True Alpha’s Chosen Mate - Chapter 205

It all started when we set foot in the Ronmin Empire for the first time. At first, Hugo didn’t pay attention to most things, because everything seemed normal. Daniel was still the same as everyone else. But because of my circumstance with the Hendrik Empire, Hugo had been thinking about the vampires’ intention.

For a runaway princess from a small kingdom such as myself, my life wouldn’t matter. It shouldn’t be worth it for them to come after it, especially after I stepped foot in Ronmin Empire, the werewolves breeding ground.

He turned a blind eye every time Daniel’s eyes would gleam in my presence. And even avoided jumping to conclusions, afraid to face such terrifying reality.

It was safe to say I was Hugo’s biggest distraction. He tried his best to delude himself that the reasoning was something else. That he was simply reading too much into things, which he shouldn’t. He had been constantly denying it until I left.

My absence forced him to open his eyes and see clearly. It was not out of curiosity, but out of his desire to gain enlightenment. Daniel had fallen ill when we returned to Belcoot before the mating season; it was something that had never happened before.

Hugo wouldn’t suspect anything if Daniel didn’t try his best to conceal it, but the latter denied everything. Daniel acted even more discreetly, and that only raised Hugo’s suspicion.

With Azazel’s contact with Hugo, the fourth prince never failed to drop hints here and there. But Azazel never confirmed anything. Instead, he just kept warning Hugo.

Did Azazel do it to increase Hugo’s curiosity? I was unsure. But it could also be because he believed he wasn’t in the position to do dig up the buried truth.

Flash forward to one year after I left Belcoot. Daniel’s condition also worsened. This time, Hugo finally confronted his brother. He already asked the crown prince before, but the latter denied everything. But Hugo was unsatisfied.

On top of his displeasure regarding my absence, Hugo was frustrated about his brother’s deteriorating health. When he questioned Daniel once again, Hugo didn’t hold back.

From the time I came to the capital, Daniel stole glances at his brother’s wife, his odd concern about Hugo’s feelings, and Azazel’s warning. Not to mention the timeline when all these changes started to happen. He also pointed out my doodling, which Hugo didn’t ask me before, considering it as a ‘mere’ coincidence.

Hugo had all the evidence and even without clarification, he could figure it out on his own. But still, he went to Daniel and asked for the truth.

That was when Daniel finally gave in.

The crown prince… told him everything.

He told him about the wolf and the lamb, our story that stemmed down to history. He confessed the reason he was dying, and that was because I was his mate. Daniel didn’t leave anything behind, shredding Hugo’s spirit into smithereens.

Hugo loved his siblings, even though he has a different way of showing it. Especially Daniel, whom he respected and looked up to since they were children. So, for him to discover that the reason his brother was dying was that he didn’t want to snatch Hugo’s wife was devastating.

It was Hugo’s fault… that was what everything translated to Hugo at first. The reason he stopped searching for me and left our lives to fate. Even though Daniel reassured him that even if Hugo and I didn’t reconcile, there was no way Daniel and I would accept each other.

Daniel hated me and I hated him just as dearly. The irony was that we just couldn’t bring ourselves to kill each other now. It wasn’t worth it when we both wanted the same thing.

“So that’s how you figure things out…” I whispered, hiding the lower half of my face on his back. “… then, when did you plan on telling me this? We spent a night together, but you never said a word.”

“Because you didn’t.”

I glanced at him, and he kept his focus ahead. He was still carrying me on his back, heading to our rendezvous point.

“I want you to tell me first,” he admitted, along with his deep breath, smacking his lips lightly. “Without me asking or probing, but the situation calls for it. I really cannot pretend not to know, especially when my wife was determined to stay on her ground. She built herself up all alone and I… have to admit I wasn’t her world anymore. Just a part of it.”

“An important part of it,” came out a murmur, not denying his claims, for that was nothing but the truth.

“I hope.” He rocked his head lightly, casting me a look and smiling wearily. “It’s better, although I am satisfied to just be a part of it.”

Hugo peeled his eyes away from me while the side of his lips curled up into a smile. “We changed, Rinnie. I don’t feel guilty that I stole my brother’s mate and rejected mine. I don’t mind if you are the lamb or whoever. It doesn’t matter to me anymore. Your change is good, but mine? I don’t know.”

“It’s not that bad.” He arched a brow at my reply, casting me a side-eye. “I think you’re doing better.”

“You think?” I pressed my lips to his playful tone, and he averted his eyes from me. “Don’t worry, I don’t mind because I am not sure myself.”

I stared at his side profile in silence for quite some time. Even though he used a light tone, I knew he meant his claims.

A shallow breath slipped past my lips as I smiled subtly. “I still love you and accept you, Hugh.” His steps slowed down as he cast me a look. As soon as our eyes locked, I moved up and planted a kiss on his leaned cheek.

“Although I love myself, I also loved you the same. Don’t hide from me because I won’t. Let’s learn how to compromise.”

Hugo stared at me in a daze before he blinked a few seconds later. His eyes softened as he smiled, tilting his head to rest against mine.

“Let’s go back home…” he said, and I smiled, humming while nodding.