Chapter 68

**Nerissa POV**

After my interesting talk with Emily, I went inside the house feeling thirsty.
Entering the kitchen, I saw Cole inside, sitting by the counter deep in his thoughts.
“Hi.” I greeted him, walking to the fridge.
He turned his head and looked at me, saying, “Hi.”
Opening the fridge, I found orange juice, taking it out so I could drink it.
We were there in awkward silence and I couldn’t stand it, so I said, “Are you ok?”
“Yeah, I’m fine.” He flashed me a small smile and looked away, obviously hoping I won’t notice he was disturbed.
I didn’t like seeing him in such a situation, so I approached him, taking a seat next to him.
He looked at me, raising his eyebrow about to ask me a question, but I beat him to it.
“You know you can talk to me if something is troubling you,” I told him honestly.
He was quiet for a moment, then I saw him giving me a small nod. “Thank you,” Cole said.
‘Why are men so difficult to open up?’ I groaned to myself.
“Well, I guess then I should leave you to your… business,” I said about to stand up.
Cole blew out a deep breath and said, “I always believed that I am not destined to have a mate because…” he stopped making me sit back down and listen, giving him time to open up.
His eyes flickered at me, hugging his head down when he continued, “Because of who I am.”
Blinking my eyes, I asked, “Because who are you? What do you mean?”
He didn’t look up at me, but I heard the sadness in his voice when he answered, “Because I’m a Wayern.”
“So, because you’re a Wayern you don’t deserve a mate?” Disbelieving I asked him.
His head lifted up. Looking at me, he said, “Yes. Because of my heritage, because everyone sees Wayern’s as bad, horrible, monsters.”
Placing my hand over his, I said, “Not you. You're not bad or a monster, Cole. You’re the one that saved me and Alex that day, if anything you are more than deserving of having a mate.”
He snorted, but I ignored it, continuing, “You shouldn’t be so hard on yourself. Look at it this way… if the Moon Goddess believed you’re unworthy of having a mate, then she wouldn’t even bless you with one. You deserve such blessing and happiness.”
He looked out through the window when his voice sounded cold but hurt, “She loves him.”
I was sad for him, seeing him so hurt.
“Maybe…” He slowly started to say but I squeezed his hand, stopping him as I said, “Don’t! She maybe has some feelings for him, but have you both even had a conversation? No, you haven’t as well as you two didn’t even try or speeded little time together.”
“Nerissa, she left…” He looked at me as he said the words.
“Yes, and you didn’t try to stop her, did you?” I told him, noticing him flinch at my harsh words.
“I will not force her to accept me just because we are mates.” Stubbornly he said, swallowing thickly as he looked away.
“You don’t have to,” I said, standing up, taking my glass to wash it in the sink.
I noticed him looking at me when I said the words, so I continued while I washed the glass.
“Cole I got to know, kind and fearless would do anything to get his mate, but I guess I was wrong. Maybe you're ok with how things are going between you two, or maybe you will get your head out of your ass and fight for your mate before it’s too late.” Turning around, I said to him.
His eyes that were looking so lost a moment ago, now we’re having back that spark of life in them.
“Fight for her, Cole, before she chooses another who she will see is worthy of her love. If you sit here and do nothing, then she will see it like you are not worthy of her and you will lose her for good.”
He stood up, eyes shining with that awoken fire. Looking down at me, he said, “Thank you, Nerissa. You're right, I’m a fool for thinking differently.”
Smiling at him, I said, “Well, maybe a little.”
We both chuckled when he said, “I guess I should first find out where she is now.”
“Go and good luck.” Wishing him wholeheartedly, I said.
He left the kitchen after that, leaving me all alone.
Looking outside, I didn’t hear when two sets of footsteps entered inside.
“There you are!”
Startled, I turned away from the window and saw Emily and Ryder standing near the entrance of the kitchen.
“Goddess, Emily! Can you not shout next time you sneak up on a person?” Teasing, I said.
She rolled her eyes, moving away from Ryder, approaching me. She grabbed my arm and said, “Come on, you're going with us.”
I looked at Ryder who was chuckling, watching at us two. 
“And where am I going with you both and also why?” Narrowing my eyes as I looked at her, knowing she must be up to something, I asked.
“Less talking and more walking. Now come on, you will be thankful to me later.” Pulling at my hand she said.
Complying out of curiosity, I followed after them, walking outside the house.
Ryder opened the car door for us, making me look at him confused, but he ignored my silent question.
Taking a seat, we drove off into the unknown when it occurred to me that I hadn't told either, Alex or Allister, that I was leaving the house.
“Where are we going? Do Alex or Allister know that we are out?” I asked, fiddling with my fingers.
“Relax, they know and no I can’t tell you anything more so stop asking and enjoy the ride,” Emily said, glancing at Ryder who was silently driving.
Knowing it was useless to ask her anything, I sat down in my seat, watching through the window as we drove.
Silently, I took a glance at Emily and Ryder, noticing them holding hands while his other steered the steering wheel.
I smiled at that, feeling happy that they finally resolved their issues.
The drive took some time, but finally, I saw a large house in the distance making me wonder who lives there.
The house was all in glass, standing tall, watching over the beautiful lake with a small wooden pier that had a boat tied to it.
Beautiful mountains spread behind the house as the thick forest made it secluded as no other houses were near it.
Ryder parked the car in front of the house, walking outside, opening the door for Emily and me.
“Here we are,” Ryder said.
I looked around, feeling mesmerized by the beauty of the place.
There were fairy lights decorating the path from the house to the pier. White bird cages filled with flowers hang from the branches of the trees while fireflies happily add to the magic of the site, dancing around the hanging flowers.
Looking down at the ground, I’ve noticed rose petals covering the path, going from the pier to the house.
“I think you should follow the path,” Emily whispered into my ear, excitement filling her voice, making her giggle at the end.
“And I think this is our sign to leave,” Ryder added, winking at Emily, making her blush as she took his hand.
Feeling confused as I looked from them to the unknown house, I asked, “Wait, you’re leaving me here? Alone?!”
Ryder smiled as he looked behind me. “I believe you’re in excellent hands here.”
“Emily?” I looked at her, calling my best friend’s name.
“Oh, right!” She moved away from the car and walked towards me, searching for something in her bag.
Taking out an envelope, she gave it to me, saying, “Here.”
I looked down at a white envelope, wondering what the hell was going on.
Hearing the car door close, I looked up and saw Emily leaning out from the open window. “Open it, silly! Have fun and I will see you tomorrow!”
I watched them pull away, driving back into the woods, leaving me standing there confused with the envelope in my hands.
Deciding to listen to Emily, I opened the envelope and pulled out a nicely folded paper that had golden writing and two doves flying towards each other on the top.
Reading the note, I felt my heart race in my chest, making me gasp in surprise.
It said: 

*“To our beloved Queen of our hearts,

Follow the path of white petals  
Like you’re following your heart.
When you reach the end,
The greatest desires your heart awaits
Will become true.

Yours truly,
Alexander and Allister”*

___________________________

*Authors note:
Hello everyone.
Thank you so much for following me through this journey for so long. I hope you’re enjoying the story and you're excited for what’s more to come.
We have four to five more chapters left after this one and then book 1 will be completed, but don’t worry the second one won’t take long to follow.
If you're liking this story please comment and share, I would very much appreciate to hear your thoughts.
Love, Amanda*