“No.”
“She said she’ll come back. She said, she loves you.”
I still don’t move.
“Sire…”
“Leave me alone, Gideon.”
For once, he listens.
I don’t know how long I stand there. Hours maybe. Until the sun sets and the air grows cold. Until our bond starts to ache from her absence.
Finally, I turn and walk back into the castle.
It feels empty without her. So damn empty…
* * *
The first day, I tell myself she’ll be back soon. A day, maybe two. Just long enough to check on her father. I can handle that.
I spend most of it in our library, surrounded by her scent. My little omega was so happy here, so excited by all the books. The memory makes my chest tight.
“She’s coming back,” I say out loud, just to hear the words.
By evening, Louise brings me food to the library.
“You need to eat, sire,” she says gently.
I look at the tray. There’s bread, meat, cheese, and fruit. All the things Belle likes. My stomach turns.
“I’m not hungry.”
“Sire…”
“I said I’m not hungry!” I below.
The teapot rattles on her tray, and I feel even more like shit.
“Sorry,” I mutter. “I’m sorry, Louise. I just…”
“I know.” Her voice softens. “But you still need to eat. For when she comes back.”
When. Notif.
I force down some bread to make her happy, but it tastes like ash.
That night, I sleep in our bed. Well, my bed now, I suppose. Belle’s scent is everywhere. On the pillows, the sheets, soaked into the mattress from days of heat and claiming .
I bury my face in her pillow and try not to think about how empty everything feels without her.
* * *
The second day gets worse.
I wake up reaching for her, and the crushing disappointment when I only find an empty spot by my side nearly breaks me.
The bond has gone from an ache to a constant pull, urging me to go after my mate to bring her back. To claim her again and never let her leave.
