CHAPTER FOUR

“Do you realize how utterly foolish we look right now, trailing after his scent?” Poppy grumbles in my head.

“What other choice did I have?” I reply, walking down the pathway where Poppy is skillfully picking up Alex' scent.

“You had the choice to say no,” Poppy retorts sharply.

“I didn’t, and you know it.”

“You did, and you should have. Alex would never have bothered chasing after you if the situation were reversed”

“You don’t know that,” I argue.

“I do, and you know it too. Alex would have left you to rot in this forest.”

“Poppy!”

“I’m just stating the truth,” she says in a matter-of-fact tone.

“You can't be certain of that.”

“I am, and despite convincing yourself that you only came because his parents requested it, I know that's a lie. Deep down, you would have sought him out to ensure he was alright.”

I remain silent, acknowledging she's right.

“I can't control it, and you know why,” I finally admit after a pregnant pause.

“I do, and that’s why I sometimes wish you had a heart as resilient as mine. I would never chase after a man who would scowl at me the moment he lays eyes on me.”

“Poppy!” My voice cracks.

“I'm so sorry. I didn’t mean it that way. I wasn’t trying to make you feel bad.”

“It's okay.”

Poppy is about to apologize again when the sounds of someone sniffling a few feet away cause her to stop. My nose also picks up two people’s scents in the same direction – Alex and Alice. Alice is pouring her heart out to Alex, her voice laced with sobs. Not wanting to be the reason they stop, I decide to remain where I was – a good distance away. Close enough to hear them, but far enough not to allow them to pick up my scent and realize I was eavesdropping.

“You need to take me away, Alex, or I will die in that pack,” Alice says, her voice trembling with fear.

“What are you talking about?” Alex asks, sounding perplexed.

“All of them hate me in that pack. They all treat me badly because of my low status. I just wish I was an Alpha’s daughter like my adopted sister; maybe they won’t bully me so much.”

My eyes widen at her statement. Nobody bullied her. What was she saying?

I hear movement, and Alice’s cries gradually subside, as if her mouth is covered. I assume he’s hugging her.

“Don’t worry, Alice. Today the Moon Goddess has revealed to me that you are my mate, which means you're mine to protect. I promise you, from today onward, no one—no fucking person—will ever make you feel bad about who you are. I will make sure of it.”

“What if Hannah takes you away from me before you can make sure of that? She’s always stealing things from me.”

My mouth hangs open at her words.

“That bitch! I can’t believe she is accusing you of stealing from her and lying about having a hard time in the pack,” Poppy angrily comments.

“Alice had a better life in the Silver Pack than you because the Alpha and Luna were afraid that Alice would feel inferior due to her low status. They made sure nobody treated her like she was adopted, and the omegas treated her like she was a real princess. How could she possibly not have had a good life? You always gave up your own stuff for her; the Alpha and Luna care more about her. It is you who has suffered in the pack. I can’t believe this.” Poppy is fuming at this point.

“It’s okay, Poppy,” I say, feeling tears sting the back of my eyes. Every word from Poppy is true, and it hurts that a stranger receives better treatment than I, an Alpha’s daughter.

“And that fool Alex doesn’t even fact-check; he quickly promises to make sure she never suffers again. Stupid!”

“I already said it’s okay, Poppy. They are mates, and it takes one word from her for anything she says to be true.” My heart aches at that realization, and I cut my connection from Poppy, not in the mood to hear her continue complaining.

I approach where Alex and Alice are. Alex captures my attention first, and I observe as his eyes darken with anger upon seeing me. I feel a stray bullet pierce through my heart. He must think the worst of me.

I turn to look at Alice. Tears streak down her cheeks, her face red with emotion. When our eyes meet, she jolts from the ground, cowering behind Alex as if I'm here to harm her. I'm taken aback by her sudden behavior but don’t speak on it. Alex pulls Alice further behind him, shielding her completely from me. I can't believe my eyes.

““What are you fucking doing here?” Alex barks, his voice a chilling blend of coldness and venom, each word laced with fury.

“I was asked to come after you to make sure you are fine. You ran out without explaining where you were going, so everyone was worried.”

“You fucking see that!” Alex yells, causing me to flinch. The air thickens with his rage. “And when my brothers accused you of being behind the forced alliance, you denied it,” he accuses, his voice deepening with a visceral hatred towards me.

“I-I-I don’t understand what you are talking about,” I stammer, feeling confused about how coming after him because his parents sent me means I knew about the forced marriage alliance.

“Don’t fucking play smart with me! You knew your sister was likely going to be our mate; that’s why you went and worked on that marriage alliance with my parents. Aren’t you tired of taking everything away from her?” He asks, his gaze burning with disgust.

My heart clenches, and tears fill my eyes, threatening to slip down my cheeks, but I force them back. I am an Alpha’s daughter; I will not cry in front of them. Taking a deep breath, I close the gap between us, locking eyes with Alex as I speak.

“As I said before, I had nothing to do with the marriage alliance, and if you really want to stop it from happening, I advise you to come with me back to our parents to deal with it.” I turn and walk away from them. I am slowly regretting coming tonight. I didn’t even find my mate as I hoped. Gosh! I just wish the night could end already. I am exhausted, and it feels like it has just begun.