Torn between two Fates

Chapter 2

Kara POV.

“An offer?”

“Yes, but first, there is something I need to show you.”

Father-in-law, or, like he corrected, Darius, is scaring me by the second. He motions for me to follow him and I turn to give Adrian one last look before leaving the balcony.

Idiots!

We pass the many maids who continue to steal glances at us, and after a few walks, we arrive at the king's chambers and, like a gentleman, he holds the door open for me as I make my way in. But why am I here? is the one question on my mind.

“She was just seventeen when I married her. We were the perfect couple, and I was only twenty three,” he takes a sip from the red wine but his eyes remain on the portrait of a woman.

“What happened to her?” The question is needless because the sadness and agony in his voice gives it away.

“The gods took her from me. She died carrying my baby. I've been a sad man ever since.”

Still facing the portrait, he speaks in such a melancholic tone that I cannot but feel sorry for him.

Here is a man in pain, and whom the doctors have said had only a few months to live. Yes, the king suffers from a terminal illness and has only a few months left.

“I'm sorry for the loss—

“Don't be.” He turns and empties the glass in his mouth. “You are probably wondering why you are hearing the story of a dying old man, and why you are here, aren't you?” His voice becomes deeper.

Like he knows my thoughts.

He grins for a few seconds and continues,“I wasn't sure the first time I set eyes on you, that's why I suggested you to my son.”

He wasn't sure about me? What is that supposed to mean?

I put down my glass of wine.

He contemplates for a while and I wonder what is going on in his mind. “But he doesn't deserve you, and I'm a fool for ever allowing such marriage.”

“What!”

“Yes…and make no mistake, whatever happens here stays between us.” He moves closer to the extent that I can feel his warmth breath. I try to avoid his blue eyes but something in me just wouldn't move.

Then comes the moment when a spark of electricity runs through my body as I feel the gentle pressure of his lips on mine. My pulse begins to race with excitement as our tongues meet. He sucks deeper, and I return every inch of it. Heaven knows that it feels nice. Damn nice. However, my senses that have been lost suddenly come back to me and I realise it's wrong.

I pull away from him with my lips unsatisfied. The right thing to do.

“I'm sorry father-in-law, you seem to have mistaken intent,” I apologise with guilt. At least I still have my senses.

“No, Diana. There's no mistake. It's something I've wanted a long time ago,” he remarks, “...If I can recall, you are now a free woman.”

What the hell! Has he been spying on us?

“What! Have you been spying on us.”

He grins and pours himself another wine, “No, Kara. Spying is never my thing.” He gulps down, relishing at its taste, “Let's just say I've been keeping tabs on the situation.”

My thoughts are laced with confusion as I study the man before me. I can still feel the goosebumps on my skin even though it's been minutes. What intrigues me is that he has been studying our situation; keeping tabs.

What is he up to?

“I've two offers for you, Kara,” he resumes, his voice interrupting my thoughts, dangerous thoughts, “first, I want you to become my secretary on agricultural and food supplies. You have a major in agriculture, so you are a perfect fit for the job.”

Is he kidding me? He actually does not mean that.

“I'm so—”

“Don't,” he cuts me off. “There is no room for objections.”

I swallow my saliva with difficulty as I take back my words. However, I remain puzzled by his air of mystery. I have just been given the most important job in the pack. I hope it goes well with Adrian.

My eyes are glued on him as he moves to get something from a drawer. He did a background check on my education and figured that I have a degree in Agriculture. But wait. How long has he been planning this?

Months? Maybe years?

He returns with a white paper.

“I'm a dying old man, Kara. Three months is all I have to live and I want to make the best of what I've got.” He stretches forth a paper.

“What's this?” I ask.

“Sign it, and be my wife…be the Rebeka I lost years ago.”

Holy s**t!

So many plans are up his sleeves. Not only does he want me to be his secretary, he also prepared a contract for me to be his wife.

****

It's been a while since I slept like a baby, but the last few nights were an exception. If not for the continuous knocking on the door, I would have slept till noon.

“Come in.”

The door opens, and Diana walks in with some happy face. I instantly know she has something to say. But I hope it is not some pack gossip because that's her second nature.

“It's happening, my lady,” she says in an ecstatic tone.

So many possibilities run through my head and nothing makes sense as regards to what could have happened.

“Speak!”

“Fifteen Betas from the neighbouring packs are waiting outside to meet the new secretary of agriculture and food supplies,” she says, almost giggling.

Her words hit me like cold ice and my eyes widen in shock.

When, where, and how this could have happened is what I don't understand.

I jump up from my bed and say,“You mean now.”

She sheepishly nods her head.

But how?

I'm yet to accept either of the two offer. My first instinct is to look through the window and I see all manner of exotic cars parked just outside the pack premises. Some cute looking men, who are probably the betas of their packs, are standing beside each car.

“Damn you, Diana, why didn't you inform me earlier,” I curse, dashing towards my closet.

I need to get ready. I rummage my closet for a few seconds and I find something simple. A purple gown.

Simple, but not bad.

“I'm sorry, my—”

“Don't my lady me. Get me my heels,” I bark.

Soon, I'm rushing downstairs without taking a shower. I have to meet the crew of beta who are already anticipating my coming. I wouldn't want to make a bad first impression. The king gave me a week to consider his offer. Today is the third day and If my calculation is right, five days remain. I haven't accepted his offers but I've resumed duty.

Confused and desperate to get outside, I increase my speed but someone yells my name from a distance.

“Kara, Kara!”

Father-in-law, or Darius, is calling. Certainly the wrong time. I try to take the other turn but I'm within range.

“Yes, father, Darius!” I correct myself quickly and someone immediately shoots me a glare. Him. My husband, and that's when I notice him at the breakfast table.

“Join us for breakfast, Darius suggests.

“Uhmm I'm sorry, I'm actually running late.”

“Ah don't bother about them. Just some folks looking to gain favour from the recent change. Join the breakfast, nothing is more important than family,” he explains with a grin.

I settle beside my husband who is probably wondering what the occasion is all about. Darius signals a maid and I'm immediately presented with sandwiches. Yummy. I chew in the midst of the lingering silence, but then…

“So, what's the occasion?” my husband asks but I don't turn even though I feel his stare.

I continue to chew.

“Have you considered my first offer?”

My eyes shoot up to the man across the table.

Adrian, on the other hand, who looks confused, looks back and forth at the two of us.

“Uhm, yes, I've given much thought about it and it's a yes.”

“Good…then today is your first day on the job.

The silence returns, and I chew like a hungry woman. I didn't get much dinner the previous day.

“And the second?” Darius asks for a second time.

I gulp down the chunk of bread in my mouth, then sip some coffee. About his second offer, yes it would be a great idea considering I'm now a free woman. But before I can answer, Adrian interrupts,

“What proposal?”

My heart makes a thud, realising the difficult situation.

“Oh!” Darius smiles, “ I just made her my secretary of Agricultural and food Supplies.”

Adrian eyes shoot open and a fork falls to the table. He stares at his dad for a few seconds. “Father, that's the most important position in the pack, a very delicate position for an inexperienced…” he turns to me and then realises I'm paying kneen attention, “Father, are you sure—”

“Absolutely sure!”

He takes back his words and returns to his meal. But then, he turns to me and with some venomous eyes, he says, forcing his voice to a whisper, “And you didn't think I should know about this?”

“Uhm! I didn't think it necessary,” I say with a broad smile on my face, hoping to piss him off, and it works magic.

His veiny fingers tighten around a fork. “You are still my wife, and you should behave like one,”

I turn to him this time with a fake smile. “I'm a free woman, remember.”

I hear a withheld chuckle across the table.

After much contemplation, the prince pushes back his chair and finds his feet. Not happy.

“I will be away for a few days…pack duties,” he says, but I pretend not to have heard him. He is probably going on a romance trip with Savannah.

What do I care?

“Did you hear what I just said?” He reiterates

I force a smile, “Good luck.”

I see his reaction and he is more than shocked by my indifference.

“Is that all you have to say?”

“Yes. I'm a free woman, so you don't need my permission,” I murmur. Darius must have heard everything but I don't care.

Adrian marches away with frustration.