The Fated Encounter with the Forbidden Alpha

**Chapter 11: Shadows Beneath the Oak**

The late afternoon sun filtered through the leaves of the old oak tree, casting dappled shadows across the courtyard where Tia and Hannah sat, their heads bowed over their notes. The air was thick with the smell of freshly cut grass, mingling with the earthy scent of the tree's ancient bark. Tia's fingers flew over her laptop keyboard as Hannah explained the complex historical perspectives on World War I and II, her voice steady and sure.

"...so, you see, the majority of Canadians, attempting to find meaning in the war, funneled their loss into the construction of a national identity," Hannah said, her tone matter-of-fact. "This view, held by many historians, writers, and the general public, posits that Canada matured as a country in the crucible of war: that Canadian ingenuity, fighting spirit, and sacrifice enabled Canadians to demand a stronger, more authoritative voice in the war and world affairs. In some ways, this is correct. Wartime achievements contributed to the Statute of Westminster, which gave Canada independence within the Commonwealth."

Tia nodded, her attention divided between Hannah’s words and the screen in front of her. She was typing up the key points, trying to focus on the assignment that had become a much-needed distraction from the turmoil in her personal life. The facts, figures, and theories about Canada’s national identity during the wars were easier to manage than the knot of emotions that had been festering inside her since that day in Dr. Hayes’s office.

As they continued, neither of them noticed the approaching figure, her footsteps quick and determined, cutting through the tranquility of the courtyard. It wasn’t until she was standing directly in front of them, blocking out the sun, that they looked up.

"You have got to be kidding me!" Julia’s voice rang out, sharp with exasperation.

Tia looked up, startled. She blinked, taking in the sight of her roommate, Julia, standing there with her hands on her hips, her baby blue eyes narrowing as they locked onto Tia's. Dressed in her casual denim pants and a faded Hello Kitty T-shirt, her dirty blonde hair piled into a messy bun, Julia looked every bit the opposite of her usual sunny disposition. Tia’s first instinct was to hide her feelings, as she always did. Her grandmother’s voice echoed in her head, reminding her to stay composed, to never let anyone see her true emotions.

But Julia wasn’t just anyone. She was her roommate, her friend. And she was clearly upset.

Hannah, sitting beside Tia, stiffened, her dark eyes flicking between the two women. Her protective instincts kicked in, a low growl forming in the back of her throat, though she remained silent, observing the exchange with a watchful gaze.

"Julia," Tia said calmly, her voice a measured contrast to the storm in her heart. "What’s wrong?"

"What’s wrong?" Julia echoed, her tone incredulous. She took a step closer, her eyes searching Tia’s face for answers. "You dropped out of my uncle’s class, Tia! Why?"

Tia’s stomach clenched at the mention of Dr. Hayes, the man who had unknowingly turned her world upside down. The man she had hoped, foolishly, might see her as more than just another student. But the image of Sheila, that stunning redhead draped over him like a second skin, was seared into her mind, a constant reminder of how misplaced her hopes had been. The last thing she wanted was to relive that moment, to explain herself to Julia, who still seemed to believe in the fairytale of soulmates.

"I don’t want to talk about it," Tia said, her voice clipped, as she turned her attention back to her laptop. She could feel the walls she had carefully constructed over the past few days threatening to crumble, and she wasn’t about to let that happen. Not here, not in front of Hannah and certainly not in public.

Julia’s face softened as she took in Tia’s defensive posture, the way her usually warm, expressive eyes had dulled to a lifeless purple hue. She hadn’t seen Tia like this before, and it scared her. She dropped to a crouch beside Tia, her earlier anger dissipating into concern.

"Tia," Julia said softly, reaching out to touch her friend’s arm. "What happened? Please, just talk to me."

Tia flinched at the contact, pulling her arm away as if Julia’s touch burned her. She didn’t want to be comforted, didn’t want to be pitied. She had spent years perfecting the art of emotional detachment under her grandmother’s strict guidance, and now wasn’t the time to let those defenses slip.

Hannah watched the interaction closely, her protective instincts flaring. She didn’t trust Julia, didn’t like how the blonde seemed to be pushing Tia to confront something she clearly wasn’t ready to face. But Hannah also recognized the importance of this moment—Tia needed to let some of that pent-up emotion out before it consumed her entirely.

Tia took a deep breath, trying to calm the storm inside her. When she finally spoke, her voice was low, almost a whisper. "I’m not his soulmate, Julia."

Julia blinked, taken aback. "What do you mean?"

"I’m not his soulmate," Tia repeated, her voice gaining strength as she spoke. "You said I was, but I’m not. He doesn’t want me. He has someone else."

Julia’s heart sank as she realized what Tia was saying. "Tia, no…"

"He has someone else, Julia!" Tia’s voice cracked as she looked up, her eyes burning with unshed tears. "And I can’t… I can’t be around him anymore. I dropped the class because I couldn’t stand to see him with her. I came to this university to make a career, not to get caught up in some ridiculous fantasy."

Julia stared at her friend, at the raw pain etched across her features. She had always been the optimist, the one who believed in fate and love and soulmates. But now, looking at Tia, she realized that her belief had blinded her to the reality of what Tia had been going through.

"Oh, Tia…" Julia whispered, her voice breaking. "I’m so sorry."

Tia shook her head, forcing the tears back. "Don’t be. I’m fine. I just… I need to focus on my studies, on what really matters. I can’t let myself get distracted by something that’s never going to happen."

Hannah, who had been silent throughout the exchange, finally spoke. Her voice was steady, reassuring. "You’re stronger than you think, Tia. You’re doing the right thing, focusing on yourself. That’s all that matters right now. And even if you're Lucas’s Mate, I don't think Shelia would be too comfortable sharing Lucas, let alone giving him away, just like that." She scoffed the last part in disgust.

Tia looked over at Hannah, her eyes meeting the dark, steady gaze of her assignment partner. There was something comforting in Hannah’s words, in the way she didn’t try to dismiss Tia’s feelings or tell her that everything would be okay. Instead, she simply acknowledged Tia’s pain and supported her decision. It was exactly what Tia needed to hear.

However, addressing Dr. Hayes in such a casual manner, implied that Hannah knows them out of the academic setting.

Julia, too, looked at Hannah’s nonchalant attitude towards the mention of her uncle, and she was annoyed. Julia had known of Hannah, still can't understand the drastic decision she took and left her mate, I mean, who does that? Julia always thought.

But on the mention of Sheila, Julia understood why Tia was heartbroken. She gave Tia’s hand a gentle squeeze before releasing it. "I just want you to be happy, Tia. If dropping the class is what you need to do, then I’m here for you."

Tia managed a small, grateful smile. "Thank you, Julia. I appreciate it."

The three women sat there in silence for a moment, the tension slowly dissipating as the afternoon sun dipped lower in the sky. The old oak tree above them rustled in the breeze, its leaves whispering secrets from centuries past. It was a quiet, peaceful moment, one that Tia desperately needed.

For the first time in weeks, she felt a sense of calm, a glimmer of hope that maybe she could move forward, even without the dream of a soulmate to guide her. She had her friends, her studies, and her determination to succeed. And that, she realized, was enough.

As the sun began to set, casting long shadows across the courtyard, Tia knew that the road ahead wouldn’t be easy. But with Julia and Hannah by her side, she felt ready to face whatever challenges came her way.

And maybe, just maybe, she would find her own path to happiness—one that didn’t rely on the idea of fate or soulmates, but on her own strength and resilience.

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