Chapter 2 002 Secrets and lies

I pushed the unsettling vision from last week, to the back of my mind, focusing on the task at hand. As the pack's doctor, it was my duty to be there whenever someone got hurt, whether it was in a fight, a hunt, or just because they were being reckless.

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.

I should've felt at ease-joining in the festivities, pretending everything was fine.

But nothing was fine.

Not after the vision.

Not after feeling something so real, so impossible-something that shouldn't exist yet refused to leave my bones.

I took a slow breath, smoothing a hand down my dress-a deep midnight blue that shimmered under the glow of the torches. I was here to blend in, not stand out.

And yet, my heart was pounding. Not from excitement but from something else. Something I didn't dare name.

I pushed through the crowd, moving toward the long banquet table lined with golden goblets and plates of roasted meats, bread, and fresh fruits. A passing servant handed me a drink, and I took it, forcing a small sip of the tart wine.

Just as I turned, a body collided into mine. The impact sent me stumbling back, my breath hitching. I felt the world tilt, the weight of gravity dragging me down and just then-

Strong hands caught me, I felt a firm grip on my waist. A grip so steady and unyielding. The warmth of it sent a shiver racing up my spine. I inhaled sharply-cedarwood and smoke.

My stomach dropped. I knew that scent.

Slowly, I looked up and found his emerald eyes. They flickered down at me, unreadable, catching the moonlight in a way that made them almost glow.

I stared.

He stared back.

The air between us felt different, like something ancient and forgotten was trying to crawl back to the surface.

"You should be more careful," he murmured, voice low-too low.

I tried to breathe. Tried to move. But he didn't let go. And worse-I didn't want him to. I swallowed hard, forcing out a laugh, even as my heart clenched painfully.

"Maybe you should stop appearing out of nowhere."

His lips twitched. "Maybe you should stop falling all the time."

My cheeks burned. "I wasn't falling."

His hands on my waist tightened slightly, just for a second.

"Sure," he said smoothly, but he didn't let go.

I hated the way my pulse betrayed me, thrumming wildly under my skin. Hated the way his touch made my stomach twist, a sharp, aching thing that left me breathless.

And most of all-I hated the truth that burned behind my ribs.

That he was never mine to begin with.

I forced a step back, breaking the moment and this time he let me go-slowly.

But his eyes...

His eyes never left me.

Some members of the pack approached us, basically approached the Alpha as he averted his gaze to them.

"Good evening, Alpha 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 with longing and desperation.

It was announced that the Luna was carrying the Alpha's heir.

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 retreat from their conversation, not being able to just listen and feel lonely. But the moment the words left Virginia, Luna's attendant's mouth, I saw red.

"You're of age, Astrid. You should consider accepting an alliance mate."

My fingers tightened around my goblet.

Someone nearby hummed in agreement. "The Alpha of the Shadowfang Pack is still looking for a mate. A strong she-wolf like you would do well there-"

I slammed my drink down.

The hall went silent.

Slowly, my hands curled into fists. "I would rather rip out my own heart than let some stranger mark me."

Gasps rippled through the room. The beta from the crowd muttered something about disrespect. Someone else sneered,

"Ungrateful. She should be honored-"

"I would be honored?" My voice cut like a blade. "To be a pawn in an alliance? To be nothing more than a bargaining piece? Tell me, was that my fate from the moment I was born?"

Silence. Only then did I feel it. Kaiden's eyes on me. I turned, my heart lurching. His emarald gaze pierced through me like fire.

And I knew that look. It was not anger. Not shock. It was disappointment. It gutted me. Something inside me-something I couldn't name-snapped in half. Without thinking, I turned and stormed out of the hall.

The cool night air bit at my skin as I walked, my breath sharp and uneven.

I don't care. I don't care. I don't care.

Lies. Because I did.

Because his disappointment had cut deeper than any wound ever could.

"Astrid."

I stiffened. Of course he followed. Of course he would.

"You shouldn't have stormed out like that," he said, voice even, unreadable.

I clenched my jaw. "You shouldn't have looked at me like that."

Silence.

Then i heard a low, exhale. "Like what?"

I turned, glaring at him. "Like you were ashamed of me."

His lips parted slightly. He didn't deny it. Something twisted inside me.

"You're being reckless," he said finally.

I let out a sharp laugh. "And you're being a hypocrite."

His jaw ticked. "Astrid-"

But I didn't hear the rest. Because suddenly-my wolf lurched forward. A force so strong it nearly knocked me off my feet. My breath hitched. My entire body burned with an ache I didn't understand.

Or maybe-I did.

Kaiden took a sharp step forward. So did I. I didn't mean to. I didn't want to. But I couldn't stop.

It was like something was pulling us together. Something ancient. Something bigger than both of us. My chest tightened. His pupils were blown wide. His hands trembled at his sides-like he was fighting something.

And I realized... So was I.

His voice, when it came, was low. Rough.

"Astrid," he murmured, almost like a warning.

I swallowed. "What's happening?"

His gaze flickered. Like he wanted to say something-like he knew. But instead, his expression shuttered, and he took a step back. The pull snapped like a rubber band. I gasped softly, feeling like something had been torn away. Kaiden's face was unreadable again.

As if whatever had just happened hadn't shaken him to his core.

But I knew better.

Because I had felt it.

And so had he.