Chapter 3. Fated Mate.
1081 Words
Aleena Wilder
I went about my routine as usual today, diligently completing my work. Not even a sliver of thought crossed my mind that this day would be anything other than ordinary. The only thing that kept a flicker of hope alive was the possibility of seeing Nathanael stopping by the restaurant for lunch.
I knew I was foolish. After what he did to me a few days ago, my feelings for Nathanael should have vanished. Yet, for some reason, my heart remained tethered to him. What was it about him that captivated me so? I didn’t know. All I knew was that my heart had chosen him.
But everything changed after lunch. The restaurant where I worked was suddenly abuzz with excitement as Alpha Alexander’s envoy, Mr. Alfred, made a grand entrance. The envoy of the most respected leader, the Alpha of the Wildblood pack, had arrived with an entourage of guards. And they weren’t here for lunch; they were here for me.
My heart pounded in my chest. I wasn’t the only one taken aback—my manager, Alice, and all my coworkers shared my shock. But I was the one gripped by the most fear. What mistake had I made to attract the Alpha’s attention? Did he know something about me? Was this his way of expelling me from the pack?
“Aleena Wilder?” Mr. Alfred’s gentle yet firm voice cut through my chaotic thoughts. The middle-aged man looked at me with eyes that were neither intimidating nor harsh, but they still made my knees weak. I could only nod, my chest tightening with fear and curiosity.
“Alpha Alexander has requested your presence at his castle. Please come with us,” he continued.
All I could do was nod again, my heart a storm of questions. With my emotions in turmoil, I left the restaurant, followed by the bewildered gazes of Alice and my colleagues. The most surprising part was how respectfully I was treated. Mr. Alfred even opened the car door for me, as though I were someone of importance.
The car sped off, taking me toward a future I could never have imagined. Something significant was about to happen—I could feel it. But what could it be?
My steps felt heavier as I followed Mr. Alfred into the grand hall of the castle. Towering walls adorned with opulent decorations reflected the glow of chandeliers above. Yet, none of the splendor could distract me from the storm brewing inside me. Everything was happening too quickly, and I had no idea what awaited me.
At the end of the room stood Alpha Alexander. His piercing gaze radiated strength and authority, commanding respect. Though his age showed in the lines on his face, his presence was as formidable as ever. Beside him was someone who made my blood run cold—Nathanael.
Our eyes met, but there was no warmth in his gaze. There was nothing but disgust, plain and unmistakable. His jaw clenched as though he were restraining himself from walking out of the room. That look pierced my heart, deeper than I cared to admit. Why was I here?
“Please, take a seat, Aleena,” Alpha Alexander said, his voice firm but not unkind.
I obeyed, though my knees felt like jelly. My breath hitched as Alpha Alexander began speaking, each word like a thunderclap in my mind.
“Aleena Wilder,” he said my name with absolute certainty, “you are Nathanael’s fated mate.”
I froze. His words echoed in my head, but my mind refused to grasp their meaning. A mate? Me? For Nathanael? It felt like the world was spinning too fast, and I couldn’t find a way to stop it.
Alpha Alexander continued, his tone leaving no room for doubt. “This bond is the will of fate, something that cannot be avoided. Therefore, I ask the two of you to marry.”
I sat there, silent, my chest tight. Should I feel elated, knowing this was something called fate? Or terrified, knowing Nathanael wanted nothing to do with me? His cold eyes conveyed more than words ever could.
I stole a glance at him, hoping to find something—anything—that suggested he didn’t completely hate the idea. But all I found was a hardened expression filled with disgust, as though my mere presence was a mistake.
My voice trembled as I finally summoned the courage to speak. “Alpha Alexander ... is this true? How could this happen?”
Alpha Alexander nodded firmly. “This is something greater than our understanding, Aleena. Fate has chosen the two of you to complete each other, and this bond must be honored.”
I swallowed hard, struggling to process his words. Meanwhile, Nathanael remained silent, but his body language screamed his disapproval. I felt trapped between two worlds—one of hope and one of fear.
On one hand, a strange warmth stirred within me. I was Nathanael’s mate. I, who had secretly harbored feelings for him, was bound to him by destiny. But on the other hand, that warmth was quickly extinguished by Nathanael’s demeanor. How could I feel joy when he so clearly despised me?
My mind wrestled with itself. What was I supposed to do? How could I face a future with someone who looked at me with such disdain?
I sat there, drowning in confusion and a swirl of emotions, as the world around me moved forward without offering any answers.
I felt like I was dreaming, trapped in a surreal nightmare where I was the center of an unwanted spotlight. My thoughts spun uncontrollably as the silence in the room grew heavier.
How could fate bind me to someone who clearly loathed me? The warmth of the idea—being Nathanael’s mate—was quickly overshadowed by the icy reality of his contempt.
I dared another glance at him. His lips were pressed into a thin line, his hands clenched into fists at his sides. He still hadn’t spoken, but his silence spoke volumes. Every fiber of his being screamed rejection.
Alpha Alexander’s gaze softened as if sensing my turmoil. “Aleena, I know this may feel overwhelming, but trust that fate has its reasons.”
Overwhelming was an understatement. My heart ached with a storm of emotions—fear, sadness, hope, and doubt—all clashing within me.
Would I survive this so-called destiny? Or would it break me entirely?
***
- Writer
