Chapter 47

Tristan POV

As soon as Natalie left my room that evening, I knew the clock was already ticking, moving so fast against me in my bid to keep the one I loved, the one whose heart was my resting place.

I quickly got ready and made my way to my father's chamber, ready and determined to tell him the words that I have kept hidden in my heart all these years.

It was his study time, and he hated to be disturbed. He had often warned that not even a pin should drop on the floor whilst he studied…

“My study time is my most precious time, and no one must come between my books and I,” he would often remind Ava and I.

But there was nothing ‘threatening’ about his words that day as I stormed to his study, my heart pounding with anger and frustration.

“Tristan!,” he said, as soon as the door, surprised to see me.

“Father,” I just said.

“I thought my words were clear about…”

“I know, father,” I said, abruptly cutting him short before he could complete the words. “But I must speak to you about something.”

“I'm sure it can wait, whatever it is. Leave now,” he said, his eyes fixed on his book.

“Please, father,” I said, sounding very persuasive.

“Five minutes, that's all I can offer you. Your words better be worth my precious time,” he warned.

“Father, it's about Alexa,” I began.

“Your fate was decided and sealed even before you were conceived, son,” he just said. He didn't even bother to look my way. That made me all the more upset.

“But father!,” I let out, unable to keep hold of my feelings anymore, “this is not fair.”

“Nothing is ever fair, son.”

What the fuck!

“How dare he decide my fate without even considering my feelings?.”

My fists clenched at my sides as I muttered angrily to myself, my words dripping with a blend of defiance and desperation.

"My destiny was decided for me without even thinking about how I would feel about it," I let out, my voice laced with venomous frustration. "Who the fuck does that in my generation?!

“You all may not like her, but the maid is the one my heart yearns for. She is my resting place, and no one can take that away from me!"

But Lord Damien, the revered alpha, remained infuriatingly quiet as I raged on. Clearly, my words bore no importance to him. His stoic expression only served to fuel my anger, his silence feeling like a mocking presence in the room. His unwavering composure grated on my last nerves, making my angry words spill out even sharper.

"You don't wanna talk about it, right?! I see!" I spat, my voice filled with a mix of frustration and disbelief. I glared at him, my eyes blazing with a fiery defiance.

"Fine,” he said, as he turned to look at me. “I'll leave you with a choice then, Tristan. If you can unseal your fate, then the maid will be yours for the taking. But let me warn you," he paused, his voice lowering dangerously, "No one has ever walked this path you want to walk in. If you die trying, no one will care a bit, not even your mistress!"

“I'll take my chances,” I said to him, sounding defiant.

“Away from me,” he said, as he turned his attention back to his books.

With those final words, I stormed out of the room, my footsteps resonating with anger and determination. Each step reverberated with the weight of my defiance, echoing my unwavering determination to carve my own path, no matter the cost.

The thought of his warning fueled my pace as I made my way towards Brantford 's place. I really was in need of someone to vent to, someone who understood the turmoil churning in my heart.

Unfortunately, he wasn't at home when I got there.

“He's been out for the past hour,” his sister, Mary, said to me.

“Should he return before I find him, tell him to meet me at our meeting spot,” I said to her before walking away.

As I strode out, I thought to vent my anger at our meeting point. Hidden deep within the woods, the air there offered me a soothing company.

Just then, Brantford emerged from only he knew where…

“Hey,” he said.

“Hey,” I said to him, finally relieved to find him.

“Mary said you were looking for me. You look worried. What troubles you?,” he asked, looking straight into my eyes, as if the answers he sought lay there.

Without breaking a sweat, I poured out my frustrations to him, my voice laced with a mixture of anger and confusion. "Can you believe it, Brantford ?," I exclaimed, my voice cracking with raw emotion. "Everyone is forcing me to get married to Alexa .”

“That's good news, mate,” he said, smiling.

“But I love Natalie!," I protested, surprised that he didn't seem to understand what I was trying to say.

Maybe he needs to be told that our love only happens once, and that we must be left to make our choices without being compelled against our bidding…

Brantford listened attentively as I spoke further, his expression grave but understanding. He placed a comforting hand on my shoulder, knowing the burden of emotions weighing on me.

"You must listen to the alpha," he said gently, his voice brimming with solemn wisdom. "Obedience is the cornerstone of our pack.”

“But I love her!,” I insisted.

“But love doesn't always win, Tristan. Sometimes we must sacrifice our desires for the greater good, for the harmony of the pack."

Surely, no one understands.

My frustration flared up again, my eyes ablaze with rebellion. "But how can I give up on Natalie Brantford? She's everything to me, my heart and soul!"

Brantford sighed, his features etched with empathy.
"I understand, Tristan. But sometimes fate has a way of steering us in directions we never anticipated. Trust the alpha's judgement, even if it's not what you want. You must put the pack's well-being above your own desires."

Whilst he spoke, I felt a mixture of anger and resignation battling within me. I knew I had to make an impossible choice, one that seemed to tear my very soul apart. Love, it seemed, might have to take a backseat to the demands of our ancient society.

Maybe love doesn't always win!

Or maybe it does…

Time will tell.