Leah's POV
"You can't be with Finn for a considerably long time, but he won't be your life companion." Dr. Monk said. "You're a werewolf. And a werewolf needs to be mated. The only reason that you're not getting weak like your husband is that you have Lycan blood in your veins. But after a certain amount of time, you will get weaker and weaker. If by that time, you still haven't been mated, you will wither and die, Miss Lewyn."
My world crumbled around me as I stood there, rooted to the spot. The words Dr. Monk had just said were like a punch to my gut, leaving me gasping for air.
"How... How about Finn? Is he already mated?" I asked. The thought of losing Finn to another woman terrified me.
"Yes, he has been mated before. But it seemed that this mating bond has been cut off." Dr. Monk said.
"Cut off?! What do you mean?"
"He has rejected his mate, or his mate has rejected him. I don't know. I can't get anything useful out of his mouth. He's afraid of people wearing a doctor's coat," Dr. Monk said.
My eyes widened in disbelief, trying to process the reality of what had just been revealed to me.
Finn had been mated. He was with another woman.
Is that why those beautiful lips are always sealed into a tight line? I thought to myself. So that he wouldn't reveal a secret to me? Is that why he's always afraid of me? Is it possible that even when he was holding me in his arms, he was actually thinking of another woman? Is that why he was trying desperately to push me away? Is that why he always looks so far away?
My normally composed demeanor shattered. My hands trembled, and my heart raced as I struggled to keep myself from falling apart. My mind raced with questions while my emotions were a jumbled mess of fear, anger, and tremendous sorrow.
All I wanted was a man's love. Why is this so hard for me?
I looked around, seeking solace or understanding, but all I could see was a blur of faces and colors. Everything seemed to be moving too fast, and yet, at the same time, everything felt like it was in slow motion.
"Miss Lewyn, do you need to take your seat?" Dr. Monk's voice sounded next to my ear.
I stretched out my arms, trying to steady myself. I felt someone grab my arms and helped me to sit down in a chair.
"Doctor, what shall I do?" I whispered. The news hit me like a tidal wave and I felt that I was drowning.
Dr. Monk pushed his glasses and said, "I'm a doctor, Miss Lewyn. I'm not supposed to give you any advice when it comes to your personal life. But as the physician of your family, your health and well-being concern me. My advice is that you go back to Alpha Lucas. Your marriage is still valid. Spend three years with him. His condition will be worsening, but with your support, hopefully, he will get over it. After three years, if he was still alive, take him to the Moon Goddess Temple and ask the Goddess for a second chance for you two."
"But... But I don't love him anymore. I love Finn..."
"Then, you need to help Lucas look for his second chance. But judging by his condition, I don't think that man will ever give up on you. He's a really determined man, Miss Lewyn. He's also very proud. He would rather die to accept the fact that his beloved woman is with another man."
I was frozen, unable to move or speak. All I could do was stand there, trying to make sense of what Dr. Monk had just said.
Dr. Monk said, "Come on, Miss Lewyn. That man has realized the importance of you in his life. He's bleeding and withering because of you. That's the price he wants to pay to take you back. You can't just stand by and look at such a beautiful, powerful him torturing himself like this."
Going back to Lucas was the last thing I wanted to do in the world, especially now that I have found Finn, whom I really love.
But what can I do? I covered my face with my hands.
At that time, a maid approached and said, "Miss Lewyn, Mr. Laflamme is here. He's here for your measurement of the dress."
I waved my hand and said, "Take him to the upstairs dressing room. I will be there in a minute."
After the maid left, I walked into the living room. I felt that I was walking through quicksand.
The first person I saw was Darren, who was leaning against the bar, drinking a cup of coffee while chatting with a maid.
The maid saw me, immediately bowed, and walked away with a blush.
I sat next to Darren, feeling numb.
"What's going on? Is everything OK?" Darren asked.
"No, Darren. Nothing is OK. My life is falling apart and I can't do anything about it," I whispered.
"Leah, I'm here if you want to talk about it," Darren put down the coffee cup and said. "But since I am going to work for you in the future, you'd better not tell me anything that your employees are not supposed to know."
I pulled a random bottle from the wine shelf and popped it open. I poured myself a glass and another one for Darren.
I knew it was early for a glass of wine, but I really felt that I needed it.
"I can't drink. I need to drive back," Darren said.
I poured the whole glass of wine into my throat and said, "There are fifty rooms in this house. You can sleep in any of them."
I took the bottle and wanted to pour a second one.
Darren took both the bottle and the glass away from me and said, "I'm sorry, Miss Lewyn. As your employee and your friend, I don't think you should drink anymore."
I didn't say anything and took Darren's glass and poured all the liquid into my throat.
That was the worst Pinot Noir I had ever tasted in my life. It tasted like bitterness in my life.
But whatever year the Pinot Noir was, it was strong and went straight up to my head.
"Tell me, Darren. Are you mated?" I slurred. "I saw that you were drinking champagne with a lovely girl on Derby's Day."