You Rejected Me. Remember?
In Love With My Best Friend Chapter 23

Astrea

Days passed. Allan’s recovery was remarkable. Although he was confused when he saw the mark on the crook of his neck, he was quick to accept it, especially when we explained what had happened. He was allowed to go home. However, since he was new, and didn’t have a home, the Queen allowed him to stay in Sarah’s room in the warrior’s quarters.

“Mates shouldn’t be separated, especially if they are willing to accept the bond,” she told us.

Everyone on the team was given separate rooms, except Elena and Rafael, who have been sharing the same room ever since they found out that they were mates. Since the beginning, I have stayed in the Palace. I guess the Queen would have allowed us to move in together if we were mates. I just couldn’t help but wish that we were fated together.

The days expired rather quickly. We knew we were running out of time before the b***d moon, but there was little we could do. Allan didn’t know how to tell us the directions to the laboratory, and he was still healing from the numerous trauma he had suffered in the rogues’ hands.

So we chose to prepare ourselves for the upcoming war, training well, and sharpening our combat skills. The lookouts and the scouts were informed to be more cautious. The basement of the school and infirmary were also packed with food and water, in addition to the packed underground bunkers. So that in case the whole kingdom needed to go into a sudden lockdown, the commoners inside those buildings would be stable until help arrived.

By the time a month passed by, Allan had recovered enough to be active and chose to join the army. He had a lot to learn, but at the same time, we also learnt from him. The rogue’s tactics and secrets. At least some of them. Allan didn’t hesitate to tell us what he knew. Unfortunately, he didn’t know much about the vial or the secret weapon.

Sir Elliot wasn’t too surprised when he saw that, despite being a rogue, he was pretty good at fighting, and his tactics were rather similar to ours.

“I think Calvin is involved,” he had commented. It made sense. Calvin was a trained guard who started to rebel. He must have taught what he knew to the rogues.

I supposed the war would be intense. And to top that, they had a vial and a secret weapon. Anyway, we had the Lycan army with us. They were way stronger than any wolf, but I knew we shouldn’t underestimate them. After all, they were developing something we weren’t aware of.

“Just a month is left for the b***d moon. I wonder if they would try to attack that night,” I voiced my concern as we relaxed after the regular workout sessions.

“I bet they would,” Leo mumbled, sipping on his water bottle.

“I feel the same,” Arnold agreed, as the rest of the group nodded and mumbled out their affirmations.

I glanced at Danisha, who seemed to be a bit too silent. Since we now trained with the lycans in training, I was kind of forced to spend time with them too. At first it was awkward. They apparently didn’t enjoy my presence. But as time passed, I learnt to ignore the uncomfortable atmosphere and do what was needed.

Natasha was also there. She didn’t speak much to me, but at least she no longer tried to get close to Leo. Regardless, we weren’t friends, there was no doubt about that.

“What are you thinking about?” I cócked a brow at Danisha. She seemed to be in deep thought.

Blinking, “huh?” Danisha uttered and forced a smile.

Shaking her head, “nothing,” she mumbled.

“I must leave,” Xander sighed and stood up. “My special classes start in an hour,” he said, standing up. Danisha followed, and pecked his lips right before he jogged off.

“We are also going. See you tomorrow,” Danisha stated, glancing at us. I knew that the smile that she forced onto her face wasn’t genuine. Perhaps she was trying to be polite.

Anyway, she never tried to be a friend to me, despite being close to Xander, and I think I knew why. Her best friend didn’t have a chance with Leo because of me. I didn’t care anyway. Offering a polite smile at the duo, I nodded.

“I also should be going,” Leo stood up and stretched himself. Arnold, Rafael and Elena too stood up to leave.

“Let’s go,” Sarah nudged my hand. We walked towards the warrior’s quarters where Sarah would go to her room and from there, I would walk into the palace.

“I don’t like that chick,” Sarah suddenly mumbled.

“Who?”

“Natasha and Danisha. They are so… weird…” she stated, making me chuckle.

“I think it’s a personal grudge,” I told her and explained what I had learnt from Leo. Natasha used to make awkward comments and try to get close to him. Which stopped after he took me to her sister’s birthday celebration.

“Yeah, stay away from him. Eww,” Sarah pretended to gag, making me laugh.

“Babe,” Allan’s voice made us stop in our tracks just as we were approaching her room. We turned around to see him jog over to us, a broad grin spreading across his face.

“Guess what? I get paid for being in the army!”

He sounded ecstatic. I beamed. He wouldn’t have thought that he would get paid. Especially since he was here temporarily. When things get solved, Sarah would go back to her pack where Allan would become an official member. Their alpha had already accepted him as his pack member. Nonetheless, a few formalities had to be finalized.

Giggling, “of course, you would!” Sarah exclaimed.

“I never even dreamt of this,” he admitted, clearly elated. “We can have our own house soon!” He gleefully blurted out.

I suppose the little things we took for granted were massive for him. Getting paid, having clean clothes, good food and a roof over our heads. Allan seemed to be grateful for every little thing he received.

When he grabbed her and crashed his lips on hers, I smiled. It had been just a month since they met, but they were undoubtedly deeply in love.

“Allan, I am sweaty,” Sarah giggled, smacking lightly on his chest.

“So what?” He shrugged, earning another playful smack from his mate.

Chuckling at their playful exchange, “I am going,” I told them and walked away, wishing for a day that I could have that with the one I love.

As the days passed by, everyone in the kingdom waited in anticipation, unsure of what to expect on the night of the b***d moon. Even in the pack, things were hectic. Dad had tripled the security at the perimeters and ordered every able wolf to protect themselves. The night of the b***d moon was the night everyone was waiting for. And it was just a fortnight away.

Whenever I called my parents, they would advise me to be careful and this call wasn’t any different. They told me about their preparations in the pack. I had never seen them so tense. Perhaps, because this time, I was going to join the fight and they wouldn’t be there for me. They would have to stay in the pack in case of a mass attack and protect the pack’s land.

After ending the call, I walked towards the open window and stared at the star-studded sky. It was the night of the new moon. Only the stars that twinkled in the night sky were visible. I sighed.

“What storm do you have in store for us?” I whispered.

The following days passed faster than I wanted them to. As usual, I was alone in my room after a busy day when someone knocked on the door.

I g*****d, feeling exhausted. I didn’t want to separate from the comfort of my bed. The person knocked again. Despite my desire to sleep, I tore myself off of the sheets and dragged myself towards the door.

“Who?” I asked as I opened it. Instead of answering me, Leo slithered inside as soon as the door unlocked.

My jaw dropped open, but a chuckle escaped through my lips.

“What are you doing?” I was pleased to see him. Nevertheless, it was a risk. The Queen wouldn’t be amused to see him in my room.

“I missed you,” he mumbled, collecting me in his arms. Using his leg, he closed the door and leaned against it, as he held me in his arms.

Smiling in satisfaction, I breathed out a sigh and closed my eyes. How could I resist his charm? He was the love of my life. We stayed like that for sometime. Ash was purring in my head the whole time and I felt that I could stay like that forever. When I was with him, I was at home.

“I love you, Rea,” he whispered in my ear, making me shudder. When he started to trail k****s all over my face and down my neck, I found myself involuntarily craning my neck to give him better access.

His hands started to explore my form. When he grabbed my a*s cheeks, I gasped. Without a warning, he crashed his lips on mine and hungrily dominated them.

“I. Love. You,” he mumbled in between k****s.

My breathing became ragged and my chest heaved against his. The thin fabric of my pyjamas didn’t help.

When he grazed his teeth against my marking spot I let out a shameless m**n. The waves of pleasure that coursed throughout my body were too much to handle.

“How I wish I could mark you tonight,” he g*****d in my ear.

Panting, “wh… why c… can’t you?” I stuttered.

Sighing, he held me against his chest. I took my time to catch my breath as I listened to the erratic beats of his heart.

“Well, for one thing, I literally can’t until I complete my shift. Zoro says anytime soon. I just hope soon enough. Because I want to make you mine as soon as this mess related to the b***d moon is over,” he explained. “Tomorrow night is the night. I hope that they stop or get killed… I mean… seriously,” he added.

I frowned.

“I can mark you,” my tongue formed the words before I could hold it back. But as soon as I did, I covered my mouth.

Chuckling, he kissed my forehead. “Well, do you want to?” He asked.

My face heated up at his question. Did I want to? Oh, hell, yes! But should I? Maybe not.

“Umm…” A bashful smile curled on my lips as I tried hard to hide my flustered cheeks.

He laughed. “We will wait. Just a few days left, anyway,” he said, and I nodded in agreement. Leaning against him, I yawned. I was drowsy and tired, yet, I desired to be with him.

“You are sleepy, my love,” he whispered. Humming in response, I smiled and inhaled his wonderful scent. I would love his scent to mix with mine. I would love to belong to him. I would gladly flaunt his mark on my neck when that happens.

He bent down and placed his hands under my knee to lift me up in his arms. A sigh of contentment escaped my lips. He carefully placed me on the bed and covered my body with sheets. He was about to leave after kissing me goodnight, but I held his arm.

“Wait, please?” I pleaded. He gulped. He was hesitating, yet sat on the mattress and started to run his finger through my hair. It was soothing. If only I could feel the sparks….

My eyelids grew heavy and, despite my desire to stay awake a while longer, I drifted off into dreamland.

***

As expected, he wasn’t there when I woke up. He must have left as soon as I dozed off. Anyway, that night was the best night of my life. I fell asleep with a smile on my face and woke up elated. However, as soon as I remembered that we were expecting chaos by the end of the day, my excitement died down.

After throwing the covers, I rushed to start the day. I had a feeling that it was going to be a big night.