Chapter 12
1045 Words
Astrid’s Pov
My heart wouldn’t stop racing the entire walk back to the castle.
Every step felt heavier than the last. I kept replaying what I had seen, Alpha Xavier shifting, the powerful black wolf, and then… him standing there completely naked for that brief moment before he dressed. My cheeks burned with shame. I told myself over and over to stop thinking about it. *Astrid, you stupid girl. Why are you even thinking about that? He is the Alpha. He is dangerous. He could still kill you any second.*
I was so lost in my thoughts that I didn’t notice he had stopped walking right in front of me. I walked straight into his broad back.
“Oh!” I gasped, stumbling backward. “I’m so sorry, Alpha! I didn’t mean to— I wasn’t paying attention—”
He turned slowly, those piercing hazel eyes locking onto me. “Hmm. You weren’t paying attention?” His voice was low, calm, and terrifying. “What were you thinking about, Astrid?”
I looked up at him and my mouth went dry. He looked like a god carved from stone and shadow — tall, powerful, with long dark hair framing a face that was both beautiful and cruel. How could someone look so perfect and so dangerous at the same time?
“I… I was just…” I stammered, the words refusing to come out properly. My face grew hotter. “I’m sorry, Alpha.”
He stared at me for a long moment, expression unreadable. “I do not like when someone is not fully focused. Do not test my patience, Astrid. You have been doing so quite a lot lately. Do not mistake my mercy for weakness.”
I bowed my head immediately. “I’m sorry, Alpha.”
He said nothing more and continued walking. I followed silently, clutching the bundle of plants tightly to my chest like a lifeline. The castle was enormous — big enough to house a thousand people, though far fewer actually lived inside its walls. As we passed through the gates, I felt eyes on me. Servants, warriors, even some of the higher ranks stared openly. Whispers followed us like shadows. *What is she doing with the Alpha? Where did they go?*
My stomach twisted with embarrassment.
When we reached the main hall, Aliyah was waiting. She stood near a table covered with her precious mirrors, crystals, and ceramic ornaments, admiring her reflection. The moment she saw Xavier, her entire face lit up. She practically threw the mirror to one of her maids and rushed toward him.
“Oh my love, where have you been?” she cried, throwing her arms around him in a dramatic hug. “I came back and you were gone. I missed you so much.”
Xavier didn’t return the hug. His arms stayed at his sides, his body rigid. “I went for a run,” he said flatly. “I have matters to attend to in the hall. I will see you in my chambers later.”
Aliyah pulled back, still smiling sweetly, but her eyes flicked to me and narrowed. “You transformed… while she was there?”
Xavier gave no answer. He simply turned and walked away, leaving me standing there with my heart hammering.
The second he was gone, Aliyah’s expression changed completely. The fake sweetness vanished, replaced by pure venom.
“So,” she said, stepping closer, “you saw my mate transform.” Her lips curled into a cruel smile. “That means you saw him naked, doesn’t it?”
I froze. I was never good at lying. My hands started shaking around the bundle of plants I was trying desperately to hide.
“I… I don’t know what you mean, Luna,” I whispered, looking down. “I didn’t see anything. I was just gathering herbs for a potion the Moon Goddess needed because of the… the bite. I volunteered because I know plants. That’s all.”
Aliyah laughed, a sharp, nasty sound. “Volunteered? You expect me to believe that? You stinking little b***h. What business does my Alpha have with someone like you?” She clapped her hands three times. “Drop whatever you’re holding and follow me to my chambers. Now. And when you get there, I want you on your f*****g knees.”
I dropped to my knees instantly, then scrambled up and hurried to the servants’ quarters. I hid the plants as quickly as I could. Mara looked at me with concern and started to ask if I was okay, but I didn’t have time to answer. I rushed back to Aliyah’s chambers, knocked softly, and stepped inside.
Aliyah was waiting.
“Who even gave you the audacity to just walk in?” she snapped. “Who told you to come inside?”
“I’m sorry, Luna—” I started, turning to leave.
“Who told you to leave?” she hissed.
Before I could react, she kicked me hard in the stomach. Pain exploded through my body and I doubled over, coughing. She grabbed my hair and slapped me across the face, then kicked me again.
“You think you can just look at what isn’t yours?” she snarled, towering over me. “Xavier is mine. I could have my maids beat you bloody right now, but I won’t. Not yet.” She leaned down, her beautiful face twisted with hatred. “He’s in a meeting right now, but when he comes to me tonight, I’ll remind him exactly who he belongs to. And you… you will regret ever laying eyes on him. If you ever forget your place again, I will kill you myself. Do you understand?”
I nodded weakly, tears streaming down my face, my body aching. “Yes, Luna.”
She straightened up with a satisfied smile. “Good. Now get out of my sight.”
I crawled out of her chambers, every movement painful. My stomach throbbed, my cheek burned, and fresh tears kept falling. All I could think about was how small and powerless I felt.
Why did the Alpha spare me? Why did he take me outside today?
And why couldn’t I stop thinking about the way he looked at me?
- Writer
