CHAPTER 5

“ I don't like your games, but yet again I stand at the line looking like a lost fool.”

"What?" Astrid screamed, her nose flared in anger as she looked between Hades and I.

"I..I," I stuttered, my eyes widened in fear as I noticed the look of anger on my father's face.

"Alpha, father," I called, my eyes in a plea. The look of displeasure and anger mirrored the expression of every other pack member.

"What do you mean mate?" Astrid repeated, her pupils dilated as she marched over to me her hand curled into a fist.

My head snapped back from the intensity of her punch. Blood gushed down my nostrils. "Astrid," I shrieked in shock, surprised at her actions.

"Slut," Astrid shouted.

"You did this," she hissed, her eyes narrowed.

" Astrid, please," I begged.

My eyes moved to Hades who stood quietly on the platform watching as the scene unfolded before him.

"Hades," I called in a small voice, tears welling up in my eyes.

I stared at him, silently pleading that he would put an end to the pain I was feeling.

"You will address him with respect," Astrid shrieked, shoving me to the ground with force.

My hands rushed out, hoping to break the fall, and I winced in pain as I felt my wrist twist in an odd angle.

Hades stood on the platform, his shoulders were square but not in anger from his mate getting attacked. Hades looked indifferent as Astrid throw punch upon punch on my face.

"Enough," my father shouted, pulling Astrid off my battered body.

"This can be fixed," my father whispered in her ears, pulling her into a hug as she sobbed on his chest.

I stayed on the ground, my eyes taking in the disgusted stares, no one made a move to help me up. Everyone stared at Astrid with pity, their hands on their chest as they all felt her pain.

My world had come crashing down, it was like the axis was broken and nothing was moving. Murmurs could be heard around, eyes wide in shock as they tried to process what had just happened.

I watched Astrid run into Hades' arms, as she cried into his chest, seeking his comfort, while I stood looking lost in the middle of the crowd feeling alone.

The moon goddess may have made me his mate, but I couldn't forget the look of disappointment in his eyes as he looked at me.

"I would never measure up to Astrid," and with that concluding thought, I ran out of the field, my throat tightening as the tears began to fall freely down my cheeks.

My head felt heavy from all the crying and screaming I had done. Tonight was meant to be a peaceful night, I wasn't meant to be in the middle of the storm that had just brewed.

Images of Astrid in his arms played on my mind like it was on a loop. The look of fury on my father's face haunted me like a plague.

My head snapped to the sound of rustling in the bushes, and my palms felt sweaty as I watched the figure approach.

"Daisy," Hades called, his voice causing my body to slump on the tree in relief.

"Hades," I replied, my voice cracking from all the tears I had cried.

The moon shone on his face, making his eyes to seem like a pool of calm water as he took in my appearance.

"Come," he said in a commanding tone, his hands outstretched as he waited for me to approach him.

My body felt like jelly, but my feet moved on their accord as I placed my hand on his palm.

My heart was beating wildly in my chest, soft air blew gently around us as he pulled me closer to his chest.

His fingers caressed my swollen wrist, "you need to have this looked at," he muttered, his eyebrows knitted in worry as he wiped the blood from my lips.

My skin felt warm in his touch, his presence soothe every ache I felt on my body, "I will get to the clinic," I replied in a soft tone.

I buried my nose in his chest, taking in his deep musky scent, and I smiled softly against him.

The arms that had held Astrid, was the same arm I found comfort in.

"Daisy," he called again, taking a step away from me, his eyes looking at me with worry.

"I can’t" he whispered.

My heart dropped, my fingers trembling as I dropped down to the ground in confusion.

"Why are you here?" I found myself asking.

Hades sighed, his fingers running through his hair in frustration, " I needed to let you know,"

"But the moon goddess blessed us, I am your mate," I said.

" Daisy. Astrid is the one I choose, I can’t," he said in a strained voice.

My mind was reeling, " why are you here then? You should be with her," I spat out in anger, my eyes in anger as I rose to my feet.

"I needed to be sure you'd be okay," he replied.

I released a shaky breath, " Hades, please," I whispered, my demeanor cracking as I took unsure steps towards him.

"Why are you doing this to me?" I sobbed. My eyes squeezed shut as my back was pressed against the hard tree bark.

" I could never see an omega as a mate," he stated, an emotion flashing through his eyes, as he walked away from me.

My lips hurt from how hard I had bit into them to keep myself from screaming into the night.

The forest became blurry, trees were closing in on me, causing my breath to come out in short pants.

My fingers pressed softly to the ground, feeling the smooth silky texture of the soil, as I tried to ground myself.

My mate had chosen Astrid. But why did he look broken even though I was the one left alone crying in the forest.