Chapter 82: Chapter 82

"Because I realised I still have feelings for you, Rose."

I stopped breathing for a few seconds, eyes widening slightly in his direction. What was he saying? Swallowing the lump formed in my throat, I swiped my tongue over my chapped bottom lip, wincing.

“W-What are you saying, Zain?”

He took a step further, the familiar scent making my nose flare. From up close, I could see the purple hue under his eyes, cheekbones sunken, lines marring his face and a dull look overall. Like he had been having little to no sleep these days.

“I was a fool to let you go…Please forgive me, Rose.”

Something alight in my chest at that, my teeth ground together. Crossing my arms, I openly glared at him, not missing the way he stiffened. “It’s too late for this. Besides, what brought this on? I thought you were happy with your choice.”

The Alpha sagged his shoulders, a defeated sigh escaping him. “My mate cheated on me. She was in a relationship before but broke up with him after finding me.” Rubbing a hand over his face, Zain stared at the trees behind me, unable to meet my eyes. “I think she thought that the mate pull was superior to everything. We did not even bond before she changed her mind and went back to him. That’s when it hit me; what a fool I have been all this time. I could have stayed with you instead of letting us down like this, chose you, and we would be happy together.”

A silence befell us as I thought about the possibility of our future together. Maybe we would have been a lovely couple if not for the cruel twist of fate. But Zain made his choice, and he will have to live with it just like I did. Nothing we do can erase the things that happened or control the future events, so it’s futile.

“Rose? Please say something….”

I opened and closed my mouth, stomach clenching at the look on his face. As much as his deeds hurt me, Zain was still someone I liked at one point in my life. He might have chosen someone else, but I earnestly hoped for him to be happy.

“I-I am sorry about your mate, Zain.”

He bitterly chuckled, the sound empty and hollow as it echoed. Shaking his head, the Alpha met my eyes. “I thought you would be happy or say something along the lines of I deserve this.”

“Then you don’t know me at all.” I huffed.

“At least I know better than that husband of yours….”

“Mind your language, Zain. Don’t forget he is the Pack Alpha of this territory.”

“I don’t care!” He let out a frustrated sound, fingers running through his hair before tugging on them. “I have heard things about him, Rose. Terrible ones. He hates omegas, so how do you want me to believe that you are both happy? We can start over. It’s not too late for that.”

Rolling my eyes, I let out a scoff, trying to not scream back at him. How could the Alpha openly say these things about Aiden while standing a few feet away from the packhouse? It’s as if Zain was looking for trouble. There was no way he thought I would believe in him after all the things that went down between us.

“You are talking crazy.” I pinned him with a look, my lips parting. “Aiden treats me like his wife. We are pleased with the way things are between us, so you need to stop this and go back.”

Lies. Every single one of them was a lie, but he did not need to know that. Before he could reply, I saw Liam and Damon racing towards us. That was all it took for Zain to sober up and join them, a breath whooshing out of my lungs. Finally!

“Luna?” Liam turned over his shoulder, his brow raised as I stood in the middle of the path, hunched over. “Are you not joining us?”

With a burst of nervous laughter, I nodded my head, my feet reluctantly dragging me towards them. “Let’s go.”

***

All the while I sat in the living room with Alexander in front of me, guilt swarmed in my belly. The Senior Pack Alpha was unaware of my past with Zain, and it made my face red that I purposely concealed it.

Liam and Damon were busy talking our ears, mostly planning for their schedule so Aiden’s friend could meet as many omegas as possible. Damon seemed a little too eager to find a mate. I thought to myself.

As soon as the footsteps echoed in the living room, I looked up only to see Aiden walk in with his ever so effortless elegance and aura of power. My breath hitched, watching his charming green eyes, pointed roman nose, full lips to his loose brown curls framing his face.

His arm was draped around my waist, keeping me near him as we walked to the table. I could feel several eyes on us, watching where the Alphas hand rested.

I tried so hard to not look at them and get affected, but it seemed nearly impossible from how many pairs of eyes were trained on both of us. What must be going through their minds?

Aiden was putting on a show. I could see that and for now, I had no option but to go along with it. At least after the confession from Zain and my lies about our bond.

Once we reached the dining room, Aiden sat down on the elegant chair; his eyes found mine again, a softness appearing in them. "Come sit next to me," The Alpha patted on his right, and I complied, trying not to swoon at his stare. Closing the distance between us, I stood beside him and bit my lip out of second nature as my eyes went to look over others sitting around the table.

I could feel their looks on me, some staring with curiosity, other with approval and respect, and Zain eyeing us with rage and jealousy.

“Sure.”

The smile that Aiden offered me was warm and genuine, and a sudden gust of wind blew through the room, sending the curtains flapping and my loose strands kissing the side of my face. I shivered at the drop in temperature, glancing out the window, baffled. The sun was still shining bright, but it was windy.

Alexander cleared his throat, gaining our attention. “Beth made some special dishes as we are having guests today.”

Liam made a cheerful sound; his grin barely concealed as he kept on staring at the kitchen alley. The maids, along with Beth, came rushing out, carrying out several dishes. I raised my head, watching in curiosity as the bowls and plates were placed in front of us, my stomach rumbling. A flood of saliva gushed in my mouth, eyes twinkling as I stared at the steaming grilled meat.

The beginning of our meal was quiet, cutlery scraping together. At the very least, we had some time before it became awkward to continue in silence. Liam was the first one to speak, praising Beth as he cut into his lasagna.

“Thank you, Liam.” The housekeeper smiled warmly as she bought a huge wooden bowl of chickpea salad. I grimaced at that, my throat itching, toes curling underneath the table.

“You should try this, Rose!” Aiden perked up, his hand already reaching out and scooping some of it. Before I count say something, the Alpha placed it on my plate. “Beth uses a secret spice along with pepper. You will love it.”

Before I could open my mouth to answer, someone cut me off.

“She is allergic to chickpeas.” Zain suddenly spoke up, his eyes narrowed together and on edge. “You both are mates.” The Alpha chuckled, shaking his head. “How can you not know that, Alpha Aiden?”

At that, my stomach swooped and plummets, my body stilling in the seat. Slowly, I turned to my side, watching as Aiden’s jaw clenched tight, face turning red as he met his eyes. My hands started visibly shaking with nerves, spoon clattering on the plate.

“Huh? How did you know that? Are you both that close to each other?” Alexander noted, his eyes flickering between Zain and me.

Hardening my stance, I pressed my lips in a straight line. “Used to be. We were in the same pack, Alexander.”

“Oh!” The Senior Pack Alpha chuckled. “That explains it.”

With a deep exhale, I picked the fork from the side and dug in the salad. My skin prickled with goosebumps, the hair on the back of my neck standing up as I closed my mouth around it. “Thanks for your concern, Alpha Zain. I am not the same omega you know anymore.”