11

Alexia stood in the shadows, her heart racing as she watched the Alpha enter the party. Even from a distance, she could see the pain in his eyes, the exhaustion that seemed to weigh him down as he walked like he was going through nothing.

She knew she could not let him see her. Not yet. Not until she had a plan, a way to protect him from the danger that she knew was coming... the Cold Moon pack has never been safe for her.

With a quick and silent step, she darted behind a nearby pillar, her eyes fixed on the Alpha as he sat down to eat in his room after tirelessly thinking he can find her.

She knew she couldn't stay hidden forever, not with the Alpha so determined to find her. However, she couldn't risk exposing herself to his mother, Luna Celeste, who would surely use her as a pawn.

Even though she wasn't in the Luna's shoes, she knows of her situation. How hard it would be if her son eventually finds a mate only to hear she wouldn't be able to give birth, making her son childless.

As she watched the Alpha eat, her heart ached for him, for the pain she knew he was feeling at the moment. She longed to comfort him, to be there for him, but she knew that wasn't possible. Not now.

"Alexia, where are you? You must come to over. We are going to spend the night here, staying in the Alpha's guest quarters." Her mother said through the mind link and she jolted out of ogle. Wait, was she just admiring him?

Alexia's breath caught in her throat as she went through what her mother said. The Alpha's guest quarters?

***

As the night stretched on, Alexia found herself lying in the guest quarters, her eyes wide open in the darkness, with her ears perked up. She could hear the sounds of the pack all around her, the distant voices of the guards too.

In the midst of it all, all she could think about was the Steele. The way he had looked for her in the part full of swam of beautiful ladies in his league. The way she had wanted to go to him, to ease his suffering.

With a sigh, she closed her eyes, willing herself into a fitful sleep. Tomorrow, she would see him again. Perhaps.

When the morning sun streamed in through the windows of the guest quarters, it woke Alexia with a start. She sat up in bed as she remembered where she was, what was to come.

Breakfast would be served soon, and she knew that the Alpha would be there, along with his beta, his father, and, worst of all, his mother.

She shook her head, her hand going to her stomach as hunger hits her.

"I cannot do this." she whispered to herself, deep down aware she was without a choice. "I cannot face them."

Alexia pulled the covers back over her head, her mind thinking of excuses, with reasons why she couldn't go down for breakfast. She was tired, she was ill, she wasn't feeling well. She could say one of them or Steele would know that it was fear that kept her in bed.

As she lay there, her eyes closed against the light, she could almost imagine what it would be like to see him again, to hear his voice. She could almost imagine what it would be like to confess why she didn't want to accept him as her mate, to tell him everything she had kept hidden all these years.

The knock on the door was soft, coming slow and hesitant. It was a maid.

"Princess Alexia? It is time for breakfast, Your Highness. The Alpha, his beta, and your parents are waiting for you in the dining room."

Alexia's heart almost flew out of her chest.

She knew that she couldn't delay any longer. She had to face them, had to face the Alpha.
With a trembling hand, she pulled back the covers, swinging her legs over the edge of the bed.

She stood there for a moment, her eyes closed, taking deep breaths. She had to be strong. She had to be brave. She kept humming those encouraging words and slowly, she made her way to the door, her hand resting on the handle for a moment before she turned it.

She stepped out into the hallway, her gaze sweeping the corridor for any signs of him but there was no one there, save for the maid who had called for her. The maid smiled at her, and bowed.

As Alexia neared the dining room, she could hear the sound of voices, low and muffled through the thick wooden door. She could hear the Alpha's voice, strong and deep, mingled with the soft murmurs of his Beta and the others.

With a small, silent prayer, Alexia pushed open the door, her eyes fixed on the floor as she stepped into the dining room.

"Alexia," Her father was the first to take in hee presence. "You have joined us at last."

Alexia looked at everyone, her eyes meeting those of her father, her mother, the Alpha, his Beta, Kade. It's a wonder she still remember his name.

"Good morning." She mumbled, offering everyone her greetings.

The Alpha's eyes seemed to burn into hers, restricting himself from standing up, flipping the table over and throwing her in the air to catch her in an embrace. He was the first to meet up at the dinning hall.

Yesterday night when he heard from the Lycan of their daughter whom they'd brought with them, it was unbelievable his search was finally over.

He said nothing, but she could feel the weight of his stare, hot and oblivious. That was all he could do, not wanting to ruin breakfast for everyone.

"Alexia. We were so worried about you." said her mother and Alexia nodded, her throat tight with so much thirst she eyed a glass of water from the table.

"I apologize for my absence. I...I was not feeling well."

The Beta, Kade, rose from his seat.

"I thought you weren't coming. We feared that something had happened to you."

Alexia felt her face flush, her cheeks burning with embarrassment.

"I assure you, I am fine," she said, her eyes darting to the alpha, still silent and watchful.
"Perhaps," the Alpha spoke catching her off guard. "You would care to join us for breakfast? We have much to discuss."

She ate in silence, her appetite nonexistent, as she kept her eyes downcast whilst the Alpha ate with slow, deliberate movements, his gaze never leaving her. His Beta, received some words from the Alpha Steele as Alexia spoke softly with her parents, noting attention was focused solely on the Alpha.

She was either wondering whether to run or stay back..Exactly what the Alpha had finished informing him through the mind link..

"You are troubled. What is on your mind?" He casually whispered to her ear and leaned away quickly before others can notice the exchange.

He watched her from across the table, his eyes never wavering. His beta, his father, her parents... they were all just shadows at that moment.

Even his wolf howled with excitement inside him for the first time in years, eager to claim her, to make her their own.

When the meal finished, she stood from her seat but as she turned to leave, she felt a strong hand on her shoulder, pulling her back.

"Alexia," Her steps halted and just as she was about to shrug off his touch, he cooed, weakening her. "Stay."

"Please. Let us speak."

Alexia hesitated, her breath catching in her throat. She could feel the eyes of the others on her, but she could not deny the pull of the Alpha. It was a chance to leave, which she didn't take, letting him lure her in willingly.

"What is there to say?" she asked, as though she didn't know already.

"There is much to say. Come." he led her away.

Once they were alone, the Steele led her to a small, secluded balcony, overlooking the pack house gardens. The sun was also just beginning to set.

"Would you like a drink?" He asked her asked, and she shook her head. "No."

"Then tell me. Why did you leave without telling me? Without waiting for me?"

Alexia turned away from him, almost about to scoff. Was she supposed to stay back at the pack and defy the Luna's banishment?

"I had to leave. Your mother was going to use me against you, to control you. I couldn't let that happen."

The Alpha's hand tightened on her shoulder, his fingers digging into her skin, but she still wasn't facing him. He heaved a breath.

"You could have trusted me. You could have stayed, fought with me. Together, we could have won my other over together."

Alexia's eyes welled with tears as she turned to face him. Was he understanding her at all? Or was he just not believing his mother at done all that?.

"No. This conversation is over." She shook her head. Staying any longer would only make her do what she shouldn't.

Without waiting for a response, she slipped out of the Alpha's grasp, turning on her heel and rushing back towards the quarters..
Steele watched her go, his heart heavy with a mixture of anger and grief.

He had thought she had left him, had thought she had abandoned him to his fate. But now, he realized that she had left to protect herself.