Chapter 4 Four

• ASTRID'S POV.
• Three Days Later.
• It was the Greenstone pack's mating ceremony, and Alpha Halfdan and Camilla, my cousin, were going to be announced officially as mates.
• Alpha Dane was the Alpha of the Red Moon pack, and there was no way he wasn't going to attend the ceremony even if he had no intentions of attending it.
• I tried to stay back at the mansion, but he refused, hauling me out at night for the ceremony.
• We had arrived at the Pack's hall, and I was about to get out of the car when Alpha Dane grabbed my hand and stopped me in my tracks.
• I turned to look at him, and for some reason, I noticed a tint of concern in his expression. I was about to withdraw my hand out of his grip, but he tightened it even more.
• "No matter what, Princess... Never leave my sight… Is that clear?" He commanded, his words sending a cold shiver down my spine.
• His unexpected demand added a layer of unease to the already tense atmosphere, leaving me unsettled by the weight of his words.
• He released my hand, diverting his attention and exiting the car. Striding towards the door on the other side, he opened it with a deliberate gesture, the movements carrying an air of controlled authority.
• "Is that clear?" He asked once more, extending his hand to assist me in stepping out of the car.
• I nodded in agreement, disbelief etched across my face. Taking his offered hand, he assisted me in stepping out of the car.
• He was supposed to be cruel and unconcerned about me, but here he was, helping me get out of the car.
• I wrapped my fingers around his as we headed towards the entrance of the Pack's Hall, where the ceremony would take place.
• We took our seats, settling down as the lights dimmed, and Alpha Halfdan along with Camilla were ushered into the hall to the accompaniment of soft music, setting the stage for what was to unfold.
• I turned back to watch them walk in, and the way Camilla smiled with Halfdan in her grip made me feel a tinge of regret.
• Who would have guessed that one day I'd be sitting on a chair, watching my high-school crush and the Alpha I thought was my mate become mated with my own Cousin?
• Tears streamed down my face, and I did not hesitate to reach for my cheek and wipe them away. I shifted my gaze away from them and looked to the table, fumbling with my fingers.
• I struggled to hold back the tears that threatened to fall from my eyes. It was a difficult and heartbreaking scene.
• "You must pay! They'll pay!" I grumbled under my breath as memories of being forced to sign the divorce papers flooded back to me.
• I was still attempting to gather my thoughts when the seer's voice cut through them, causing me to lift my gaze to the altar, where they stood clutching each other's hands.
• "We crown Camilla Safiya the new Luna of the Greenstone pack!" He proclaimed, and everyone rejoiced. They kissed at the altar, which made things worse.
• I remembered how, a few months ago, he held me and promised never to let go. At this time, I couldn't hold back my emotions and I couldn't control myself.
• I rose to my feet and dashed out of the hall, rushing to wherever the goddess directed me. Soon, I found myself standing by the pool of the mansion.
• Because no one was closer to the pool, I wailed at the top of my lungs, "AHHHH!!" Bitterness ran through my veins, and tears didn't stop trickling down my cheeks.
• "I detest you so much! Halfdan, I hate you so much! I really do!" I cried softly this time because I didn't want to draw attention to myself, but I guess I already had.
• "Well look who is here crying all alone!" Camilla's voice boomed over the tranquil setting, causing me to turn to look at her.
• "Are you that sad that he chose me over you, pretty cousin?" Camilla growled as she approached me, hands clasped across her chest.
• I didn't say anything to her; all I wanted was to be left alone, but apparently that wasn't in her dictionary.
• "Astrid, I kept wondering where you were. I know I saw you, but I never expected you to come out here and keep crying like a child! Deal with it, sister... I am better than you are!" She snapped and wore a cheeky look on her lips, which annoyed me to the core.
• "I think you should mind your business, Camilla!" I eventually let out as I wiped the tears from my face.
• I was going to walk past her, but her next sentence stopped me dead in my tracks.
• "I am pregnant for Alpha Halfdan, Astrid!"
• Her words cut my soul so deeply that I did not hesitate to clench my fist. I never wanted to hear that, but I suppose she wanted to get on my nerves.
• "I'm pregnant for the same Alpha you couldn't get pregnant for! Are you not ashamed of yourself?" She scoffed, mocking me.
• When it came to dealing with Camilla, one thing I learned in life was to keep my mouth shut, and I was determined to do so until I was out of her sight.
• Getting pregnant was a good thing, but I was positive that Halfdan's child was not in her womb.
• "Didn't you hear me?" She approached me and shoved me on my shoulder.
• "Get out of my way, Camilla!" I warned her, glaring at her at this point.
• "Or else, what? You'll beat up the Alpha's Luna and risk killing her child?" She smirked as she stared back at me.
• "The Alpha's Child?" I scoffed and laughed dauntingly.
• "We both know the truth, Camilla!" I pushed her out of my sight and was about to walk by her again when Camilla raced towards me and grabbed my hand, stopping me in my tracks.
• "Let go, Camilla!!" I commanded, striving to get free from her uncomfortable grip.
• "What do you mean by what you just said to me, bitch!?" She inquired, her eyes widening as she was astounded that I knew something that no one else in the pack did.
• "You heard me correctly… Slut!!" I emphasised my final words, and it instantly provoked her to the core.
• "How dare you say..." In a surge of anger, she raised her fist threateningly, poised to strike me, her intent clear; to inflict more suffering.
• Despite her fury, she clutched my hand tightly, ready to unleash her wrath, when suddenly, his voice pierced through the tense air, interrupting the impending confrontation.
• "NO ONE DARES TO LAY A FINGER ON MY MATE!!"
• "Let go now, Camilla!"