Chapter 25: Chapter 25

/His POV/

Ria was irritated, her mouth twisted and grumbling. I could sense the shift in her mood as we began walking towards the packhouse. We were in the middle of the conversation when someone interrupted us. One of the betas called us for lunch, announcing my mate made it.

Having no choice, I followed behind the beta, showing false excitement to try the dish.

"Can you believe her?"

I whipped my head towards my friend. "What now?"

Ria threw her hands in the air. "Be that way! Why would you care about your friend's feelings now? Rose is your mate, after all."

My brows furrowed at that. What was she hinting at? I never got her when Ria talked in such a puzzling manner. Wrapping a hand around her wrist, I stopped her.

"Now tell me what's going on?"

She pouted, averting her gaze. "I don't want to cause a rift between you two."

Between us? I almost scoffed. Nothing she would say would affect me. We are barely mates, even if you could call us that. The only reason I did not reject her yet was for my father, who insisted on holding the Pack Alpha position over my head. If not for that, I might have sent her back as early as possible.

An image of her face flashed in front of me, but I shook it off. It did not matter if we were mates, she didn't know that, and I hoped to keep it that way.

"Spit it out already."

"Earlier, I planned on making your favourite pasta for you. Almost had everything ready when your mate barged in the kitchen. She ordered me to get out so that she can make the pasta for you."

My teeth grind together at that. How could she do that to my friend? I think my people calling her Luna got to her head. She needed to be humbled as soon as possible.

"Did she really?"

"Yes. You can ask Beth if you want."

I rolled my eyes. "I believe you, Ria. And I apologise on behalf of her behaviour. I am not sure why she would treat you this way."

"Oh no!" My friend shook her head, lips quivering. "You don't have to apologise. She's your mate and future Luna of this pack, so obviously, it might have got to her a bit."

"Still, I will talk to her"

Ria hummed, turning around and staggering towards the Packhouse. From her hunched figure, dim eyes and the change in her pheromones, it became abundantly clear that Rose actions stung her. More than she admitted.

My jaw clenched. I had to something.

***

I shifted in my seat, feeling Rose intense stare settle on me. The omega was upset at the way Ria treated her but rules are rules. As my friend said, they cannot be changed for anyone no matter what. My shoulders slumped, staring at her defeated face as she chewed on the pasta, eyes pooling with tears.

"Happy?" Rose asked, turning towards my friend with a pointed glare.

"I do not mean to annoy you, Rose. We have to follow certain rules in this pack."

The omega didn't say anything, just looked away, eyes focused on the walls. Her blood must be boiling hearing my friend show her place. Despite that the tension sizzled in the air, making the hair on the back of my neck stand up. No one spoke anything, looking at each other.

Just then my housekeeper inched closer to me, her lips twitching nervously. "Now that the tasting is done, Aiden, you should try it. The pasta smells wonderful, don't you think?"

Oh, what the heck. I had to agree with that. The minute I stepped inside the pack house, that's all I could smell. And obviously Rose heavy thick scent. My mouth watered as the lid was opened to reveal the lemon lobster pasta. I eyed the omega for a second, noticing the sudden shift in her behaviour as she turned towards me.

"Hmm" I dug my fork in the pasta and gave it a cautious bite enough to get a flavour. A moan escaped my lips; my eyes rolled back as the tangy sauce hit the taste buds.

"Didn't I tell you that it's wonderful?" The housekeeper smiled at me before shifting her attention to Rose. From the corner of my eyes, I peeked at my mate, who blushed furiously, hiding her cheeks in between her hands. Did she want me to like the dish? Or what if it's one of the plans to make the pack members like her? After what Ria told me, it could be possible.

Few bites later, I started to feel warmer than usual. Was it the air around the room? Sweat dripped off my forehead. What was going on?

My friend Ria nudged me. "What happened?"

"Uh... I don't know-" My breath caught in my throat, making it difficult for me to talk. The tongue in my mouth felt heavy, swollen almost and not letting me talk.

Tears started accumulating in my eyes, and it got increasingly difficult to see anything. Ria was already on her feet, handing me the glass of water. Beth's about to fetch me tissues from inside, but I sneezed loudly, wiping my nose on the sleeve of my shirt and swearing under my breath.

"Is it your allergy?" Ria frantically said, patting my back to see if it would help relieve the discomfort. "Can you talk to me?"

I shook my head, gulping the water with extreme difficulty, throat bobbing. I noticed Rose peering at me, her eyes wide and trying to inch closer. Like our eyes, I felt another wave of dizziness, blood suddenly rushing away from my head.

Ria accusingly flashed her eyes at my mate. "What did you put in his food?"

"N-Nothing" The Omega trembled, rooted in her spot.

My eyes started spinning, energy rapidly declining as my head drooped into the chair, wheezing, trying to catch my breath. I couldn't make out what the pack members were trying to say.

Beth returned with the tissues. "I think it's his allergies. Get his shot from the cabin."

"I-I'll go", The Omega whispered quietly, suddenly on alert. Before she could turn around and make her way, Ria tugged on her wrist and stopped.

"Haven't you done enough already?" Ria yelled at the top of her voice. "I'll get the shot for him. You don't move from here!"

Rose cowered in fear; head bowed down.

My friend hurriedly turned to me. "Stay awake, Aiden! I'll get you the shot in a minute!"

I continued to cough, choking for air. My fingers started to swell as well, tips of them turning red. The need to itch all over was clawing at my chest, but I held out, gripping tightly to the table.

Rose scrambled to the kitchen and, within few seconds, returned with a glass of saltwater. She handed it to me. "P-Please drink this. It will make you vomit every bit of food you have eaten."

***