Chapter 5 The mountain hike

Angel’s POV

Bastien had gone for a three day business trip, and when he returned, I ran into him in the office.

It used to be that the very sound of his footsteps could make my heart flutter. I would straighten my clothes, smooth my hair, and stand a little taller, eager to see him. But this time, when he returned, I was aloof.

There was a time when I saw his handsome face after a long period of not seeing me, I would get excited. But now, nothing stirred inside me. Just… nothing.

Bastien barely looked at me. He was just plain indifferent.

As I proceeded to the break room,

“Alpha Bastien looks happier these days,” one colleague whispered behind me.

“Of course,” another answered. “He has a girlfriend now. That pretty one…  right?”

It didn’t take a genius to know that it was Lilian.

They didn’t know that Lilian had been practically my previous best friend. That we had practically been inseparable years ago.

I kept my face neutral.

Soon after, as I stepped outside the premises for fresh air, my body froze. Just beyond the corner of the building, Bastien stood with Lilian pressed tightly in his arms, his lips moving urgently against hers.

For a whole minute, I froze and just watched.Bastien had made it clear that he was only taking care of Lilian because she had six months to live, but here they were, kissing.

Obviously, it was clear that there was more going on between them romantically, one that I was unaware of. What I witnessed only proved one thing, the two were romantically involved. 

It pained me more to think that they probably did a lot more if not just kissing whenever they spent time together. And then, I still waited and loved him. It felt like a dagger was struck straight through my heart.

Her hands clung to his shoulders. His head was tilted with a tenderness as they kissed. They didn’t see me at first. And when Bastien finally noticed my presence, he stiffened, surprised at first then ashamed. They separated from each other upon seeing me.

“Angel,” he said sharply. “What are you doing here? ”

I clutched the hem of my shirt and said, “I just happened to be passing by.”

“Alright,” he said impatiently, “you’re being pretty annoying.”

He didn't say it outright, but I understood what he meant. He thought I was deliberately following them.

I had already divorced him in my heart. And the thought of following them had never crossed my mind. Had it been before, I’d probably have done it, but now, I simply sighed, too tired to explain.

Bastien frowned, but instead of guilt, frustration flickered through his expression, as though I had interrupted something important.

“Just… leave,” he said impatiently.

My fingers trembled slightly, and I felt a deep sadness welling up inside me. Without offering any explanation, I turned and walked away..

Later, in the elevator lobby, I overheard a conversation some elders were having, scrambling excitedly, and talking over each other:

“Is she here yet?”

“Ms. Lilian! We are honored—truly honored!”

“It’s a privilege to serve the Alpha’s honored guest.”

I blinked. Ms Lilian. They were bowing and scraping for her without even seeing her face. Meanwhile, the receptionist, seeing me approach with a small stack of documents, suddenly snapped:

“You’re not allowed in here! This area is for senior staff only—cleaning shifts are downstairs!”

“I… I’m not a janitor,” I said softly.

She rolled her eyes. “Right. And I’m the Luna Queen. Move, you’re blocking the way…”

She shoved me aside, too forcefully. Pain shot up my arm as my shoulder hit the corner of a cabinet. I steadied myself silently, my fingers trembling as I picked up the papers I’d dropped. No one seemed to notice the commotion.

As I walked away quietly, nursing my bruised shoulder, I caught my reflection in the glass, even my own shadow looked tired.

 I suddenly remembered the years I’d spent studying documents late into the night just to assist Bastien. Training, researching, learning everything for him because I wanted to support him anyway I could.

Lilian’s status easily surpassed mine, a regular Luna with no impressive background. That way, it was easy for Bastien’ attention to be focused on her instead of me. 

That evening, as I was descending the stairs to the dining table for a simple dinner. The family was already seated. 

“Daddy… I’ve actually been missing mom a bit lately. But she can never allow me to skip school. Can you help me lie to Mommy to let me skip school tomorrow? I want to go to Aunt Lilian’s award ceremony.”

As if it were obvious that Lilian’s ceremony mattered more. And that I would be unreasonable about it. Of course it would take me a lot of convincing to allow him skip school. Probably the reason why he didn’t ask me first.

Bastien smiled fondly at him, “Of course. I’ll do that.”

Finn grinned triumphantly. “Daddy… you’ll lie for me?”

“Just this once,” Bastien said indulgently.

I approached the table then sat down. I ate slowly, my stomach tight.

Bastien was apparently oblivious to the fact that I may have heard their conversation earlier. Or maybe he was aware because he continued, “ why don't we go on a picnic over the weekend, as a family?”

“I love picnics.” Finn chimed, turning to me with glinting eyes. “Mom, can we go?”

Bastien turned to look at me for a response.

For the first time in weeks, he wanted to spend time with me. I swallowed everything I felt and forced a smile.

“Yes, Finn. We can go.”

Inside, I thought this would probably be the last time I hang out with him.

Finn bounced in his seat. “Can we bring Shadow too?”

“Of course,” I said immediately. “Shadow can come.”

Shadow was our family dog that we had for a few years now. I would allow the dog to come if it meant Finn might remember me kindly.

On the morning of the hike, Finn practically dragged Bastien along toward the bus. But when I stepped inside, Lilian was already there. The duo sat beside her.

Bastien noticed the atmosphere and spoke. “Angel… Lilian felt unwell today. I couldn’t leave her alone.”

I nodded. My throat felt tight, but I kept my expression calm.

Finn chimed in, worried, “Aunt Lilian is so pitiful, Mommy. She’s very, very sick. She can't be left alone.”

Throughout the ride, Bastien and Finn fussed over her. Adjusting her seat, giving her blankets, handing her water. Bastien’s voice softened every time he spoke her name.

Lilian’s gaze drifted toward me repeatedly, searching, hoping to see jealousy. But she found only calm. I stared out the window, letting my thoughts run wild.

It wasn't long before fortunately, the group stopped halfway up the mountain for a short walk. The path was covered in autumn leaves, the air slightly windy. For a brief moment, nature managed to avert my mind from Lilian and Bastien.

I walked a few steps behind, giving them space, as I enjoyed the cool of the mountain..

Suddenly, Lilian gasped. She tripped over a loose rock. Before I could react, she grabbed my wrist in panic, her nails digging into my skin…

And we both slipped.

The ground tilted. Leaves flew past my vision. I felt myself roll. A sharp impact shot up my leg as something jagged met my calf.

When it was all over, Lilian was crying softly beside me, clutching her scraped palm.

Bastien’s voice resounded “Lilian!” He sprinted down the slope so fast he nearly stumbled.

“Lilian, are you okay?” He didn’t even glance at me.

Finn came running too. “Aunt Lilian!”

Their concern poured over her like warm rain. Her injury was small, just a scrape, but Bastien held her hand as if she’d shattered into pieces. On the other, I was trying not to fret over my bleeding gash.

“Angel,” he said absentmindedly, looking back at me for the first time. “Can you… hang in there?”

My calf was throbbing, bleeding warm and wet, but I nodded. 

He barely waited. “I’m taking Lilian back first.”

He scooped Lilian into his arms, her head resting dramatically against his shoulder.

Finn hesitated, glancing between him and me.Seconds later, he made his decision quickly. He ran after Bastien.

I was left sitting alone on the cold slope, with Shadow beside me.For a long while as I waited for them to return, Shadow  barked loud and aggressively, running in circles, trying to call someone, anyone.