ALPHA’S HEART, My Haven

Episode-3

Aria’s Point of View

I took a deep breath, steadying the tray of juice in my hands as I stepped back into the hall. Chloe’s parents were seated with Alpha Dorian, his powerful aura filled the space. My gaze was on him for just a moment and I felt my heart race, a strange warmth spreading in my chest.

“Aria, hurry with those drinks!” Luna Lilian barked at me, her sharp tone made me come back to reality.

I walked forward carefully with each step I took. My hands trembled slightly as I neared Alpha Dorian, hoping to set the glass down without incident. But as I leaned forward, my hand slipped, and before I could catch myself, the glass tipped. The juice spilled over his arm and splashed on his dark suit.

I froze instantly. “Oh, oh no, I’m so sorry!” I stammered as I tried to reach out with a napkin.

Alpha Dorian looked down at the stain on his suit, with a surprise look in his dark eyes before he looked at me. His eyes met mine, and for a split second, it felt as if time had stopped. There was something strange, something unexplainable in the way he looked at me. I felt…connected, as if I’d seen him before, as if—

“What is wrong with you?” Lilian’s voice cut through my thinking, her face was full of anger as she rose from her seat. Before I could brace myself, her hand struck my cheek with a force that made me stumble back.

“You clumsy, useless girl!” she shouted. “How dare you embarrass us in front of our guest!”

I touched my cheek, still stunned by the slap, my face stinging. The room was silent, and I could feel everyone’s eyes on me. My vision blurred, but I blinked back the tears.

“Mother, please!” Chloe’s voice rang out, pleading but restrained, afraid to challenge her mother in front of the esteemed guest.

“I... I didn’t mean to,” I said, my voice barely audible. “I’m sorry.”

Alpha Dorian’s expression shifted. “That was unnecessary,” he said quietly, in a deep but cold voice before looking directly at me, his dark eyes softened. “Are you alright?”

I nodded, barely able to meet his gaze. “Yes… yes, Alpha. I apologize again for—”

“Don’t apologize,” he interrupted gently. His gaze was on me for a moment before he turned to Alpha Lupa.

“I think I’ll take my leave for now,” Dorian said, rising from his seat. “There are matters I need to consider further.”

“Alpha Dorian, you’re leaving so soon?” Chloe said in a sad tone.

“I’ll return soon,” he promised, and walked out of the hall. My heart pounded as I watched him leave. I knew that this small, accidental moment had shifted something — but I couldn’t quite understand what. All I had in my head was the way he had looked at me, the softness in his eyes that no one else had ever shown me.

As I collected the empty glass from the tray, Lilian’s eyes bore into mine with a silent threat in them.

As Dorian’s footsteps faded down the hall, the room fell into a heavy silence. I was still standing there, pressing my hand on my stinging cheek. I tried to hold back the shame and pain twisting inside me when Chloe moved quickly to my side, her warm hand resting on my arm.

“Aria, are you okay?” she whispered with a worried look.

Before I could answer, Lilian’s sharp voice stopped me. “Chloe! I told you not to waste your compassion on her. This is the result” She said as she gestured to the door Dorian had left through. “You’ve ruined everything.”

“Mother, it was an accident. You didn’t have to hit her,” she said, trying to keep her voice steady.

Lilian’s eyes hardened. “Enough, Chloe. I warned you that showing kindness to someone like Aria would only end in disaster.”

My heart sank, and I looked down, ashamed to even face Chloe. It’d cost her a chance at a life with the most powerful alpha in the region. The bitter truth stung, but Lilian’s words stung harder.

“She’s a disgrace to this pack, Chloe,” Lilian went on in a cold and sharp voice. “And I’m done with her mistakes. Soon enough, I’ll make sure she’s far away from here. Perhaps she’ll be of some use to someone else.”

Chloe gasped, but before she could say a word, Alpha Lupa stepped forward, his voice calm but firm. “Lilian,” he said, addressing her by name, something he rarely did. “This marriage with Dorian was one option, but I had another in mind for Chloe all along.”

Lilian’s eyes narrowed. “What do you mean?”

“Gaius, my closest ally’s son, is also seeking a mate,” Alpha Lupa said, glancing at Chloe. “And he is someone I would have chosen first, even over Dorian.”

Chloe looked confused as she glanced between her father and mother. “Father… you never told me that.”

“Chloe, my dear, you must understand. This whole arrangement was for the best. Dorian wasn’t the only one interested in you,” Lupa began, as he looked at me scornfully before looking back at his daughter. “It was my intention for you to be with my friend’s son all along, and I will make it happen.”

Lilian’s expression changed. “What makes Gaius worthy of our daughter?”

Alpha Lupa’s eyes brightened with pride. “As you know, he’s strong, respected, and from one of the most prominent packs. He took over the pack after his father’s death. He would make Chloe his equal, not just his mate.”

Lilian’s stiff look changed into a smile. “Well, if he’s truly more suitable than Dorian, then this isn’t a complete loss.” She gave me one last, cold look. “You may have cost us Dorian, Aria, but we may still reshape Chloe’s future.”

The hall grew silent again, all eyes on Chloe as she processed the news. She said nothing, simply nodding as her parents turned to leave.

I felt like a shadow in the corner, my heart was heavy with guilt and shame. I wanted to slip away, to disappear before I caused any more trouble, but Chloe’s hand tightened on my arm.

“Aria,” she said softly, wrapping her arms around me in a comforting hug. “Don’t listen to them. None of what happened tonight is your fault. I promise, I’ll always be here for you.”

I leaned into her embrace. I was grateful for her warmth and kindness in a world where both were rare. But even as I took comfort in her hug, Lilian’s words echoed in my mind. “This pack has no place for you.”