The Alpha King

18. Resilience

A light thumping sound came from my door. "Mya? Can I come in?" Mimosa's voice drifted into the giant room. I can't believe I forgot about her in all this chaos.

"Mimosa?! Are you okay?" Unlocking the door, she quickly entered the room, shutting the door behind her. Engulfing me in her familiar warmth.

"Are you okay?" Worry flickered in her emerald eyes as she looked me over.

"Yes, I'm okay. Are you? Where have you been?" Guiding her to the bed, so we could sit and talk. I hadn't seen my best friend since the failed escape attempt. I've missed her dearly.

"Yes, I'm okay. They gave me a room just one floor down. But, they told me no one could visit you because your heat had started. Is that true?" My face turned a deep blush red at the question. I know it's normal. but I'm still getting used to these topics.

"Oh, Uh yeah." Looking away, unable to meet her eyes.

A giggle escaped her lips at my obvious embarrassment on this subject.

"Come on, don't act like that with me! We used to talk about what it would be like to understand what all the adults talked about. Did it make your mates' every touch feel erotic? Was your body on fire? So, tell me! Was it just like we learned?" A burning curiosity poured from her whole being on learning the dirty details of my life.

"He stayed away while it happened. I was by myself the whole time. My body was on fire, and I was extremely horny. Both feelings worsened the more we stayed apart until I couldn't handle it anymore. I—" Unable to finish my sentence because of the complete embarrassment and horror I feel about the whole situation.

"Why did you stay away from each other? I don't understand?" Genuine confusion marked her features, confusing me in turn.

"Did you not remember what they did to our pack?" My brows furrowed in utter confusion.

Understanding and acceptance spread throughout her features at my question. "Oh, Mya.."

"Why do you have to say my name like that? Like I shouldn't feel this way." I could feel myself becoming defensive about how she's acting, like what they did was okay.

"Mya, you have to understand. Your parents kept you extremely sheltered. You never knew of the battles we were involved in, any of the screaming matches over the phone that lasted into the night between Alpha Axel and the other alphas. None of them liked him, saying he held the blood of traitors—"

"Wait. What are you talking about? The blood of a traitor? How were they able to hide everything from me? I don't believe that everyone hated my father. He was a kind man!" Picking on a loose string on my shorts, as I fought the tears back.

"My dad, being the beta, didn't want to hide what our pack was dealing with; he planned to pass the role of beta onto me as long as you agreed with the decision. He wanted me to be prepared for the hardship you were bound to face. He wanted the same for you. Confiding in me, he didn't think you should be given the title until your dad was honest about how bad our reputation was. As you see now, the alpha passed on the title without ever telling you the truth." She grabbed my hand, trying to comfort me, as I struggled with emotions that were unknown to me.

"Please, don't think of your parents as any less than because of this. They were good people. They loved you and the pack. Even if someone who held the same blood as him turned traitor, that doesn't reflect on who your father was. They were a good Alpha and Luna; we'll always remember them." I lost the battle, as tears fell freely, and ugly sobs broke from my lips. "I—miss th–them so m–uch."

"I know you do. But they'd want you to help bring peace to our kind, instead of getting lost in your grief. Make sure nothing like that happens to anyone again. Let's find out who the traitor they keep talking about is. Let's try to make it right again. So, they're unable to do the same to you. Cry your eyes out tonight. Feel all of your emotions, Mya. Don't hold anything back. Then, tomorrow, pick yourself up, wipe the tears, and fight to get everything back that was taken from you."

So, I did. I let it out. I cried for my lost parents, my lost pack, my destroyed home, the betrayal of my own mate, invading and killing everyone, and him forcing this bond onto me, without even giving me the chance to mourn or come to terms with such a dramatic change in my life. Mimosa quietly held onto me as I cried my heart out, eventually falling asleep.

Mimosa's POV

As soon as Mya's breathing evened out, I made my way out of her room. Alpha Killian stood on the opposite side of the hall, staring at me with a hint of worry crossing his eyes.

"So?"

"She'll let you talk to her soon. I believe she'll be able to move on a bit easier now. As soon as I can get her to go to your office, you have to tell her the truth, that her parents are still alive. She thinks you killed them; she won't accept you anytime soon if you continue to hide that."

Rubbing his face, exhausted as he took in my words. "I wanted to find them first."

"You can't. You don't know where they are. Just knowing they're out there will be enough for her to get back on her feet, and for you a chance to get your mate to accept you. So, tell her." yawning, as my eyes watered. "I'm tired. If there's nothing else, may I take my leave alpha?"

"Yes, thank you, Mimosa." He smiled, his annoyingly perfect smile.

"Please, don't misconstrue the fact that I speak cordially with you, or that I'm trying to get Mya to accept you. I still don't forgive or accept you. My father died that day." Not wanting to hear anything he had to say, I rushed out of the hall towards my room.

"Goodbye, father. Thank you for everything you've done. You were an amazing beta. I'll keep all of your teachings close to my heart as I help my alpha claim our home back. May you rest in eternal peace at the moon goddess's side." Saying one last goodbye to my dad, before shoving my grief aside to focus on reclaiming our future.