Goodbye, My Mate

Chapter 66

Leah's POV

I looked back and saw Darren Swanson standing behind me. He stood tall, towering over me like a mountain. His broad shoulders were filling out the perfectly tailored uniform he wore. Unlike others, who were wearing designer suits, he was wearing a dark ceremonial uniform that only diplomats wore.

Every time I met him, regardless of what he was wearing, be it a leather race jacket or a suit he was wearing at the poolside party, he would always manage to take my breath away. But it was this ceremonial uniform that really made me head over heels fascinated by him. It looked like a set of black armour, framing him up like a warrior god.

I kind of like men in suits, because their movement was restrained. They couldn't just grab me into their arms and hold me. I noticed that men in my life enjoyed doing things like that and it was really hard for me to peel myself away from them.

But on that day, when I saw Darren standing in front of me in his black armor uniform, I really wished he could just pick me up and hold me in his arms, so I could press my face against his broad chest.

This thought made me overwhelmed and confused at the same time.

This is weird. I thought to myself. I have already found my second chance. Why would I have this strange chemistry with Darren? The most important thing is, does Darren know my feelings?

I looked up at him. His blonde hair was swept back, giving me a clear view of his chiseled jawline and piercing blue eyes. His smile... Oh, his smile captured my attention. It was warm and inviting, with just a hint of mischief that made me wonder what secrets he was hiding. As our eyes met, he flashed me that playful smile and I felt my cheeks flush.

He was holding me in his arms and I felt at that moment, the world stopped turning. I couldn't help but notice the way his muscles tensed beneath the fabric of his uniform, and it was hard to deny the allure of his muscular physique.

The way he looked down at me made my heart race. There was an affection there that I couldn't quite fathom. And a hint of something more, something very, very naughty, that sent shivers down my spine.

Are you a dream, Darren? I thought to myself foolishly. Because if you were, let me sleep forever so that I could be with you.

"May I put you down now, Miss Lewyn?" Darren asked in a tender voice. His voice softened whenever he spoke to me and I absolutely loved it.

My face turned crimson when I realized that I was wrapping my arms around Darren's neck, dangling on him like a sloth.

I immediately loosened my arms and tried to get back on my feet, but the hem of the dress was wrapped around my feet as I kicked my leg. Darren had to lift me up in one arm, bent over, entangled the dress from my feet, and put me down back on the floor again.

It was the most awkward moment in my life. I really wished I could disappear.

I knew I had to say something, anything, to resolve my awkwardness in front of him. But I just couldn't think of anything to say.

Darren smiled and said, "Do you want to ask me why I am here, Miss Lewyn?"

"Yeah... Why are you here?" I asked.

All of the models were left with the designers to enjoy the after-party of the show. There were only two of us sitting in the makeup room.

Darren pulled a chair for me to let me sit down. Then, he sat next to me, placing his chin on the back of the chair, and staring at me with interest.

"I came here to thank you for helping my brother out of trouble. I saw the guy who was with you this morning. What's his name, Gean or something?"

"Gean Lee. He works for me now," I said.

"Yeah. Cliff, my father's Beta, showed me a picture of my brother being released from the Edge Pack. I saw Gean Lee in that picture, walking with my brother, Amarok," Darren said.

"Well, I overheard your conversation with Cliff the other day in the back alley and learned that your brother was in trouble. That's why I asked Gean to see if there's anything we can do to help him out. Gean's a very capable person and he's good at what he does. I knew I shouldn't have interfered with your family issues without your permission, but..."

Darren displayed a giant smile on his face and said, "Miss Lewyn, trust me, we really appreciate your kind help. If it wasn't for you, my brother would still be locked up in a water dungeon. He couldn't personally come here to express his gratitude, because he still couldn't walk, but he asked me to show up and thank you on his behalf."

"What?!" I frowned. "Is your brother hurt by the rogues?"

Darren stretched out his long legs and shrugged, "Well, my brother is the Military Advisor of His Majesty the Lycan King and the Commanding General of the North Front. He has caused a lot of pain for the rogues all these few years. So you can't really blame them for treating him with some bad manners when he gets caught. But you don't need to worry about him at all. He's recovering progressively because he's known as a force of nature. As soon as he regains his mobility, he will personally pay a visit to you and say thank you to you as well as that very resourceful gentleman Gean Lee."

I stretched out my arms and held Darren's hands. "I hope your brother is recovering soon. If there's anything I can do. I mean, I know a couple of great surgeons..."

Darren cupped my hands in his giant hands and said, "Miss Lewyn, you're very kind. It won't be necessary. Ah, by the way, in order to express our gratitude, I would like to inform you that I've already brought this dress for you. You look sensational in this dress up there and now it's yours."

"Oh, Darren, you really shouldn't have..." I melted inside. He was so sweet.

"I insist, Miss Lewyn." Darren tilted his head toward me and squeezed my hands.

His hands were always so warm. I couldn't help but stroke the tips of my fingers against the callus of his hands.

Just while we were indulging ourselves in this kind of secret intimacy, I heard a nightmarish voice outside -

"I don't care. I need to see her right now. And I don't care who has paid for that fucking dress. I will pay twice the price. It's mine. End of the conversation."

Then, the door was pushed open.

My ex-mate and husband-in-divorce, Lucas Farrow, strode into the room, being followed by the staff and security.

Before I could react, he fixated his eyes on Darren and asked, "Who are you, kid? And why the fuck are you holding my wife's hand?"