Chapter 135: Chapter 135

As the day went by, Azraiel became more and more agitated.

He was trying really hard to not let it show on his face, but he was failing miserably.

Charlotte was very much aware of his anxiety. His worry was rippling through the mate bond even after his multiple attempts to block his feelings from her. She understood it. If the roles were reversed, she would probably be crying because of the overload of emotions.

The sky would soon be dark. Charlotte stood on the balcony of her room, looking over the land that is now her pack. It feels like yesterday when she opened her eyes in the hospital and her angel mate was sleeping by her side. She gulps to suppress her emotions. All day long, they have done everything they could to control the aftermath of the shift. Right now, they have no idea what’s gonna happen after the shift, or if there is something going to happen at all. But it never hurts anyone to be prepared in advance.

The dangerous species like vampires, weredragons, and sirens will be taken to the Queen’s Palace early in the morning tomorrow. The others are supposed to shift in the woods themselves. Azraiel wanted her to have some privacy and shift in the Blue Orchid pack but she wanted to do it her way. If she is to rule the people who trust her, she’ll need to start by connecting with them on a personal level. She, therefore, has decided to shift in the woods, surrounded by her pack and her mate by her side.

She has also made Azraiel to promise her that he won’t hesitate to mark her during the shift if needed.

Yes, he promised her that she wouldn’t undergo the shift without her mark on her neck but it couldn’t happen and she can’t fault him for that.

But now, she is content. Even if she dies during the shift, she will have no regrets.

She is about to go inside the room when she hears the knock.

“Ayleen? Come in.”

Ayleen smiles and steps inside the room.

“Is everything ready at the Queen’s palace?” Charlotte asks as they both sit on the chairs on the balcony.

“Yes. Everything is ready. I have sent you a video capturing all the arrangements. Let me know if there is anything else you need.” Ayleen assures her.

“Thank you.” Charlotte smiles gratefully. This young woman is wise beyond her years. She is smart, kind, considerate and everything that her sister would be if she had one.

“Here.” Ayleen puts a package on the coffee table. “These are some energized crystals and bath salts. Katya wants you to use them tonight and tomorrow before the shift. Also, she said that you should journal and meditate today before sleep and tomorrow morning as well.”

“Sure. Thanks.” Charlotte makes a mental note to call Katya and thank her for everything she has done and is still doing.

“Are you okay?” Ayleen asks.

“I am.” Charlotte nods. “But I am worried about your brother.” She voices her concerns.

“I know.” Ayleen frowns. “I am worried about him too. For some reason, I am not worried about you. It’s like I know that you’ll be fine.” She chuckles.

Charlotte joins her. “Yeah…even I am not worried about myself as much as I am concerned about him.”

“Mhmm…give him some time…talk to him tonight…assure him you’ll be here after the shift. He…” Ayleen pauses to gulp. “He…has lost a lot of people….people he loved….people he cared about….it is going to be tough for him to watch you undergo all this. Assure him that you are strong enough for both of you.”

Charlotte feels the intensity with which Ayleen speaks. These siblings have gone through so much and yet every new battle is just as much hard as the first one.

“I will. But…but if things don’t go our way and anything goes wrong….please take care of him.” Charlotte requests Ayleen. “If I don’t come back after the shift, help him move on from me…help him find happiness beyond me…I want him to live his life happily even if I am not with him….especially if I am not with him.”

Ayleen nods. “I know you are coming back after the shift.” Ayleen says with finality in her voice that leaves no room for any further statement.

“And yes, I will make sure he is happy with or without you…but I’d rather that you both are happy together.” She squeezes her hand gently.

At that moment, the door to their home opens and they know that Azraiel is there.

“I’ll call you when dinner is ready.” Ayleen leaves the room.

Charlotte follows her out and waits by the door for her mate.

He smiles instantly when he sees her.

They both move towards each other like they are pulled by a magnet. He holds her close and kisses her softly.

She forgets to breathe when he kisses her…

Every goddamn time!

Hand in hand they enter their room and sit on the bed.

“You alright?” He asks her as she closes her eyes and lays her head on his shoulder.

“Mhm… I am good.” He has asked her the same question around five times since morning.

“You?” She asks him for the first time today.

“I am great now that you are in my arms.” He presses a kiss on the crown of her head.

She sits straight and looks him in the eye, “I want you to be good and great even when I am not with you.” She says softly holding his face in her palm.

“I know…” he looks away from her for a second and gulps. “I was used to living without you before I met you…but now, it’s hard to imagine a life without you, Charlotte. I don’t want to think about it…I don’t want to believe that it is a possibility.”

“But it is…” She whispers.

“Yes, it is!” He repeats sadly.

“Hey….promise me…you’ll try to live on without me if something goes wrong…you’ll learn to live without me…you’ll learn to be happy without me.” It hurts her to say those words to him. She can’t imagine what he must be feeling hearing them from her.

He doesn’t say anything for a few seconds.

“I promise.” His voice breaks. She knows he doesn’t mean it and is saying that to ease her worries but it still soothes her heart a bit.

She knows he won’t give up on his life. He is much more responsible than that. He knows he has to take care of his pack as well as her pack if she doesn’t come back. She knows he will fulfil his promise at all costs. He will survive. He will thrive. He will be alright.

“Thank you.” She smiles through the tears in her eyes.

“Anything for you, love….anything for you.” He kisses her tears away and clutches her close to his chest.

In his heart, he knows….

Without her, he is just a shell of the person he actually is…!