THE ALPHA'S FORGOTTEN MATE

CHAPTER 3

KADE

TWO MONTHS LATER

“How could you do this to me? Was it all worth it in the end?”

My eyes snapped open, and I took a deep breath once I realized that I was still back in my office and everything I was seeing so far was nothing but a dream. I sighed in relief and laid my back on the chair, trying my best to stay awake. I couldn’t afford to close my eyes again, not when her images haunted me so badly.

I could still picture it all too clearly—the way her eyes pleaded for me not to reject her. It was still etched—forever fresh in my memory. A pang of guilt set in my heart.

My wolf—Rylan—continued to remain restless. He was always bothered, and every night, he’d whisper her name, like the nightmares weren’t haunting enough.

Regret sets in. It starts to wash over me, and I felt guilty for doing what I did to her. I never should’ve rejected her, and I never should have done what I did.

I told the guards to take her for treatment but was too guilty to even go and see her. I’m sure the last person she’d want to see right now is me.

The sound of the door abruptly cut my thoughts short. I turned to see my Beta, Lucien. He took one glance at me and figured out what was wrong.

“Still having those nightmares, huh?” he remarked. I slowly nodded in response, trying to avoid his lingering gaze on me.

He sighed. “You know you should just forget about it. What happened has happened, and you can’t change that. You rejected her, and the mate bond is gone. You shouldn’t let that overwhelm you.”

I had to control myself from lashing out at him. He had no idea what I was passing through right now and couldn’t even relate to an ounce of it. I just had to close my eyes, taking in deep breaths to calm myself.

“Look at it like this,” he continued. “Fate made a mistake, and you shouldn’t let it get to you.”

I was starting to get pissed by his words. I know he’s trying to help, but none of what he’s saying is helping me so far.

I groaned inwardly, putting a hand over my face. “What the f**k are you actually here for? Is it to piss me the hell off or what?”

“Sheesh! Can you take it easy on me?” He raised his hands in the air. “I’m only just the messenger, after all.”

I rolled my eyes at him. “Tell me what you’re here for and close the door behind you afterward,” I said dismissively.

“The elders are requesting your presence. They set up an impromptu meeting and are demanding that you show up.”

Lucien folded his arms, watching me in silence for a moment before sighing. “They’re serious this time, Kade. The council thinks the pack’s reputation is at risk if you don’t pick a Luna soon. They’re saying the rejection during the Blood Moon has brought bad luck.”

I clenched my jaw, annoyance and guilt mixing into something heavy. “Bad luck?” I muttered, standing from my chair. “They think a woman’s rejection can curse an entire pack? That’s the kind of nonsense I’d expect from superstitious fools, not my elders.”

Lucien shrugged, clearly uncomfortable. “You know how the old ones are. They believe in signs, omens… prophecy talk. They think the Moon Goddess is angry with you for rejecting your fated mate.”

I slammed my hand on the desk, the wood creaking under my strength. “I did what I had to do,” I said sharply. “She was weak. The pack needs a Luna who could lead beside me, not someone who could barely stand her ground.”

The words came out cold, almost convincing. But deep down, I could feel the lie burn through my chest. Weak. That’s what I called her that night. That’s what I told myself to make the rejection easier to live with.

Lucien hesitated, watching me carefully. “And the elders think Luna Vale is the solution. Her father’s been pushing for an alliance for months now. They say it’s the best move for the Crescent Blood Pack.”

I turned toward the large window behind my desk, staring at the forest stretching far beyond the borders. The sky was dim now, the moon hidden behind clouds, yet I could still feel its pull on my skin.

“Luna Vale,” I muttered under my breath. The name itself carried power. She was strong, fearless, and beautiful in the kind of way that could command attention the moment she walked into a room. I’d met her before at a council summit—she’d made it clear what she wanted. Me.

“She’s already preparing herself for the announcement,” Lucien continued. “If you agree, you’ll be bonded by the next full moon.”

I rubbed my temple, exhaustion settling in. “Fine,” I said finally, my tone low. “Tell them I’ll do it. We’ll make the announcement.”

Lucien blinked, clearly surprised. “That’s it? No hesitation?”

I gave a bitter chuckle. “What’s the point of hesitating? The pack needs stability. And if this alliance silences the council, then so be it.”

Lucien nodded slowly, though he didn’t look convinced. “Alright. I’ll inform them.”

When he left, the office felt colder than before. The air was still, heavy with something unseen.

I sat back in my chair, staring at the glass of whiskey I hadn’t touched since last night. I lifted it, taking a slow sip, the bitterness burning down my throat. My wolf stirred again, restless beneath the surface.

You’re making a mistake, Rylan’s voice growled in my head.

“Not now,” I muttered aloud, pinching the bridge of my nose.

You can’t replace her.

“Don’t,” I snapped, the glass slamming against the desk. “She’s gone. I made my choice.”

Rylan snarled louder this time, his presence pressing hard against my mind. You think you can lie to me? You feel her too. Every night when you close your eyes—you see her.

My chest tightened. I wanted to argue, but the words refused to form. The image of her—Aria, trembling under the moonlight, her mark glowing as tears streamed down her cheeks—kept flashing before my eyes.

I exhaled shakily, running a hand through my hair. “It doesn’t matter,” I whispered. “Even if she was alive, she’d hate me. And she should.”

That was the truth I could barely admit, even to myself.

Later that evening, I found myself standing at the balcony overlooking the training grounds. Luna Vale was below, sparring with one of the warriors. Her movements were sharp, confident. When she caught sight of me, she smiled—a smile that promised control more than affection.

She walked up the stairs, her long dark hair flowing behind her, and stopped a few feet from me. “The elders said you’ve finally agreed,” she said, her tone smooth but calculated. “I was starting to think you’d never make up your mind.”

“I did it for the pack,” I said bluntly.

Her smile didn’t falter. “Of course. But who says we can’t make it more than that?”

Before I could respond, she placed a hand on my arm. Instantly, Rylan snapped inside me, growling loud enough to make my chest ache. My muscles tensed, my wolf pushing against the bond I didn’t want.

I jerked my arm back sharply. “Don’t,” I warned, my voice colder than I intended.

Her eyes flickered with something unreadable—hurt or anger, I couldn’t tell. But she only nodded, forcing a smile. “You’ll get used to me, Alpha.”

She walked away, leaving her scent lingering behind—a sharp mix of power and roses that only made me feel more suffocated.

When night came, I stayed outside, staring at the moon that had now pushed through the clouds. It looked blood-red again, taunting me.

Then I smelled it. A faint trace carried by the wind—sweet, familiar, and heartbreakingly real.

My fingers tightened against the railing, my breath catching in my throat.

“No,” I muttered to myself. “It’s not possible.”

Rylan’s voice growled low and certain in my mind.

She’s alive, Kade. I can feel her.