22. Secretly In Love
ALPHA RAIDEN
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Although there was a car behind Aurelia as she stumbled, Tristan dashed to her side, holding her as she regained her balance. An unknown feeling swelled in my heart... or maybe the feeling was known after all. I just didn't want to admit to myself that what I felt was jealousy.
"Are you alright, Lia?" He asked softly, his grip firm on her lower back while Larisa inhaled sharply beside me, her face oddly pale.
Aurelia voiced in response, "Yes. Just a little bit dizzy. I'm sorry-"
Alpha Tristan faced me before she could finish speaking and he asked rhetorically, "Can she be led to her room? We're all tired from the trip and I was told we wouldn't be staying with other visiting Alphas." Fuck that!
If I could have my way, I would have kicked Tristan out of my pack the minute he got to the border but to take Aurelia back, I must tolerate his presence and keep him close.
"Yes. We've prepared this building for you and your entourage, Alpha Tristan." Andrew answered Tristan, making his way forward with a set of maids behind him. "They'll help you settle in."
Trust Andrew to save the day while I was burning with jealousy and though my eyes were glued to the spit where Tristan's hand met with Aurelia's back, I could still see the shock on the maids' faces as they peeped at Aurelia who they must all remember. It's only a matter of time before the news of her arrival spreads through the pack.
Tristan led Aurelia past Larisa and me, guiding her toward the door of the building that was right behind my home. I chose this building for a reason and I was here to welcome no one else but Aurelia back to the pack yet we didn't get to have a moment.
"Thank you." A little masked boy with curly dark blond hair said to one of the maids before taking another woman's hand. I didn't know what to think about the light blue face mask as my attention shifted to the little girl I once saw with Tristan. "You don't seem surprised to see her." Larisa's malicious voice resonated in my mind before I could get over my cloudy feelings. "That's Aurelia, right? You knew she was alive? Heck, you knew she would be coming?"
The accusation in Larisa's voice was clear. She stood before me, her hands on her hips and her pale face twisted in anger.
"You knew she would be coming yet you brought me here to welcome her back? To humiliate me?" She shouted at me through the mindlink.
"I told you not to come but you insisted." I chased under my breath and started walking back to my home even though a huge part of me longed to stay in front of that building just so I could have a moment with Aurelia. Larisa stormed after me but she didn't say anything to me until she shut the front door of my home behind her. "How can she be back? She's supposed to be dead!" Larisa snarled.
"Well, she isn't dead. She went missing that's all." I stared at her blankly, hating the idea of Aurelia's supposed death but I also didn't want to lash at the woman who had stayed by my side for many years just because she was in shock. "Why is she back, Raid? Please tell me she's just here for the games and you aren't still longing to be with her." Larisa murmured, her eyes searching mine as she moved closer to me. "Please, Raid."
Larisa held my gaze, silently accusing me with tears in her eyes.
Gosh, I didn't want to lie to her but heavens knew was still struggling with the truth myself. I was still in denial despite the heavy feeling in my heart. I wanted Aurelia back. F wanted her back in my arms, back in my life... I have missed the tasty
meals she used to prepasty
for just
me even though I never acknowledge her nor her efforts.
I missed everything about my destined mate.
"While you're admitting your feelings, perhaps it's time to accept that you've fallen in love with Aurelia even before she escaped and also
define your relationship with/Soe
Doing that will make life easier for us alt." Lex pointed out, feeling less cranky for the first time in a long time and it was definitely because Aurelia was in our pack.
In love with Aurelia? I wasn't sure about that but I was certain my feelings for Larisa had gradually faded over the years despite her efforts to run the pack with me and take on the role of Luna even though I hadn't installed her to that office officially.
"Say something Raid!" Larisa raised her voice, tears of frustration rolling down her cheeks despite her efforts to stay collected. "Tell me her return means nothing to you and-"
"She's is here to represent her pack in the games, Isa. There's no reason to cry from your assumptions." I lied through my teeth without blinking.
I wasn't sure she would take my
words for what they were as her eyes searched into mine. I could only hope that the newly discovered feelings in my heart would remain hiddenfor Larisa's sake because as much as I craved to have Aurelia back, a tiny part of me didn't want to keep hurting Larisa. I was indebted to her and she deserved so much more than-
"Pathetic. You're fucking pathetic and selfish!" My wolf gritted, scratching my mind just to express his displeasure.
Larisa on the other hand, smiled and closed the distance between us, wrapping her arms around my neck as she embraced me tightly. She sniffed, "She should be punished for running away, Raid and why would Alpha Tristan make her a member of his pack?"
It amazed me how Larisa could quickly switch personalities. One second she was a crying mess and the next a scheming vixen.ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .
"To use her against me," I whispered before I could think of how those words would sound to Larisa.
She pulled back from the hug, her brows furrowing, Obviously, she had questions but Andrew walked into the living room with a bowed head, unknowingly saving me from myself once again.
"Your attention is needed in the general pack house, Alpha," Andrew announced to me and I seized that opportunity to escape Larisa's questions. For now at least.
"Now that she's here, what's next?" Andrew asked, whispering as we walked towards the pack house.
With zero doubts, I answered, "Make sure she never leaves again."
But how do I achieve that without destroying Larisa and provoking a war? I asked myself but little did I know that I would willingly sacrifice everyone else to reunite with the woman I was secretly in love with.