Chapter 41

Ethan wagged his head slowly hoping that Leo would notice him with the side view of his eyes in an attempt to caution him not to flair up. But neither Leo nor Aiden moved an inch, not any part of their bodies.

Isabella also silently wished that no fight would start between the both of them. 

Aiden, whose eyes were locked with Leo soon curled his lips into a faint smile, a gesture that was less friendly and more taunting as if to say. “I see you.”

Leo's blood boiled at the sight of that smile. It was the same smile that had haunted him ever since that fateful day–the day of their fight, the day everything changed. The memory flashed in Leo's mind like lightning: the heated words, the exchange of blows, the sting of betrayal that stoll burned as fresh as the moment it happened. Aiden's voice soon broke the silence, cutting through Leo's like a knife.

“Leo.” Aiden's voice was calm, almost casual, but there was an edge to it, a sharpness that Leo could not ignore.

Leo’s throat tightened as he swallowed hard, the sound of it as loud as a bomb in a shell. He felt like he had swallowed shards of glass. The sound of his own name, uttered by Aiden’s mouth, felt like a deliberate provocation. 

His muscles tensed, and he fought the urge to let his anger take over. He wanted nothing more than to lash out, to finally say all the things he had kept bottled up for so long, but he forced himself to remain still. He would not give Aiden the satisfaction of seeing him lose control.

He noticed Ethan who tried a different gesture to keep him at bay. Aiden’s smile widened, ever so slightly, as he watched the conflict play out on Leo’s face. He knew Leo’s pride, his stubbornness, his need to appear in control, and Aiden enjoyed pushing those buttons. 

It wasn’t just about the past—it was about power, about showing Leo that he was always one step ahead, always in command of the situation. Aiden’s eyes flickered with a mix of amusement and something darker, a challenge issued without words.

Before Leo could muster a response, the heavy, big wooden door of Alpha Eric chamber creaked open. The sound echoed through the field where they all stood, breaking the standoff between the two men. 

Alpha Eric emerged from his chamber, his presence immediately commanding attention. His stern expression softened slightly as he looked at his son, then shifted to Aiden. The Alpha’s gaze was calm but watchful, aware of the tension between the two but not acknowledging it openly.

Aiden straightened, his expression shifting instantly to one of respect. Without hesitation, he extended his hand toward Leo, offering a handshake. The movement was swift and deliberate, calculated to be seen by everyone that surrounded him, especially Alpha Eric. 

Aiden knew Leo’s pride would not allow him to refuse, not with the Alpha watching.

Leo hesitated, his mind racing. He could feel his father’s eyes on him, expectant and unyielding. The weight of his father’s presence was both a comfort and a burden. 

Rejecting Aiden’s handshake would be a public display of defiance—not just against Aiden, but against his father’s unspoken expectation of unity and respect. Leo’s hand twitched at his side, every instinct screaming at him to turn away, to refuse, to finally draw a line in the sand.

But Alpha Eric’s presence demanded otherwise. Leo’s jaw clenched, and he forced himself to extend his hand, gripping Aiden’s firmly. The handshake was brief, but the tension in that moment was electric. Leo’s grip was tight, his knuckles white as he fought to maintain his composure. Aiden’s hand was steady, his touch firm but not overly aggressive. They looked at each other, eyes locked in a silent battle of wills.

“I see you haven’t changed,” Aiden said, his voice low enough that only Leo could hear. There was no malice in his tone, just a quiet observation, but it stung nonetheless.

Leo’s eyes darkened. “And you’re still as smug as ever,” he replied, his voice dripping with restrained fury. “Don’t think I’ve forgotten what you did.”

Aiden’s smile flickered, a brief flash of something that could have been regret—or perhaps satisfaction. “Neither have I,” he said simply. “But this isn’t the place for old grudges, is it?”

Leo bit back a sharp retort, aware of his father’s watchful gaze. He released Aiden’s hand and took a step back, his face a carefully crafted mask of indifference. But inside, the storm was raging, all the unspoken words clawing at his throat, begging to be let out.

Alpha Eric nodded approvingly, oblivious—or perhaps willfully ignorant—of the turmoil beneath the surface. “Good to see you both,” he said, his voice firm but warm. “We have much to discuss.”

Leo and Aiden nodded, but the moment was far from resolved. As they turned to face Alpha Eric, each moment felt heavy with the pressure of their unresolved past. 

The handshake had been a temporary truce, a public display of civility, but both men knew that nothing had truly changed. The battle between them was far from over, and every word, every gesture, was just another move in a game that neither of them was willing to lose.

Aiden moved forward with a steady, confident stride, his posture exuding a composed authority that was hard to ignore. As he approached Alpha Eric, he offered a respectful nod, his head bowing slightly—a gesture not of submission, but of acknowledgement.

It was a subtle display of respect, one that was customary and expected when addressing someone of Alpha Eric's statue. Aiden's face was calm, composed, his eyes meeting the Alpha's without wavering.

“Alpha Eric,” Aiden began, his voice smooth and measured, carrying the practiced ease of someone who had been raised in the art of diplomacy. “My father sends his greetings and his respect. He wished to be here but regrets that he couldn't be here in person as there are other pressing matters he needed to attend to but he hopes to visit you soon.”

Alpha Eric nodded, his stern features softening at the mention of Aiden's father. The history between Eric's pack and Luke's pack was long and complex, filled with alliances, rivalries and mutual respect that had weathered the test of time. 

Eric extended his hand, the gesture of formality but also of warmth, a sign of the connection that still held between their bloodlines.

“Thank you, Aiden,” Eric replied, his voice deep and resonant, carrying the weight of authority that came naturally to him. “Luke has done so much and we can all see his handiwork… he's a great leader and a strong one despite being a Lycan and I can see him in you.” 

Aiden smiled and reached out, taking Eric's hand, his grip firm. As they shook hands, Aiden maintained eye contact, projecting an image of respect and strength. The handshake was brief but significant.

Behind Aiden, Leo watched the interaction with a tight-lipped expression, his eyes sharp and unreadable. Every gesture, every word spoken between Aiden and his father, felt like a reminder of the differences between him and Aiden–how Aiden could so effortlessly glide into these moments, how he could command attention without even trying, the way his father showed him respect, the confidence he exhibited. 

The tenseness in Leo's shoulders hadn't eased since Aiden walked through the gate and he could feel the anger simmering just beneath the surface.

Ethan, who stood beside Leo, glanced at him. He had been watching Leo closely and had only been happy that Leo didn't not react despite his obvious change in attitude—the clenched fists, the rigid posture, the way his eyes seemed to darken at Aiden’s smile. Ethan leaned in slightly, his voice barely above a whisper, careful to keep his voice low.

“Leo, how are you holding up?” Ethan asked quietly, his tone gentle and filled with concern. “I saw what happened back there. You alright?”

Leo's eyes flickered towards Ethan, his expression tight. He didn't need this right now—didn’t need to be coddled or pitied, especially not when Aiden was standing so close. Leo shook his head faintly, a gesture for Ethan to drop the subject. His movements were slight but deliberate, a clear message that now was not the time.

They were too close to Aiden, too close to be having any sort of private conversation. Leo knew all too well that Aiden’s senses were sharp–his hearing was exceptional, keen enough to pick up even the faintest of whispers. The last thing Leo needed was for Aiden to overhear anything that might reveal his unease.

Ethan caught the look, reading the tension in Leo’s expression. He understood immediately what Leo was trying to convey and fell silent, cursing himself inwardly for asking at all.

Alpha Eric soon clapped his hands, an attempt to get everyone's attention. “Tonight, we'll be having a feast to welcome Prince Aiden.” He said with a loud thick voice. All that followed after was a loud cheer and the chant of Aiden's name. 

Leo shut his eyes, trying to get Aiden's name out of his head. But he was distracted when Eric called out to him. “Leo, it's been a while since Aiden has been here. You can show him around. You boys back then are now men… I hope you'll get along together again.” Eric smiled.

“Yes, father.” Leo responded immediately with a faint smile. He knew too well it was impossible what his father had asked him to do and so did Aiden.

Eric soon ushered them all so they would enter the grand hall where the feast was to begin.