Chapter 4.

Astrid's POV.

**3 Days Later**

It was the mating ceremony of the Greenstone Pack, marking a new bond between Alpha Halfdan and my cousin Camilla.

Alpha Dane, the Alpha of the Redmoon Pack, was certainly not going to miss it. I tried to stay back at the mansion, but he refused, dragging me out into the night for the ceremony.

We arrived at the ceremony venue, and I was about to climb out of the car when Alpha Dane's strong grip held my hand and stopped me in my tracks.

I turned to look at him, and for a reason I wasn't sure of, I saw a tinge of concern etched across his face. I was going to pull my hand out of his grip, but he tightened it even more.

“No matter what, Princess... Never leave my sight. Is that clear?” he commanded, his words sending cold shivers down my spine as I wasn’t expecting him to say such things to me.

He let go of my hand before turning his gaze away and climbing out of the car. He walked over to where my door was and opened it.

“Is that clear?” he asked once more as he stretched his hand toward me in an attempt to help me climb out of the car.

I nodded my head, and with shock still evident on my face, I took his hand, and he helped me out of the car.

He was expected to be ruthless and indifferent, but here he was, helping me out of the car.

I entwined my hand with his as we walked toward the entrance of the Pack's Hall where the ceremony was to take place.

We took our seats, and as we settled down, the lights dimmed, and Alpha Halfdan and Camilla were ushered into the hall with slow music.

I turned around to watch them walk in, and from how Camilla kept smiling with Halfdan in her grip, I felt regret coursing through my veins.

Who would have believed that one day I’d be sitting here watching my high-school crush and the Alpha I thought was my mate getting mated to my cousin?

Tears trickled down my cheeks, and I quickly reached for my cheek to wipe them away. I darted my gaze from them and turned to the table, my eyes lowered as I fumbled with my fingers.

I tried my best to stifle the tears that threatened to roll down my face. It was a painful and heartbreaking sight.

“They must pay! They will pay!” I mumbled beneath my breath as the memories of how I was forced to sign the divorce papers came rushing back.

I was still trying to compose myself when the seer’s voice pierced through my thoughts, making me lift my gaze to the altar where they stood, holding each other’s hands.

“We crown Camilla Safiya the new Luna of the Greenstone Pack!” he declared, and everyone cheered. They kissed at the altar, and it made matters worse.

I recalled how I was the one he held a few months back and made his vow never to let go of me. At this point, I couldn’t hold it back anymore; I couldn't control myself any longer.

I stood to my feet and rushed out of the hall, yelling to wherever the goddess led me. Soon, I found myself standing by the pool at the mansion.

Seeing that no one was nearby, I yelled at the top of my voice, “Ahhhh!!” Bitterness coursed through my veins, and tears continued to trickle down my cheeks.

“I hate you so much! I hate you so much, Halfdan! I really do!” I cried softly this time, not wanting to draw too much attention to myself, but I guess I had already done so.

“Well, look who is here crying all alone!” Camilla’s voice echoed through the serene environment, making me snap my gaze toward her.

“Are you that sad that he chose me over you, pretty sister?” Camilla snarled as she got closer to me, her arms folded across her chest.

I didn’t say a word; I just wanted to be left alone, but it seemed there was no such thing in her dictionary.

“I kept wondering where you were, Astrid... I knew I saw you, but I never thought you’d come out here and cry like a child! Deal with it, Sister... I am better than you!” She snapped, her lips curling into a mischievous grin that irritated me to the core.

“I think you should mind your business, Camilla!” I finally said as I wiped the tears from my cheeks.

I was going to walk past her, but her next statement made me halt in my tracks.

“I am pregnant with Alpha Halfdan’s child, Astrid!”

Her words pierced my soul so deeply that I clenched my fists. I never wanted to hear such things, but I guess she was intent on getting on my nerves.

“I am pregnant with the same Alpha you couldn’t get pregnant for! Are you not ashamed of yourself?” she scoffed as she mocked me.

One thing I learned in life when dealing with Camilla was to stay silent, and I was definitely going to keep doing it until I left her sight.

Getting pregnant was one thing, but I was certain that it wasn’t Halfdan’s child in her womb.

“Didn’t you hear me?” She walked closer to me and pushed me on my shoulder.

“Get out of my way, Camilla!” I warned as I glared at her.

“Or else what? You’ll beat the Alpha’s Luna and risk harming her child?” She grinned, glaring back at me.

“The Alpha’s child?” I scoffed and laughed mockingly. “We both know the truth, Camilla!” I pushed her away from my sight and was going to walk past her again, but then, Camilla rushed toward me, grabbed my hand, and stopped me in my tracks.

“Let go, Camilla!” I commanded, struggling to pull my hand out of her annoying grip.

“What did you mean by what you said, bitch?” she asked, her eyes widening in shock that I knew something no one else in the pack did.

“You heard me right... Slut!” I stressed my last words, and it clearly infuriated her.

“How dare you say...” She lifted her hand in fury and was going to hit me, still holding my hand, but just then and unexpectedly, his voice pierced Through the tense air.

“NO ONE DARES LAY A FINGER ON MY MATE! LET GO NOW, CAMILLA!”