#Chapter 51 The Big Question

Olivia’s POV

Gabriel stays stunned for a long moment; eyes heavy on my lips while they cease to move any further. I can see the pain in his eyes, in his tensile posture as he settles into his desk chair, hands folded over in his lap.

“What happened on your trip, my dear? What has brought this one?”

“Nothing,” I bite, a blatant lie. “Celine is going to stay until tomorrow. I just needed to have this talk with you tonight, Gabriel. Please.” I push the paper closer to him and he recoils at the sight of it. “You wanted this before. Just sign the paper.”

“I don’t want a divorce, Queen Luna. You are my wife. We’ve been so much better to each other for the last month or so, I don’t want to throw that away. You’re mine.”

“I’m not yours, Gabriel. I belong to no one, not anymore. I just want to finalize this divorce; I want to work on my charity and focus on Reese. I don’t need to be worried about if my husband wants to reject our pack and our status to go run off together in the woods somewhere.”

His eyes darken into a dull, gray color. “Ah, so this is about what I said to Celine. It was never a real offer, my dear, I just wanted to get her opinion on what was best for you.”

“I know what is best for me,” I bite, trying to tame my hint of aggravation in this moment.

He nods, leaning forward in his seat and speaking softly compared to my brash volume. “I know you do, my dear. I just wish sometimes you would share that information with me. You walk around me constantly like I’ve done something horrible or that you still think I’m a work-obsessed Alpha who negates his wife’s needs.”

I swallow hard, my throat aching. “I can’t help the way I feel, Gabriel, it’s just the facts. I want a divorce. I can’t focus on this marriage anymore when I have other engagements that are pulling my attention. Reese is finally doing better but the rogue attacks have the hospital overcrowded.”

“Then let me help you, please—”

“NO!” I snap, my blood running hot through my features. My wolf is whining, gnawing at my mind. “I don’t need your help, Gabriel, I don’t need it!”

The King Alpha stands behind his desk before slowly stalking forward. I don’t know why, but I flinch at his aura, my head spinning when it overwhelms my wolf. I stagger a step backwards, my knees buckling but Gabriel manages to catch me in his arms and surprisingly, he pulls me into his chest for a soothing embrace.

I fall forward into his hold, sniffling at my high pulse and anxiety ridden wolf.

“I’m sorry, my dear,” he breathes warmly through my scalp. “I didn’t me to upset you.”

“Just give it to me, Gabriel. Please.”

After a long pause, he shudders. “I can’t. I’m sorry. But, if you need space, I’m more than happy to give it to you. I can move out of the bedroom and you can stay there until your nerves are settled.”

My heart drops at his attempt at a deal.

“No,” I breathe, clinging to his masculine scent. “I’ll move out of the room. It’s only fair, since I’m the one asking for this change to happen. I just wish you could see that this is what I need, Gabriel.”

He holds me tighter at my words. “I think you’re wrong, my dear. I think you need to be held, to be guided, and you just need a little bit of support.”

I break, forgetting myself for a slight moment. “You don’t understand, Gabriel. I have to do things right this time. I have to focus on this or I’ll end up like I did before—”

“Before? What are you saying, my dear.”

My eyes brighten and my heart drops. “No, nothing, Gabriel. I’m sorry.”

I aim to pull away but he stops me, holding my arm as he snatches me back into his chest and holds me there carefully. “You’re not getting out of this that easily, my dear. Tell me what is going on. Ever since that night at the cliffs… everything has been different.”

“Then divorce me.”

“It’s changed for the better.”

I freeze at his words. Part of me still feels bad for the real Queen Luna, to her wolf that still leaves traces of her existence within her body. She loved Gabriel, I know she did, but she loved him too hard and it pushed him away.

“Even through the fights and the rogue problems and that annoying Alpha Herold always looming nearby, I can’t help but admit that you and I have never been better, my dear.”

I wipe at my misty eyes, my hear pounding so fast that I think I may double over, possibly be sick, but it wouldn’t be of any use. I can’t solve this problem like I’m dealing with Alpha Herold. I can’t just walk past him and pretend the problems are not there anymore. I have to face him.

“You don’t understand, Gabriel,” I say, at the end of my rope in emotional agony by now. “I died that night, but not the way you think.”

His brow furrows and my heart is racing out of my chest.

“What are you saying?”

“I died and I can’t let it happen again,” I breathe, speaking fast and not thinking clearly while I’m doing it. “The moon goddess gave me a second shot at life. I should have never jumped from the cliffs, but she gave me a second chance and I have to take it. I have to make things right.”

“What are you trying to fix? My dear, please just talk to me. Help me understand.”

“It’s hard to explain, Gabriel. I just need space—I need to focus on other things right now. When Reese is better and I get this charity off the ground and running itself, then maybe we can talk about that night but I need this divorce to ensure nothing will change.”

His eyes darken and I can see that I’ve wounded him.

“I can’t run away with you, King Alpha.”

He nods and kisses my temple, his lips warm and enticing. “Okay. I understand. Go ahead and find another room and I’ll have the maids move your stuff. Just, please, don’t’ go too far. I want to keep an eye on you.”

That’s the problem.

I know he anticipates me moving into another wing of the palace, even perhaps closer to Celine’s guest room, but I can’t allow him to drop by anymore. He has to know the line in the sand has been drawn and there’s no way I can let him cross it whenever he wants to.

We may not be divorced, but I’ll make sure we come close to it.