Chapter 18: Chapter 18

Alex retreated to his study as quickly as he could. He could feel the raw pain of his mate and even hear her cries.

His heart wanted to comfort her but his head was against the idea. He had always gone along with his head and he wasn't going to do otherwise now. Even if it killed him.

Most importantly, he needed to find a way to stop this mate bond from messing with his head.

Alex hadn't been his usual self all night long and all morning. He blamed his mate for it. He still didn't know her name but after looking into her eyes, he could think of a name that would suit her–Crystal. Her eyes were bright and shined like two crystal stones placed side by side.

Realizing where his mind was drifting to, he shook his head. No, no he didn't and couldn't be thinking about her eyes or her perfectly sculpted lips.

What was wrong with him?

He face-palmed and sank his fingers into his hair and groaned.

She was in his system like a drug he couldn't get out. She was hurting and he hated himself for it.

Alex felt his heart reaching to console her and just when Alex was about to return to the cell, damning every consequence, Hendrix walked into his study to inform him that Alpha Jayden and his Luna were in his territory.

He hadn't heard them approach and it was all because of that girl she had made him so distracted.

Alex couldn't fathom what the man could want this time. He disliked the man enough and now he would have to be tied to his family too.

Whatever it was he wanted, he would keep him waiting long enough to offend him. The thought of irking alpha Jayden made him smirk, he enjoyed seeing him riled up and offended.

"Take them to the guest parlor,"

He instructed and Hendrix bowed before exiting the study.

A few hours should do it.

••••••••••

Alpha Jayden

The ride there was both awkward and uncomfortable for both Alpha Jayden and his wife and they wished it'd be over quickly.

Just when they felt things would move smoothly after reaching Crystal Moon Pack, they were both offended and upset to be kept waiting by the young and arrogant Alpha.

Stella hoped to meet the young Alpha and convince him to not agree to the marriage, while Alpha Jayden hoped to patch up their relationship for his daughter's sake, even of it would hurt his pride.

These plans went flying out the window when they were made to sit and await the Alpha. Although they were well taken care of by the maids, it was rude to keep another Alpha waiting. Nothing could be so important that would warrant such behavior especially from a young Alpha.

Stella was itching to complain about how poorly they were being treated, but she didn't know who to talk to as she wasn't exactly talking to her mate at the moment.

He seemed awfully comfortable though and it made her really upset.

Alpha Jayden could feel his wife's anger seeping through the bond, he could feel her every emotion but she couldn't feel his.

Alpha had known what the boy was playing at and he was in for the game. What he didn't know however, was that it was like a game of chess and the chessboard wasn't even available to his access. Alex determined how it began and how it ended.

"Alpha Jayden, how lovely it is to see you here again." Alex always entered a place gracefully and effortlessly and today was no different.

Stella stared up in awe at the magnificent man before her and every grudge she held against him vanished.

He was an epitome of beauty and power and she was certain that even the blind could tell.

She felt the need to cower before him and she nearly did until she remembered why she was here. As much as she wanted to admire him freely, she also knew he had her baby.

"How wonderful it is to see you again, Alpha Alexander."

Alpha Jayden managed to flash a convincing smile but Alex wasn't fooled.

"I apologize for keeping you both," Alex said not sounding sincere.

"It was no problem." Alpha Jayden lied and Stella glared at him in anger.

"What do you mean?" Stella blinked in incredulity. "It was a problem." Stella opposed, trying but failing at keeping calm.

"I once again apologize," Alex said looking at Stella in amusement. He liked her but he disliked her husband.

"So why are you here if I may ask?" Alex asked, still struggling to keep a light tone.

"Where's my daughter?"

Stella asked with her eyes narrowed into crinkled slits, sounded upset. She wasn't cowering. Impressive. Alex liked it.

"What daughter?" Alex was genuinely confused

"The same one you have hidden in your Kingdom." She retorted angrily

"There's no one-" Alex started but suddenly halted when he remembered his mate.

It couldn't be but it made perfect sense. The accent and her arrival at night.... Had she run from home?

Was the maid outfit a disguise?

"There is someone though, a considered spy. She is locked up in my cell," Alex said thoughtfully.

"You locked up my child?"

Stella wanted to yell at him but just couldn't so her accusation sounded very calm and harmless to her utter dismay.

•••••••

Alex led them silently to the cell where Mia was sitting on the floor as she relayed the story she was telling earlier to Cara, Anne and Annabel who had come back to hear the end of the story.

They all sat around her with undivided attention.

The story was about to come to an end when she heard her mother's voice. "My baby!"

She rose and stared at her mother in shock. Her mother had tears in her eyes and Mia suddenly felt terrible for making her go through so much worry.

'I warned you,' Storm chirped in.

"Mom," Mia whispered with her mouth agape. How did they find her?

All the time she had threatened the guards that her father was coming to get her, she didn't believe it herself but here they were looking so worried and tired.

Mia's heart sank and her shoulders sagged. She felt foolish and sorry.

"Open this cell this minute!"

Stella commanded Gerald who stood protectively in front of the cell gate, totally ignoring her mom.

He looked at Alpha Alexander who gave a curt nod before adhering and opening the cell.

Mia wasted no time in running out of the cell, leaving her maid friends behind and throwing herself into her mother's arms, telling her how sorry she was.

Her dad stood beside Alex and watched the emotional display.

This was the girl he was betrothed to, the same one who had plague his night and day?

'At least that uncomplicates things a bit,' Max pointed out and Alex couldn't help but to agree.