Alpha Theo's Unloved Luna - Chapter 74: Chapter 74

~ Gwen ~
Gwen had been putting off this conversation with Jacob. She did not want to hurt her friend, especially after repeatedly saying she had no intention of getting back with Theo. Yet, here she was, with Theo again.
"You don't have to hide it, Gwen," Jacob said. "Who do you think Theo is making all those sensual howls for?"
Gwen swore she would scold Theo again about howling each time they had sex. But for now, she needed to address Jacob's feelings. She responded, "Okay. I won't deny it. I gave Theo another chance."
"Why?" Jacob asked through gritted teeth.
"Jacob, we can't deny how Theo had tried his best to show his regret," Gwen reasoned. "And when the rogues attacked us, I also realized how much Theo still mattered to me, especially since we are still connected through our mate bond."
"You just have to reject him!" Jacob raised.
"You and I both know it won't work if he doesn't accept it," Gwen pointed out. "And honestly, I can't bring myself to go through with it. Ian needs him as his father, and I need him too. The more time we spend together, the harder it is to resist the connection between us."
Gritting his teeth, Jacob retorted, "But you said -"
"I know what I said, and I am still worried about my decision, but things have changed around here. Contrary to what we had believed, bringing out some light about my identity had helped," Gwen said.
"And Jacob, I can't deny Ian from his father. So, I had decided that if there is this slight chance I can give my son the family that he deserves, I'm going to take it," Gwen added. "Who can better play the role of Ian's father but Theo -"
"Ian is like my son too, Gwen," Jacob interrupted.
"I know, and we love you for that," Gwen answered. "But we both know that Theo and Ian share a special bond, the same way I am distinctly connected to Theo. Therefore, I want to give it a try. One last try because... I don't want to have regrets in my life."
"Have you forgotten about how he treated you?" Jacob brought up.
"I haven't. I swear, I haven't," Gwen replied. "And that's why I held back as much as I could, even after sensing Theo's regret, but -" She gasped and reasoned, "I also acknowledged that he had his reasons for hating me back then."
"You know about Lucius and how Theo was forced to marry. That was before we found out we were fated. So his hate was planted even before we discovered we were true mates," Gwen added. "He was still wrong. I'm not saying that it was right for him to ignore our bond, but what I am saying is I understand him a little."
"He told me this once, that the timing was not right for us many years ago, and the circumstances that brought us together weren't either," Gwen resumed. "And I agree with him."
Gwen approached Jacob, and as she stood before him, she begged, "Please, don't hate me -"
"But I love you, Gwen. I always have," Jacob said, his eyes flickered with sadness. "I was there for you and Ian over the past six years. It doesn't seem fair. Why can't you love me instead?"
Gwen hadn't expected this from Jacob, especially after all the years they had been friends. She honestly thought he only saw her as a sister. She felt the pain in his words that tears welled in her eyes. She answered, "You will always be special to me. I love you like a big brother, but I'm sorry, I can't give you the kind of love you are asking for."
Gwen understood the pain of unrequited love herself, so she did not want to disregard Jacob's feelings. She hugged him gently and said, "One day, you'll find your mate, and we'll still be happy as friends. Please don't hate me, nor change. I also need you as my friend and confidant."
Gwen thought she had experienced the longest minute of her life, simply comforting Jacob. Fortunately, Jacob eventually hugged her back. He took a whiff of her scent and declared, "It's not going to be easy for me, Gwen. I don't know if I will ever approve of Theo, but I won't hurt you and Ian either. Should he ever hurt you again, I swear I will be the first to take you and Ian away from him."
Gwen shook her head as she pulled away. She could not help but cry. She responded, "Well, instead of thinking that way, let's hope everything will work out for me and Theo, and you will also find your happiness. That way, we can both be happy."
Jacob opened his mouth, but no words came out. Instead, he averted Gwen's gaze and returned to work, saying, "You should go. I can feel fucking Theo Erhart's aura behind the door."
Gwen turned to the door. She had also felt Theo's presence and assumed that he heard part of her conversation with Jacob.
When Gwen unlocked the door to the room, Theo stood there, his body expanding and his eyes glowing in anger. Clearly, he was jealous. It was evident that he had done everything he could not to break down the door.
Theo immediately grabbed Gwen's arm. He smelled her profusely before glaring at Jacob. He declared, "Gwen is not rejecting me, nor will I. You will never get that chance of taking my family away from me because I won't fail Gwen and Ian this time."
"Yeah, well, that remains to be seen, Theo," Jacob challenged.
Theo pointed a finger at Jacob, his jaws clenching. Gwen wasn't sure what Theo wanted to say, but he soon lowered his hand and instead said, "Thank you for looking after Gwen and Ian in my absence, but now that I am with them, it's my turn and my job to keep."
"Mommy, why is Daddy grumpy?" Ian asked while in the car. On the way to the school, the pup noticed Theo's dark expression.
"Daddy is having constipation, Honey. Don't worry about him," Gwen teased, and in the driver's seat, Rollin laughed his heart out.
Theo let out a low growl. He simply shook his head, but when they arrived at school, he pulled Gwen aside in one corner while Ian walked with Rollin. He asked, "When will you tell me Jacob has feelings for you? The last time we spoke about him, you said there was nothing between the two of you."
"And there isn't, Theo." Gwen sighed and reported, "I only learned about how he felt about me a few days ago. He confronted me when we started sharing a room more often."
"Is he going to be a problem?" Theo asked.
"No," Gwen said confidently. "Jacob is a good person, Theo."
"He better be," Theo took a deep breath before taking Gwen's hand. He was about to lead the way when Gwen pulled him back.
Gwen cupped his face. She smiled and said, "I'm proud of how you kept it together earlier. Thanks for not letting your jealousy take over."
She kissed him, and he kissed her back with passion. When he pulled away, Theo claimed, "I'm trying my best to gain everyone in your family's approval, even that fake uncle, Jacob - Argh."
Gwen smacked his arm. She frowned and said, "He isn't a fake uncle. Jacob is, technically, Ian's godfather. He changed Ian's diapers in the past. You owe him big time. So, be good to him."
"Fuck," Theo cussed, and Gwen laughed.
Hours later, Gwen went to the hospital. First, she had tea with Theo's mother in her private room. They silently drank when Catherine Erhart suddenly said, "I'm sorry, Gwen. I'm sorry for everything. Will you, forgive me?"
The apology was so unexpected that Gwen's eyes widened in shock. She looked up at Catherine, her heart racing.