Becoming Alpha’s Personal Caretaker
Chapter 159

Michael's

POV

Standing behind the curtains, I watched Lauren spoke with the tall man. He was always with her wherever she went.

I saw Lauren when she arrived in the territory. They were a group of four, two men and women. I knew Mila already. They worked in the same hospital. I also knew that the tall man was not Alpha Victor. The other guy must be the designated driver. The moment that Grandma Delia received the confirmation that Lauren is coming today, I was told to clean up and do the right thing this time.

The whole time that I was in the Lunarko Tribe, since Janice went missing, I was either hiding in my ow room or reprimanded by parents or grandmother. I was reminded over and over again about my choices, of how I messed up and ruined the reputation of the tribe.

The lecture went on when the news of Lauren's power was known to the tribe. I was told how stupid I am for letting a woman like her go.

I was shadowing Lauren the whole time since she arrived in the territory. I watched the way she moved and talked.

She was the same woman I knew and more. She was more beautiful now. More confident. She was more assured of herself. She held her head high as she walked.

I cannot help but compare her to Janice. In the past, Janice caught my attention despite being engaged to Lauren.

Lauren has always been independent and strong willed while Janice displayed herself as the damsel and a victim. As a man, I have the urge to be protective of weak women. It made me more manly and needed.

Janice filled my desire to be needed. And I have other needs that Janice fulfilled, too. It resulted to having my child that I eventually lost because of Janice's ploy.

I deeply regret what I did in the past. Of being blind-sided by another woman. At the moment, in front of me was the woman who was independent and strong. I would be a very proud man to be seen with her. To be with Lauren.

Not only that the truth of Janice's behavior has come out in the open, Lauren's healing power has been disclosed, too. The woman that has been seen as the weak daughter of the alpha is now a woman of power. Contrary to everyone's expectation when she was renounced by Alpha Manuel of Full Moon Tribe.

My head lifted when I heard the incoming footsteps. I was in the lanai listening to the conversation between my grandmother and Lauren. It basically centered to mine and Lauren's previous engagement and the old woman's subtle way of telling Lauren to reconsider it again by using our families' alliance.

The unfeeling eyes of my ex-fiancée met mine.

I fidgeted on my feet when Lauren's eyes remained on me. Being the guilty party, I am embarrassed to meet them. I had to looked down in shame.

I knew that I am not in my best self. I lost a lot of weight and the confidence I used to have was half-gone. I also felt embarrassed of what I did to her. Of leaving her in favor of another, her very own sister. "Hey," I said in a whisper. I almost shook in my own voice.

A frown marred her pretty face but did not say a word. Instead, Lauren continued to marched away.

I followed after her.

"Talk to me, please. Lauren!"

"I don't want to be seen with you." She responded while walking.

I tried to keep up. I did not know if I have another chance to speak to her alone.

"Is that what Victor said?"

That halted Lauren. The woman faced me with questions in her eyes.

"No. Why would you think that?"

"Because that man has a reputation to uphold."

Lauren chuckled. "Victor is everything but that. I am worried of Janice. Your fiancée is a jealous woman. All I want in my life is peace and will never have that with you around." "But there is no Janice here to see us."

She chuckled. Her eyes focused on me. There were full of disappointment.

"You never changed one bit. Just because your partner is not around, you are given permission to fool around. I thought you learned your lesson, Michael."

"I did. Losing you made me realized that I lost a precious woman. That you are worthy."

"Worthy of what? Your attention? Your name?" Lauren said with sarcasm. "Come on, Victor. Grow up."

"I understand why you are treating me this way. I hurt you. I apologized for everything that I did. I knew that I messed up, Lauren. I'm really sorry." Lauren breathed out.

"It's alright, Michael. It's all in the past. We should all move on. You have Janice. I found my own partner. Let us be contented with what we have." "But-"

"Michael, stop. I am going to say this again. I am happy wherever I am. I wish you find yours, too."

A frown marred my face when I spotted the ring on her finger. I wonder how missed it. The glittering stud diamond perched on the gold band was huge enough to be noticed who has a pair of seeing eyes. "You're engaged?"

Lauren smiled. It reached her beautiful eyes.

"I am."

I huffed as I shook my head in disbelief. A smirked formed on my lips when I focused my attention back on her face.

"That man surely knows how to play his cards well." I shrugged. "He put a ring on your finger to tell the world that you are his property. A conniving assh*le."

"Watch your mouth, Michael. I do not appreciate you bad mouthing my fiancé."

"He sees you as a priced possession, Lauren. With your ability, he wanted you for himself!"

"Just like how your grandmother wants me? Or how you approached me on bended knees?"

Lauren was startled when I reached for her hands. I held them with mine as I stared into her dark orbs.

"Tell me. Did Victor forced you to be his woman? Were you threatened so that you would say yes to his proposal?" I asked not minding how she was on point with her words regarding my grandmother. "W-what?"

"Are you sure about his intention, Lauren? Victor is a powerful man. He has the capacity to make a person do his bidding. He can do it to anyone much less to a woman."

My ex-fiancée pulled her hands away. She looked at me like I was a mad man.

"Yes, he is a powerful man. A man. A real man."

Despite her words, I continued to plead my case. This is no longer about what my family wants but how I regret my decision of hurting her and favoring Janice in the past. I personally wanted to make amends. I also desired to have her in my life again not only because she has acquired the healing power but she is a woman of good character. She will be a great Luna to the tribe.

"Just tell me. I will take you away from all of these. I will not let him hurt you. Lauren-"

Shock rooted me on my feet when she laughed. It was a genuine laughter that rocked me to my core. I have never heard her laugh like that before.

I am almost on my knees trying to appeal my case but, Lauren was looking at me like I lost my marbles.

"Michael, oh Michael. Please. Victor is far from the person that you are talking about. He is a good man. A better man. A man of his words. A man that you will never be." She raised her hand that has the ring. "I said yes to him because I love him. He is also my true mate." "W-what?"

My mouth went ajar at the knowledge.

Previously, our marriage was initially planned to take place on Lauren's twentieth birthday. Only if she has not found her mate. However, she found hers in the form of the formidable Alpha Victor of Midnight Claws Tribe. "V-victor is your mate?"

She nodded. "In case you are worried, don't be. He treats me well. I am happy with him. Please be happy for me, too, if you have an ounce of care in your bones for me."

Lauren was steps away from me when I realized that I was in a daze for a moment.

"Lauren..." I called out.

She turned to me again. She has a beautiful smile on her lips. Her eyes were glistening with pride.

"Just focus on what you have now, Michael. Leave the other things to themselves. You have a lot of reasons to be happy."

"Lauren-"

She shook her head. "You have been wanting to invest on several businesses in the past. You have the capability to do it now that you are in the right age. You can concentrate on that if you lost your footing with the recent events." "W-what?"

Lauren beamed at me.

"You have a great understanding when it comes to trading business. Much better than me. With the amount of money that you have in hand as the sole heir of the Lunarko Tribe, you can start already. You are a better businessman than being a boyfriend." "What do you mean?"

"You perfectly knew what I am talking about. As the remaining son of Alpha Kean, you have all the rights to tap the money that was rightfully yours."

I stared at her in shock. I was taken aback that she has to remind me of that knowledge.

Even when Lauren turned her back on me, my eyes were still boring on her retreating back.