Tess
“Before you reject me, could I have one last kiss?” Lucas asks in a pained voice. We are sitting on my bed and discussing the rejection that is about to happen.
“You want a kiss knowing it will be the last one?”
“Yeah? That’s how they do it in all the romantic movies, you know. A terrible goodbye kiss, and then it’s all over. Gotta keep the tradition and all.”
I sigh. “Alright, but only because you’re asking for it, okay? It won’t change anything. I’m still rejecting you, and just because it tingles or whatever won’t change a thing.”
He grins. “One can hope.”
My frustration builds up, and I glare at him. “So that’s why you want the kiss? You’re hoping I will change my mind and magically stop liking Freddy if I kiss your lips?”
“Mhm...” He doesn’t even bother hiding it. The utter confidence this guy has is freaking amazing…not my sarcasm.
I try not to roll my eyes at the impish grin Lucas is wearing. My days of being nervous around him are over. I’m in love with Freddy, not Lucas. Lucas isn’t a bad person, but Freddy is the one occupying all my waking thoughts and also my dreams. I can’t get him out of my head!
I sigh. “Can I say something before we kiss?”
“Mmm?”
I eye his face and sigh again. “Nevermind...”
He arches a thick, dark eyebrow. “Tell me.”
“I...I gave up my wolf to save your life. That’s why you’re alive, and that’s why I’m a human.”
Lucas’s eyes widen, and he stares at me in shock. “You did what?”
“I gave up my wolf,” I repeat quietly. “You were dying, and the only way to save you was for me to give up my wolf. I...” I fight away my tears by laughing through the pain. “The moon goddess told me I would never be able to rejoin her, yet I willingly gave up my wolf to save you. It had to be done.”
“But...why?” he asks, his voice tinged with disbelief.
“Because I care about you,” I say softly. “And because I didn’t want to lose you. I know we will never be together, but that doesn’t mean I don’t value our friendship.”
Lucas’s expression softens, and he reaches out to take my hand. “Tess, that was...that was so selfless of you. I don’t know what to say.”
I shrug, feeling embarrassed. “It was the right thing to do. I couldn’t just let my mate die, and I felt like we had really been bonding back then... I was reading for you every night, and it was...it was very nice.”
We sit in silence for a moment before Lucas leans in and kisses me gently on the forehead. It’s not a passionate kiss but rather a tender one filled with gratitude and longing. My heart flutters despite myself, but as soon as the kiss ends, I know it’s time to end this conversation.
“I’m sorry, Lucas,” I say firmly. “But it’s still a no. I can’t be with you,” I dry away a tear on my sleeve. “It hurts because we had such a good shot, but you...you didn’t want to be with a human. But Freddy? He accepted me regardless of who and what I was. You didn’t.”
He inhales deeply, looking as pained as I feel, and for a moment, I wonder what would have happened if I was honest from the start. Would he have accepted me? Probably, but it wouldn’t have been real love. Lucas would have been with me out of obligation, and I don’t want that. I want true love, and I believe I have that with Freddy.
“I’m sorry...” I repeat in a whisper. I look into his eyes, and my heart aches when I see his tear-filled eyes. But as much as I want to comfort him, I know that I can’t.
He nods, slowly standing up from my bed. “I understand,” he says, his voice barely above a whisper. “I just...I just wish things were different.”
“I know,” I wet my lips. “But sometimes things are just meant to be a certain way. And maybe someday we can find a way to be friends again, without any of this...awkwardness.”
“I owe you my life.”
I meet his eyes then. “If you want to repay me, then be on Freddy’s side when he asks to be accepted back into the pack. He will ask for another chance once he realizes he can’t be a lone wolf. I’m sure of this.”
Lucas studies my face for a hard minute before nodding. “I owe you more than that,” he says. “But I shall start repaying my debt to you by being on your side if Freddy’s future ever is to be voted on.”
“Thank you,” I smile. “Now, reject me so I can accept your rejection.”
He furrows his eyebrows, looking hesitant and extremely pained as he looks down at me. “Do I really have to? It feels wrong to reject you now that I know you’re the reason I’m alive, Tess! You gave up your wolf for my sake, and for what? For me to live on like normal. No, wait. I’m actually stronger than before, and if we reject each other, I have the chance of getting a second chance mate, while you’re a human. It’s not fucking fair!”
I laugh because his words are unexpected. I don’t share Lucas’ view on things. I’m just happy that he is alive, but I’m definitely moved that he spoke with such passion for me and that he feels unworthy of me giving him his life back.
I place my hand on his firm chest, smiling. “Lucas, you don’t owe me anything. I’m just glad that you’re alive and healthy and that you have a second chance at life.”
A wide range of emotions flashes over his face, like a thunderstorm raging across his features. He looks at me with a mixture of gratitude, longing, and something else I can’t quite put my finger on. But before I can say anything else, he picks me up into his arms in a fierce hug.
“I will make it up to you,” he promises fiercely, and then he pulls back and meets my eyes. “I reject you as my mate, Tess.”
I hug him back tightly, feeling the sting of tears behind my eyes as I inhale his scent for possibly the last time. “And I accept your rejection, Lucas.”
Something snaps within me; I’m certain Lucas can feel it too, and when he places me down, he looks incredibly unhappy. His eyes flash, and for a moment, they look like those of a wolf rather than a man.
“I will never forget what you’ve done for me, Tess,” he says quietly, then turns and strides out of the room.
I watch him go, feeling the absence of his warmth acutely. It’s strange how sad I am to let him go. But I tell myself that this is for the best—Lucas is meant for someone else, while I’m meant to be with Freddy.
As I lay back on my bed, my mind racing with thoughts of what could have been, I try to take comfort in the fact that at least Lucas is safe and alive. That’s all that matters, and I’m sure he will be able to find a second chance mate while Freddy is somewhere out there, waiting for me to find him. I just hope this is the right decision because it’s too late to take back the rejection. Lucas and I are done forever.