The Alpha's Student: His Forbidden Mate

CHAPTER004

ELENA'S POINT OF VIEW

My mother instantly burst into laughter upon seeing my facial expression.

What happened to you that you looked so surprised, as if you'd encountered a ghost?

"Nikos is Leonidas' son?" As I spoke the words, I couldn't fully grasp their meaning. "I had no idea he had kids."

She nodded, her expression calm.

Nikos never shared a close relationship with his father. He stayed with his mother in another pack. When Leonidas died, he returned to Thalassa. Being his only living relative, and all."

I swallowed hard. Knowing beforehand would have prevented me from extending an invitation to him. I’m so sorry—"

"Sorry?" she cut in, shaking her head. "Why are you sorry? I’m glad you invited him. Your father will be pleased. He rather likes Nikos. He praises Nikos for his intelligent thinking. He certainly doesn't resemble his father.

I hesitated. "So… do we trust him?"

Elena, you shouldn't hold Nikos accountable for his father's actions. You should know that better than anyone."

She touched my shoulder with a comforting hand while her eyes displayed gentle warmth.

Should anything arise that requires your attention, I will inform you. But for now, there isn't. Nikos is not a villain. Those days are behind us."

The words she spoke dropped into my chest to relieve my stress. I would feel secure if my mother didn’t show concern.

She said with a knowing smile starting to form on her face, "When did you plan on telling me about Andreas?"

I froze. "How did you know about that?"

She lifted her brow. As your mother, I know everything you try to keep from me.

I let out a short laugh. She could always tell when things were happening.

"Does Dad know?"

"Do you not want him to know?"

I confessed that I didn't want to cause any issues with the Alpha Committee. "Andreas’ father is a member."

"Your father is extremely professional. A professional like your father would not allow that situation to affect his work performance. She gave me a knowing look. If you prefer, I will keep silent; I’ll respect your decision. So we won't be waiting for Andreas to show up tonight?

It wasn’t even a question.

I began to descend the stairs to welcome guests. My best friend Suzan greeted me first, which came as no surprise. She ran fast to my side and wrapped her arms tightly around me, which almost made me lose my footing.

She squealed. "Elena! You look stunning! How do you feel? Do you feel eighteen?"

I sighed, shaking my head. "I feel the same as always." I wanted to receive my wolf today.

"You still might!" she said brightly. "The day is still young." You will truly enjoy it when this happens.

Months earlier, Suzan got her wolf, and she'd been talking about it nonstop. She described the experience as having a genuine best friend who comprehends all aspects of her. Then she hesitated, noticing my expression. "No offense," she added quickly. "I just mean, it’s… different, you know?"

I nodded. "I get it."

My mother told me about the time she believed she had permanently lost her wolf. She described the feeling as losing an essential part of her identity. The space remained quiet as if deprived of its usual vibrant existence. Your father provided me with companionship when I felt isolated.

That was what I wanted. I longed for someone who could help me feel less isolated even though I might never find my wolf. But I also wanted to meet her. I was curious about her appearance and voice. I was also curious about what her name might be.

My mother brought out my birthday cake at the moment the packhouse became full of people. My favourite. My chest tightened as people began to sing.

I briefly lost track of Andreas' act of betrayal. I forgot about my wasted first kiss.

The situation was calm until he walked in.

The smell of marshmallows was the first thing I noticed. I noticed him standing motionless in the doorway. He had on a dark blazer and fitted pants, with his shaggy hair remaining slightly messy, although sweat no longer covered him.

Several Alphas greeted him alongside my father. I watched them shake hands. My father spoke to him while I failed to catch his words. My mother suddenly appeared at my side.

"Nikos is looking rather nice tonight."

I swallowed. "Yeah. He is."

"You didn’t think he’d show up?"

"I wasn’t sure."

"You’re Alpha Christos' daughter," she reminded me. Of course, he’d show up. Every Alpha is here."

I remembered our kiss from a few days ago while warmth spread across my cheeks. The truth struck me when I realized Nikos was Leonidas's son. Had he ever found out about what happened between his father and my father? Did he know what I was? The majority of people lack the ability to identify an Aether wolf merely by looking at it.

Would it even matter to him?

True love was a concept I believed in because that was what united my parents. That was what I wanted. I wanted to find a partner who would love me as deeply as I loved them. I sought a partner who was willing to go to extraordinary lengths for me. Who would die for me?

I didn’t see Nikos being that person.

I didn't see Andreas as that person either.

Nikos looked around the gathering with his eyes seeking something specific. Their eyes settled on me, and their color deepened just a tiny bit. I put on a polite smile to prevent him from interpreting my thoughts too deeply.

His expression didn’t change. Spending a brief moment, he redirected his attention to the ongoing discussion among the Alphas.

He had such nerve.

Third-Person POV

Marina walked back and forth while her arms remained firmly crossed against her chest. Her nails pierced her skin, yet she paid them no attention. Her internal frustration was much more painful than any physical sting she felt.

She burst out angrily. "Today in class she completely humiliated me."

Andreas rested his back against the lockers while his arms folded across his chest as he displayed a bored expression. “What’d she do now?”

She confronted me in front of the entire classroom! Her words broke off with frustration when she said she looked foolish. “And the worst part? Everyone laughed! Even Professor Nikos!”

Andreas smirked. “That doesn’t sound so bad.”

Marina shot him with a glare. “Of course, you wouldn’t care! It doesn’t affect you when people gossip about you behind your back! Can you imagine what it’s like to fall from the top spot into second place? No one used to question me! Now, it’s always Elena this, Elena that!”

Andreas shrugged. “So what? She didn't do it intentionally.

Marina narrowed her eyes. “Oh, please. She isn’t the innocent little saint you make her out to be.

Andreas hesitated, shifting uncomfortably. “I mean… she kind of is. She only takes action after someone initiates something with her.

Marina scoffed. “Oh, so now you’re on her side?”

Andreas sighed. “I didn’t say that.”

“But you’re thinking it.”

Andreas rolled his eyes. “I don’t care about Elena.”

That was a lie. He did care. He just wouldn’t admit it.

Marina looked at him with intense scrutiny as her lips formed into a playful smirk. “Right. That’s why you’re still talking about her.”

Andreas clenched his jaw but didn’t respond.

Marina moved forward while whispering to him. “You know, she said something intriguing today.”

Andreas arched his brow. “Yeah?”

“She told me you didn’t measure up as a man.”

That got his attention. His head snapped toward her, eyes narrowing. “She said what?”

Marina shrugged. “Word for word.”

Andreas scoffed, shaking his head. Andreas mocked her because she refused to go all the way.

Marina giggled. “I know, right? She pretends to be important, but underneath she's really just an insignificant nobody.

Andreas didn’t respond. He looked away, jaw tightening.

Marina tilted her head. “Still thinking about her?”

He exhaled sharply. “No.”

“Good,” she said. “Because I have a plan.”

Andreas frowned. “What kind of plan?”

Marina bent towards him as she spoke in a faint whisper. I listened in on her conversation with Professor Nikos, which occurred after class. She invited him to her birthday party.”

“So?”

Marina’s smirk grew wider as she declared, “I think we should crash a party.”

Andreas paused while an enigmatic expression briefly crossed his face. “Marina… don’t do anything stupid.”

She grinned. “Oh, Andreas… Where’s the fun in that?