#Chapter 69:Please tell me the truth

Third Person POV
Eugene had agreed to end the war. The death of Herold was his way of making sure the pack would prosper. While both Gabriel and Fernadez wanted him to answer for the death of the Alpha, they both agreed that the nation was in mourning and the treaty was more important.
Later, Gabriel mentioned to Olivia that due to the fact that Eugene was both a werewolf and a vampire, he would be strong enough to take everyone out in the room. They did not want to there to be any more bloodshed.
Olivia could not believe what she was hearing. Gabriel kissed her hair as his mind linked with her.
You ended the war, my love. You are a treasure with the men that marvel at your feet.
But Olivia shook her head.
I caused all this turmoil. I should not have—-
Do not finish that statement ever. Gabriel pushed into her mind, cutting her off.
Each of the participates of the meeting signed the treaty. They agreed there would be no war. Eugene’s coven would extend to the pack lands only in Joseph’s territory. Joseph would take Herold’s place as Alpha and take over the affairs as a liaison.
When it was Olivia’s turn to sign the treaty, she felt a pressure on her body. She pushed her hair behind her ear as she grabbed the pen. She turned and looked at the men behind her. She felt her heart swell as her eyes met Emanuel.
Herold. She thought as she linked to the bodyguard. The thought occurred to her as she remembered that when she came back; she had scars from where she had been stabbed. Herold had his throat slit from what she was told.
Could it be? But the man never answered him.
Eugene shook heads with the delegates and the President, but when it came time to touch Olivia, Gabriel growled and stepped in front of her. So did his Beta and Emanuel.
“I believe you have touched my mate enough, Vampire King. Don’t you?”
Eugene nodded as he smiled at Olivia. “Take care of her. She is worth every second of your time.”
Gabriel escorted Olivia away from the foyer and towards the cars. He kept her near him the entire night.
When she went to get a glass of water, she saw Emanuel outside walking the parameter.
When he turned, it shocked him to see her. “Olivia, you should not be out this late.”
Olivia’s eyes widened at Emanuel’s proclamation. “What did you call me?”
“I mean Queen Rebecca.” Emanuel said as he began to leave, but Olivia caught his biceps.
“YOu called me Olivia,” she said sternly.
Emanuel shook his head. “I head the Vampire King called you that. I am sorry that I spoke out of turn.” But Olivia did not let go and she could hear the wolves howling in her head. She was not mistaken.
“No, the Vampire King Eugene called me Queen Luna. He addressed me by my title. So How do you know my name?” Olivia demeaned.
Emanuel sighed as he leaned against the wall of the manor. “I am sorry I spoke out of turn. Forget what I said.”
“Herold?” Olivia asked. “Please tell me the truth.”
“Why you did not spare me the same courtesy, your majesty,” Emanuel growled. Olivia saw the yellow in his eyes. She gasped when she saw it to be true.
“It is you, but I thought the Goddess ignored my prayer.”
“So you begged for my second chance,” Emanuel (Herold) muttered. “I did not want a second chance.”
“But how I thought Emanuel was dead?” Olivia said as she touched Herold’s face. He pulled her hands away, pushing them to his said.
“He was in a come and the day when I was reborn, they pronounced him unresponsive. The Moon Goddess gave me his second chance because my body could not be saved. So I am here because I made a promise to the Moon Goddess to protect you for the rest of this life that I have.”
“I cried for you,” she whispered.
“I know, but you cried for the man I became, not the man I was. I hurt you and I will atone for all my mistakes. Including making you chose between us. I love you but I will not pursue anymore. I will let the choice be yours.”
“But—” She started, but Emanuel cut her off.
“Go to bed my Luna, your mate will notice your absence if your are not in bed.” Emanuel walked away from her. She swallowed her tears and silently thanked the Goddess for answering her prayers.
Over the next few days, Olivia weighed her options and thoughts. She did not tell anyone about her discovery that night. She let Herold go about his new life as Emanuel and continue to guard her in secret. He made it clear that he would not chase after her any longer.
If she wanted him, she was going to make that choice. While Gabriel was doing business upstate, she was handling her affairs of the charities that she had founded. It even surprised her that Eugene had made a donation to her charity and found his replacement for the ailing werewolves charity.
When she returned from the hospital, she saw that Emanuel was making rounds in the manor.
“Good evening Emanuel, may I have a word with you in the garden?”
He nodded and followed behind her. She walked along the garden and reached for the sapling that was starting to take root.
“Do you see this sapling? Reese started planting in the garden as a hobby. He planted this one when we found out about your passing.
That even though he disliked you for everything, he wanted to remember you in someway.” Olivia chuckled. “He started planting a few lilies and orchids to remember my death and Rebecca’s.”
“Your brother could never hold hatred in his heart…just like his sister.” That comment made Olivia look into the bodyguard’s eyes. Today there was no yellow in sight.
“I thought about what you said. With everything that is happened, I understand why you kept me at arm’s length. And after seeing Eugene’s love for me cause your death, I could not bear to lose anyone else close to me. I want you to be at peace, Herold.” Olivia said.
“What are you saying, Olivia?” Emanuel asked.
“I am saying that I am letting you go. I want you to live a life without me. I set you free,” Olivia said as she stood on her tiptoes and peck Emanuel’s cheek.
“Are you happy with the Alpha King?”
“I am. I think we both got the closure we needed and there is no need to keep going.”
“Good night, my queen. Enjoy your life and I wish you and your mate well,” he bowed and turned away from me. Emanuel left me in the garden by myself. Alone with my thoughts, I did not cry. I cried enough when I mourned Herold.
I wanted him to have a new life and a chance with someone else. When he gave me the chance to clear the air, it was as if every chain that had been strangling was breaking and falling at my feet.