My Alpha mate’s regret

Episode2

ASTRID

The wind howled as I made my way back to the kitchen. My heart was heavy with the weight of the divorce paper clutched in my hands. I doubted I was getting any sleep tonight. Freya had ensured I was assigned a degrading task—baking the celebration cake for tomorrow’s ceremony.

A ceremony to honor her return, no doubt.

I pushed open the door of the kitchen and got my hands on the ingredients. I tried to focus on the task at hand, but my hands weren’t steady. My mind kept spiraling in thoughts of Karl signing the papers, kissing Freya…

I cracked the egg on the bowl, but it was my heart that felt that pain. I could feel my tears threatening to fall again when the door creaked open. I didn’t need to turn to know who it was. The scent of lavender oil filled the room— Stacy, Karl’s cousin.

“Back to where you should belong,” she sneered, stepping closer. “I knew you were no match for my cousin. I’m happy he realized that soon enough,”

I swallowed, taking a pause and considering returning her with a statement. But I wasn’t ready for Stacy’s banter. Not this night. I already had a lot on my mind. I ignored her, focusing on the batter.

“Now you’ll return to the street and resume where you stopped before you intentionally ran into my brothers’ car,” she continued,her voice dripping with contempt. “Weak wolf”.

The night of my escape, I ran into Karl’s cousins’ car. He was the one who looked after me and sent me to Gray sky pack. He pleaded with Karl to let me serve in the pack until I was well. Stacy wasn’t in support of my stay.

She woke up every morning hoping I was doing better so I would leave until I turned out to be Karl’s mate. Now that Freya has returned, Stacy must be the happiest person on earth.

“You’ll never be more than a burden and a second chance. Get ready, your stay here is over,” she said, laughing under her breath as she turned and walked out. The sound of her footsteps faded, leaving me alone with my thoughts.

I did my best to keep Karl out of my mind, but it was impossible. I didn’t notice when the rain started, tapping softly against the kitchen windows. By the time I was done, I was covered in flour. My body was exhausted and needed rest.

I barely made it to the door when my legs failed me and I fell. I crawled my way to a side of the kitchen, wrapping myself up with the apron. The rain grew louder and heavier. And before I knew it, I fell asleep.

*****

When I woke up, the kitchen was as bright as day. I could hear the chattering of some staff heading toward the kitchen. I sprang to my feet and hurried behind the door, where I hid when they walked in. The cake wasn’t dressed yet, but judging by how bright the day was, I was late.

I was supposed to be at the hall earlier than Karl and Freya. I sneaked out of the kitchen, hurried to my room and showered. I barely had time to apply makeup. My heart raced as I picked the dress which Karl gifted me on my twenty-fourth birthday.

On a second thought, I dropped it and took another. I was supposed to look presentable today, not timid or maltreated. I hurried out of the room and began heading for the hall.

“Miss Astrid,” I was called. I found Kari’s personal assistant standing at the other edge of the stairs. When I got to him, he presented me some papers and placed a black card on it. “Compensation from Mr. Hailstone,” he said.

I took the papers and read through it.

“In addition, there’s a twenty million cash in the car which would drive you off today, after the ceremony. Be believes these will be able to sustain you until you return to him,” he added.

I couldn’t hold the chuckle which escaped my mouth. I tossed the card and the paper back at him.

“Mr. Hailstone can keep his money, and his wealth,” I said and walked out. Really? Was he trying to rub it on my face that I would return to him. I sighed, taking a deep breath before I walked into the hall. The ceremony looked like it began long ago.

The sound of clinking glasses and low murmurs filled the air. My heart sank as I spotted Karl and Freya standing together at the head room. His hand was wrapped protectively around her waistband, giving it a gentle squeeze. Those looked like Freya’s parents.

“A toast!” Freya’s dad called everyone’s attention as he raised his wine glass. I found a spot at the back to wait out, but I was sighted before I could dodge. “Astrid…will you do the honors?” Her father called.

My heart hammered in my chest, my blood running cold as I turned to face the rest of the crowd. I forced a small smile, walking up to where he was and took the wine. My eyes met those of Karl, but he looked away instantly.

“Go ahead Astrid, you’re keeping us waiting,” Freya screeched, playing with her wine glass around her lips, her eyes shooting a bloody stare at me. I swallowed the shame and lifted the bottle.

“A toast…to finding true happiness,” I muttered. A loud cheer took over the atmosphere and I hurried my way down the stage. I bumped into Freya, or she intentionally got into my path.

I had no idea which it was because my mind wasn’t with them in the hall. But the collision of our bodies spilled drink on her shoe, and she gasped. Her eyes narrowed, her fake smile disappearing. “You’ve made a mess. Clean it up,” the malice in her voice was unmistakable.

She held out a napkin, her mischievous smile returning to the side of her lips. Cleaning the wine off wasn’t what hurt me. It was the way Karl stood and watched, like we were total strangers. I was almost done with it when I felt wine dropping down my hair.

It soaked my hair, down to my gown. When I looked up, I saw Freya, holding her cup above my head. She had emptied her wine glass on me.

“Opps,” she winced. I stood up, my face burning in shame. But I refused to cry. The napkin fell off my hand, and I turned and walked out of the hall without saying a word. That was it. That was the last straw. I got to my room, gathered my bags and set out of the pack house.

I made my way to the gates, my heart racing as I approached. I could see freedom boldly written in the skies outside the gates, calling out to me. But what if there was worse lying and waiting out there for me?

I pushed the gates open, closing my eyes as the harsh wind hit my face. Felt so much like a message to me. But nothing was making me turn around. No one.

“You can’t leave now, Astrid”.

I froze, my breath hitching in my throat as I turned to see who it was.

******