002.

LIAM’S POV. 

I dashed out of Geraldine’s without waiting for Bethel, hopping into the car instantly. My heart raced at the thought of what had just happened. 

I’d waited so long to meet my mate. To my father, and the rest of the Pack, I needed a mate who’d rule by my side, continue the lineage and that, in fact, was the only thing delaying my father from installing me officially as his heir. And now, my chance of being that has being ruined. 

I felt empty. It’s a cruel game played by the Moon goddess. What have I done to deserve this?

Being in an air tight car never eased me of the need to claim my mate, my gum itching with desperation as Zelest’s intoxicating scent filled my senses. It took everything in me to calm myself down. 

Mate. My wolf growled in my head. Claim mate!

My mind was in various places—pulled and torn in different directions, I couldn’t think straight. I needed a clear mind.

“To the lake house,” I muttered to my driver who zoomed out instantly. 

The drive to the lake house was too short. Far too short for me to gather myself and process everything that just happened. As I alighted, the sound of crickets was the first thing that came out, followed by the calm rumble of the wind. It felt soothing. 

“I’ll call you when I need you,” I ordered simply and turned my back to enter the house. I was exhilarated by everything. 

I expected the revving of engine as I gave the order but got none. He clearly wasn’t leaving. “That was an order, Jude. Leave.”

“Yes, Master Liam.” 

What followed was the slam of the car’s door as Jude drove off. A sigh escaped my mouth as I went straight into the house, the scent of sandalwood and lavender filling my nostrils in a soothing manner. 

Except, sandalwood would never smell the same to me again. Not when it reminded me of a certain annoying man who’s meant to be my mate. 

I wonder how Zelest felt after realizing too, because I’m certain he’d felt the connection too—the same, needy bond between us. It was everything I loathed. I was getting frustrated by the way I felt. I needed air. 

I dashed outside, staring at the lake that reflected the full, silvery moon on its surface. Stripping my shirt and pants off, I felt the cold midnight air hit my skin as I stood naked as the day I was born. 

I dived, without further thought than the need for escapism, into the lake. The coldness sank into my bones, loosening the tension between them. I let myself drift, the water slowly moving me away from the bank. I felt free. 

Here, I felt like nothing mattered. The crown, Moonfang, all of it had no sway on me. It was only me, the lake and the starry night. It felt serene. However, being raised as I was, I knew too well that serenity was a luxury the world could not offer me. 

I got out of the lake feeling better and went straight to take a nap, drifting off to the darkness behind my closed eyelids. 

The vibrating sound of my phone ringing was the first to stir me out of my sleep. Staring at the screen groggily, I’m surprised to see that I’d missed Bethel’s calls twelve times and she wasn’t giving up. Sometimes, having her as a cousin can be such a chore. Grunting, I swiped right to answer the call, and her voice sounded strangely tense. 

“What?” I queried disrespectfully. 

“Uncle’s here. He’s asked for you,” Bethel said, out of breath. “Your father’s here, you grumpy ass bitch!” 

I got out of bed instantly, hurriedly doing the necessities as I hopped into the car. My mind were in different places, questioning why my father had adopted the initiative to visit me. Three years in Silvercrest College and my father had visited only thrice, twice of them being an official meeting. So why now?

I knew the truth, though. I just wouldn’t admit it. My mate. Knowing the truth about it made me nervous to the bone. How would I explain to him that I finally found my mate and he’s a man? The most notorious one, moreover. That’s bad. 

The trip was fast—way too fast as Jude drove into the college, straight to my dormitory. I took a deep breath, containing my thoughts as I made my way—not a single student hanging around the hallway—to my room, situated at the top floor of the dorms. 

I twisted the doorknob at once, regaining my composure as I came face-to-face with my father. Dark hair perfectly styled backwards with a tailored tux, one would’ve thought he was my twin. 

“You look like you saw a ghost, son. Come in.” My father’s steely voice was sternly familiar as it hit me. 

I walked into the room calmly, straightening my posture. 

The weight of his arms rested on my shoulders as he stared at me intensely. My heart pounded heavily against my chest, his eyes not betraying one emotion yet they managed to convey what I needed to know. 

“You’re twenty-one, now,” he began, “the boy I raised is gone and in his place should stand an Alpha. And yet…you seem to be proving me otherwise. Should I be concerned, son?”

I shoved my father’s words away from my mind. He’s only trying to pry, see if I’d actually done anything wrong. “No, father.”

He nodded affirmatively as he said; “ Someone’s transferring to your school soon. She’ll need help settling in. Spend time with her.” 

My gaze shot up at my father. I didn’t like where he’s headed with that. It clicked in my head instantly, sparking rage in me. 

“Are you perchance asking me to court a fellow student against marriage?”

“Would that be a problem, son?” He asked, his eyebrow raised quizzically as he studied me. 

“I didn’t ask for this bond, Father. I won’t do it!”

He shoved past me with a snort. “I’ll pardon your defiance, but know this, son: You’re an Alpha Prince, you don’t have the luxury of tantrums.”

My tone rose against his even voice as I turned to face him. “What does that mean?!”

“You’re Moonfang’s heir-apparent, Liam. Start acting like it. Or I’ll find someone who will.” 

Not waiting for my response, which was typical of my father, the slamming of the door was what punctuated his threat as he left my room. 

He’d arranged a mate for me. To refuse would be to discard my designs on the Alpha Throne. Everything I’d been trained for would go to waste. And yet, I couldn’t imagine myself succumbing to a loveless bond to fulfill my needs. 

I ran my hand through my hair in frustration as I sank into the cushion near me in defeat. I got up, desperately in need of air as my room felt stifling. I needed to get out. 

I dashed out of my room, still burning from inside with anger when I ran into a girl standing by my doorstep. She stared at me calmly, too familiarly. Yet all I felt was irritation. 

“Hello, Liam. It’s been a while,” she said with a toothy grin. That smile…wait! “I just transferred here, your Dad said to contact you for help.”

“He did say you might be a bit stunned,” the new girl laughed subtly and moved closer to me. “You don’t remember me? Well, we were kids when we last met. I’m Thea Foltest!”

Thea. My heart sank. Time seemed to stop. No, it couldn’t be her.