Chapter 4

Darius Kaelen Frost

From a distance, I caught sight of someone familiar, a figure that resonated deep within me like an instinctive pull with an urgency. My senses heightened, attuned not just to recognition but to an unspoken need or purpose that stirred within my wolfish instincts. Yet, before I could clearly see her face, she vanished swiftly.

“Is something troubling you?” Celestria’s voice sliced through the moment, she sounds concerned. Her piercing blue eyes bore into mine, searching for answers. “You seem  . . . unsettled,” she murmured softly, her voice a gentle inquiry laced with worry.

“I am not,” I replied tensely. Celestria merely shrugged, her attention shifting effortlessly to our daughter as they engaged in conversation.

“Did you know she’s here?” Garrick's voice cut through the evening calm with a low voice, startling me. I turned to face him, a gulp betraying my unease.

I glanced briefly at Celestria for making sure she’s minding different business, I faced Garrick with a confusion and concern.

“What are you talking about?” I asked, trying to mask the sudden confusion brewing within.

“You must act like you’ve forgotten your best friend, Vivienne Fox, who left the pack without so much as a goodbye, even to her cousin,” Garrick asserted firmly, his stance defensive, arms crossed over his chest.

My heart surged unexpectedly at the mention of her name. Vivienne Fox—a figure from my past who had vanished without a trace, leaving behind unanswered questions and a sense of betrayal. Since the day Princess Celestria and I solidified our pack’s alliance, her absence had become a bitter memory, and I had resigned myself to moving forward without her. Yet, hearing her name now stirred up a renewed wave of frustration and hurt for no reason.

“Do you want to see her—“

“Don’t mention her name to me,” I cut Garrick off sharply, my jaw clenched as I struggled to regain my composure, scanning the surroundings for a distraction.

Celestria sensed my weird feelings and moved closer, a comforting presence beside me.

“Are you sure you’re okay? I need to go to my friends,” Celestria said softly and I never waste any time to nod my head—her smile was small but full of assurance as she took our daughter’s hand and began to walk away. I bit my lip, watching them depart with guilt.

“Don’t you want to talk to her?” Garrick pressed once more, his question hanging heavy in the air. I turned to face him, my brows furrowing in frustration. Internally, my wolf stirred, a discomfort I couldn’t quite place unsettling my thoughts.

“There’s nothing to say,” I breathed out, my words a mere whisper against the backdrop of eager chatter.  “And also, I have to do something else right now,” I added as I walk away from him.

The grandeur of the venue loomed ahead, its vastness swallowing the murmurs of anticipation. As I walk through the crowd, she appeared before me, startlingly close.

Vivienne Fox. Time had transformed her—her once cropped, sun-kissed hair now flowing in dark, lustrous waves. Beside her stood Alpha Archer of The Silvercrest Pack, their laughter harmonizing with the ambient buzz. My steps faltered as Archer’s gaze intersected with mine, a subtle nod of recognition passing between us.

“Alpha Darius. It’s good to see you,” he greeted, his voice resonating with confidence as he strode towards me, extending his hand for a firm shake.

“Likewise,” I replied icily, meeting his gesture with a cool detachment while accepting his hand.

He chuckled softly. “Anyway, I should head off. We'll catch up later?” His raised eyebrows conveyed a hopeful uncertainty, prompting me to force a polite smile before he turned away, leaving me standing awkwardly beside Vivienne, who appeared unsure of what to do next.

Our eyes met briefly, she’s seemed uncomfortable the way I am right now. Instincts stirred within me, urging me to reach out to her once more. It was unbearable, and I couldn’t bring myself to meet her gaze. Damn it. Despite everything, she remained strikingly beautiful.

She broke the silence with a composed tone. “Alpha Darius Kaelen Frost,” she acknowledged, her voice carrying a professional edge. “It’s been quite some time. Nice to see you again,” Her calm demeanor mirrored the way she had looked at me when we struck our deal.

She closed the distance between us as she extended her hand towards mine with a smile, but all I felt is coldness and my eyes are all on her eyes, disregarding her hand.

“What are you doing here?” I blurted out, the question escaping before I could stop it.

She hesitated, withdrawing her hand and nervously moistening her lips. “I know my departure was sudden, but I’ve returned because  . . . I’m ready to confront the political obligations within the Lunar Fang Pack,” she murmured, cutting off any further inquiry.

She stepped even closer and I caught her deep gaze, drawn irresistibly to the intensity in her eyes. Her pupils dilated while looking at mine, “I could have tell everyone about it.”

“I had to chase my dream of becoming a journalist,” she confessed softly, a wistful smile tugging at her lips. “But something happened—I couldn't bring myself to tell you. I thought you’d forget about me once our deal ended so I didn’t bother since I had no much time,” Her laughter, though fragile, held a bittersweet edge, accompanied by a rueful shake of her head.

Her explanation still doesn’t make any sense to me. I know she was not my business but how come she leave without telling anyone about it? 

The simmering ember of resentment still flickered within me, a turbulent storm of emotions I struggled to comprehend. “You think I could just forget about you?” My voice held a jagged edge, its tone a blend of accusation and confusion as I clenched my jaw. 

I locked eyes with her, my gaze intense, tracing the curve of her lips as I awaited her response. She recoiled slightly, creating a physical space between us and it’s hard not to forget what we had back then that it’s sicken me. 

“The pack’s thriving,” she laughs, “And you, still the most formidable Alpha in the world, with that breathtaking Luna by your side. I can’t help but be thankful that I get to live in your pack back then.” 

“You’re sidestepping my question, Vivienne,” I snapped, tightening my jaw with my hands shoved against my pocket as I might touch her uncontrollably. “Seeing you again—it’s tearing me apart. Part of me wishes you hadn’t returned. It sickens me that my fuck buddy is here while I’m dedicated to my Luna. I can’t help but feel disgusted,” I sneered out of nowhere, giving her a bad eye glare, and I instantly bite my tongue, regretting it.

Her eyes flickered with a hint of sadness as she regarded me, her lips twitching with an unspoken response. I struggled against the urge to retract my hurtful words, yearning to tell her how overwhelming it was to be near her again and I don’t want to see her again because I am devoted to my Luna, Celestria and it’s my fault that I keep thinking about her.

“Don’t worry, I’m not here for you,” she declared with a laugh, a bitter edge underlying her words. “What we had—it’s nothing to be ashamed of. It’s between us, and no one else needs to know,” she added softly as she looked down, trying to avoid my gaze.

“Mom?” A small voice called out, and a little boy rushed toward her, clutching her hand.

There he was—a little boy standing beside Vivienne Fox, addressing her as his mother.

“Oh baby, I thought you were—“

“Who is he, Mom?” The little boy interrupted Vivienne, his eyes brimming with curiosity, their green shade mirroring mine, along with his blond hair. “Is he my dad?”

“Oh, sweetie, why don’t you go play with your new friends?” Vivienne coaxed gently, lowering herself to his eye level. A pang of unfamiliarity tugged at my heart as I watched them interact.

“Introduce him to me.” 

She looked up, swallowing hard before taking a deep breath. The little boy regarded me with innocent curiosity.

“He’s my son,” she started, her voice wavering slightly. “His name is Alistair,” she added softly, her hands still wrapped around his.