7. A Burning Regret.

Adrian POV

It's been 5 years, but I still miss her. Till today, I regret rejecting her and I have not been okay ever since, recollecting the years of our deep love. 

 Sucked out of my reminiscence, I bit my lower lips, shutting my eyes close in utter disgust at the woman before me. I couldn't believe that this was who the goddess blessed, or should I say cursed me with. Mates were supposed to be a blessing to one's life, but it felt like mine was a bad omen. She was the venom in my bones, the very bane of my existence.

“Please, Adrian, I need to go with you,” she whined, clinging to me. I tried to mask my irritated face from her. 

 Analyn was my fated mate. I believed that the goddess had a plan for us and I initially felt attracted to her, driven by my desires because she possessed curves in the right places and a beautiful face and body. However, over the years, I grew bored with her. She was a pain in the neck always, wanting me to do what I would rather not.

“You are not going with me to the meeting,” I replied coldly, dotting my decision.

“But you know how much I want to follow you there. I have several people I would like to meet, and I–”

“I said no!” I fired back in a retort. She gasped in shock, surprised by me bawling at her.

 Fuck! It was the annual alpha's meet of the city hosted by the Alpha King. I hated these meetings, but my father, for hell's sake, wouldn't give me an escape for one year. The Alpha King too would be displeased if an Alpha wasn't present, and I didn't want to cause more trouble for my already endangered pack, so I had to attend.

 It was already boring enough like hell, not to add to the pain of the one person I'd rather eliminate from my life following me.

 She wore an ugly frown on her face, displeased by my command.

“You will stay here in the pack and handle things in the household. You are not going with me to the occasion.”

 Angrily, she stormed out of the room. Well, I couldn't care less. I fell back on the bed, staring deeply into the ceiling as memories of my past love came flooding my head.

 I missed Aurora so much. She was perfect, sweet and perfect in all aspects. I still feel miserable ever since, after betraying her, all because of my father's selfish interests.

 I found myself lost in thought again for a while, but a forceful presence snapped me out of it. I raised my head, and he was standing there–Axel, my Beta, and by the disappointed look on his face, I knew that something was wrong. 

“And what is with that stare, Axel?” I asked him. He shook his head and tsk’d, leaning against the door.

“Well, you've got yourself in trouble, Adrian. Guess who's on your neck now?” 

“What do you mean?” 

“Your father is calling for you. He's in his office,” he informed. I raised a brow. Much to my surprise, I suspected what it was.

“And why is that?” I asked him. His lips tugged at the end, giving away an unsurprised expression. 

“Well, your mate Analyn created a fuss about you not allowing her to go with you to the annual Alphas meet. You know how much your father will be on her side.”

 Fuck. She was at it again. Upon hearing his words, my fists tightened and my jaws clenched. My father was her sanctuary, where she could run to and cry, and the old man would support her. 

“Such a bitch! I can't believe this. Father will definitely support her.” I sighed in exasperation.

“Well, you're the Alpha, but you're still under your father's wings. How worse could it be?” 

 I cast him an angry glare, and he pressed his lips tightly, instantly regretting his words.

“You know, my father made me who I am. He still has more connections than I do. This pack lies in his hands.”

“Then why are you the Alpha, Adrian? I mean, you can't even make your own decisions. Your mate goes to cry to your father every time like a little child, and he reprimands you for it,” Axel uttered. His voice was laced with worry and pity for me.

“I’m going to handle this one myself,” I told him, turning around to leave. I walked past him, not for long though as his next words struck me silent, making me halt.

“Why don't you reject her? I know she's broken, but if she's such a pain in the ass, then she shouldn't be in your life. You've already made a very bad decision in the past betraying your first love, Aurora. Don't you think making her your Luna is a bigger mistake?” 

 I cast another glare at him. He locked up his lips, realizing he had said enough, and I bounced out of the room. 

 Even though it burned my heart to know the truth, Axel was right. But I couldn't just reject Analyn. My father had a strong connection with her father's pack, and it would jeopardize everything between the two families.

 I walked straight to my father's office, which was his personal place for some peace and quiet. Reaching there, I walked into the room, gnashing my teeth, expressing my anger as an eager atmosphere awaited me.

“Adrian, come. Sit down,” he said with a growly voice.

“I already know what you want to say, father. I already told–”

“You are not going to make that mistake, boy.” His booming voice rang thunderously in the room as his hands slammed on his polished mahogany desk, thrusting up to his feet. 

“But, Dad, I–”

“I don't want to listen,” he immediately cut me off. He walked closer to me. “You may be the Alpha, but you have to listen to me. Don't forget she's your mate.”

“But I don't want to take her with me!” I fired back at him. His eyes were bloodshot red, lit up with the anger that ignited in them.

“Analyn, give us a minute,” he ordered, and she quietly obeyed, stepping out of the door, brushing her shoulder gently against me as she did. 

 My father's eyes landed on me again.

“You know we need Analyn. She is the reason our pack is still a thing,” he said, calming his tone while still sounding menacing. 

“But I don't like her. You have always taken the things I love away from me. Now, you want me to marry someone I don't love?” 

“Shut up, Adrian!” He bawled. “If only you had a brain, you'd know that her father is powerful, and we need her for me to still be friends with him. For 5 years, you have withheld from marrying her. I need it to be done soon,” he stated, his words crystal clear.

 And of course, I couldn't retort. 

“Whatever she wants, you do. But now, you are going to the Alpha's meeting with Analyn, your mate, and soon-to-be Luna. That is final.”

 I clenched my fists in anger. I knew exactly why he was on her side. All for his greed for the power that Analyn's father fused him with. 

 I hated being the alpha, still under my father's shadow, not able to make a decision of my own. It made me feel incompetent. Even though I despised it, I couldn't do anything about it. My father was really influential, and I can't deny I was only a bit powerful because of him.

  Now, I had to marry the woman I hated the most after forsaking my first lover because of his evil intentions. I hated leaving Aurora, but I tried as much to wash the feeling of guilt away from everything. 

 Yet, it burned my heart to think of it. I wish I'd see her again, but it seemed like she had gone far away from me. I hadn't heard from her for 5 years. 

 If only the goddess would bring her back to me, it'd be the happiest day of my life.