2-𝗦𝗲𝗰𝗿𝗲𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗟𝗶𝗲𝘀

I pushed the unsettling conversation with my father to the back of my mind, focusing on the task at hand. As the Beta's daughter, it was my duty to attend the pack's gatherings and events.

I made my way to the grand hall, where the pack had gathered to arrange the celebration of the upcoming full moon. The air was filled with laughter and chatter, and the smell of roasting meat wafted through the air, making my stomach growl with hunger.

As I scanned the room, my eyes landed on Kaidën, who stood tall and proud, his lips were tugged into a charming smile, one that made me feel millions of butterflies in my stomach. My heart skipped a beat as our eyes met, and for a moment, I felt like I was drowning in their depths.

I quickly looked away, my cheeks flushing with heat. I couldn't let myself get caught up in my feelings for Kaidën. Not now, not ever.

I took a deep breath and made my way through the crowd, exchanging greetings and smiles with the other pack members. Suddenly, someone bumped into me, making me lose my balance, I tried holding onto someone for support but my hands slipped. I closed my eyes ready to feel a stinging pain but I was surprised when I felt nothing, instead I felt an arm that held onto my wrist. I quickly opened my eyes to meet his alluring emerald ones, a worry visible in them.

“Astrid,” he called onto me with his deep hoarse voice and I almost let out a gasp “Be careful, we don't want any accidents tonight”

He said gently, taking his hands off my wrist as I smiled sheepishly before nodding. Some members of the pack approached us, basically the Alpha as he averted his gaze to them.

“Good afternoon, Aloha Kaiden. I believe you and Luna are doing good and your little baby as well”. My heart sank as I heard his light chuckle and I couldn't help but stare at his face.

He looked genuinely happy and it stinks. I know babies are angels and they have nothing to do with worldly affairs nor these hateful feelings our hearts develop. But I wondered if I was losing my sanity, because now all I could do was feel disgusted at the baby and its mother.

“Of course, they both are doing good” He replied shortly and I decided to interfere with the conversation, not being able to just listen and feel lonely.

“Astrid, I heard your father saying your mating ceremony is around the corner” I bit back a scoff and forced out a smile, unknowingly my eyes went to Kaiden who was already looking at me with a normal expression.

“There are talks that your mate is the Sylpher Pack's Alpha. Is that true?” Virginia the pack's doctor spoke as I looked at her with a hint of annoyance before answering.

“Why do you care, Virginia? I don't think it should matter to anyone if he's an alpha or not”

I regretted my choice of words as soon as I heard gasps escaping their mouths. Sure I was angry and everyone knew I wasn't so good with patience. I would never want to talk about something I did not like.

“Astrid. What was that tone? Is that how you speak with your elders?” I glanced at Kaiden who held a disappointed look on his face and I finally rolled my eyes.

“Please, excuse me” I excused myself, rushing into the hall.

I have been so pressurized about my feelings for Kaiden that I couldn't control my anger and emotions anymore and there was him, who was completely oblivious about anything my heart held for him. How crazy. My steps came to a stop when I heard Kaidën's voice.

“Astrid, stop!”

For the first time I wanted him to leave me alone and go back to his Luna. Tears formed in my eyes and I dared not to look at him. With my gaze on the floor, I saw his feet standing before me.

“Are you…okay?” His voice was laced with worry that made me a little surprised but I still held my gaze down. “Answer me, Astrid”

A tear fell down my eye that went unnoticed by him as I opened my mouth to speak.

“Yes, Alpha”. Shit. I knew my voice came out broken when he leaned down to my level making me look at him. I couldn't tell the last time I saw him this close. Probably before he got mated to Xylara.

“Are you not happy with your mate?” He asked as my tears finally streamed down my cheeks. I sniffed, wiping them off my face.

“I don't know, he has done nothing wrong. It's just that…just that I don't like him. I want my mate to be the one I love”

I finally confessed looking into.his eyes as his eyes softened before he flashed a warm smile to me and I swear my heart started leaping by his ethereal beauty. He was the definition of perfection, a man crafted by the heavens.

“It is our fate, Astrid,” He began sighing looking at the moon but my eyes were fixed on him. He looked so enchanting under the moonlight.

“A fate, given to us by the Goddess. We cannot do anything about our feelings. No matter how strong they are, we have to hold back”

He looked sad and I couldn't quite keep my finger on what it was that his eyes held. There was some sort of saddened and hurt emotion. I wondered why he was saying those things to me as if he went through the same experience. He finally looked at me before patting my shoulder.

“So let's accept this damned fate and wish to be with the one we desire in our next life.”

My heart skipped a beat and my eyebrows ceased not understanding his words. He nodded to himself before walking past me. I knew he cared about me — as a pack member. He considered this his duty as the Alpha. But I wanted him to care for me the way he cared for Xylara. It was a ritual to produce an heir for the pack so why was I angry over a mere child?

I gathered my heart together once again before proceeding towards my room. As I entered I saw Evelyn, my attendant dusting the furniture. I sighed, throwing myself on the bed, my eyes half open. Evelyn sensed my mood off as she sat on the bed next to me. She was like a sister to me since I did not have a sister, I shared everything with her. And I genuinely loved and cared about her.

“Is it because of Kaidën, again?”

And yeah she knew about my little crush on Kaiden that she found out while cleaning my cupboard and finding a picture of me and Kaiden at his mating ceremony with a heart around him. She was bewildered about my forbidden love for him but nevertheless got used to it.

“Surprisingly, not this time. It's because of my mating. I hate it” I truthfully said and her lips formed into a pout before she laid next to me hugging me close.

“It's going to be okay, Astrid. Believe in the Goddess” She kept whispering things to comfort me but I wasn't listening to what she was saying. My mind was focused on one thought.

Does Kaidën not have feelings for Xylara?