The Prince’s Unwilling mate

208 Ayla

The guys laughed at us when we burst onto the balcony to defend ourselves. Griff made his way over toand hugged me.

“I am sorry Darling, I didn’t mean to scare you. I just got us something and we wanted to surprise you girls. That’s why I couldn’t respond to your mindlink. We had heard you guys in the apartment. You would have noticed how close I was to you. Did something happen when you went shopping that you’re so on edge?” Of course, Griffin knew something was up right away.

And I was going to tell him about meeting Hannah. But not now, not right in this moment with everyone around us. Whatever the surprise was he was so excited about us. I don’t want to ruin this moment for him. Hannah was not a threat, not anymore that much was clear. All she did was bring up some unwanted memories. She didn’t even intend to do so, just seeing her was enough. More so because she didn’t seekout, I did not go to her because we still had sunsettled business. We both just were at the splace at the stime. I can’t even say we were at the wrong place at the wrong time. Because in the end, nothing bad happened to either of us.

“No, Baby, I just wanted to be careful. So tellabout the surprise?” Krystel raised her eyebrows.

க

Out of everyone here, that knew I met Hannah today, Krystel knew Griffin the best. She knew he would want to know about it right away. She didn’t say anything though, hopefully trustingto do the right

thing. Griffin was too excited to notice anything. He had taken my hand. in his and almost dragged me to the other side of the balcony where he showed of a new BBQ very similar to the one my parents had.

“I remember when I first visited your hafter that first ball. Meeting your parents when you hadn’t chwas nerve–wracking. But they welcomedwith open arms, and when I looked around in their hI saw all those pictures of your family BBQS. And in that moment I told myself that one day, we would have a family. One where I would give our children the shappy memories. Because you all looked so happy in the pictures.” Griff was getting emotional and so was I.

It was good to remind ourselves not only of how far we have gotten. But off how bright our future was. So yes tonight when we were in bed I would tell Griffin all about Hannah. How while I truly believe she is not a threat to us anymore. But that it doesn’t matter that I still do not forgive her for all that she has done. And will never forgive her. I understand it was hard to see the man you love, not love you back. Try to replace you at every turn. Not seeming to care at all for the fact that she seemingly moved on too. It didn’t give her the right to get involved with my future though. It did not give her the right to try to take my future. To take away the future I was building with my fated mate. And she did

For a while, I would use to think of the small things she would do forwhile David was holding me captive. But she didn’t, she never helpedout when I was held captive by someone else. Oddly enough seeing her in the store, beggingnot to cause trouble because it would cost her, her job. Showedthe truth that I already knew but tried so hard to ignore. Back when I was kidnapped I needed to believe there was at least ssomewhat friendly face. Someone who didn’t agree with David, someone who was there just to help me.

Just like she did at the baby store, she was nice towhen she and David hadkidnapped to get her way. Like how she did not protectfrom getting pregnant with David. Because I was unsure if there would be a way back to Griffin if I was carrying someone else’s pup. No Hannah could not stand the idea ofcarrying the pup of the man she loved. So she helped make sure I would not get pregnant with his pup. We just had a common interest and if it would have been her interest only she would have forcedto.

I still didn’t agree with Griffin, in regards to how scared we still should be. I had cto terms with the fact that I now was so much of a public figure that I would always need to be extra alert. That I would never be able to get out of pack ground alone. It was a prize I had to pay for being with Griffin. I never aspired to be a Luna let alone the Queen. Hell, I wanted the ball we found each other at to be over as soon as possible. I was happy due to my size he would never considerhis chosen mate.

I loved being Griffin’s mate though, I loved our life together. I loved being able to help my pack and my country too. It was the public part I could do without. So I was not about to make my life even more complicated than it needed to be. David was long gone, and Hannah was broken and sad. But all she wanted to do now was to focus on her unborn pup. I believed her, not because I trusted her. I knew what it was like to know you were carrying your pup. Your child with the man you love. And the protectiveness you feel for that little pup right away. Cynthia was done too, she never did much more than disrespect me. Now that Sam had put her into her place. Now that he was moving on from the loss of his mate. And was finally doing things to put himself first and not his spoiled daughter. She had learned her lesson.

Or maybe she was just afraid of further punishment from her father. Maybe she had grown up now she had sresponsibilities. I didn’t

care she had been a hindrance nothing more and nothing less. So I kissed Griffin and thanked him for getting us something so very thoughtful. Then I helped with the prep for the BBQ. Because I loved the fact that your first BBQ we hosted ourselves would be with both our families. Nothing was going to spoil that for me, for us. I could easily tell Griffin about Hannah a bit later. There was nothing to tell really. I am sure he would understand me.

There was this uneasy feeling forming in the pit of my stomach but I just pushed it down. It must be because of what meeting Hannah had brought up. Griffin was getting a little worried though, he can

always readlike an open book. And with Krystel eyeingI was getting unsure if I could keep this from Griffin until after the BBQ.

***

“Darling, are you sure you are okay you keep zoning out. Did something happen when you went out shopping with the others?” I had been worrying again, Krystel nodded pushingto tell Griffin. But I was still unsure.