Chapter 15
I sat up slowly, rubbing my face, feeling the heaviness in my chest. I barely slept last night, even though my mother had practically begged me to. She had stayed with me as long as she could, holding me like I was a little girl again. I didn’t want her to leave. I didn’t want any of this to happen.
Just as I was about to get up, the door to my room burst open. I jumped, my heart nearly flying out of my chest. It was Aunt Amara. She looked... terrible. Puffy-eyed, like she hadn’t slept at all either. Her normally radiant face was pale, and her swollen belly only made her exhaustion more noticeable. The sight of her like that broke my heart even more.
“Astrid,” she breathed out, her voice shaky but trying to sound strong. “We need to get you ready.”
I wanted to protest. I wanted to tell her she shouldn’t be running around like this, especially with the baby on the way. “Aunt Amara, you should be resting,” I said, concern lacing my voice.
She waved me off, forcing a weak smile. “Nonsense. Today is about you, sweetheart. I’ll rest when you’re settled.”
I sighed, knowing there was no point in arguing. Aunt Amara had always been stubborn, and even more so now that she was pregnant. She helped me out of bed and began getting me dressed, though it felt like everyone was in a rush to get me out. I still couldn’t understand why Jeremiah was so desperate to take me away so quickly.
As Aunt Amara helped smooth down my dress, I noticed her hands trembling. She tried to hide it, but I could see the sadness and exhaustion written all over her. “Auntie,” I whispered, turning to face her. “You really shouldn’t be doing this. You’re—” I hesitated, not wanting to make her feel worse. “You’re not well.”
Her red eyes met mine, and she gave me a shaky smile. “I’m fine, Astrid. I just... I wish there was more time.”
My throat tightened. “Me too.”
We shared a quiet moment, the air thick with sadness, before the door opened again. Two of Alpha Jeremiah’s men stepped into the room, their faces emotionless, just like him. One of them glanced at me and then said, “It’s time to go.”
My stomach dropped. So soon? I widened my eyes, panic flooding through me. I hadn’t even said goodbye to my parents properly. “Wait,” I protested, looking between Aunt Amara and the men. “I need to say goodbye... I need to—”
Aunt Amara quickly rushed toward the door. “Don’t worry, Astrid. I’ll get them. Just wait for me outside. I’ll bring them to you.”
She gave me one last hug, and before I could say anything, she hurried out of the room, disappearing down the hall. The men were already waiting for me at the door, and I hated how rushed everything felt. Why was Jeremiah in such a rush? What was his problem?
I took a deep breath and followed the men down the stairs. My mind raced, every step feeling heavier than the last. When I got outside, there he was. Alpha Jeremiah. Waiting by one of his sleek, black vehicles, his arms crossed over his chest. His expression was as cold and emotionless as ever, like this whole thing didn’t mean anything to him.
I tried not to look at him, tried to avoid making any eye contact because I knew it would just make me angrier. How could someone be so heartless? How could he take me away from everything I loved without even the slightest bit of sympathy?
I bit down hard on my lip, holding back the urge to scream. Instead, I focused on the driveway, trying to distract myself from his piercing gaze. But even then, I could still feel him watching me, his presence like a dark cloud looming over everything.
“Astrid!”
My mother’s voice snapped me out of my thoughts, and I turned to see her running toward me, her face streaked with tears. She threw her arms around me, pulling me into a tight hug, and I could feel her trembling against me.
“Mom,” I whispered, clinging to her as tightly as I could. I didn’t want to let go. Not now. Not ever.
She pulled back just enough to look at me, her eyes red and swollen. “You remember what I said, right? I will always find a way for us to be together, no matter what.”
I nodded, tears stinging my eyes. “I know, Mom. I’ll miss you so much.”
Before I could say anything else, my father stepped forward, his expression serious but soft. He placed a gentle kiss on my forehead, his hand resting on my shoulder. “I’ll be with you, Astrid,” he said quietly, his voice full of emotion. “Always.”
I felt the connection between us, that unspoken bond we’d shared ever since I was a child. It was a strange but comforting feeling, knowing that he could sense me, that if anything went wrong, he would feel it. I hoped that bond would remain strong, even from Alpha Jeremiah’s territory.
My father stepped back, his eyes lingering on mine for a moment longer. I could see the sadness he was trying so hard to hide, but it was there, weighing him down just like the rest of us.
“I love you,” I whispered, feeling the tears slide down my cheeks.
“I love you too, Astrid,” he said, his voice tight. “Be strong.”
It was the hardest thing in the world, but I finally let go of my parents and turned toward the car. Alpha Jeremiah was still standing there, waiting. I didn’t bother looking at him as I climbed into the back seat, my heart heavy with the weight of what I was leaving behind.
As the car pulled away, I looked out the window, watching my family get smaller and smaller until they were out of sight. This was the first time I’d ever been so far from home, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that nothing would ever be the same again.
A tear slid down my cheek as I whispered to myself, “I wish things were different.”
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