Chapter 2 Strained relationship

The sound of conversations brushed my ears like a chill breeze as I entered the main hall. I saw Cassian, my Alpha, my mate, standing by the stone fireplace with Minaj beside him, her hand softly resting on his arm as they chuckled at something I couldn't hear, while I took a reassuring breath.

With a deep and resonant chuckle, Cassian tilted his head back. The sight of Minaj's fingers curling into his sleeve made my chest tense, even though the sound should have been comforting and familiar. I saw her lean a little closer, her face tilted up, her face warm and open.

"Luna." I was startled out of my reverie by a voice, and as I glanced around, I saw a younger pack member politely nodding. "Do you require anything?"

I kept my tone constant and feigned a grin. "No, Lane, thank you. I'm all right.

I turned back to Cassian and Minaj as he bowed a little before continuing. The scene remained the same, with Minaj's eyes remaining on Cassian and a tenderness in them that I had thought was just for me. Ignoring her lingering glances, Cassian seemed to accept her presence as normal and laughed at her remarks as if they had been exchanging secret jokes for ages.

To hold myself steady, I balled my hands into fists and pressed my nails into my palms. As my closest friend and confidante from our early years, when we dreamt of the future when duties and titles separated us, Minaj had always been near us. I had always had complete faith in her. But lately, whenever she was with Cassian, her smiles had a tinge of edge and her eyes were brighter. I made an effort to ignore it, to persuade myself that I was overanalysing things and that it was just paranoia.

Cassian turned, his eyes finding mine as if he sensed my presence. There was a familiar warmth in his eyes as he smiled, yet there was something chilly and unsaid between us. My feet felt heavy and anchored to the ground as he gestured for me to come closer. After hesitating, I eventually took a step forward, and Minaj's eyes met mine as I got closer.

Cassian whispered, "Niki," and reached out to gently pull me to his side. Although his hand was firm and warm, there was a little hesitancy in it. Just now, Minaj told me about the training session she oversaw this morning. It seems that she has been having problems with some of the younger wolves.

I faked a grin as I looked at Minaj, who looked at me with a cheerful, carefree attitude as if she didn't give a damn.

"Really?" My voice sounded more strained than I had meant when I asked. That's amazing, Minaj. You appear to have gained a lot of popularity.

A small, arrogant grin tugged at her lips as her eyes gleamed. "Oh, it's nothing." Cassian is only being courteous. I must have looked like a complete disaster. However, I'm always happy to help out when I can. That's correct, Alpha.

Cassian nodded and laughed. "Minaj, more than a hand. With the younger wolves, you have been a huge assistance. They hold you in high regard. It has a positive impact on them.

The remark was harmless enough, but it rang louder than it ought to have in my ears. Cassian had not looked at me with the same effortless fondness he now showed Minaj, nor had he praised me in such a manner in a long time. I made an effort to dismiss the idea, telling myself it was absurd and that my feelings were only a result of my fears. But the glimmer of uncertainty persisted, refusing to go away.

I said as I moved away, "I'd better go check on the preparations for tonight." Cassian held my hand for a while before releasing it and looking at me curiously.

He scowled and whispered, "Niki, wait." "Are you okay? You seem to be... preoccupied.

I made an effort to grin. "I'm all right. Simply put, exhausted.

Though I could see the concern in his eyes and the unanswered question that none of us seemed to be able to answer, Cassian nodded. I turned before he could continue, allowing his stare to fall on my back as I turned to go.

I could feel Minaj's eyes on me as well; there was a faint sense of delight in her eyes that made me shudder.

---

I strolled about the courtyard in the afternoon's calm, finding comfort in the trees' familiarity and the stone walls that had been worn smooth by years of use. In the hopes that it might calm the racing thoughts in my head, I sat on the edge of the fountain and ran my fingers through the cold water.

My mind was filled with Cassian's earlier chuckle and a picture of Minaj's hand on his arm as her eyes were filled with an unidentified emotion. I knew I should not have been bothered by it. She was my buddy and had always supported me, even when others didn't think I belonged as Luna.

However, I was more uneasy than I wanted to admit because of the way she suddenly stared at Cassian; it seemed different, almost possessive.

A voice said, "Luna," interrupting my thoughts. When I glanced up, I saw a pack elder standing in front of me with a kind but worried gaze. "At the morning meeting, you were missed."

I stood up, brushed down my skirts, and said, "Oh, I'm sorry." "I... forgot the time."

His eyes lingered on me with a kind but perceptive pity as he nodded. "You haven't spoken much recently. The pack is concerned. We are united by your presence and power, Luna.

I nodded while swallowing. "I'm grateful, Elder. I'll do my hardest to be there.

His comments lingered with me, weighty and uncompromising, even after he dropped his head slightly and walked away. They saw that I was not there. All of Cassian's warmth and laughing with Minaj simply made me more aware of my withdrawal and waning presence.

---

There was a feeling of celebration in the air when the pack assembled later that evening, and I stood next to Cassian. As the younger wolves applauded and giggled, I could feel Cassian's pride growing at my side. He put his arm around my waist and smiled, but his thoughts appeared to be elsewhere. His eyes swept over the audience many times before settling on Minaj, who was seated a few seats back and grinned effortlessly and confidently.

I touched his arm and said, "Cassian." His grin softened as he glanced down at me. "Could we... Could we talk later, by ourselves?

He nodded, but I could see by the look of disinterest in his eyes that it may be just another unmet promise. Even with his arm around me, I could feel myself vanishing into the background as the night went on, a ghost at his side.

I snuck away as the festivities subsided, the laughter and commotion pressing down on my chest. I let the cold night air calm the pain in my body as I stepped outside into the garden. My time alone was brief, however, as I heard gentle footfall approaching and glanced up to find Minaj entering the moonlight with a steady stare as she studied me.

"Niki," she replied in a quiet, almost worried voice. "Are you okay? You seemed to be silent tonight.

I folded my arms over my chest and feigned a grin. "I'm all right. I just have a lot on my mind.

Minaj took a step forward, her face kind and understanding. "As Luna, I can't even begin to understand the strain you must experience. You always manage it so elegantly. There was an undertone of sympathy in her words that made me uneasy. "And I just wanted you to know that I'm here for you with... everything that's been going on."

It seemed like a subtle jab, a reminder of her developing position in the pack and her intimacy with Cassian, the way she said it and the way she looked at me with that little arrogant attitude.

"Thank you, Minaj," I said, maintaining a steady tone and a grin. "However, I don't require your sympathy."

With a spark of humour in her gaze, she lifted an eyebrow. "Oh, Niki, it's not sympathy. You have my respect. I always have. All I wanted to let you know was that you had a buddy.

She then turned and left me alone in the moonlight, the cold seeping into my bones as she went back into the corridor. A knot of uneasiness tightened in my chest as I glanced after her.

I couldn't get rid of the sense that something was slipping away from me, something I wasn't sure I would ever get back, as I gazed up at the full moon. I secretly pondered if Minaj was already closer to Cassian than I would ever be.