Chapter 3: Pure and innocent

Rene moved closer to Irene, her eyes glowing with malicious intent, “Even if you're the Alpha's mate, shouldn't you be concerned about his feelings? You know how much he cares for me and his unborn child, why are you not happy for us?”

Irene remained silent and stared at Rene, her eyes stinging with tears.

“You know how big the banquet hall is. Were you expecting me to supervise the maids in decorating the entire place? In my state?” Rene continued as she glared at Irene.

Irene's plump lips curled up in a beautiful smile, “Rene..” she said slowly, “This is the first time we're having a conversation and you're already so familiar with me?

Yes, I'm the Alpha's mate, and who are you?” she asked as she looked directly into Rene's eyes, “His..bed..warmer.” her voice was extremely cold and Icy as she emphasized on the word ‘bed warmer’.

Rene trembled from anger as she watched Irene's retreating figure.”That bitch!” with a murderous aura around her, she cursed as she glared at Irene who was no longer in her sight. The maids lowered their heads and increased their pace as they walked past Rene, afraid of facing her wrath.

Rene closed her eyes and calmed her nerves. Few minutes later, an innocent smile appeared on her lips, and she no longer had that murderous aura around her. As she approached the banquet hall, she found Kaiden giving instructions to a maid. He was extremely serious as he said, “Make sure the colours are bright, beautiful, and have a royal touch to it. Rene is pure and innocent, so I think white and purple would suit her.”

The maid bowed and said, “Yes, Alpha. I'll make sure the colours are exactly to your taste.”

Rene walked towards them with a smile etched on her face, “Alpha Kaiden.” she said softly as she held his hands. Kaiden beamed, “Rene, call me Kaiden. You'll be my Luna soon.” he said as he kissed her hands. “How are you fairing?”

Rene touched her tummy, her eyes filled with pain, “Al..Kaiden.” she began, “I'm fine.. fine, but your mate, Lady Irene..I think she hates me. I..I don't feel comfortable around her.” Kaiden frowned slightly, “Rene, did she do anything wrong to you?” he asked as his grip on her hands tightened, “Why do you think she hates you?”

Rene's eyes was filled with tears as she said, “She called me a whore. She said that's all I am to you. K..kaiden, I can keep up with everything, but I hate being called a whore.” she said as she broke down in tears, “Irene made me and my baby feel worthless.”

Kaiden watched as Rene cried out in despair, his fists clenched by his sides. With the way Rene was crying, something snapped inside him, filling him with rage and anger. “Where's Irene?!” he snapped as he turned to a maid who was trembling from fear. The young maid said as she pointed at Irene who was giving instructions to a maid “A..A..Alpha, I think she's over there.”

Kaiden approached her and Rene ran after him, “Kaiden, please don't blame her. I understand her pain. It must have been painful for her to find out about what happened between us.” she said innocently. Kaiden paused in his tracks and said, “But that doesn't give her the right to call you a whore and make you sad. You're carrying my child for goodness sake! Does she want you to have miscarriage?”

Irene watched as Kaiden walked furiously towards her, her brows knitted in confusion. “Kaiden, what's going on?” she asked as she stared at him. Kaiden raised his hands, almost bringing it against Irene's face but Rene stopped him, and with that she fell to the ground. Irene gasped as she watched Rene fall. Kaiden turned red in anger as he pulled Rene to her feet, “Why did you try to save her? You should have allowed me to slap her!” he growled.

Rene lowered her head and cried silently, “It wouldn't be right for you to slap your mate because of me. My heart would feel so guilty. I wouldn't be able to take it.” Kaiden's gaze softned as he stared at Rene, “Your heart is so pure. You don't deserve to be in a place like this. I'm sorry for everything.” he apologized intently, making Irene Scoff, anger written all over her face.

“How's my baby?” Kaiden asked as he placed his hands on Rene's tummy, “There's nothing wrong with him right? I'm sorry for making you fall.” his eyes was filled with guilt as he rubbed Rene's flat tummy. He then turned to Irene and sighed, “Irene, what's all these?”

“Irene, you're my mate. That means you should support me in whatever actions I take. Why do you hate Rene so much?!” he snapped, his voice raising slightly. Irene bowed her head immediately. As an omega, she couldn't resist the command of an Alpha even if he was her mate. “The banquet is tomorrow, and you know how important that occasion is. Do you really have to make Rene sad? What if she looses her baby? Do you think you'll be able to make up for that?!”

Irene raised her head slightly, her body trembling as she tried to resist the Alpha's authoritative aura. Blood trickled from her nose as a sad smile appeared on her lips, “Kaiden, would you believe me if I said I didn't make Rene sad? She came to me first. There was nothing else I could do.”

Rene cried loudly as she said, “Lady Irene, you must hate me so much to frame me this way. Even the maids can bear me witness. I only came to greet you this early morning, but you called me a whore!”

Kaiden wrapped his arms around her waist and comforted her, “Rene, it's okay. Leave her alone.”

Rene nodded and turned to leave, her heart filled with joy. Irene stared at Kaiden and said, “Kaiden, you don't believe me right? You believe your chosen mate over your true mate. I should have known you would betray me just like every other person. Why on earth did I choose to get fooled?”

Kaiden sighed, “Irene, you're only making things hard for yourself. Rene is pregnant, so I have to take responsibility. Tomorrow, I'll announce to the pack that she's pregnant, and pick her as my Luna. After the whole celebration, I'll wed you as my concubine. What's so hard about that?” he asked softly as he gazed into her eyes.

Irene's heart softned due to the mate bond, her body yearning for his touch. “Kaiden, I” she began but Kaiden placed his hands on her lips, “Say no more. What do you say? I can't reject you.” he added as he leered at her. The mate bond was indeed powerful as Irene would continue to be the most beautiful woman in his heart. Her chestnut brown hair, and her beautiful hazel eyes seemed to draw him in and he didn't want to let go.

Irene closed her eyes and tried to lock her emotions, coming back to her senses. “If you want me, then make me your Luna.” she finalized as she turned to leave.