Chapter 127: Chapter 127

/Aiden's POV/

Rose is pregnant. That's a constant thought buzzing in my head, words whirling in my ears. She's carrying my pup, which can very well harm her. Moons, I cursed under my breath while watching her walk out of the door.

The constant fear of my mate not coming back to me was draining; I didn't have any power over those thoughts. Ever since I confessed to Rose about us being mates, things have gradually shifted between us. At least for me, feeling a huge weight being lifted off my shoulders.

I have always been scared of having pups, baring a huge responsibility when I barely had anyone to look upto. Hearing my mate confirm my suspicion about her pregnancy, elated me. There's no one else I could trust into starting a family with. Perhaps not quite so early, not when things took such a drastic turn for our pack and my father. But still, I kept those fears hidden away and tried to look at the bright side, only for Jade to say that.

The thought of something happening to Rose made my heart clench, a lump lodge in my throat that was difficult to swallow. I did not want to be left behind without her; I cannot imagine going through the entire thing on my own.

With a sigh, I stood up and rushed to the bathroom. Turning on the knob of the shower, I forced my head down, clenching my eyes shut. The gush of water took a few seconds to get warm, but I gritted my teeth and did not move out of the spray, the shock to my system a surprisingly pleasant one.

I tipped my head back once the temperature rose, steam encasing the room and wiped my hands over my face, applying pressure. With that, I hoped it would push away the image of my mate's devastated and betrayed look back at the witch's place. Muttering out a silent curse, I ignored the stirrings in his belly. I methodically started washing my hair and body, letting my mind drift to the conversation I would undoubtedly share with Rose.

How will she react to my request? I knew that Rose might face difficulty while taking this decision, but it's essential for her. For our sake.

Turning off the shower, I stepped out of the room, quickly slipping into a new hoodie and pair of jeans. My eyes shifted towards the clock in the room, teeth digging in my bottom lip. Rose must be back soon, so with that thought, I decided to wait for her in the living hall.

The wood burner filled the entire room with resin and smouldering logs, making me sigh at the warmth around. It crackled and creaked but did little to lift the heavy silence looming in the room.

My fingertips dug into the spaces between my ribs. I didn't feel any chills, but there's a shiver I could not seem to shake that was coursing through my body, and it went along with the tingling that I felt at the back of my neck; a general unease making my body thrum with it, heart beating fast.

Following that, Liam burst in through the slightly ajar doors, his hair dishevelled and a sheen of sweat covering his purple face. The beta placed a hand on his chest, heaving and gasping while trying to catch on his breath.

"Liam? What's going on?"

"Slyvie...she's here."

Breath hitched in my throat as soon as those words washed over me. Slyvie was here. The same omega who left me all those years ago without an explanation. My vision went blurry for a few seconds, unable to focus on the beta standing in front of me, mind whirling with hundred different thoughts.

Immediately I thought back to the woman who would look up, lush, thick curls a mess on her sweet head, with a pointed nose and pink cheeks as she whispered back softly, urgent and unsteady, "I will always be by your side, Aiden."

I felt my breath catch sharply at the memory, the jolt pulling me straight back to the present just as the beta nudged my arm. "Aiden! Are you listening to me?"

"Huh?"

"That idiot is now a Luna! Can you believe it?"

My mouth opened and closed at that, loss of words, tongue feeling heavy. That shy, naive omega was a Luna? I couldn't believe my friend, hands falling by my sides in shock.

"H-How?"

"I have no idea! She introduced herself as a Luna and asked me to arrange a meeting with you right away." He muttered under his breath, lips twisting. "The audacity of that woman! Still shameless."

"Liam." I interrupted him. "Where is she?"

"I asked her to wait outside the boundary."

I slumped on the couch with an audible thud, exhaling loudly. My friend took a step further, placing a hand on my shoulder. The touch was enough to jerk me from the ongoing internal battle, tilting my head at him.

"Do you want to meet her?"

"I don't know."

"Uhh...I would have suggested against it, but Aiden, Slyvie said it's an urgent business matter."

"Fine!" I stood up; jaw clenched tight. "Send her to the council room then."

***

Standing in the corner of the room, I folded my hands behind, watching the closed door. If she’s a Luna, I could not simply turn her away, or it would cause a massive scandal. Especially if her pack decided to retaliate and we were already in the middle of a war with someone.

I could not believe that we would be seeing each other after so many years, the burn of her betrayal still shining bright in my chest. What did she want to do now? Apologise? Too late for that!

A few seconds later, I heard the sound of footsteps approaching me, and I thought I might choke; my head bowed low and deep as I listened attentively for the clacking of two pairs of heels against the floor. The count stretched on, painful and unforgivingly prolonged, somehow in time with the heavy tempo of my heart.

I swallowed harshly and bit on my lip, desperate to control myself, not wanting to let my head snap upward. Some hushed whispers were coming from the other side, probably Liam leaving as the doors slammed shut.

It was muscle memory that made me stretch out tall, graceful, and proper, my neck extended as I faced Sylvie, my expression blank. I could not help myself but stare unabashedly at the Luna, through a mask of cool nonchalance, my gaze taking in every piece of her.

She looked different—older, graceful and confident. Years have been good to her, I thought under my breathtaking in the expensive clothing from head to toe along with her bright smile. The hidden fire in me blazed bright and robust, licking up my spine as I watched the omega make her way only to stand in front of me.

"Aiden!" Her lips broke out in a gummy smile as she bridged the last couple of feet between us. She was so close that I could smell solid yet sweet hints of raspberry that were still like a punch to my senses. "Moons, thanks for seeing me." Slyvie breathed, and for a split second, she hesitated, seemingly unsure of himself, which is an odd look on her.

The omega took me by surprise as I was suddenly enveloped in a tight hug by her arms, her face buried in my chest. I froze at the action; my arms remained stiff at my sides. Sucking a sharp breath, I took a step back and abruptly pulled from the hug, taking in her fallen face.

"I would appreciate it if you keep your distance."

Colour drained her face even further, shoulders sagging in defeat. "Aiden, please...don't be like that."

"What are you doing here, Slyvie?" I glared at her, my arms coming to cross against my chest, stomach sinking. For a long time, I harboured a hopeless thought that she would come back to me and give an explanation for leaving me. Now that she was standing in front of me, I had no idea where to begin.

She took a step further, close enough that I could still get a whiff of her scent, but it did not affect me anymore.

"Well, uh...." The omega started and pulled her lower lip between her teeth for a moment. "I heard about your mother and your pack being on the brink of the war. Your mother's pack is ruthless; they have won every war they fought. If you don't mind, my pack would like to help you—I mean your pack to get out of this situation. We are well equipped and trained for these battles." And she trailed off, smile faltering a little when the omega took in my blank expression. "Please give me a chance to prove myself."

My arms fell by my sides, eyes squinting together as I tried to understand the tone at the end. It was different as if she was trying to hint at something else. Before I could reply, the door was pushed open, making me still on the spot. Rose. I could sense her the moment she took her first step in, my eyes going wide.

Slyvie sneered, chin raising high as she focused all her attention towards the door, lips pinched together. “Who allowed you in?”

Rage bubbled in my stomach at her angry tone, mouth opening to retort when Rose cut me off.

“Why do I need anyone's permission to see my mate?” The omega scoffed as she came to stand next to her, an arm lacing around my bicep. At the whiff of vanilla and roses, the uneasiness in my chest diminished, eyes meeting hers. Her eyes still looked swollen, purple hues under them, cheeks puffy, and lines adorning her skin.

“Mate?!” Slyvies uncharacteristic screech pulled me out of my thoughts. “Y-You…Aiden…What is this woman saying?”

Turning to her, I slowly nodded my head with a twitch of my lips, watching the horrified look on her face. “She’s right. Sylvie, meet Rose, my mate.”

Silence settled over us, Slyvies mouth opening and closing like a fish as she shifted her attention between us. The omega spluttered, quickly composing her face into a weak smile. “Oh? I had no idea. Sorry.” With that, the omega took a step forward, forwarding her hand in my mate's direction.

“Hi, Rose. You must not know me. I am Luna Slyvie of the Brightmoon Pack…” Her suggestive wriggle turned to me for a second. “Umm…We used to go out for a while, but things did not work out.”

“I know you.” Rose flatly said, plastering a confident smile on her face. “Aiden told me all about your relationship with him.”

I watched as my ex-girlfriend’s face shifted again, the glow in her eyes dimming as she quickly pulled the hand away. “Oh…wow! Did he now?” She giggled unabashedly, quirking her brow.

“Yes. We are mates, after all.”

“Right.”

I hummed, turning to pull her close, my arm snaking around her waist. Rose flinched as my fingers brushed along the pudge of her tummy. I nosed along her side, breathing in her scent when I sensed distress radiating off her.

Leaning forward, I pushed my face in the crook of her sweaty neck before breathing. “Baby, you don’t look well. Did something happen on your way here? Talk to me.”

Rose turned to me, shaking her head and taking a step back. The omega frantically pointed towards the door, making a face, eyes turning wild and mouth parting with an audible gasp. “No! Everything is messed up, Aiden. On my way back, I saw a body…she is from our pack.” My mate shakily said, her arms coming to wrap around her sides, squirming. “Someone killed her and left her to die on the rock in the middle of the woods.”

***