THE ALPHA'S MATE IS THE BETA

CHAPTER 4

Night Darkreed turned sixteen and Aloysius Ice Ziegfried or AIZ turned twenty-one. The two became the hottest figures of the Dark Moon Pack.

Night turned to be a black wolf that raids the night. He also became well-versed in terms of combat and strategies— the things he was born with from his past life as the War God. He also grew up as a handsome young man with a strong built and well-toned body. He is so outstanding in a way that is in contrast with Aiz like night and day.

Aiz grew more manly while carrying the same cold and indifferent temperament and ethereal beauty he is so famous with. He held the papers needed as Zane's assistant and also assisted Cayden in hunting and various things needed to be accomplished by the young alpha with the reason that he wants to experience things for the future. He also excelled in great leadership, strategies and also in terms of combating. He used his rare abilities to develop and also started to train himself with weapons that were found strange by most people, but he only kept silent as he excelled with it at a very fast and stable speed.

A news also was spread in the pack that Margaret, Zane's wife finally got pregnant and was about to give birth with it. Amongst the people who are happy with the news, Night is the only one who felt something strange and ominous that is about to happen on the very day the new cub will be born.

"Aiz!" Night called Aiz who is busy with the papers in front of him.

Night stared at Aiz who is wearing a pair of reading glasses while reading the papers on hand. Night gulped as he stared with the peaceful and serious face of Aiz. He also watched him as he slowly lifted up his eyes on him.

"Yes? What can I do for you, young alpha?" Aiz asked him.

"Uhm… well… I just want to ask you something," Night said with hesitation evident on his face.

Aiz raised one of his eyebrows while staring at Night. He is wondering what will make his friend hesitate about.

Night can smell the strong scent of mint invading his nostrils once again. He is already accustomed with it and already practiced several times on how to control his expressions especially whenever Aiz is around. But he also knows that it'll not work with Aiz at all.

Aiz stood up and went to a small kitchen in his office.

"Have a seat. Do you want coffee, tea or…" Aiz smirked as he also thought of something to tease his dearest friend. He silently approached Night and then leaned beside his ears and whispered, "... Me?"

Night gasped and then suddenly turned. That is actually a bad move because their lips brushed against each other in that small amount of time.

When Night realized what happened, his face turned red all of a sudden. He moved away from Aiz who is stunned. But he stopped moving when he saw Aiz's ears turned red as well.

Aiz blinked and then finally moved away. He returned to what he was doing as if nothing happened. "I will make a coffee for you with creamer like what you always wanted to," he said as he skillfully prepared the coffee and his tea.

Aiz brought his homemade strawberry tarts to accompany the tea and coffee and then placed them on top of his desk.

"Let's get back to business. What do you want to know?" Aiz asked.

Night took his coffee and take a sip. He closed his eyes for a moment to savour the rich flavour of the coffee Aiz made.

"I will not beat around the bush anymore, Aiz," Night put down the cup and then started. "How are you feeling about the beta's mate is nearing her due date?" Night asked straightforwardly.

Aiz stared at the face of his once innocent friend. He is wondering why Night suddenly visited him despite his lessons from Cayden. 'To think that you will ask me such a question is so surprising,' he thought.

"What do you mean by that?" Aiz asked instead.

Night turned pale when he heard the serious voice of Aiz. He knows he is a bit sensitive when it comes to his family and he doesn't want to offend him somehow. But the ominous feeling he felt that day is only pointing out Aiz. He already let it pass for more than eight months begice of his cowardice. But now that he already collected all the bravery he can collect and the time that is running out, he thought that, 'whether you will hate me or not after this, there's no turning back now though.'

"Madam Margaret is about to give birth with their son, and the firstborn of every family is bound to be their successors—"

"I will leave," Aiz cut him off.

Night is shocked. Not because of what Aiz did but because of his answer.

"W-what?" He stuttered while his eyes were locked on Aiz.

Aiz took a sip of his tea and smiled at it. "It's also time for me to leave though. Margaret having a child is a bonus for me," he said.

"What do you mean? You are planning on leaving in the very first place?!" Night unconsciously raised his voice but he didn't care at all even if Aiz lessened his points again or was scolded. All he wants to know is what really is happening inside his head.

Aiz looked at him. Night was stunned to see a solemn expression of Aiz. He is already used to it but Night always gets surprised whenever Aiz looks at him like that or even smiles.

Aiz put down his cup and then looked up at the ceiling of the office. Night can see that Aiz's eyes turned watery but the young man didn't flinch at all. Aiz blinked twice and the watery eyes turned solemn once again. Night learned at that moment that Aiz will not talk at all about his reasons that's why he decided to empty his cup and then get out of the office but…

"You know that I am an outsider, right?" Aiz suddenly spoke that made Night pause from what he was doing— eating the tarts Aiz made.

"Yes, so? What's up with that?" Night asked.

"I do not belong here," Aiz replied with sadness filling his eyes. "There's a place I need to return— no! There is a place I 'must' return to if I want to protect those who are around me and important to me. So please, even if it is short, make use of this for the time being as you will know eventually my real reason that I can't saily in my own mouth," Aiz looked at Night with the eyes of pleading.

Night is still confused but seeing Aiz who remained tight-lipped about this, he just nodded his head and then devoured the other strawberry tarts. But darn it! He can't stop himself from crying to think that this will be their last conversation they will have and also the last tarts he will taste that was made by him.

A warm hand wiped off his tears at the same time as the mint scent became stronger. He didn't need to look up because he knew who it was. He can't stop himself from crying for more because after all, this man in front of me is so important to him.

"Please make use of my absence to be stronger and be the most competent and outstanding alpha of the pack. And I in return will protect you all and be the first and last shield and protector of this wonderful place I considered my home," Aiz said not to coax or comfort Night but because that is what he plans to do. "I believe in you, my young alpha," he added, which made Night cry louder.

The day which Margaret is about to give birth came.

Lavelle feels restless and starts to cook and bake just to ease her nervousness. Cayden on the other hand cannot help but to eat everything his wife makes but deep inside, his feelings are in chaos like what happened to him when Night was born. Zane is in the most pathetic state because he faints numerous times and is now in the room. Night feels strange to feel empty, happy and excited in a very strange way because he is sure that after this day, the pack will turn gloomy and his life will be empty without Aiz. While the man that makes Night go crazy is calm and reading a book while waiting for the new cub for Margaret appointed him to name it.

Night looked at Aiz. He is always in awe with everything he does, especially now. He is so beautiful with his calm face and elegant posture. He is one of a kind. He took a deep breath and then pulled his father to the kitchen where his mother is located.

"What do you want, son?" Cayden asked.

Cayden is surprised along with Lavelle who is mixing the dough for the pastries she is about to bake. Because this is the first time they saw him more restless than his mother.

"Tell me the reason why Aiz will leave," he asked straightforwardly.

Cayden is not surprised at all, especially when he heard what Night said in front of Aiz and Zane in the middle of their lesson when he was ten years old.

"I think that Aiz is the mate of the young alpha," Zane said.

"What?! What do you mean by that?" Zane asked, confused.

Instead of answering, Zane looked at Aiz who is well aware of it. Aiz took a deep breath and said, "the young alpha said that he can smell a strong scent of mint coming from me. The young alpha is a smart kid, he knows exactly what it is but he asked us innocently… this is dangerous for the both of us, alpha."

Zane is still dumbfounded. He is not doubtful with Aiz's statement because he also knows how smart his son is. To think that he will say such a thing in the middle of the lesson about mates, he must have a clue for what it really is.

But… Aiz's statement also makes sense because, it really is dangerous for the both of them especially that Aiz is a…

"What should we do then?" Zane asked. "If his Highness knows how dangerous this is, how can we solve such a difficult predicament?"

"I'll leave."

It is a short and quick answer but it really solved the problem momentarily. But it is a loss too for them. Because Aiz after all became a part of the pack that is irreplaceable.

"About the beta position?" Zane asked.

Aiz looked at him and smirked, "start making babies then."

When Cayden said this to Lavelle, she was overjoyed. But because she knows the origin of her son's mate, she feels down.

"How wonderful it is to have his Highness be the other half of our son."

They know that it is a wish that is so far to reach…

But now that they know how strong Aiz is, they think that it is not that hard to reach anymore. But because this is what they decided five years ago, they can't say no.

"He didn't tell you why?" Cayden asked instead.

Night looked down and then took a seat with a heavy heart. With such a sight, Cayden and Lavelle feel hurt. They know that their son has deep feelings for Aiz.

"He only said that he must leave to protect those who are important and precious to him," Night said that made him more gloomy.

Cayden sighed and then held his son's hand. Lavelle, who washed her hands, embraced his son from behind. They love their son so much.

"If he says so, think that he just gave you a hint of his reason and make use of it to solve it and make a conclusion," Cayden said.

"Once I leave the pack, I will allow you to disclose my identity and my true reasons. I trust that you will all abide with this." Even though it hurts to see his son suffer, Cayden and Lavelle still abide by the agreement they all made with Aiz because they also know how Aiz treats Night as the most precious being in his life.

The three of them were surprised when they heard a strong and loud cry from upstairs.

"It's a boy!" The midwife exclaimed happily.

The three went out of the kitchen while Zane is crying with pure bliss and Aiz who is comforting him with a smile on his face. They all went upstairs to see the newborn cub. Night witnessed how his father, mother and Zane make a path for Aiz who is now walking towards Margaret and the newborn cub.

The midwife gave the cub to Aiz and he carried it with perfection. Night is stunned to see the happiness in Aiz's eyes while looking at the cub.

'How wonderful it is to have a child with him—' he is shocked to finally notice what his mind is thinking.

"Oh, young cub of Margaret and Zane. After years of waiting you finally came to honour the wishes of your precious parents. I who was honoured to be under their care is so happy to meet you finally and be in my arms. You, little one will be a strong young beta like your father and will be a benevolent being like your mother. Be proud to be their son, and be my brother because you will be one of the people I will protect from now on. Your parents are honourable, the pack you belong to is a treasure to behold and the alpha you will accompany in the future is so competent and talented that words cannot justify him anymore. Honour the name this humble being will give you for you will also grow up carrying this name in the future. Azhar Ignis Realtor will be your name. You will be the AIR that will be a necessity for everyone. Be the AIR that will be as free as no one and be the AIR that will be the guide for the wind spirit to be in your hands. Be an outstanding beta for your future alpha, I hope to see you again soon," Aiz blessed the child that is only staring at him. Air smiled and giggled at the end that brought happy tears in Aiz.

It's the first time and Night was left speechless. He saw Aiz cry with pure bliss and to hear him talk like a person in high standing. And AIR… a name that is so near to be like his.

"Thank you, your highness. It feels like our son also is carrying your gracious name," Zane thanked Aiz, who is now wiping off the tears.

'Your highness? What does it mean?'

"How I wish that I can also name him like mine. It's a pity that my last name is not Realtor but Ziegfried," Aiz said with a chuckle.

Night is stunned. Ziegfried is a well-known name who's been owned only by three people in their era. Because only lineal descendants can only have that.

"Wait—"

"You did a good job, nanny. I really am honoured to be your son for the past sixteen years. May the Moon Goddess bless you and the whole pack," Aiz continued speaking.

'Nanny? Margaret is his nanny?!'

Night looked at his parents and saw tears of happiness and sadness in their eyes.

" Please take good care of yourself, your highness. May you stay safe on your journey and battle against that usurper," Cayden said.

"Please let me embrace you for one last time," Lavelle embraced Aiz while crying. "Please eat well and don't skip it even once. It's okay to poison that bastard for what he did if needed, it's okay, I will permit it. But please, don't get sick because you are after all not an immortal being. Promise me that once you visit us soon, you will be healthy, understood?" Lavelle started to nag while tears still flowed from her eyes.

Aiz chuckled and then nodded his head. He then approached Night who is still speechless and frozen. He patted his head and then smiled at him genuinely.

"You must have a lot of questions in your head. I don't mean to lie but I actually did it. I don't mean to deceive you because I want to protect you. The moment you let me touch that chubby cheeks of yours, I already swore that I will be with you. But not now. Because if I become selfish, you and the pack will be in danger so… find a good wife, have a cub and be happy while I'm gone because that is the biggest happiness I will ever receive after being your beta. Take good care of my brother and guide him to the right path…" Aiz paused and then sadness filled his eyes. "... I am sorry but please, live without me until the day you all are completely safe because once it happened… I'll pay a visit."

Without more words, he patted Night's shoulder and then left the pack leaving a group of people crying for his departure and longing for those who loved him genuinely.