Chapter 1

Astra pov...

"I demand to be let in." I said again, staring daggers at the guards. "I'm his mate, for crying out loud! This is preposterous!"

My cheeks were already heating up in embarrassment, as I could see other people being let into the pack house. My feet were killing me; I'd been standing under the sun for literal hours.

I just needed to see Noah. I just needed to fix things between us.

I stood in front of the guards in Noah's pack house, their eyes trailing my every movement. I could feel the tension radiating off of them, almost as hot as the sun beating down on me.

"Who gave you this instruction?" I asked, hands on hips. "Surely not the alpha, because I'm his mate, for fuck's sake!"

The first guard looked over at his partner, who answered me. "Miss Kylie made the request to not let you in, and the alpha consented to it."

That bimbo again?

What in the name of the Moon Goddess did she want this time?

I stared at the men in front of me, my eyes narrowed. I could see that they didn't want to hold me out here, and were simply following orders. They didn't like Kylie either, and I couldn't blame them, really. Kylie was one of those people who made your skin crawl with worms just by being in her presence.

"Let me in," I said to them, my voice laced with danger. "Now."

The first guard swallowed nervously. "I'm sorry, Miss Astra. I'm merely following orders."

"Orders, my foot!" I spat and pushed between them, forcing my way into the house. I looked around at the familiar setting, then began storming towards the direction of Noah's room. I glanced behind me and saw that the guards weren't following me; they simply watched as I walked into the house.

I climbed the grand flight of stairs and got to Noah's room, then stopped in front of the door, fisting my fingers around the door knob. I moved to open the door, but the hushed voices on the other end stopped me. Filled with curiosity, and with my hands still on the door knob, I placed my ear on the cold, hard wood, trying to listen in on them.

"—a serious accusation," Noah was saying. "Do you know the gravity of what you are saying, Kylie?"

"I know it, Noah. I saw it with my own eyes." Kylie said in a hushed whisper. "I cannot possibly have any reason to lie against her now, can I?"

Oh, you do have reasons, Kylie. I thought. A boatload of reasons.

I heard Noah sigh. "I do not want to believe you, Kylie. I do not think it's something she's capable of doing." He said. However, his voice sounded doubtful, as though he was beginning to question the integrity of whomever they were talking about.

"I wouldn't lie, Noah." Kylie murmured, her voice barely audible. Her signature heels click-clacked on the floor and I imagined her moving closer to Noah. "I have absolutely nothing to gain by telling you, but you're my friend and you  need to know about this. Astra isn't the woman you think she is."

Wait, were they talking about me?

I let out a shaky breath from my mouth and stood straight, wondering whether to go in to meet them or turn around and go back before they saw me. I wasn't sure they had been talking about me, but if they were—

What lies had Kylie cooked up this time? What had she accused me of doing again?

Suddenly the doorknob began to twist as the door opened. My eyes widened and I watched it with trepidation, as the door creaked open and Noah himself walked out.

I gasped slightly, caught in the act, and stumbled backwards. My eyes caught Noah's vivid green ones, and his narrowed suspiciously. For a few moments, the both of us did nothing but stare each other; my gaze uncomfortable, his own disdainful.

The muscles in my throat finally came alive and I swallowed hard, then spoke up. "Hey, Noah!" My voice was high-pitched and unnatural. Fuck. "I just...came by to say hi. Is this a bad time? It seemed as though you were in a conversation with...someone."

Noah kept on staring at me without a word, his jade eyes almost boring holes into mine. The breeze wafting from his open room door ruffled the ends of his long braids as he stood there; a hard, marble statue of a man. I couldn't bear the look of near-hatred in his eyes; I pulled my eyes away from his and instead stared into his room, where Kylie was standing, her arms folded.

That bitch. A good yank on her hair would do her justice right now.

Then Noah did something that shocked me then, that still shocked me to this day. He brushed past me as he walked away, his shoulders hitting mine almost savagely. I let out a loud yelp and found myself on the ground, holding on to one of the banisters of the staircase.

If it had been a mistake, my mate would have turned to help me up, with several apologies following.

He never looked back nor acknowledged my fall.

Goddess, what had that she-wolf Kylie told him about me?

I closed my gaping mouth and gritted my teeth in rage, then stood to my feet. Then I walked into Noah's room, making a beeline straight towards Kylie.

"What did you tell him?" I asked her without any preamble.

Kylie turned to me, as though she hadn't heard me coming. Her dark brown eyes were full of a mild shock that I knew was fake as hell. I knew, beneath that innocent look, was a lurking smirk.

"Oh, good morning, Astra." She said sweetly, the corners of her lips curled up in a smile. Sinister.

"I'm not sure I remember asking you for a greeting, Kylie." I replied with gritted teeth, trying to control the surge of rage within me. "I asked a simple question and a simple answer is what I require."

Kylie raised an eyebrow. "Well, if you insist, I told Noah the truth."

I folded my arms. "And what truth is that?"

She raised one shoulder in a bored shrug. "You have nothing to fear if you're innocent, dear."

"Exactly, I am innocent." I narrowed my eyes. "I have a feeling this is one of your lies."

"We'll see about that," She murmured.

"Is this what you're going to resort to? Really? You have absolutely no chance with the alpha, and all you think you can do now is win him over with deceit."

She looked at me and I saw something flash in her eyes. It was dangerous, almost feral, and I knew I had really hit a nerve with that statement. But for the sake of dignity, Kylie would have physically attacked me, and we'd most likely be taking it out on Noah's room floor.

Suddenly we heard a knock at the door and both turned to it. A guard walked in and gave a slight bow.

"Miss Astra?" The guard called. "The alpha would like to see you in the court room now."

I felt my heart lurch as I heard those words. Did this have something to do with his hostile behaviour towards me the other time?

I heard Kylie scoff as she walked past me to the door. Once there, she turned to me. "Get ready, Astra." She said. "This is just the beginning."