Chapter 21. Taking Home

**** 21. Taking Home****
**Third Person's POV:**
Rafael regretted speaking to Astrid in that manner. His well-laid plans were disrupted by the people around him and their thoughts, tarnishing his original intentions.
He didn't want Astrid to know who bought her yet, which is why he told Bryan to do everything and take her home so she wouldn't be scared of him, but the damage had already been done. He kept his gaze down until they reached home, where he retreated to a corner to scold himself for his rash behaviour, he should have been mature enough not to allow anything or anyone to influence his decision.
Nevertheless, the harm was done, and Rafael decided to reprimand himself later. For now, he needed to address the situation and make everyone involved regret their actions. He first went to the Alpha's office where Edward was making out with Charlotte they didn't even have the decency to close the door. He cleared his throat to get their attention, and he was successful.
"Oh... Mr Delmar, please come in," he moved his mate aside, and Rafael began to enter.
"Mr Hudson, did I disturb something important here? I hope you don't mind if I disturb you," Rafael pretended to smile at them.
Edward, in particular, seemed to be someone Rafael needed to keep an eye on. Despite Edward's attractiveness, Rafael maintained his pride and arrogance. Yes, he was a proud creature and an arrogant one at that.
"Yes, Mr Delmar," he said, "what brought you to my office?" Rafael was preoccupied with reading his thoughts.
"I want to sever all our business ties. I recall having dealings with your father, and now, with his retirement, everything falls on your shoulders. Frankly, I doubt your ability to handle it all at such a young age." Rafael sneered. Even in his rage, Rafael would not speak to someone, especially someone with whom he had a good relationship.
He couldn't believe he was saying these words, but he also knew he would go to any length to defend his mate. He was well aware of their relationship with them and their plot to send Astrid away. But! He had no idea Edward was Astrid's mate... Yet.
Edward began to sweat as he realized how important this was since they would go bankrupt if vampires did not financially support them. Rafael's company was a leading provider of construction and architectural supplies to them, and if they didn't acquire building materials from them, they wouldn't have labour, and people wouldn't have jobs, but nothing would make Rafael change his mind right now.
"I'm sorry, Mr Delmar, but did we do something to cause you to make this decision?" Edward asked.
"I'm cutting ties because I won't associate with a pack that engages in such shameful practices as selling and bidding on ladies. It's disgraceful." Rafael explained.
His words caught Edward off guard. "But, Mr Delmar, auctions like these have been going on for generations, even my father used to do it, and you didn't have any objections with him, so what happened suddenly?" Edward inquired hastily.
"I don't know about your father, but that was in the past now that I've seen what happens here every time I don't want to keep any links with a pathetic pack like this nevertheless I have what I came here for and I hope I don't have to come here again after I'll take Astrid and leave," Rafael exclaimed. He intended to bring up Astrid's issue out of nowhere so he could go into greater detail.
"Astrid?" Edward frowned.
Rafael nodded and said, "Yes, Astrid Jones."
"But why her? You could have purchased whomever you wanted." Edward began to say
"I don't believe I am answerable to you; I came here to let you know about my decision." Rafael gave a shaky nod.
While Edward was thinking, Rafael took advantage of the situation and began reading his mind. Edward's mind kept returning to Astrid and the day he had rejected her. A clear image of the day's events was playing inside Edward's mind, and Rafael was watching everything as if it were a clear picture.
"Astrid was your mate?" Rafael made a loud announcement, which jolted Edward out of his reverie.
"Astrid was your mate?" Rafael exclaimed, shaking Edward from his thoughts.
Surprised, Edward stammered, "How do you know that?"
"I heard that somewhere, and I know you rejected her, and cruelly so." Rafael finished his sentence.
He had seen everything and was worried that she had to go through everything on her and that the cruelty she endured was nothing in comparison to his wait but another part of him was glad Edward rejected her or else he would not have found her but he wanted justice for her. "Why?" Rafael demanded. "How could you turn her down?"
"Come on Mr Delmar, who would want a weakling like her as a mate even if you have bought her it's for your own reasons or I know for a fact that you wouldn't have accepted her knowing that she doesn't have a wolf and inferior to human and not to mention she is cursed and does very horrifying things. I can't accept her to be my Luna and rule by my side. I want someone strong who can take the title but I have to agree on one thing I have been friends with her before. She is actually beautiful, actually the most beautiful one in our pack, but you know things don't work like that" Edward wasn't blurting everything on his own rather Rafael compelled him to blurt out everything he had in mind.
Rafael seethed with anger after hearing Edward's confession. The convoluted way Edward spun his words left Rafael bewildered, prompting him to resort to compulsion for a clear and straightforward response. Shocked and consumed by amplified fears, Rafael felt an urgent need to speak with his mate and re-evaluate his decisions.
Everyone he meets ends up telling him that he made the wrong decision in choosing Astrid. But Edward's reasoning was pathetic because she was something "Magical" that only his mind could possess and being different is something they should be proud of because it is what distinguishes them from the rest of the world. These were Rafael's ideas; he liked everything that was one-of-a-kind since he too was one.
Even though he hadn't revealed all about himself, he knew there were things he couldn't explain. For example, Vampires and royals can only have three gifts, but Rafael had already discovered twelve of his gifts, which continued disclosing to him, and the process is still on-going; he has no idea how many more of his traits he will discover next.
Edward was looking horrified at Rafael by the time he was free of the force of compulsion. He'd forgotten all he'd told Rafael. Rafael turned around and began walking away.
"Mr Delmar, please wait," Edward said as he began racing behind him.
"Don't follow me, Mr Hudson; I'll think about reviewing my decision if my mood improves," Rafael said as he continued walking.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
When Rafael had left to speak with Edward, Bryan had removed the blindfold from Astrid's eyes.
"Hello," Bryan replied as she blinked a few times, trying to acclimatize to the brightness.
Astrid remained silent.
"Okay, Your Highness will be waiting for us, so tell me where you want to go to get your things and I'll escort you there," Bryan said with a smile to Astrid.
She realized there was no way out, so she went to her house and selected a few items that were meaningful to her. Nobody was at home to say goodbye to her.
Bryan was observing everything, even the fact that no one had come to bid her goodbye he assisted her in packing and drove her to their car.
Observing her isolation, Bryan assisted Astrid, advising her not to pack her clothes. Despite feeling compelled to follow Bryan's instructions, she kept her clothing, as they held little sentimental value. She began to follow Bryan as he piled their belongings into the trunk of his car and drove away.
Bryan gently smashed his head. "Oh, I'm so forgetful that I had to blindfold you before I left," he said. Skylar had entered earlier, and Astrid had a brief talk with him before departing. Bryan blindfolded Astrid and guided her to sit beside Rafael, who awaited them in his BMW parked outside their house. Rafael, preoccupied with the road, disregarded Bryan, instructing him to come in his own car. Bryan agreed and continued on his way. Throughout the journey, both remained silent...
Upon arriving at Rafael's castle, he parked his car in the garage, which housed his collections. Rafael stepped outside and opened Astrid's door. "Come on," he murmured softly.
Astrid fumbled around, attempting to get out of the car. Rafael swiftly grabbed her hand as she was about to fall face-first on the ground, and as soon as he did, he felt a wave of current travel through them. Not just a feeling they could feel actual jolts and pleasant tingling where their hands were connected.
Rafael escorted her to his room. He couldn't wait to finally see her.
Astrid flinched when Rafael closed the door behind him as she entered the room cautiously.
While her back was turned, Rafael approached, carefully undoing her blindfold. Overjoyed, Rafael awaited her turn, feeling his breath catch as she finally faced him. Their gazes connected in a magnificent moment, enjoying a private interlude. However, Astrid blinked away abruptly, and Rafael smirked.
Astrid abruptly stepped away from him and began stripping naked.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
**Rafael, at the very least, is aware of his status as the second mate, and he appears to be content with it, right?**
**There was a little conversation between Astrid and Skylar that I skipped because the chapter was getting too long.**
**Though it isn't critical, I will include it in the next chapter or whichever it is in the count in Astrid's point of view.**
**Who is excited to see Astrid? I'll upload a video or photo of her to my Facebook group soon.**
**Stay tuned I love you all <3**
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _