Chapter 48: Chapter 48

/Aiden's POV/

"Liam," I started, staring up at my mother with wide eyes. She was sitting by the edge of her bed, legs folded together and an arm wrapped around her belly. As a five-year-old who heard a lot of unfamiliar words, I needed to have my doubts cleared. Who better than the Luna of the Pack? "My friend said his big sister found her mate last week. They will also bond. What does that mean, mum?"

"It means that they will mate for life," She had her lips twisted. "The one she is mated bites her on the neck, severe their ties and promise to love and protect her forever. It's an extraordinary period of our life." The Luna smiled at me softly.

I chewed on my lip, mind whirling with the information that's been poured over, almost too much for my young mind to handle. But I held tight to the threads twisting around me.

"Do I have a mate too?" I asked quietly, brows furrowing as Liam's word echoed in my ears. For a second, I wondered if my mate will watch action movies with me and shift under the tree. We could also go to the bridge on our own and stare at the pretty sun.

"Yes, you do," My mother grinned widely. She held out her arms expectantly, and I barrelled into her with a giggle, inhaling the familiar and safe scent of her sweet perfume. "One day, you will find your mate, and you'll never want to let them go darling," Her fingers caressed the curls falling on my face. "And you're going to be so happy and make your mate happy."

One day, I thought, still unable to fully comprehend a concept so grand and life-changing. Distractedly nodding my head, I cuddled into my mother's arms and asked her to read me an adventure story, laughing and shrieked with my head tipped back to smile up at the ceiling, lips sore from stretching so wide.

With a jolt, I woke up and looked around, glimpses of the hazy, lightening sky peeking in through the curtains. A glance at the clock told him it's six in the morning. Slowly, I exhaled, letting every ounce of restlessness seep out of my body until my body felt utterly lax.

Blinking against the dark, I rubbed my face, my skin bathed in sweat yet cold to the touch and fingers trembling. The events of last night flashed in my mind, playing like a film. Just like my mother predicted, I found my mate, but Rose is unaware of the truth.

If not for the painful reminder of my past with the omegas, I would have kissed Rose senselessly against the wall. What was she doing to me? Somehow I felt helpless staying away from her, captivated by those large orbs, a silly furrow in between her brows, round pink lips.

Maybe it's the attraction from my Alpha side. Then again, it has been a while since I knotted anyone, none after my bond with Rose. It was that one night where we faked having sex, but that's it. Not that there haven't been any opportunities, but I stayed away. Why was I holding back? With war looming over my head, I shouldn't be thinking about these things.

Shaking my head, I picked the phone from my nightstand to call Ria. The beta needs to be reprimanded for what she did with Rose. I could feel anger bubbling in my lower belly like hot molten lava as I clenched my eyes, pressing my fingers against my throbbing temples.

"Ria", I barked, a low growl escaping my throat as soon as she lifted my call.

"A-Aiden? What's going on?"

"Why did you lie to me? You are better than that!" I didn't mean for my voice to come out so cold or the wrath to seep into my thoughts to the point it rushed out through my words.

"Umm....what are you talking about?"

I huffed, tugging at the end of my strands. "You left Rose at the mall, and when I asked about her, you told me she's busy shopping. Why would you do that?!"

There was a whimper from her side followed by silence for few more seconds before she spoke. "I...I am sorry, Aiden. She was so fast I lost track of her, and then I didn't know what to tell you."

"The truth Ria! Always tell me the truth. You know how much I hate people lying to my faces, and yet you went ahead and did the same thing."

She's been one of my good friends for a long time who knew things that ticked me off. I expected better from her. Ria was rambling from the other side, trying to convince me, but I just hung up. Slamming the phone back on the bed, I dragged myself to the bathroom and stood under the cold shower till the icy water pelted and burned my body.

***

The carpeted floor rendered the omegas steps noiseless, though it means it's silent enough for me to hear her heart beating. A frantic, loud rhythm that contrasted spectacularly with her face. I pulled my hand away from Ria's hold as she's trying to apologise and make things right.

My breath stuck in my throat as Rose's eyes focused on our hands. It was dark because of the gloom surrounding us, the only light source coming from inside the room. When she collided against the doorframe to get out, I ran behind my mate and convinced her to hear Ria out.

"Why is she in our cabin?" The omega hissed, stubbornly crossing her arms, lips twisting wryly.

My lips twitched as she referred to the place as our, but I quickly shook my head. The focus was necessary. Clearing the thoughts in my head, I stared at my mate.

"I already told you she wants to talk."

"We could have done it in the packhouse."

"I know, but it's cold outside, and I didn't want to send her back without a cup of tea."

"Fine, I'll talk to her and send her away."

***

The polished wood underneath my feet was reassuring, helping to bring me back to earth as we sat opposite each other. As I breathed, condensed dew left my lips, spilling into the air and fading into nothingness. With a sigh, I bought the hot cup to his lips and barely flinched as the steaming hot liquid burned my tongue.

Ria and Rose kept staring at each other, not making any effort to break the tension lingering in the room. I bit the inside of my cheek, wincing as blood gushed and met my tongue. My forehead dropped, trying to think of a way to make it right.

Besides, I needed to be numb for tonight, experience the war situation with a clear head, shouldn't let my emotions get the better of me. That would make me an easy target and put the entire pack at risk.

"Ria", I cleared my throat. "I believe you have something to say to Rose."

The beta stared at me for solid two seconds before giving in. She turned towards Rose with a weak smile on her face. "Yes. I wanted to apologise to you for leaving you at the mall."

I stared at Rose, who didn't look appeased, merely crossed her arms.

"Okay, say the words then."

"What?!" Ria shrieked, eyes going wide. Her eyes flashed towards me as if she was hoping I would intervene. I shrugged in response. That was not an unreasonable request at all.

"I already said I feel apologetic. Isn't that enough?"

Rose stubbornly raised her head. "No."

"Say the words, Ria. It's not that hard." I huffed.

Grinding her molars together, the beta shot daggers at both of us. "I am sorry, Rose."

The victorious grin on the omegas face lasted for a second before she quickly covered up and took a sip of her tea. I never imagined Rose had such a petty side to her. Interesting.

***