Part D: Chapter 70

***Aidan’s POV***

“You can’t keep running away from your destiny you foolish child,” Gerald bellowed in the meeting room with all the elders and all the other important people from the pack. “Time is running out and the mating ceremony is almost upon us. When will you stop acting like such an insolent fool and for once out the needs of the pack before your own?”

I pinched the bridge of my nose in annoyance because I could hear the elders and everyone else murmuring, agreeing with whatever foolish thing that he was saying because they were still blinded by him and couldn’t see or think for themselves the way that they should have been.

“You have to take a mate before then and stop wasting resources trying to find and protect what was never yours to begin with,” Gerald continued, pointing an accusing finger at me.

Honestly, I was too tired for all of this crap and I was planning on agreeing with him and taking Shel as my mate because it seemed like that was the only thing I could do now to appease everyone. But the more he continued talking, the more I wanted nothing more than to have him arrested for treason or much better, having him dead. That would free me from all of the pain and worry and it would mean that I could take revenge for Mum and everything she had to go through because of him.

“Everyone, silence. Let the Alpha talk or you all will be arrested for causing unnecessary commotion in the meeting,” Carter’s voice came to the rescue. “He should at least be given time to mourn the loss of his true mate before you start pointing accusing fingers at him and pressuring him to take on a new mate.”

“We don’t have time for that,” one of the elders shouted and the others agreed. “He needs to get a mate, whether by force or choice, it doesn’t matter. If he doesn’t, he will be the first one to bring such calamity and the Goddess’ harshness on us and all our children.”

“Our children are suffering to protect him and all he can do is sit there and act like we are all below him,” another shouted.

“Maybe he isn’t capable of being our Alpha and we need to choose someone else,” another shouted.

I could feel my headache intensify as I rubbed my tempers and slowly opened my eyes, looking over each and everyone who was present including Ivan who was sat next to Gerald looking stoic. These were all the faces of people who would betray me without so much as a thought for what I had done for them, for what I had sacrificed for them. The world truly was cruel when it wanted to be. “Enough, all of you,” I groaned and they all fell silent. “I do intend on choosing a new mate and contrary to what my Beta said, I do not need time to grieve or mourn her loss. I still have responsibilities to my people and I have made my decision to make Shelly my mate. I know some of you may bring up the situation of her being my sister but she’s adopted and as such we have no blood ties with each other which works best for all of us looking at the time we have left.” I looked at each and everyone of them and my eyes landed on Gerald who had a perplexed look which later morphed into a triumph smile. “The mating ceremony shall carry on as expected and preparations should begin as soon as possible. We only have a few more weeks before the moon reaches its peak.”

“But Alpha, she’s your sister,” Carter said, his face contorting in anger. “How can you simply move on like that without so much as any consideration for your true mate?”

I narrowed my eyes at him and I hit my hand on the table silencing all forms of noise. “You will not speak to me like that Carter, are we clear?” I groaned. “You are nothing more than what Gerald picked and brought into our family so don’t you dare think you know what’s best for me and most importantly for my people. Are we clear?”

I could see Carter’s chest rising up and down in fury as he bowed his head. “My apologies Alpha, I didn't mean to step out of line with my words. I was simply worried about your well-being considering the times we are in.”

“Do not repeat such insolent behaviour again or I will forget you are supposed to be my Beta and have you stripped of your title, are we clear?” I barked, using my Alpha voice which made everyone knee down in submission as I stood up. “I will not take lightly to anyone questioning my judgement and acting out of line.” My eyes roamed over each person before I pushed the chair back with so much force that it shattered against the wall as I walked out of the meeting room.

I walked all the way back to my quarters and slammed the door closed behind me. I needed to be alone and think about everything properly. I was due to mate with Shel in a few weeks from now and I needed to be prepared for that. Jemila was now dead to me. I no longer had the time or energy to keep searching for her and wasting all my time pining over a woman who was doing Goddess knows what with who.

There was a knock followed by the opening of my door as Gerald and Ivan stepped in. “What do you want?” I groaned in anger at having my peace interrupted.

Gerald was smiling as he limped all the way to the couch I was sitting on and placed a hand on my shoulder. “I’m glad you’re finally coming back to your senses and listening to me son,” he said softly. He sat down with Ivan’s help. “Now that you have come to your senses and opened your eyes to what is most important, the preparations can commence. Shel is delighted with the news and she can’t wait to see you.”

“You will be in charge of all the preparations, so ensure that everything goes according to plan,” I said with my head in my hands. I was really tired and just needed a break from everything and everyone. “Ensure that Carter does not do anything to sabotage the day. I don’t care what you do as long as everything is perfect on that day because I won’t get another chance to do it again.”

“As you wish son,” Gerald said, his hand still on my shoulder. I raised my head just enough to take in his happiness. “You have finally made me proud to call you my son. I knew you just needed time to come back to your senses from whatever that woman had done to you.”

“I would like to be left alone now,” I said, hanging my head in my hands once more. “Ivan, make sure that no one disturbs me until I’m ready to make my presence known to everyone. Now both of you show yourselves out and leave me alone.”

“As you wish Alpha,” Ivan said and then I heard shuffling of feet followed by the opening and closing of the door. I sighed as I stood up and walked to my bedroom where I flopped down on the bed face first.