reassign your jobs if you stay."
He looked at my mother before looking back at me and nodding in agreement.
"Perfect. Come to my office first thing in the morning and I will have the new position ready for you."
"Thank you, your highness."
He started to leave but paused before he passed my mother.
"I'm sorry, T. I have to." He whispered before leaving.
Her eyes shot up to look at me. I could tell she was trying to hold back her tears.
"Mom, what happened?"
"I messed up, Elias. I messed up so much."
Sadness lingered in her voice. A sadness I hadn't witnessed in her in a long time.
"What happened?"
"I thought I could handle it. And at first I did. But then..." She stopped talking, drifting off deep into her thoughts. She absentmindedly traced her finger along her lips. "I think this is the best for us both." She then said, coming out of her thoughts.
"Mom."
"I have some stuff to take care of. If you need me, just holler." She quickly said before swiftly walking away.
Clearly, I wasn't the only one in a messed-up love triangle. What was happening to us all? Were we all losing an uphill battle?