Fated To Three Betrayed By All Until She Rose (Leilani) by Ahvahh novel Chapter 88

**Healing Slowly But Surely**
By R. Joseph

Ah, the pesky little mate bond.

Leilani.

I sat there, watching Kael grapple with his thoughts, and honestly, it was the most amusing sight I had encountered all day.

His mouth opened and closed like a fish out of water, gasping for air, his cheeks turning an embarrassing shade of crimson. I couldn’t help but stifle a laugh, though I quickly masked it with a stern expression.

Crossing my arms tightly over my chest, I shot him a glare that could cut through steel. The silence stretched uncomfortably between us, and when he still remained mute, I drawled, “Well, I suppose this is where we part ways. You should really consider leaving now—”

“Wait, Leilani!” he blurted out, his voice tinged with urgency. I noticed his eyes flicker over to Maya, confusion etched across his features. He darted his gaze back and forth between us for a brief moment before he continued, “We’re not done yet.”

“What more is there to discuss?” I snapped, my patience wearing thin. “You just apologized for ‘almost killing me.’ What else do you want from me?”

The clock ticked ominously in the background as I waited for his response.

“What else could you possibly expect? That I’d forgive you without a second thought? After everything you and your friends have put me through?”

His shoulders sagged as he lowered his gaze, his voice barely above a whisper. “But what else can I say besides sorry?”

I scoffed, my anger flaring. “Maybe you should start by leaving me the hell alone.”

Kael paused, his expression shifting as he glanced behind me once more before returning his focus to me. His voice softened, almost pleading. “You know I wouldn’t have acted like that if it weren’t for you targeting Chalice. I’m here to seek your forgiveness, but I also need you to let her be. None of this is her fault.”

If I was angry before, now I was fuming. My blood surged in my ears, and to create some distance, I took a step back, trying to regain my composure.

“You didn’t just say that, did you?”

“Leilani…?”

“You know what? I’ll say this once, and only once. Go home, talk to Chalice. Ask her to stop coming after me. Tell her to be honest about everything, and let her know I want nothing to do with you all. She has you all to herself now; she should leave me be. Got it?”

His brow furrowed in disbelief—or was it hurt? He muttered, “I don’t understand what you’re talking about.”

“Oh, of course you don’t. You’ve been fed lies for so long, you wouldn’t know the truth if it hit you in the face.” I snapped back. “But mention it to Chalice, and she’ll get it. Trust me.”

He looked as if he had a million questions swirling in his mind, a storm of thoughts he wanted to voice. He opened his mouth slowly, studying me intently before shaking his head. “I’ll do that.”

“Good. And make sure to tell her I’m not dropping the case. If she won’t take me to court, I will. This nonsense needs to end once and for all.”

As soon as the words left my lips, Kael froze. His eyes narrowed into fierce slits, and just like that, the familiar, infuriating Kael was back. He growled, “You can’t be serious!”

I smirked, feeling a surge of defiance. “Oh, I’m dead serious.”

“Do you have any idea what that will do to you?” he shouted, gripping my arm with an intensity that made my heart race. “Do you even understand the damage it could inflict on your reputation?”

For a heartbeat, I was stunned. Was Kael Stormborn actually concerned about how a court case might tarnish my reputation? Or had he lost his mind?

His anger should have been directed at Chalice, not me! What on earth had happened to him?

I sighed, shaking my head to dispel those painful memories. My voice came out steady—too steady for someone on the brink of a breakdown—as I drawled, “Well, you’re both here now, and I have no desire to talk to either of you. But here’s a silver lining: you can converse amongst yourselves while you rot on my porch. Have a lovely day!” With that, I turned to head back inside the house.

Just as I took a step forward, Gavin’s voice cut through the air, sharp and accusatory. “I’m not here to discuss whatever you think I’m here for. I know your hatred for Chalice would never allow you to grant her that job, so I won’t waste my time on that. I just want to know about my mate.”

At those words, I froze. Even Kael looked taken aback, his expression shifting to one of disbelief.

He turned to Gavin so quickly it nearly made my head spin. “Your mate?” he rasped.

“Yes, my mate.”

I didn’t want to engage. I didn’t want to say a word to him, but the urge to be snarky was too strong. I turned around, a smirk playing on my lips.

“You remember how four years ago, you told me the mate bond was some trivial thing, not enough to come between Chalice and, well, them?” I said, watching as realization washed over his face.

“Yes?”

“Well, here’s the thing… My friend is currently in a relationship, so I’ll take your advice and throw it back at you. You shouldn’t interfere in her relationship because of some pesky little mate bond.”

His expression fell, and he yelled, “You—”

But before he could finish his thought, I stepped inside the house and slammed the door shut, effectively shutting him out.

And honestly, I didn’t feel the slightest bit guilty about it.