Fated Alpha

Chapter 9: The 4th Time

Caelia faintly remembered the term of their "mated contract".

It was stated that they are bequeathed the pack once the contract is signed. However, Caelia never thought much of it because although it says "they", the company will still fall under Darius's name only.

A pack can still continue without its Luna, as they hold inferior power compared to Alphas. Furthermore, an Alpha may not be replaced, but a Luna can.

However, this was something Caelia never wish to possess. The power may further elevate her status, but it certainly will not give her the love she longs. So she did not dwell further on the statement.

Even now, Darius referred to the pack as a "gift bequeathed to him" by his father. That does not include Caelia. Because in the first place, she had no right over such matters, and she couldn't care less.

'Was that the reason his father called him earlier?' She thought. It was possible, in fact, Darius probably wouldn't leave so early if the matter is not that relevant.

He could always leave a little later when it is time for breakfast, but he left much earlier than that. Caelia accepted the thought. It's the only possible thought.

'But then why does he need to bring me?' another question rose. The pack, as he stated, is his, so is there a need to bring her? Or is it simply for formality? For appearance?

She couldn't utter a word, so she nodded and continued to eat. She almost forgot his cold demeanor earlier. If he did not have an ulterior motive, then he wouldn't have invited her to lunch. That was what Caelia felt.

Although they have only been together for 2 days, she couldn't help but think that way. How else is she suppose to think? Darius never told her he was leaving the house earlier. He did not tell her to have breakfast alone. And he even brushed past her without a face of regret.

How was she suppose to think? Despite believing that Darius did not dislike her, she could not help but feel the opposite. The Darius she met on the first day was someone who wore a sweet smile, but was that simply a facade? Was it just for appearance? And he actually do not like her at all?

She couldn't help but feel that way. How is she supposed to think when he made her feel unseen?

However, she wanted to understand him. She did not want to jump to conclusions.

'Meeting someone for the first time and being forced to mate with them must have taken a toll on him. He probably felt that he is too young for that, and the responsibility passed to him is too overwhelming for him to handle. That must be why he wanted to act cold, as to not be taken advantage. If he acted all friendly, people will only see him as a pushover and not follow his lead. So he has no choice, he have to.'

She took in a huge amount of air and exhaled, but not in a way that Darius would notice. She then unclenched her fist but traces of her fingernail were already engraved in her palm.

She couldn't help it. If she don't do that, she may not be able to handle it. She has to act mature, she has to be someone he can rely on, someone he can trust, and someone who can give him relief.

'I just have to climb that wall. Even if it takes long. He still has that smile he had. I know.'

***

After they finished their meal, Darius did not speak any more and just led her outside. They sat back on the car and departed the restaurant.

The car was once again filled with their faint scent, but it was endurable.

She was about to initiate a conversation to lighten the mood when she saw his frowning face as he turned on the air conditioning of the car. Caelia's face froze.

She immediately turned her face away and instead looked at the window. She was smiling, but it was starting to break. She was afraid that Darius might look at her and notice the changes in her face. And so she looked away.

However, she did not want to jump to conclusions. She wanted to understand him.

'He must not be feeling well from the scorching sun. The heat does smell nauseating, so he probably turned the air conditioning on for a comfortable travel. Yes. That must be it.'

Again, for the 4th time of the day. She once again inhaled and let out a sigh. She unclenched her fist which crumpled her dress in the process.

Silence dawned again between the two of them. The other one refuses to initiate a conversation, while the other was holding back her emotion. Despite the bustling street and music from outside, Caelia couldn't hear a thing. No, she refuses to.

They remained quiet for the entire journey until they arrived at the company.

***

They passed through from residential to another. However, a few minutes later, their view were met with a towering infrastructure that stood firmly in the middle of their territory.

The 11 story building astonished Caelia as she had never seen an infrastructure as huge as it.

Her parents owned a company, but even that is nothing compared to the sight in front of her.

Moreover, the building are swarming with people walking in and out of the place. She couldn't take her eyes out of the company.

Among the many buildings built and business started, the company that stood before her is the pack's main stream.

The leader can change without the need of bloodline or status. As long as one is dominant in nature, they can inherit the company without difficulty.

Darius, who happens to be an Alpha with stronger dominance, inherited the company alongside his mated partner. But it was all for show. The alpha, as the leader of the pack, can change partners but will not prosper without a Luna.

Caelia wondered what she is even doing in such a place. Although she is Darius's Luna, she is not a partner he had completely accepted.

'Maybe this is part of the process.' she thought.

As soon as Darius parked his car, a group of men with black suit and sunglasses lined up like some bodyguards guarding a celebrity.

One of the men near the car held the handle and opened it to reveal a man in a blue suit and a woman beside him.

As soon as Darius had stepped out, the group of men simultaneously bowed their head in respect. Darius, as if used to such situations, did not even flinch.

Caelia, astonished from the scene outside, blinked intermittently as if she had seen a jaw-dropping movie.

However, she was soon jolted back from her senses when her eyes met Darius'. He did not speak a word, but she can tell what those eyes meant.

She hurried out of the car and stood beside him. She can't have him wait any further. Although uncomfortable of the gazes directed towards them, she tried to compose herself and not embarrass her mated Alpha.

The two of them, from the perspective of the men guarding around, looked like the perfect couple one could ever wish for.

This is especially true for Caelia, whose eyes emitted the glow of the moon—a bewitching spell that attracted any men.

However, Caelia, despite her composed look, was nervously fidgeting as she forced herself to smile.

'I can do this. Just for a bit.'