I was half thinking half sewing buttons when Richard came in and said hello.
"Hey, I didn't hear your car coming up. When did you arrive?" I said.
"Just now," Rich replied, "You were dozing off and sewing buttons at the same time. What are you up to?"
"I am waiting for Kaid to finish some meeting with some Alphas. I sensed that they did not want me there."
"What? Kaid didn't tell me. Where is he now?" Rich was confused.
"I believe he was doing you a favor."
"What favor?!," Rich was fuming, "I am his Beta!"
"Rich, wait. Just let Kaid do this meeting. I think Kaid wanted you to have a clear head, so after the announcement, he let you deal with Ella first. Speaking of Ella, you did get my invitation, right? Is she coming with you now?" I tried to change topic, but Rich was not letting this slide.
"Yes, Ella is coming. She is running errands and will be here in half an hour. But, no, you cannot steer me into another topic."
"Alright. I suppose at some point you will have to hear this." Richard frowned, as if waiting for bad news.
I sighed.
"Lord Sterling said, the other packs were beginning to worry that the Lycan King's supporting the werewolves had something to do with you and Ella being mates, and Kaid being bethroted to Zara. Therefore, Kaid wanted Lord Sterling to front any negotiations related to this matter, because he has the most neutral connection with the other packs. No strings."
I could already see how dejected and disappointed Richard was. He could barely manage to reply, "That is just absurd. Do I look like someone who cannot separate work and personal life?"
"I know. But it was happening right before my eyes. I was there with Kaid, and they had the audacity to ask if I were Kaid's Luna. As if they were trying to see if Kaid was blindly in love with someone else's wife and somehow decided to go to war for her sake. I tried to keep my chin up, but deep down I felt like I was an impostor. Someone to fill Zara's place."
Rich went silent for a moment before he came forward and hugged me. "I am sorry it happened to you. I hope Kaid could see how important you are."
"I didn't mean to nag." I hated how I sounded. I hated how I was bothered.
Richard looked into my eyes and told me, "You are stronger than you think. I have seen how capable and how irreplaceable you are to this Kingdom. Don't let other people tell you otherwise."
I nodded.
By that time, I heard noises from the reading room. The meeting was done, and they all looked quite satisfied with themselves. They did not stay for dinner, of which I felt grateful. They nodded towards me and Richard, and left. Ella came not long after, and the maids were sent to prepare for dinner.
I saw Rich talking to Kaid, something serious — I bet he was complaining about the meeting, but Kaid dismissed him and motioned his hands to me.
"What do you need, my King?" I asked.
"Nothing. Can't I be with you when I don't really need anything?" He grinned and wrap his arms around my shoulder. "Let's get some fresh air, we have some time before dinner."
Ella seemed to have understood, and he pulled Richard's hands away from Kaid.
—————
"Trin," Kaid called me when we were finally out in the backyard. I looked at him — not very often I saw him fumbling for words.
"Did the meeting go well?" I tried to break the silence.
"Yes, and no," Kaid tousled his hair and continued, "Yes, in a sense that they chose to pledge for our allegiance, thanks to Lord Sterling. But no, I did not like how they talked to you. Sorry, I should have stood up better for you."
I did not know what to say. A thousand words and a thousand feelings went haywire in my mind.
"I heard you felt like an impostor." Kaid's voice sounded deep and more serious.
"Rich must have blabbered things he should not have said." The words came out sharper than I intended.
"Trin, look at me," Kaid lifted my chin so that I was looking right into his green eyes. "Don't you dare say that again. You belong here, right here with me. You are irreplaceable."
My eyes felt hot and my cheeks burned. I could not control my tears. My body shook so hard, Kaid had to hold me. I did not know how to process all these feelings.
"You don't have to say anything, Trin. I know the past year has been hard on you. I owed it up to you. I will make up for lost time," Kaid's words only made me cry harder, "Trin, I am sorry, please stop crying, I feel helpless seeing you like this. Are you mad at me?"
I looked at him, and I saw softness and kindness. I was speechless.
"I trust you, my Lady," Kaid said firmly, "I hope you can trust me too."
"I will be here as long as you need me, Kaid. I will love you as freely as if today is the last day. I will not worry about tomorrow." My voice hoarse but I managed to say the things most important to me.
Kaid embraced me tighter. He lowered his face, "May I kiss you, my Lady?"
I smiled and nodded. He kissed me slowly and deeply, and I melted right then and there.