CHAPTER 5: UNWILLING PROMISES

Nox's POV

With sad eyes, I looked at the tossed away flowers and chocolates that I had got for the Luna, on the floor. Xayden had no right to toss them away if they made him sneeze. Brushing his lips against mine, was not plus behaviour either.

At the moment, the only feeling trumping my anger was embarrassment.

"Here, son. Take this." Alpha Chris gave me a hand and hauled me up from the floor while the Luna's exotic gifts lay askew across the floor.

"Alpha. Luna. Greetings to you ! I hope you remember me," I chuckled nervously as I averted my eyes.

Xayden had rendered me embarrassingly empty handed, save for the Alpha's gift of prized wine. It felt embarrassing to just give a bottle of wine to the Alpha and nothing to the teetotaler Luna.

Hence, I tried to hide the gift and give it to the alpha couple after getting something for the Luna.

"Of course, we do, dear !" The Luna exclaimed, unbothered by the mess in the Alpha's office.

She hugged my larger frame as far as she could reach on her tippy toes. A wave of warmth and motherly love washed over me and I relaxed in her hold.

It made me wonder, how a kind and gentle woman like her could give birth to a monster.

"Look at you ! You've grown to be a dashing and strong man. I hope the doctors are kept on standby when we have swooning wolves looking at you."

"Luna !" I exclaimed with a soft chuckle as my cheeks heated up. I might be a seasoned player of hearts but hearing it from the Luna made me blush like a freaking virgin on a wedding night.

"What ? It's true." The Luna nonchalantly shrugged while grinning at me. Luna Michelle Adler certainly didn’t change over the years. In fact, she had just become more endearing ! "Your mate is going to be so lucky to have you," she pinched my cheek and the Alpha secretly chuckled behind his mate as she pulled my cheeks apart like marshmallows.

If only she knew how lucky my mate felt. His harsh words still rang mercilessly in my head, tearing apart my heart in shreds. Not every playboy was cruel and stone-hearted. Some of them believed in the purity of mate bond and just loved to have fun before giving all their attention and love to their fated one.

I had offered him to reject me, hadn’t I ? It was the most civil thing to do. However, what did he do ? He left me hanging in a limbo ! It felt like I had a mate but no mate at the same time.

Fvcking Xayden.

"Dear, he looks conflicted between making a run for the window and staying here." Alpha Chris chuckled before wrapping an arm around his mate's petite waist and softly kissing her temple. "He just arrived here. I'm sure he wants to meet his parents after six years and rest after a long journey."

"You're right, Chris. Beta and Lady Canning must be wondering what happened." The Luna said as she quickly glanced around the room but chose not to comment.

I knew that they knew that their son was behind this mess. Their prickly, homophobic, pathetic son.

“I will take your leave now, Alpha. Luna. I’ll be back soon,” I promised, internally adding, ‘…with a gift for you.’

"Son, do you intend on giving that gift to me or are you taking it with you home ?” Suddenly Alpha Chris called behind me as soon as my hand touched the doorknob. “And uh, uh. Don't even try lying to me. I can see a card with my name peeking out of it." he added before I could deny.

I wanted to facepalm myself before I spun around with the widest smile I could pull off. However, ants could have smiled wider than me at the moment.

“Oh ! I forgot to give it to you,” I lied, my face flaming up to a deep red hue again.

“Did you ?” The elder alpha caught me-- again.

“Yes, Sir.”

“Nox,” the Luna clutched my arm and squeezed it softly. “We know that you know that we know who caused all this,” she waved her hand around the room while effortlessly pulling off the tongue twister. “And we apologize from his side. He ruined the perfect gifts you got for me and your first day here.”

“No, no. I’m sorry, Luna. I am ashamed that I--”

“Nox,” Alpha Chris softly silenced me. “You don’t need to apologize. We will take that pup to task, don’t worry. We assure you that he will never think of even touching a singe of your hair. All we ask from you is your patience. We don’t want you running away from the pack. You’re the finest Beta and best replacement of your father. We’re all proud of who you’ve become over the years and the pack needs you more than ever. The rogue situation and population is getting out of hand.”

“Yes, Alpha.”

“No, Nox. Promise me. I want a blood pact that you’ll never leave Xayden no matter what. You’ll stay by his side and guide him till the end. Promise me you’ll be his protector !” Alpha Chris cut his thumb with the dagger he hid.

A blood pact broken by either party, led to the death of both of them, irrespective of who broke it.

It was not me who replied and cut my thumb with my dagger.

“We promise !”

It was Bolt. My wolf !!

Noooooo !