Chapter Forty

Alaric's POV
I am walking through the gardens of the tower to clear my head when Richard approaches me.
"That was incredible, son." He exclaims, giving me a bug hug. "The way you handled that meeting, you were on top of your game." He smiles cheekily. " And don't get me started on that threat. If I didn't know that I was exempted from that threat, I would have straight up shit my pants." He starts to laugh and I lead him to the garden seats. "But that was amazing." He continues. "You were amazing. Leadership suits you." He says, giving me a nudge and I smile back at him.
"Thank you Richard. It means the world to me." I say. "You didn't tell me you were now the leader of the sixth coven. Congratulations Richard." I say.
"Thank you. Took a lot of hard work I tell ya."
"Yeah, I figured."
"And those old men, a pain in my ass. Even as their leader, they still try to object every decision I make." He complains.
"Maybe you should become more like me." I suggest with a shrug, which makes him chuckle.
"What?" He exclaims. "Be like you? I do not think I have it in me at all. Besides, it is not really my style. All that dark overlord shit. I like to annoy my subjects to submission with my cheekiness." He says and laughs. "Not scare them to bits and leave them guessing whether or not I will request for their heads in the middle of the night."
"I don't do that. And I am not a dark overlord." I argue.
"Yeah, kid. Keep telling yourself that." He says unamused.
"I am serious. I do not do that." I say, trying to defend myself. I do not think I do that at all. Do I?
"Okay. Let us say you do not so that. Can you tell me the last time someone called you by your first name? Including the elders that have been in the pack," Richard asks me with curiosity.
"They don't call me with my first name. They call me Alpha." I say.
"And why do you think that is?" He asks.
"Because I am the Alpha?"
"No. It's because they are scared to death of you. I am telling you kid, you make the hair on their heads stand when you as much as pass by. They are truly terrified to death of you. Bunch of wimps." He says with a chuckle.
"Sure, they all call me Alpha and maybe it is because they are actually scared of me. They should be. Not like I really care what they think either way. At least Chels calls me with my real name." I say, trying to defend myself.
"Chels?" He asks and then laughs. "I knew there was another reason for the break in your stoic expressions, and it was not just me." He says nudging me. "So tell me. Who is the girl?" He asks and I immediately feel guilty. He sees the change in my mood and shakes his head. "Nah. None of that here. It is okay to be happy. To move on. She would want that." He says encouragingly.
"But what if it isn't though. What if I just cheated death and right now I am cheating on her. This was meant to be our story, but now she is gone. And the worst part is, I wasn't even there when she died, and now I am alive and I am moving on and everything just feels so goddamn unfair." I rant standing up in frustration. "And the worst part is, this new girl, the one who is suddenly driving me crazy, she is everything like Saira. The wits, the guts, sharp tongue, beauty, intelligence. Everything gives off Saira vibes and it's just so infuriating and exciting and sad at the same time, and it seems like the moment I am around her, I can't control how I act around her."

I huff out. "It is like the moment I am with her, I lose my whole sense of being and it is crazy." I turn and look at him earnestly. "Everyone says she is my mate because she was the one who woke me up and broke the spell, but everyone also knows that werewolves only have one mate in their lifetime. ONE! So why am I suddenly having two mates in mine?" I ask in frustration.
"Because you are living through two lifetimes son." He says calmly.
"What?" I ask confused.
"You have lived through your first lifetime with your first mate, Saira. And after over five hundred thousand years of being supposedly dead, you are living through your second lifetime, and the moon goddess has sent you a second mate to see you through this lifetime. Fate makes no mistakes, son. Every single thing happens for a reason. Even this very conversation. You just have to embrace every change life throws your way and continue living."

He joins me to stand and places a hand on my shoulder. "Do not let the thought, the idea that you cheated death or you are cheating on my baby girl stop you from living your life to the fullest, fulfilling destiny. It is because if there is one thing I am absolutely sure about my girl, it is that she would want you to be happy. To move on with your life. Do not let the past hold you back son. Take life easy, and be happy with this girl of yours. I can see she really makes you happy." He advices soothingly.
"I honestly do not know if she actually makes me happy or if I am just infatuated with her. I have not let myself accept the fact that she is supposed to be my mate, Richard. And the girl seems too young." I complain with a sigh.
"How old is she?" He asks, curious.
"Seventeen. She will be eighteen in a month."
"So how does that make her too young?" He asks. "You and Saira were already engaged by the time you both were sixteen." He argues.
"That was in a different time Richard. A different century. Times have changed..."
"Not that much." He interrupts. "Boy, I have been alive for as long as you have been dead, so trust me on one thing. When it comes to love, none of these rules apply."
"But she is a minor. And I am a 22-year-old adult. According to this timeline, that is not a conventional relationship." I argue.
"Says who? The humans who don't get what it's like to be in love? To find your person? Your mate? Trust me when I say that the human rules do nnot apply to you or your species. Only you guys know the true definition of finding the one. And you have found her, so do not be dumb enough to let her slip right through your fingers. That clear?" He asks
"Yes."
"That's the spirit." He says with a smile. "Now if you would excuse me, I have to get back home. I have a home-cooked meal waiting for me, and you know how I do not joke with food." He says winking which makes me chuckle.
"Yeah, I do," I say as I stand up to hug him. "Safe trip back Richard."
"Be good." He says and leaves.