The Alpha King's Nemesis-Chapter 192: Chances 2 ()

"Yo... Your Grace!" Vivienne exclaimed in alarm.

King Askel was hung upside down from an iron bar, but his gaze was fixed on Vivienne who stood by the door.

For a moment, King Askel’s gaze was one of intense bloodlust and a chill of terror ran down Vivienne’s spine as she stood in place like one frozen in time, but then he blinked and it was gone like it had never been there.

"Vivienne... come in." King Askel permitted, his tone gruff and unwelcoming despite his invite.

Vivienne sucked in a deep breath to calm her heart before she ventured in, shutting the door behind her.

King Askel’s gaze moved to the clothing carried along by Vivienne and he raised a brow.

"You may leave it here." King Askel permitted, his tone was dismissive as his eyes went closed.

"It has been years, Your Grace. Will you not ask how I have been? If not in these years but since my return at the least?" Vivienne asked.

King Askel did not respond for a short time and Vivienne believed he would, but in the end, after waiting for a while, he still said nothing.

"I have waited for your summons for weeks already and I have constantly tried to visit you but I have been turned down on each time. I know we have not met for years, but we were friends once, were we not?" Vivienne asked in dismay.

"If you will not ask, then I will tell you. I have no one else to tell..."

"My father always reassures me that he is there to provide a listening ear if ever I be in need of it, but I cannot bear to take that offer."

"I have caused my father enough concern and I cannot do that anymore." Vivienne said with a quiet sigh.

"It is never easy returning to one’s home pack after a failed bond, a mate bond is so precious that rejections are greatly frowned upon." Vivienne continued in a dejected tone.

"Even if no one would dare say it to my face, I know there are many who still believed I should have fought to protect my bond and not given up on it like I did."

"There are many who would always see me as being in the wrong for rejecting my mate with whom I had already shared years of companionship."

"And there are many who would constantly look down on me, like my life has come to an end." Vivienne paused at this, sucking in a deep breath.

"Did you return hoping everyone would be in support of your choice? Did you return seeking anyone’s approval? If the approval is not given until the end, will you give in and go back to your mate?" King Askel asked, his eyes still closed. 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

Vivienne had begun to believe King Askel was not even listening to her, but her heart soared in relief and gratitude when he finally responded.

However, his response as one would expect of King Askel, was harsh and direct, hitting right at Vivienne’s most painful points.

"I...no, I can never go back." Vivienne stuttered out in a pained tone.

Vivienne had expected this much, she had prepared herself to face the backlash when she severed her bond, however Vivienne could not deny that the past few weeks had been more difficult than she had pictured.

Most of her friends had long been mated and found peace and happiness in their respective bonds.

The ones who had not, had achieved great success in their various positions in the pack and were well respected amongst the Royal Lycans.

Amongst her peers, Vivienne felt she was the only one who had ended up as a failure, she who had held the most potential.

That in itself was a shame Vivienne would always have to live with and no one had let her forget it in this past week.

It was either she was completely ignored, or she was treated with unnecessary caution like one who would soon shatter to many pieces, wherever Vivienne went, she was met with gazes of sympathy and disapproval.

Vivienne had indeed come prepared for anything, but even so, the days had not been easy on her.

"You have made a decision that is best for yourself, Vivienne. That is all there is to it." King Askel dismissed.

Though his words were dismissive, Vivienne knew King Askel had just offered as much comfort as he could muster.

’He still considers me a friend.’ Vivienne thought in elation.

"Thank you, Your Grace. Truly..." Vivienne expressed her gratitude with a small bow.

"Leave." Was all the response King Askel gave.

Vivienne was not deterred by it, she placed the tray on a table at the side.

"I will return at a more convenient time." Vivienne said.

She quickly took her leave before King Askel could say anything, if he gave an order that she was not to come back to see him, it would make things all the more difficult for her.

Vivienne headed down the hallways of the Ethereal Palace, her business in the palace was concluded but she did not take her leave just yet, instead she headed back to Queen Sancia’s quarters.

Queen Sancia sat on a couch in her receiving room and from the unchanged expression on her face when Vivienne stepped in, Queen Sancia had already been expecting her.

"Well?" Queen Sancia asked as Vivienne took a sit, fighting the smile on her lips.

"Askel...he did not frown on my return, he did not declare it directly, but I could tell he supported my decision to reject my mate." Vivienne revealed to Queen Sancia delightedly.

"Good, good. Askel does not hold onto such archaic values that frown upon rejection. If the reasons are right...why should he be against it?" Queen Sancia asked with a small nod.

"Did I not reassure you? Askel would not toss you aside so easily." Queen Sancia said.

"Then, what am I to do now?" Vivienne asked.

"Askel is considerate only to a few, and you are one of them. That is your strength... make use of it, as much as you can." Queen Sancia advised.