Chapter 69: Chapter 69

Chapter 69 Not Again!

MAIA'S POV

After trying to finish my painting without my model, I stared at my work and appreciated the beauty in it.

"Something is missing. Hmm," I said out loud with my hands on my waist.

"The frown is missing," A very familiar voice said.

"Neal! It seems like forever since we last saw each other!" I exclaimed, turning around to face him.

"I have been quite busy and the King Alpha has been sending me on a lot of errands," he replied.

"Well, how have you been? Tell me," I asked.

"I am good. Still handsome as ever," he replied.

"I see that you still have your humor. That is great. Well, any luck finding your mate?" I asked, changing the subject.

Neal had been looking for his mate for the past 5 years. He had been with Lucius to all these places looking for their mates, but had been unfortunate in finding his mate.

"No luck yet," he replied sadly.

"Have you already decided on your next destination?" I asked, looking at him.

"I am thinking of just focusing on the pack works this year," he replied, sitting down on the couch near the window.

"Why? What if this is the year that you will find her? Are you seriously going to waste it? Don't tell me you are losing hope?" I asked one question after another.

"I don't know, Maia. What if she's already mated to someone? Or worse - dead. What if I am looking for someone who does not exist? I can't allow my heart to keep getting hurt and hold on to a false hope," he said.

Seeing him like this broke my heart. It was so unlike him to be this sad. Him not finding his mate was affecting him.

"Hey, don't think like that. I am sure you will find her. She is somewhere out there waiting for you. So, you got to go out there and find her. No matter what it takes, never lose hope because I am sure that she is also staying strong for the both of you. You just have to believe that you will find her and trust the Moon Goddess to direct you in the right direction," I said, giving him some words of encouragement.

He looked at me and let out a sigh.

"Well, enough about me. Have you already had your lunch?" He asked, changing the subject.

I looked at him sternly before shaking my head.

"Lucius promised to take me out on a picnic." I said.

"Did he? Well, you better drag him out of his office then before he forgets. He just finished his meeting and is doing some pack work right now. As you know, he will bury himself again with work and then forget whatever he said," he suggested.

"You are right! Well, I already asked the Omegas to prepare our lunch and I'm just waiting for them and then I will go drag him out of his office," I replied.

"Well, I am off to go take some nap. I still have another training session with the fighters later this afternoon," he said before standing up from the chair.

My eyes lit up when I heard the word train. I had always wanted to learn the proper way to defend myself, but never got the chance.

"One of these days, I will join your training session. I need to learn how to defend myself," I said.

"As long as the King Alpha approves, I will train you to be the best female warrior if you want," he added.

"Oh my gosh! I can't wait to start! Well, I won't hold you any longer. Have your nap before you become grumpy," I said, chuckling.

"Have fun on your picnic." he replied, heading out my door.

Once he was gone, I immediately went to my closet and picked out a simple dress to wear for the picnic. I quickly took a bath to start preparing. Half an hour later, I was all ready to go.

It was as if on cue, Emily knocked on my door with a basket in her hand.

"Queen Luna, you look ravishing as always," she said.

"Oh, come on, Emily. I look the same, but thank you," I replied.

After a little touch up with my hair, we headed to Lucius' office. I was smiling like a child with excitement while we were in the elevator.

The guards were about to greet me when I heard my mate's voice, who seemed to be talking on the phone. I held up my hand to let them know to be quiet and listened to his voice.

"Hello, Love. It has been a long time. I thought you already forgot me," I heard Lucius say.

'Love?' Avi asked.

"When are you coming? You know I miss having you around, Love. It's not the same without you. Besides, I want you to meet someone," I heard Lucius' voice again.

The longer I stood there, the more my heart was breaking.

My feet involuntarily moved on their own and by the time I realized it, I was already outside the castle.

"Queen Luna," I heard a voice say, but my mind was somewhere else.

'Maia, let me out! Let me tear him apart! How dare he cheat on us!? What does he think we are? A fool?' Avi said, fighting for dominance.

I was just dumbfounded by what I heard.

"Queen Luna. You are scaring me," the voice said again.

It was only when someone touched me did I realize it was Emily talking to me.

"Huh?" I mumbled.

She looked at me with pleading eyes.

I needed to get out of here, and fast.

"Emily, tell the guards to not let anybody know that I was there by his office earlier. Also, call one trusted guard and tell him to prepare the carriage. We are going to the pack house. Instruct all of them to keep it quiet," I instructed her.

"Yes, Queen Luna," she replied.

A few minutes later, a carriage arrived, and we headed to the pack house.?

I had been staring outside as we passed by trees while stopping myself from letting those threatening tears come out.

'No, Maia! You will not show such weakness,' I scolded myself.

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