The White Wolf Chapter 131: What If

Enzo could not bring himself to say a word. He simply nodded to the king.

As he turned, he shut the door behind him waiting for the loud clink to sound.

Leaving the office, Enzo walked the halls alone with his thoughts. Most of the guests in the palace had gone off to bed or at least found a bed.

He should be tracking who was sleeping with whom for possible alliances or fallout but he had his own problems to worry about.

As he walked his head filled with thoughts. He thought about his childhood. He thought about his position and most of all he thought about her.

He thought about what would have happened if he had never met her. What if she was born in a part of his kingdom? What if… what if….

The what-ifs continued as he turned corners and climbed the stairs. He exhausted every possible scenario there could be. The faces in the paintings seemed to stare into his soul as if they knew how pathetic he had become. Mopping about the palace. Oh how far he had fallen.

The walls felt as if they were caving in on him. It felt like an invisible hand was crushing his throat. He needed air.

Going for the nearest exit, he rushed into the outdoors where he took a deep breath filling his lungs to max capacity.

In and out. In and out. His breathing was haggard like his conflicted heart and brain.

Logically, he should let her go. Return to her country and her arranged mate. But his heart… his heart could not bear it. She was meant to be with him but he did not even know her.

He looked to the moon. Why would the moon goddess do this to him? Gabe had found his mate with no trouble. Their eyes had met and they were mated the next day.

Caspian had not had smooth sailing but now he was mated happily to a Silver. Even though there were complications, by his own making, they came together.

Jealousy was beginning to show itself in his heart. He did his best to banish the thought. Gabe and Caspian could not control who their mate was and neither could he.

He groaned. Sleep had been evasive and peace was long gone. His life seemed to be in shambles as he prayed for relief. Though praying seemed useless as if the moon goddess did care about his pleas.

He stared at the moon, hoping for anything a sign or glimmer of hope. None came.

In the distance, he heard the night patrol making their rounds. Not wanting them to find him in his current state, he started walking as if he were on his own patrol.

Since he was the Gamma, he walked around the outside of the royal quarters. No one would question him. A good thing since he was not in the mood for conversation.

Absentmindedly he was looking at the bushes decorating the path when he came to a halt.

“Goddess! What are you doing?” Enzo yelled his face contorting in annoyance.

Gabe stepped out from the shadows. “Just enjoying the night air.” He said nonchalantly as he took a deep breath for emphasis.

“You’re like a jack in the box from hell,” Enzo grumbled.

“I’ll take that as a compliment.” Gabe flashed him a smile in the moonlight.

Enzo was not in the mood for Gabe’s scrutiny. The beta could systematically pick individuals apart like plucking a flower. Thanks to the royal visit he had been too busy to look too deeply at the gamma. Now there were no distractions.

“Shouldn’t you be asleep?” The annoyance dripped into Enzo’s voice as he started at the beta.

“I should. I have been running nonstop putting out fires but instead of resting I find myself here.” Gabe crossed his arms as he stood in front of the gamma not letting him pass.

“Then, please do not allow me to keep you.” Enzo tried to brush him.

Gabe was unmoved staring at his friend. “You’re not getting rid of me that easy.”

“As if I would dream of such a thing.” He sarcastically rolled his eyes.

“Are you going to tell me or am I going to pry it out of you.” Gabe rubbed his temple.

Silence hung in the air. Neither said a word as they just stared at one another. Enzo’s instinct was to not say anything no matter what but this was his best friend. The person he trusted most in the world. If he couldn’t tell him, who could he tell?

A sigh. “Fine, I’ll tell you.” He took a deep breath preparing himself. “I found my mate.”

Gabe's head quirked slightly in surprise. “That’s great! Why haven’t you said anything.”

“It’s complicated. I don’t know if we will mate.”

“Well, why the hell not?”

“Several reasons but there is another male.” The words tasted like vinegar in his mouth.

“And you don’t think you can take him?” Gabe crossed his arms and raised in eyebrows in disbelief.

“It’s not that… I don’t know if she wants to be mated to me.”

“Are you going to tell me who it is?” The question held no pressure.

“No,” Enzo answered immediately.

“Figured but I will find out.” His words were lighthearted but also a warning.

“I’m sure you will.” Enzo knew his time was ticking away. Either she would leave soon or everything would come to light.

Silence hung in the air as the two males just stared at each other. Gabe scrutinizing every one of Enzo’s movements and Enzo… Enzo’s eyes were lost and unfocused as his thoughts drifted away from their conversation.

“The first thing you need to do is stop whining like a bitch and face it head-on. Talk to her. Fall in love or argue and fight but do something. Quit being stagnant.” Gabe stepped in, no longer able to bear the look on his friend’s face.

Enzo was taken aback by Gabe’s assessment. “You’re right.”

“Of course I’m right. When have I ever been wrong?” A snort of indignation.

Enzo rolled his eyes but his spirit was lifted. He was tired of running away or waiting for something to happen. He would make it happen.

Gabe yawned. “Now if you’ll excuse me, my bed is calling me.” He turned away to leave Enzo with his thoughts hoping his words helped.

As Gabe walked away, Enzo called out to him. “What if there are political complications?”

“Add to the pile of shit for me to do,” Gabe called back over his shoulder and disappeared into the night.

Damn it all. Damn the repercussions. He had to know.

His feet were flying as he ran back inside and through the halls. He took the stairs two at a time. The drum of his heart echoed in his ears.

A door came into view. He stopped in front of it as his breathing heaved. Raising his hand he went to knock but then before he could talk himself out of it, he grabbed the doorknob and turned it. Opening the door, he entered the room. Her room.