“Bu..but I thought you said you were going to wait until you found your mate.’’ I let out, finding the words even though my mind was a storm of emotions.
“I am going to be alpha. That responsibility falls on my shoulders, whether I want to or not. I would want to avoid it with everything that I have, but I just can't. Everyone is looking up to me…’’
“And I believe in you, Weston. You are my best friend, but I just don't think this is the right step for you.’’ I thought out loud, meeting his eyes for a split second. “A mate should be someone destined for you. you can't just choose one.’’
“And you think I don't know that?’’ he let out, as he slowly walked away from me. His fingers found his hair, as he paced around. We were only a short distance away from the garden. “Alondra, all I want is to become a good Alpha, and if that means that I would have to sacrifice my own happiness for the bitterness of the park, then, so be it.’’
“But you don't have to. You can be happy and the pack would still be happy as well. It doesn't take a long time. All you have to do is wait until the moon goddess gives you a mate.”
“And how long do you think that will be?’’ He asked, raising his voice. I stared up at him, reading the emotions behind his eyes. “I have been looking for her for more than six years now. My sister found her mate the second she turned 18, and Aria and Jake found each other two years after Aria’s eighteenth birthday. I assumed that I would be late, then I probably found her at 22. But it has taken too long, Alondra, and I am afraid I see reason with what my parents are saying. I cannot be an unmated Alpha. It is a sign of weakness.’’
“Then what happens… you choose a mate for yourself, a woman you barely know?’’
“Mates are people we barely know.’’ He argued, placing his gentle hands on my shoulders as he rubbed them.
“It doesn't have to be. It can be someone you've known all your life. It can be a friend. It can be an acquaintance. It can be a neighbor, a citizen.’’ I rambled, feeling frustrated and panicked. The truth was right there at the tip of my tongue. I just didn't want to admit it. it was a prayer that even the moon goddess could not answer. It was a miracle that she did not have the power of fulfillment. My best friend and I were worlds apart. His destiny had nothing to do with me. He would live his life differently. But oh, how I had wished that I would be the woman for him.
“I mean, come on, does it not bother you that you haven’t found your mate either?’’
I looked up at him, his words sinking into me like a hanger left on the shore.
I shook my head, no, and he stared at me intensely, as if trying to decipher me. I was not in a hurry to find my mate. Sometimes I quietly go to the moon goddess that she would give me someone as good as my best friend, and that he would allow me to love them just as much as I love him. But my feelings for Weston could never die. I love him more than I love myself… more than life itself. How can I get over that? How can I watch him grow and find a mate and be left behind?
“It bothers me a little.’’ I confessed, hoping it would get him off my back.
“There it is… and it bothers me too. It bothers me that I have been alone for all this while; that I am going to be the leader of this wonderful pack and I have no one to share it with.’’
His words stung. I bit my lip, trying to arrange my thoughts. Three full moons from now was such a small amount of time. and I was unprepared for whatever changes would come my way.
“I'm not going to forget you.’’ He let out, snapping me out of my bath before I looked up at him.
“Where did that come from?’’ I asked with a playful tone, forcing a smile. I stepped back before walking right into the garden.
“You know that, don't you?’’ His voice echoed in the empty space, as he followed behind me. “I made a promise to you, Alondra, and I intend to keep it. You're my best friend and I'm not going to forget you.’’
I turned to look at him.
I dreaded the feeling behind his eyes. I dreaded the coldness between us. It felt as if there was a thousand miles between us, yet, he was just right before me. He felt unreachable, like he was slowly slipping from my fingers.
“I am not going to forget you.’’ He repeated again, this time, slowly working towards me. Those who have ignited a storm inside me. I could feel tears peeking at my eyes, yet I didn't want to cry. An intense look flushed across his face as he held back a grimace. I wanted him to smile. He was beautiful and mild. But he was beautiful with whatever he did.
“This is the moment I've been waiting for all my life, and I have always believed that I am ready to lead this park, but now that I'm here, I just don't know if I have what it takes.’’
“You do.’’ I answered in the flash of a second. “ You have always been more than qualified, Weston. You will make a wonderful Alpha. This pack is lucky to have you, and you're right. You have spent your life preparing for this, and you're going to do just great. There is nothing you should be afraid of.”
I knew exactly what I was saying, and I knew that slowly by slowly, I would have to accept that he wasn't mine to begin with.
“And I am lucky to have you as my best friend.” His words almost made me cry. And when I tried to hide my face from his, he gripped both my cheeks in his hands, before kissing the top of my head. He lingered. He took me in. I inhaled his scent, and the wolf inside me was excited.
A best friend.
My smile left my face. Realization that was all that would ever settle fast inside me.
“Then I suppose I’ll also try to find my mate.’’ I spoke, forcing a smile.
“Hmm,’’ he hummed as he pulled away, “I thought you weren’t interested in finding a mate any time soon.’’ His tone was void of emotion, his eyes however, were the real puzzle.
“I wasn’t going to. But you’re going to choose a mate, and soon enough, you may forget about me,”
“No I won't,’’ He argued, but I looked at him with a stern expression.
“It’s going to be okay, Weston. You’re going to be busy. The responsibilities of an Alpha are a lot.’’
“And how would you know?’’ He chuckled, hitting my arm playfully.
“Why else would you be required to have a woman at your side, helping you?’’ I answered, and his laughter slowly died. Sadness filled his eyes as he stilled himself.
“But hey, come on, we’ll still hang out here pretty often, right?” I asked, trying to rid his sadness, “Just like before, just like we always do. You won’t get rid of me that easily, oh mighty Alpha,’’ but he did not seem to get the joke, and neither did it lessen his burden.
“Everything is changing so quickly.’’ He let out, faking a smile.
“It is.’’
“But you, you’re the only thing in my life I want to remain constant!’’
The birthday ceremony for Weston was not as bad as we all had expected. I had spent the time serving drinks and taking away some of the plates and dishes. While the Queen had demanded that it was a ceremony for wine and champagne instead of food, the food prepared for their children had been brought by werewolf dignitaries into the pack.Weston's birthday party was unlike anything ever seen. I couldn't help but feel that he was sleeping from my fingers already, as I watched him interact with everyone. I believed that sooner or later, things would have to change, and I wasn't sure whether that would mean our friendship dynamic as well.Feeling rather suffocated in the presence of such loyalty and conversations, I could hardly understand. I choose to sneak out and head to the balcony. I knew that none of them would notice me going because they were all engrossed in other conversations. There were more than enough servants to distribute the rest of the remaining champagne, in case any of
“Alondra, you incompetent child get down here this minute!’’ The loud echoing voice of my stepmother rang through the house, making me jolt out of bed in a hurry. My mind replayed the last minutes of yesterday before I went to sleep, trying to remember whether there was something I had forgotten to do. I had been so tired and held up with the preparations of the party. It was my chance to prove to my stepmother that I deserved to attend. I had promised to do all the chores she had given to me before the day came. Well, now, the day has arrived, and I'll be damned if she comes up with new chores. Suddenly, my bedroom door swings open, Bethany walks in with a scroll on her face. “Mother has been calling you for the past 20 minutes, is it really that difficult for you to get your lazy self downstairs?’’My eyebrows furrow, as I stare at her.“What does she want?’’ I ask as I pace around my bedroom, picking up a cardigan and draping it over my body. I open the bedroom windows and star
Mrs Pierce and my stepmother exchange pleasantries at the door. They shake hands and there is a sinister smile on my stepmother's face as she bids her goodbye. However, Instead of just going, Mrs Pierce walks back to the house suddenly. I take a deep breath, reminding myself to remain calm and not to cry.“And before I forget my dear, your duties at the pack house will be allocated to someone else. You're going to be handling the garden and the Warriors halls from now on. I encourage that you refrain from any path that may cross with my son's.’’ she says that with the biggest smile on her face. So casually and yet with the meanest demeanor I've ever seen.“Do we understand each other?’’ I can't help but find myself nodding vigorously. The strength to open my mouth and say something has left me. The energy to stand up and talk to her is not with me. I am broken. I am afraid. Not only of the Alpha's mother, but also because the day that I dreaded the most has finally come. And it hasn
The remaining preparations have not been so difficult. Since everything had been arranged the previous night, all that was left was setting up the tables and all the decorations. It was like a walk in the Pack, and I was grateful that I had something too busy in my mind through all these.I have done my very best to avoid Trish who had been looking for me. She wanted to talk to me about something and I couldn't help but feel that it was the more polite and easier version to what the Alpha's mother had told me. I felt so appreciative to Trish for being a friend, for being kind and a sweetheart to me. But soon enough she will also need to step up on her role and become the leader she was meant to be. That also means that I will be required to cut off connection with her.“Have all the vases been filled with water and the flowers mounted in each?’’ Mistress Mary asked out loud. She was the supervisor in charge of planning these events. She was a kind and wonderful woman. She prefers bei
Standing in front of us both is Weston. My heart keeps beating faster. My wolf is excited. Somehow, I can't help but fight the blush that creeps up my cheeks. Weston would always have an effect on me, no matter how damn much I didn't want it.“Get out of here, this instance, before I make an example out of you!’’ He says the words with authority. And the Admiral doesn't hesitate here before disappearing in the opposite direction immediately. I can't help but look at him with shock. Weston was indeed an Alpha, but he has never been one to threaten anyone. The fear in the Admiral was genuine and sincere.All of a sudden, Weston's expression turns to a worried one. He moves towards me quickly and brushes his knuckles over my face. The touch is gentle. It is calming. I find myself incoherently shutting my eyes and taking in His Touch. His hands come over my shoulders. My stomach. I feel his eyes all over me. “Did he hurt you, Alondra?’’ It is only now that my mind registers his words -
“I assumed you were going to be an intelligent girl and do the right thing.’’ the voice startles me. I turn around only to find Mrs. Pierce standing behind me. I can't help but wonder whether she's been listening in on the conversation between Western and I the whole time. I bow my head in respect for her, feeling my fingers shake by her presence. She honestly scares me. Not only because of her authority, but because of the things she’d do to me. She has hated me from the very beginning and I know there's nothing I can do to change that.“Pardon me, Luna..’’“Don't even bother, Alondra. We had a very pleasant conversation this morning and I expected you to abide by our agreement.’“But, I did not–'’“You did not do what? You did not call for him? You did not go out looking for him? Or you are not seeking his help; which one?’’ She speaks with a lot of hatred and disgust. The way she looks at me tells me exactly that.“Yes, my queen. I did not go looking for him. I listen to your inst
“Back when I was 12, I had a best friend. Her name was Maria. She was kind and she had a beautiful heart and I loved spending time with her. She wasn't like all the other friends that mother had forced on me, she didn't spend hours talking about her manicure, she was a servant’s daughter.’’ Patricia started, sitting down on the bed next to me and rubbing my shoulders.“I remember her,’’ Aria said. “Maria was Darren’s little sister.’’ There was an expression behind her face when she spoke Darren’s name. From what I know, Darren was the boy that Aria was in love with before she met her mate. I was not sure where they were headed with this conversation, but I was certainly curious.“Well, as you could guess, my mother disapproved of my friendship with Maria. She said that a noble's daughter can never be friends with the servant's daughter. She spoke of it like it was an abomination, like it would slander and dirty the Alpha's name. I was stubborn. I was really stubborn, and my actions c
I walk quickly. Many people turn their heads to look at me but I ignore them. I wanted to disappear before the ceremony started. If I didn't, then it would be direct disobedience. Our house wasn't that far away, but it was almost at the edge of the pack where the forest began.I glanced at the garden and remembered my encounter with Weston earlier this morning. I breathe in deeply, reminding myself that Weston was not mine. He was not my mate, he was just my best friend. Currently, he was going to be nothing to me. The friendship between us was uprooted like a weed and cast aside.One foot before another, one step after another, my skirt below my knees, the palms of my hands sweating as I wipe them against the fabric of my apron. finally, I took a corner and there was my house. A frown on my face at the realization that my stepmother and sisters have not yet left. When I enter the house, the first person who greets me with a scowl is Zoe.“I think I saw someone getting lectured by th