Chapter 9 Bittersweet Goodbye

Valentino's POV

As we walked back to the bowling alleys it seemed that Quinton and Alcander were hitting it off. Interesting. I definitely will be asking them about it later. I started to walk back to my alley with Jonah and Vin. But Koa turned to me with a confused look.

"Where are you going?" Koa asked me as he watched me walk away.

"To go play games, as you said," I said with a bit of attitude.

"No, you're playing with me. I'll call Kona and let her know Vincent is here." He grabbed my hand and started pulling me. The sparks were still there, and I don't think I would ever get used to it.

"What about Jonah?" I don't know why I even asked. I don't give two shits about Jonah.

"I don't know. And I don't care." I can't believe I was willingly following this man like this. He was in complete control and I was okay with that. Why the hell why was I okay with that?

Once we walked over I saw Alcander with a smirk on his face with a playful glint in his eyes. And I think I saw Quinton blush.

'Q, are you okay?' I asked him through the mind link.

'Dude, I'm fucked.'

I was confused for a minute but then it clicked. The smell he mentioned earlier. The eye contact. They were mates. He was mated to a lycan. Ha ha ha. SUCKER. Koa pulled me to him as he sat back on the barstool. He pulled me under his arm and I fit perfectly on the side of his body. I fit so perfectly, it was insane.

"Do you want a drink?" Koa asked whispering in my ear. All I could do was nod, he was so close to me and after the encounter in the bathroom, I was feeling some type of way.

"You can have the rest of mine. I just took a few sips."

He handed me the glass and I took a sip. It was some weird cocktail. But I took a sip and it tasted pretty good. And knowing that it was already on his lips before mine, did something to me. Already more than what I was feeling. What the hell was happening to me? He growled in my ear and it sent a shiver down my spine.

"I can smell you." I knew exactly what he meant, and my goddess I was embarrassed.

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Koa's POV

It was taking everything in me not to take him. Right here and right now. I was barely holding it together in the bathroom. Having him pinned against the wall, my lips on his neck. Him shuddering at my simple touch. My goodness, that whimper. It almost set me over the edge. I almost bent him over in the family bathroom. Though the image is engrained in my brain.

But as he sat here under my arm, so perfectly. His scent changed. It was deeper, darker. Mouth watering. He was aroused. He wanted me. Goddess knows how badly I wanted that. But it was too soon. Way too soon.

I had to remind myself it has only been two days. Before anything else can progress. There needs to be a date. Multiple dates need to happen first. I want to know him, inside and out. Right now, all I know is that his favorite color is orange. He has a big family. He has a quick temper and an attitude.

But I wanted to know the darkest parts of him. The parts that scared him. I wanted him to know about me. Know everything about me. Even the parts I was scared of. There was still so much to learn and so much time to be spent.

I had to contain myself. I had to keep Alister at bay. Even though he said he wanted me, those words would play on repeat in my head for as long as I live.

"Koa, can I talk to you...privately?" Alcander asked and his eyes flashed between me and my mate. I didn't want to move, especially since I just calmed him down and I knew he was probably feeling some leftover jealousy.

"Sure." I reluctantly pulled myself away from Tino and pushed myself off the chair. Valentino looked up at me with those eyes, that could ask me for anything I would give it to him. "I will be back very soon. You and Quinton can set up the game."

I put my hand under his chin and squeezed it and rubbed my thumb right under his lip. He nodded in response and his cheeks turned to their signature bright red. I followed Alcander to the bar and he was oddly quiet. Something was wrong. Once there, he ordered himself another drink and I followed.

"That's my mate..." He whispered, but I heard him.

"I see,"

"I have to reject him."

My eyes went wide at that. Never in Lycan's history has there been a mate rejection. No matter WHO it was. We believed that the moon goddess picked them for us, for a reason. Rejecting a mate is basically telling the moon goddess she is wrong. The worst of sins.

"He's a werewolf... I can't--"

"What are you afraid of?" I asked him. "The fact he has a penis? Because if so, that doesn't warrant a rejection." I told him strongly.

"No, hell no. There's just something...I--I don't know."

"You are thinking too much. And that is coming from me." I let out a soft chuckle as I leaned forward and rested my hand on his back. But only for a quick moment. Valentino could be looking and I don't want him running from me again.

"No, that's not it. It's just. I have feelings for someone. I have for a long time." He kept his eyes low as he spoke. He grabbed his drink and swirled it around, then chugged it back.

"I had no idea you had feelings for another."

"Yeah, well. I do." He shrugged and I looked at him confused. We usually told each other everything. Why had he kept this from me? "That's your mate then?" He said changing the subject.

"Yes, he is. His name is Valentino. Soon to be alpha of the Shadow Pack." Mine and Alister's chests puffed up in pride and I smirked slightly.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"It just happened two days ago..." I don't know why he was acting this way, he seemed down. But I wasn't going to pressure him about it

"I assume you accepted him? Seeing as he was hanging on your arm and looking at you like a lost puppy."

I didn't like he was talking about him. Why was he acting like this was the worst thing he has ever heard?

"Of course, why wouldn't I accept him? He is perfect."

"Oh please, be serious. From the way he acted earlier, he is obviously immature--"

"Watch it..." I growled at him and my knuckles started turning white at how tightly I was squeezing the table.

"What? Am I wrong? You deserve better."

"Alcander, watch your mouth."

"You do! And I'm not going to sit here, and let you ruin yourself for some kid." He yelled, he got up and rolled his eyes.

"What the hell does that mean?" Anger was surging through me at this point. It was taking everything in me to not beat this man to a pulp.

"It means...you deserve me. Me. Your best friend. The guy that's been here for you. The only guy you feel safe enough with. The guy that knows your past and accepts you because of it. If you told that kid over there would he stay? No, he wouldn't."

That was a knife into my heart. Here was my best friend, confessing his feelings for me. Which was a surprise to me, as he had never mentioned this to me before. There was nothing he did that even indicated that he was remotely interested in me that way. I was shocked, truly.

"I don't mean to be cruel." He whispered, I'm assuming my face was showing all the hurt he just caused me. But I sucked it up. I put back on my cold and void face as I stared blankly at a man I called family.

"What did you mean then?"

"Don't look at me like that, Koa. You know I only want what's best for you. And as mean as that sounded we both know that it's true. And once you realize that then, I will be here for you. With open arms."

He walked away leaving me there. I was shocked. I was frozen in place, I had never seen him act in such a way. Was there truth to his words? If I told Tino about my past, and who I truly am would he leave me? Could he understand the severity of the decisions I've had to make? I don't think he could. At least not yet, he was young. He would surely look at me differently.

Even though the words Alcander said hurt me, there was so much truth in them. No matter how badly I didn't want to believe it.

A soft and small hand was on my bicep and it caught my attention. I looked down and saw his big green eyes looking up at me, my heart ached as I looked at him. I was being too rash in my thinking.

"Is everything okay? You guys looked like you were arguing."

As I was about to answer my phone began to ring and I looked down, it was my father.

"Give me one second. It's my father, it must be important." I stepped away a few feet and answered, quickly putting the phone to my ear.

'Koainda.' His voice was strong as he said my full name. It sent chills down my spine. He only ever did that when there was something to worry about.

'Yes,'

'You need to get home. Now.'

'Why? What's wrong? Are the girls hurt?' Allister growled at the thought.

'No, but you and Kona need to leave now. He has found you.'

That made my stomach drop. Those four words were enough to paralyze me. 'He has found you'.

I like to pride myself on having no fear, but there is always a bigger, worse, fish in the sea.

'Father, I can't leave. My mate?'

I kept my back towards him so he couldn't see the distress on my face. I should go for my safety and his, but part of me wanted to risk it. We barely had any time. And if I left, who knows when I will be back?

'Koa, it's your mama. Listen, baby, you have to go. I'm sorry. I will explain everything to him, and his father. But please, for me. I need you here. You and Kona have to leave.'

I could feel Allister in as much conflict as me. Both wanted to stay and be with him but also knew that if I stay, it could resolve in the death of me and my sister. And I can't have that.

'I can fight him off, I am more than capable.'

'I know you can in a fight Koa, but this is different. Kristoff won't stop until he has your blood, your power. You need more time to train. You both do. There is a descendant of the goddess in Switzerland she is distant family but you can stay with her, and she will train you.' My father's voice is strong and steady.

This was the reason I was so closed off to everyone and anyone new. I knew what was at stake, I knew what could happen. Now I am kicking myself for letting things go so far with Valentino. I should have stayed in my place.

'Say your goodbyes, Koainda. Get strong, and come back. Kill the bastard. Then live freely, without stress with your mate.'

I hung up the phone and slowly turned around. I looked up at him my face no longer its cold gaze, I wanted him to remember me full of emotion. Until I can come back to him.

"What's wrong, Koa?"

His eyes danced across my face taking in my emotions. I walked to him and set my hands on his cheeks and rubbed my thumb across his bottom lip. I contemplated kissing him, just once. But that would make things so much harder and more confusing. I couldn't do that to him. I looked at him with such urgency, forcing myself to remember what he looked like, so I could never forget.

"Koa?" He said again, his voice soft, barely above a whisper. Was I really about to walk away?

"Forgive me, Dolcezza. Please. Forgive me." I pleaded as I set my lips softly on his forehead. Feeling the sparks one last time. Smelling his rich scent one last time.

Allister was whining, he was in pain leaving our mate and so was I. It took everything I had to pull away. He looked so confused at my actions. I would be too. But before I could change my mind I turned around and ran outside. And as I did, I could feel my heart breaking in two. I could feel my world shattering around me. I just hoped that when I do come back he would accept me, once again.