Alpha Caspian

A friend

“ Thank you for coming here, Athea,” I was truly grateful to her.

She smiled softly before reaching over and tucking a loose strand of hair behind my ear.

“ You don't have to thank me, Lily,” she said gently.

“ Friends don't thank each other.”

Friends. The word felt foreign on my tongue. Did I ever have one before? I couldn't remember.

A faint ache settled in my chest as I searched my mind, hoping to find at least one familiar face. Nothing. Only darkness.

“ Friends?” I repeated under my breath.

“ Yes,” she answered with a grin.

“ Unless you don't want to be my friend," she added softly.

A small smile tugged at my lips for what felt like the first time today.

“ I would like to be your friend, Athea," i said almost immediately.

“ Then it is settled,” she declared proudly with a bright smile on her face.

“ From today onwards, you are my friend," she said with a proud shake of her head. A soft chuckle escaped my lips.

“ You are childish," i said smiling genuinely at her.

“ I know,” she laughed.

“ Everyone says that,” she replied.

The room fell silent once again. Unlike before, the silence wasn't heavy, it wasn't suffocating, It was comforting.

I looked out of the window where the afternoon breeze gently swayed the branches of the trees.

“ Can I ask you something?” I broke the silence after a long time.

“ Of course.”

“ Everyone seems to respect Alpha Caspian a lot," I said and paused before looking at her, She nodded immediately.

“ They do," she replied.

“ Why?” i asked, looking at her strangely a little confused at that. Alphas are arogant and ruthless many people fear them because of their power but with Caspian it's different it felt like they respect him out of love.

“ Because he earned it," she said, as she looked at me before smiling faintly.

“ Alpha never asks anyone to risk their lives for him.”

“ He always stands in front of us," she added, lost at her own thoughts. I listened quietly. A strange warmth spreading through my chest hearing the new side of him.

“ During rogue attacks, he is always the first one to fight.”

“ During disasters, he is the first one to help.”

“ He remembers every warrior's name.”

“ Every omega's birthday.”

“ Every family that lost someone.” My brows knitted together at her words.

“ Really?” i asked in disbelief.

“ Yes," she answered almost immediately as she smiled proudly.

“ He carries the entire kingdom on his shoulders from a very young age," she continues.

Something inside my chest tightened. That didn't sound like the man who had rejected me only a few hours ago. As if reading my thoughts, Athea sighed.

“ Alpha wasn't always this distant.” I looked at her, waiting for her to continue.

“ What happened?” She lowered her gaze.

“ I don't know.” Her answer surprised me.

“ You don't?" i asked, isn't she a member of this pack? maybe there are more secrets than i can count. She slowly shook her head.

“ No one really knows," she said, turning her head as she stared out of the window.

“ One day... he simply changed," she said after a pause.

“ He stopped smiling. He became quieter, he buried himself in work.” She paused for a brief moment, then she turned her head to look at me.

“ Since then... he has refused every chosen mate the council brought before him," I remained quiet.

“ Especially Scarlett," she said. hearing her name made my breath caught in my throat.

“ The council wants him to take a chosen mate before his thirtieth birthday.”

“ But Alpha refuses every single time," I lowered my head.

“ Then why...” The words got stuck in my throat.

“ Why did he reject me?” i muttered under my breath, Athea looked at me sadly.

“ I don't know," she said, shaking her head.

“ But I do know one thing," I lifted my eyes to meet hers.

“ Alpha has never brought anyone into his room," My heart skipped a beat at her words.

“ Never?” i asked in disbelief. She smiled softly before shaking her head.

“ Never.”

“ Not a guest, not a woman, not anyone You are the first.”

I stared at her blankly. If that was true... Why? He didn't want me. Then why keep me so close? Why rescue me? Why protect me? None of it made sense.

“ Don't overthink it,” Athea said gently.

“ Alpha may be stubborn...” A small smile appeared on her lips.

“ ...but he has a good heart.”

I didn't answer. Maybe he did. But a good heart didn't stop my own from hurting.

A loud knock echoed through the room. Both of us turned towards the door.

“ Come in,” Athea called.

The door slowly opened before an elderly omega stepped inside. She bowed respectfully.

“ Lady Lily.”

I immediately shook my head.

“ Please... just Lily.”

The old woman smiled kindly.

“ Alpha has requested that everyone address you with respect.”

Again, Why? Before I could ask, she continued.

“ Alpha also asked me to prepare the guest room for you.”

A strange feeling settled inside my chest. So...

He truly wanted me out of his room.

“ It is ready now.You may move whenever you wish.” I forced a smile.

“ Thank you.”

The omega bowed once again before quietly leaving. The room fell silent, Athea glanced at me carefully.

“ Are you alright?” she asked.

“ Yes," i replied, the lie came too easily.

I slowly stood up before walking towards the wardrobe. Opening it, I stared at the neatly folded clothes inside. None of them belonged to me.

Everything had been prepared by him. A bitter smile appeared on my lips.

“ He rejected the bond...” I whispered softly, looking at the neatly folded clothes.

“ Yet he still made sure I had everything I needed.”

I didn't know whether to hate him... Or be grateful to him.

“ Lily," Athea's voice made me out of my thoughts.

I turned around, Athea was watching me with concern.

“ What? i asked. she didn't say anything instead, She walked over before stopping beside me.

“ Promise me something.”

“ What is it?” i asked, She took my hands in hers.

“ Don't let anyone decide your worth.” My breath caught.

“ Not your past.”

“ Not your memories.”

“ Not even your mate.”

Her words settled deep inside my heart. For the first time... I felt like someone truly saw me. A lone tear escaped my eye.

I quickly wiped it away before taking a deep breath.

“ I promise," i said giving her a small nod. A small smile spread across Athea's face.

“ Good.”

“ Because I have a feeling...” She squeezed my hands gently.

“ Your story is only beginning.”