Chapter 23: Chapter 23

Alex Heartman

Alex ran his hand through his hair in frustration. He was hungry as he had missed breakfast earlier that morning to avoid being in Mia's presence.

He wanted a break from his disarray emotions and her alluring presence that was why he had abandoned his meal earlier that morning.

He wished his emotions could be like the day after the demon had possessed him. At least, he didn't have to battle with her emotions entangling with his.

Alex sat in his study trying to do some work but nothing was working these days. Not his Pack, not his marriage which had been doomed to fail from the very start. Not even his mind was working, and not his damn pen!

Nothing was working, absolutely nothing.

Alex tossed the pen aside as he struggled to coordinate his thoughts and emotions that had  been predominantly on Mia since the moment she arrived his Pack.

Alex suddenly felt bubbling joy surge through him, making him curse under his breath. She was at it again and he couldn't help but wonder why the hell she was always happy, not always though. He had made her sad again this morning when he had ignored and left her feeling stupid during breakfast.

He sighed heavily, Why did it hurt so much when she was hurting?

Alex stared at the white roses on his desk. He had picked them up from his garden after exiting the dining, lying to himself that he wasn't doing so for her, but because he liked the way they looked and smelled.

He had never been a flower person and the moment he had seen those flowers, she was the first person that came to his mind and his fingers itched to give it to her.

He wouldn't though, he'd lose said fingers first before showing any signs of affection towards that woman.

His mind soon drifted to Mia again and he cursed the mate bond. What on Earth was the moon goddess thinking when she gave him a mate, one who was doomed to suffer? He doubted she even thought it through.

Mia...

Alex shut his eyes listening carefully to her heartbeat. It always managed to calm his nerves and assure him of her safety. Her heartbeat soon grew louder with each passing second and Alex could feel her alluring presence. He was really going insane that he could even perceive her scent so prominently, it almost seemed like she was right beside him.

"Are you asleep?" Her sharp voice sounded from behind him.

Alex jerked up with such speed that his back crooked.

He spun and widened his eyes at Mia in shock. He hadn't heard the door open, nor had he heard footsteps. Did she somehow manage to appear inside his study?

"How did you get past my guards?" Alex asked in a suspicious tone, squinting an eye at her.

"Good afternoon to you too." Mia kept her smile as she looked upon his disoriented countainance.

She maneuvered her way to the front of his table and he turned, sitting in his chair.

She had startled him and it was obvious as his chest heaved. His hair was scattered and they fell to his forehead cutely. She felt the urge to run her fingers through them. She still remembered how soft they felt the other night.

She was still a bit upset about his behavior that morning. She just could not wrap her head around what was making him so cold towards her. She was his mate.

Once she was done seeing her parents off to their carriage, she had come straight here to see her mate. She hadn't stopped thinking and fantasizing about him all day and she was more than satisfied to be in his presence even when it was hostile.

"And besides, I'm the Luna of this Pack. I have every right to be anywhere I please," she said sweetly, anyone would think they are having a light conversation about chocolates and the weather.

"Mia, I have work to do. I don't have time for this." Alex sighed, avoiding her gaze as he pretended to be going through some files.

Heat spread up her neck and she pressed her lips together to conceal a smile. It was the first time he had called her by her name and she  liked it. Goddess she was hopeless.

"Last time I checked, you weren't exactly working when I walked in," She retorted, shutting the files in his face and bending over his desk.

When Alex dared to raise his head, he was startled once again to see her face so close to his. His gaze snagged on her pink lips for a second before he finally averted it to the table.

"Well, I am now," He said dismissively. He had noticed she didn't feel the effect he had on others and was not surprised when she stayed put.

"We need to talk." Her smile dropped alongside her voice.

This was going to be a long day.

•••••••••

Gerald hated to break news like the one he was carrying to the Alpha's study. He feared for his life every minute and bearing a news like this would definitely signify his death. But he unfortunately had no choice.

He knocked once and pushed the door open. It was how things went because the Alpha always knew when he was coming but today was different as he was too distracted by his mate in a heated stare down to notice.

"Sire," Gerald called as he entered the study.

Alex and Mia juddered, they didn't hear when he walked in.

Alex snapped his gaze from Mia's quickly and stared intensely at Gerald.

"I bring news," he announced as Mia smiled up at him.

"Go on," Alex commanded, noticing the way Mia was smiling at his Chief.

Why was she smiling so brightly at him like that?

Alex's nose tingled and his chest constricted. What was that alien feeling in his heart?

Mia was happy to see him again even if he had kept her prisoner, she understood that he was only following orders.

Gerald felt a whole lot safer with Luna there, making it a lot easier to blurt out the terrible news. He didn't know why, but he did.

"Two wolves were found dead in the woods today." Gerald held his breath, ready for his alpha's wrath to descend upon him.

Alex peered at him from over his thick lashes emotionlessly still trying to understand what he had just said.

On the other hand, Mia gasped.